The disastrous tornado that ripped though Joplin, Missouri on May 22 left over 900 cats, dogs, ferrets, birds and rabbits without homes, straining the resources Joplin Humane Society and motivating the shelter to find a solution. The Joplin Humane Society's facility has a capacity of 325 animals, about a third of what it is currently housing. In order to handle the added numbers, the organization has converted two vacant warehouses near the shelter with kennels, a waiting room and photos of unnamed animals. Many of the animals came to JHS with cuts, bruises, infections or more serious illnesses and the shelter is struggling to maintain their usual standards of care and rigorous adoptive screening processes. The organization received a $100,000 grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals but states that the bills for medical care and extra supplies have added “tremendous strain” to its limited budget. With a third of Joplin's residents homeless and over 7,000 homes destroyed, the humane society has taken in 1,300 animals. Already, about 400 of those have been claimed or adopted and the shelter is continuing the efforts to reconnect residents with their pets. “We feel we've exhausted every avenue to get the word out,” executive director Karen Aquino told the Associated Press. “We've placed 250 yard signs. We have posters at food and donation distribution points, public service announcements on radio and TV, ads in the newspaper — everything we could think of to let people know their pets might be here if they're missing.” To help ease some of the pressure, the Joplin Humane Society plans to hold an “Adopt-a-thon” event on June 25th and 26th from 10am-8pm at the Pet Emergency Warehouse. The usual adoption fees and Missouri-residency condition will be waived, however the shelter stresses that it will maintain its normal screening processes. “ALL potential adopters will be screened with our usual process and we will follow up on all adoptions by phone to make sure the adoptions are working out” states the shelter's website. Special needs pets, including animals with broken bones, FeLeuk, FIV, or heartworm will need to be applied for and approved in advance of the Adopt-a-thon events. Pictures and information about these animals will be posted on the Joplin Humane Society's website as well as their Facebook page. The shelter maintains that none of the animals taken in after the disaster in will be euthanized. JHS is working in conjunction with several other rescue organizations across the country to assure that all of the animals get the veterinary care, exercise and attention necessary to stay healthy and happy despite the devastating trauma they have faced. BM
