Hurricane Helene’s war-like path of devastation across the east coast may have subsided for now, but for hundreds-of-thousands of lives affected in Western North Carolina, the recovery effort is only just beginning. Helene’s wrath, labeled as “one of the deadliest hurricanes to strike the US mainland in the last 50 years,” is years away from becoming a distant memory. In the midst of the deadly storm, bridges, roads, homes and even entire small towns were washed away, leading to a loss of human lives estimated to be in the hundreds and growing. Rescue Ranch, located in Statesville, North Carolina, has become a hub for rescue groups working to assist thousands of animals in critical danger. Helen Woodward Animal Center is donating $50,000 to help with the heroic efforts being made by Rescue Ranch, and 15 additional animal welfare organizations working together to save these lives, to let them know they are not forgotten, and they are not alone, according to a news release.
Rescue Ranch is a 501c3 non-profit animal welfare organization co-founded by Krissie Newman and a board of dedicated animal advocates. Their mission focuses on promoting, through education, respect for all animals, as well as agricultural, environmental, and wildlife conservation, while facilitating rehabilitation, rescue, and responsible pet ownership in order to enhance the human-animal bond. Their 87-acre sanctuary provides permanent residency for more than 80 rescued animals. Additionally, Newman has become synonymous with her efforts to support the community in her unrelenting quest to improve the lives of animals. For these reasons, Rescue Ranch was a natural go-to in the North Carolina community to help guide the gargantuan rescue efforts needed, the news release stated.
On Sept. 28, even before the full scope of devastation became clear, The ASAR (Animal Search and Rescue – Training and Response) team arrived at Rescue Ranch, utilizing their centralized location in Statesville as a base camp. Teams arrived from Michigan, Colorado, and Kansas, with Newman assuming the role of the local liaison. Each day, these teams leave the ranch, going out on missions to rescue stranded animals (large and small – from horses to dogs and cats), while also collecting donated supplies.
Beginning early in the week, the ASAR team, along with a number of supporting groups, began rescuing horses trapped by debris and high water, and providing much needed resources like food and water. The ASAR team is also assisting Red Dog Farms and Piedmont Animal Rescue, who are housing most of the shelter animals from the impacted areas, in order to make room for strays or lost pets, in hopes they are found by their owners.
“The devastation is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before,” said Rescue Ranch Executive Director Michelle Hepler in the news release. “The loss of human lives and homes means that there are abandoned animals everywhere. Hundreds of them. There is so much work to be done, but we have been joined by such incredible groups and working together, we’re trying to make some headway.”
Rescue Ranch has collaborated with a network of Animal Rescues, Humane Shelters and even local businesses to start a donation drive to support the ASAR team’s response. Rescue Ranch has been, and will continue to be, the donation hub where supplies are received, packaged and routed to various locations throughout the region.
“Rescue Ranch is a very special group to us,” said Helen Woodward Animal Center President and CEO Mike Arms in the news release. “I met Krissie Newman years ago when she reached out to ask for some assistance creating a Humane Education program similar to the one utilized here at our Center. We’ve been close friends ever since, and our organizations share a cohesive mission. When she reached out for help after Hurricane Helene, the only answer I could give was ‘tell me what you need.’”
The $50,000 gift by Helen Woodward Animal Center to Rescue Ranch is to provide additional supplies, medical care, food or transport costs. Additionally, Helen Woodward Animal Center is standing by to send staff to assist on the ground should the need for more volunteers increase.
“It is truly amazing how everyone has come together to support our community,” said Newman in the news release. “The devastation from Hurricane Helene is heartbreaking, and it will take a very long time for these communities to rebuild. Rescue Ranch is committed to continuing our support and increasing our capacity to be a resource to those in need. Having amazing partners like Helen Woodward Animal Center is such a blessing and will allow us to continue to assist in the rebuild and provide long term support for our shelter community.”
To donate to Rescue Ranch and the Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts, go to: shorturl.at/U7DxO
For more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center, visit www.animalcenter.org or call 858-756-4117.