A Community of Relief: How the MSPCA Is Responding to Climate Change
What happens to domesticated animals like cats and dogs when a major weather event like a hurricane or earthquake arrives?
As natural disasters caused by climate change displace an ever-growing number of animals, their need for human advocacy has never been greater.
Rescue organizations, including MSPCA-Angell in Jamaica Plain, are often destination shelters for animals in need. This is sometimes true for pets whose owners can’t keep them. But it’s even more true for shelter animals.
Shelter animals are often transported long distances to other shelters with capacity for more animals. The MSPCA takes animals from along the East Coast and sometimes from as far away as Texas. National organizations, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Best Friends, and Bissell Pet Foundation, partner with state organizations like the MSPCA to facilitate the transport of animals. For example, the MSPCA was very actively involved in supporting recent relief efforts after hurricanes Helene and Milton.
When disasters strike, it’s important to quickly make kennel space available for an influx of displaced animals. Efforts are more effective when entire communities respond. Shelters often waive adoption fees to place more pets in permanent homes, and foster families step up by taking in more animals. When a large transport of animals arrives, they have somewhere safe to go.
But how do the animals cope with being uprooted and relocated, especially with so many other homeless animals? Jamie Garabedian, project manager of the Animal Protection Division at MSPCA-Angell, says that animals are incredibly resilient creatures. Even so, they do need time to decompress after arriving at a new shelter. “We allow them a few days to settle in while we work to evaluate their behavior and provide any medical care they need before making them available for adoption.”
Garabedian recommends adoption as one of the best ways to support animals affected by climate change. Those who are not in a position to adopt can volunteer for or donate to organizations that provide these services. But no matter how people choose to respond, choosing to respond at all is important.
“Natural disasters are becoming more frequent, and are happening in more areas of the country than ever before, says Garabedian. “They will continue to affect and displace animals.”
Photo Caption: Fifteen dogs were transported to the Northeast Animal Shelter from North Carolina just before Hurricane Helene struck. Photos courtesy of MSPCA-Angell
