About the Author
Kitty Block is the chief executive officer and president of Humane World for Animals, as well as the chief executive officer of Humane World Action Fund.
In pictures: Helping animals in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian
Daniel Wagner/AP Images for the HSUS
Kelly Donithan, director of Animal Disaster Response for the Humane Society of the United States, is greeted by a resident’s dog while going door-to-door in Punta Gorda, Florida, on Oct. 5, 2022. Donithan is part of a team distributing pet supplies to those affected by Hurricane Ian.
Kelly Donithan/The HSUS
Given the dramatic need for veterinary services, the idea of establishing a pop-up vet clinic next to the HSUS food distribution point was born, so that the local community could access basic veterinary care.
Colin Hackley/AP Images for the HSUS
A pup named Collin waits with his guardian to receive dog food at a Humane Society of the United States point of distribution for those in need after Hurricane Helene on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Madison County, Florida.
Once again, members of our Animal Rescue Team are taking action on the ground in the wake of disaster in a particularly brutal storm season. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly this team moves and
The HSUS
After Hurricane Idalia, our team set up a supply distribution center in Madison County, Florida. Over Labor Day weekend, we distributed pet food and supplies to 350 households, helping nearly 1,400 animals, including dogs, cats, cows, chickens and squirrels.
Update: By the time our team departed the area in mid-September, 872 families were served during our response effort, including 9,083 animals. When we learned that Hurricane Idalia would likely make