Animals displaced by Hurricane Harvey arrive in SLO — and more may be on the way

Woods Humane Society in San Luis Obispo is doing its part to help animals displaced by Hurricane Harvey, taking in about 25 dogs and cats from storm-ravaged Houston.

The animals arrived on the Central Coast from Texas on Thursday night in search of new homes, Woods Executive Director Jill Tucker said. After arriving in Santa Maria, Woods staff transported them on the final leg of their journey to San Luis Obispo.

The group included 15 dogs and 10 cats, Tucker said. All of the animals were either in a shelter when Harvey hit or were surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them, she said.

“If (the owners) don’t have any place to live, it really gives them no choice,” Tucker said.

She said many of the animals appear to need veterinary care, especially treatment for heartworms — parasitic worms that live in animals’ organs and are spread by mosquitoes. Heartworms are common in the South, which is humid and an ideal mosquito habitat.

Once the animals are healthy, Tucker said she hopes to find new homes for them as soon as possible to minimize their stress levels, which are likely already high from the long trip.

And more animals may be on the way. Tucker said another bus with up to 25 dogs and 20 cats could arrive next Friday.

“We’re OK at the moment,” she said. “But we do need people to come in and adopt.”

Those interested in helping the furry friends can either adopt an animal or donate to Woods’ Crystal Fund, which provides money for veterinary care. To see all adoptable pets online, visit woodshumanesociety.org/adopt. To donate to the Crystal Fund, visit woodshumanesociety.org/donate.

Woods Humane Society located at 875 Oklahoma Ave. in San Luis Obispo and is open from noon to 6 p.m. daily. For more information, call 805-543-9316.

This story was originally published September 15, 2017 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Animals displaced by Hurricane Harvey arrive in SLO — and more may be on the way."