Protecting animals during a hurricane

CHARLOTTE, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) – As people evacuate from the NC coast, animals are too. 

Families and rescue groups are bringing their animals with them as they flee to safer locations ahead of Hurricane Florence.

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, a non-profit animal group that takes in wildlife, is receiving car and truck loads of animals looking for a temporary place to stay. 

As of Thursday night, the facility had received 70 animals.

“Sometimes it’s easier to get into a shelter with a dog or a cat, may not be as easy to get in with a duck, or a chicken, or a goat,” said Michele Mattiloi, a shift leader with the organization. “We have been incredibly busy over the past few days. We’ve setup for an influx in animals coming to us from coastal areas. We don’t want to turn anyone away. We don’t want them to leave their animals behind. So we are taking them all in.”

Workers are asking for donations and volunteers, which you can learn more about on their Facebook page.

Many families fleeing the coast brought their animals with them, like Bernadette Michaels of Wilmington. She and her dog are staying with a friend at a Charlotte apartment that is dog friendly. She made sure to load up on a lot of toys, food and water for her dog. She’s also been squeezing in extra dog walks.

“Well, because, we don’t know how long we’re gonna be indoors. So we need to get out now as much as possible,” Michaels said.