IFAW deploys to rescue animals from the deadly floods in Kentucky

ifaw deploys to help rescue animals from the deadly floods in Kentucky

August 29, 2022

help rescue animals and support communities

wildlife rehab is priority as flood recovery efforts continue

Latest update

The flood waters in Eastern Kentucky have receded after the recent catastrophic floods, but IFAW is still working to ensure that wildlife rehabilitators have the resources needed to rescue wild animals, help them recuperate and return them to the wild. This past year, Mountain View Wildlife Rehabilitation—the only wildlife rehabilitator in the surrounding 17 counties—has taken in 167 animals, including the fawns in the image below, who are scheduled to be released back to the wild in October. IFAW has provided an emergency grant to the center to support care for the influx of wildlife and repairs to enclosures due to flooding and mudslides.

Fawns rescued by Mountain View Wildlife Rehabilitation. They are scheduled to be released in October. Julia Cumes / © IFAW

After spending three full weeks on the ground with Kentucky River Regional Animal Shelter (KRRAS) to help manage donated supplies for local communities, care for shelter animals, and reunite cats and dogs with their owners, IFAW responders have returned home.

IFAW has awarded additional emergency grant funds to Starfish Animal Rescue to assist with the transport of surrendered pets to receiving shelters, and to Animal Disaster Relief Coalition (ADRC) to support animal search and rescue, daily care of shelter dogs and cats, and the distribution of pet supplies. We continue to help cover veterinary expenses for displaced families and KRRAS shelter animals.

As Eastern Kentucky shifts from crisis mode to recovery, we continue to support planning at state and local levels to build resilience.

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timeline of updates from Kentucky >>

The scene in Kentucky after last week’s catastrophic flooding is grim.

August 9, 2022

The scene in Kentucky after last week’s catastrophic flooding is grim. Rescuers encountered nervous pets floating on debris, alone and unable to ask how they can find their families. Shelters scrambling to accommodate all of the stray animals displaced by the flood waters. But that’s where we come in: IFAW’s Disaster Response team is on the ground in Perry, Knott, Letcher, and Breathitt counties, helping reunite families, responding to requests for help from law enforcement, local authorities, and the public, and supporting local animal shelters. The stories run the gamut from animals who are trapped, stranded, or injured, to concerned pet owners trying to find their beloved pets.

Having our expert staff deploy to help manage shelter operations allows our partners to have room for animals like Church. Church has a family who loves him very much, but they needed a place for Church to stay while they found pet-friendly housing. Because our experts were on hand to provide assistance to Kentucky River Regional Shelter, Church was able to stay safe, dry, fed, and cared for while his family found a safe, permanent place to stay — and his family was even able to come visit him.

There are countless stories like Church's. As shelters scramble to accommodate all of the stray animals displaced by the flood waters, IFAW’s Disaster Response team is helping both the shelters and local authorities on how best to serve both animals and people.

We’re heartened to see citizens across the country rise to the occasion to help, and we’re inspired by the resilience we’re seeing from people living near the areas hit hardest by the foods.

As we continue to help where we are needed most, thank you for your ongoing support.

A young boy displaced by flooding comes to visit his cat, Church, who is staying at the shelter while the family looks for pet-friendly housing. Photo: Julia Cumes / © IFAW

IFAW deployed responders in Kentucky to help with animal search and rescue

August 2, 2022

On Thursday, 28 July 2022, heavy rains kicked off catastrophic flooding in the eastern part of the state and has killed at least 37 people. Entire counties are devastated and continue to experience flash floods, landslides and mudslides. More rainfall is expected to continue throughout this week.

Today, IFAW deployed trained responders in Eastern Kentucky to help with animal search and rescue and emergency sheltering. Local authorities requested our support in four of the hardest hit counties of Perry, Knott, Letcher, and Breathitt and we immediately activated our team.

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