Displaced companions

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The Cullman Animal Shelter is temporarily set up at Sportman Lake Park. Puppies and other pets are needing foster care until their displaced owners can care for them. The Cullman Times
The Cullman Animal Shelter is temporarily set up at Sportman Lake Park. Dogs, like this one who likes having his head scratched, are needing foster care until their displaced owners can care for them. The Cullman Times
The Cullman Animal Shelter is temporarily set up at Sportman Lake Park. Puppies and other pets are needing foster care until their displaced owners can care for them. The Cullman Times
The Cullman Animal Shelter is temporarily set up at Sportman Lake Park. Dogs and cats are needing foster care until their displaced owners can care for them. Amanda Shavers-Davis
The Cullman Animal Shelter is temporarily set up at Sportman Lake Park. Puppies and other pets are needing foster care until their displaced owners can care for them. The Cullman Times
Candie Horsley with the Cullman Animal Shelter, pampers two ready to foster puppies at the shelter's temporary set up at Sportman Lake Park Friday afternoon. The pups, and their siblings, are needing foster care until their displaced owners can care for them. David Palmer

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May 7, 2011

Animal shelter moved to Sportsman Lake Park; pets needing foster care until owners find housing

By David Palmer The Cullman Times The Cullman Times Sat May 07, 2011, 05:00 AM CDT

By David Palmer

Editor

As Wednesday's deadly EF4 tornado plowed through downtown and a large residential area, Cullman County's Animal Control officers and a large group of dogs and cats were holding on as the shelter's walls shook violently from the force of the storm.

Damage to the shelter, which is located just off U.S. 278, should be repaired enough for the team to begin operating there by Monday, said Candie Horsley of the animal control office.

The aftermath of the storm left numerous pets without homes or somehow separated. Animal control officials have set up a storm relief station for displaced pets at Sportsman Lake Park. Anyone needing temporary shelter or foster care for their pets because of circumstances related to storm damage may visit the station this weekend.

"A lot of these animals lost their homes when their owners lost theirs," Horsley said. "They are affected by the storm, too. When we were at the shelter during the storm everything was shaking and all of the dogs became quiet. It was just eerie. Thankfully, everyone was safe."

Horsley anticipates that the shelter will reopen Monday and that the relief operation can be handled at the regular location.

After the storm, volunteers who assist the shelter staff found about 35 dogs and cats that were homeless. In many cases, shelter officials have been unable to locate the owners. They are encouraging anyone who is missing a pet to contact the shelter staff so that identification can be made.

"A lot of people may be unable to keep their pets at this time, so we're needing more foster homes for pets. If anyone is interesting in keeping a displaced animal at this time they can come by and fill out a screening application," she said.

"The animals are being fed, walked and cared for around the clock. We have people on staff 24 hours caring for those that have lost their homes," Horsley added.

The Birmingham Humane Society, Tuscaloosa Animal Control, local contributors, veterinarians and other organizations and individuals have been providing food and medical services. Horsley said donations are still needed for food, flea and tick medicine, dog treats, litter boxes, litter and other items.

"We've had so many people willing to help; it's wonderful. The situation for the animals is part of the problems residents are facing after the storm because so many homes were lost or damage. Our people on the animal control staff have also been involved in helping people with food and other services during this time," Horsley said.

If you would like to help or need help, contact Horsley at 256-347-5784, or Christy Patterson at 256-347-7884.

* David Palmer can be reached by e-mail at dpalmer@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 213