Prince William residents and members of the Prince William Humane Society’s Adopt Shop have taken in several animals from shelters in Florida that were impacted by Hurricane Irma.
“This weekend we brought up – transferred up – 28 dogs from Hurricane Irma, and we brought up 16 cats,” said the Adopt Shop Center Manager Jill Gregory.
The pets that were brought up to the center in Dumfries were not pets that were found in the storm, or ones that had owners.
All of the cats and dogs rescued from Florida were already living in animal shelters, and were moved to Virginia to make room for pets found during the hurricane, so they could be taken in and potentially reunited with their loved ones.
“This has affected more than just us up here – this is their whole state, it’s a state of emergency right now. We wanted to be able to help all of the Floridians, but also just help the pets – we do really want to save them all,” said Gregory.
Gregory said the Prince William Humane Society is grateful that they were able to take in so many animals in need.
“We’re lucky right now because we have the space to do it – that said, any adoption of any of our pets – from the hurricane or any of the pets we have on-site, will help because we’ll be able to then help the Floridians even more,” said Gregory.
Over the coming days, the animals from Florida – dubbed the “hurricane pets” – will be available for adoption.
In an instance of interesting timing, the influx of new pets coincides with the organization’s biggest annual fundraising event Wags-N-Wine.
Wags-N-Wine is being held on September 23 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at their location at 17983 Dumfries Shopping Plaza from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door, and there will be wine, beer, and cider tastings, as well as food, music, vendors, and a silent auction.
“This is the fundraiser that really helps us to be able to do what we do. We are a fundraiser only organization, so all of our donations go right into this place,” said Gregory.
Editor’s Note: Lucy (the dog highlighted in the video) has been adopted by our very own Communications Specialist Erin Flynn!
Here is a video of the Wags-N-Wine event:
