Want a furry friend? Dozens more cats, dogs displaced by Southern weather coming to Delaware

Isabel Hughes
Delaware News Journal

Delawareans looking for a new furry friend will soon have many potential pets to choose from as more animals from the weather-stricken South are brought to the First State.

This week, Delaware Humane Association began receiving cats, dogs, kittens and puppies from Texas, Georgia and Virginia, where winter storms have displaced hundreds of animals.

The animals are being housed in the association's Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach adoption centers. They come in addition to the hundreds of dogs and cats that Brandywine Valley SPCA began accepting this week from Southern shelters.

READ:Hundreds of displaced dogs, cats coming to Delaware from weather-stricken South

In total, Delaware Humane Association expects to receive about 50 pets. It's already received a "particularly large transport" of cats from Georgia, which will likely be the first of several in coming weeks as the humane association enters kitten season — a period of time from early spring to the fall in which many kittens are born.

Rose, a Delaware Humane Association puppy, was featured during the Puppy Bowl on discovery+ and Animal Planet on Super Bowl Sunday, 2021.

A young nursing dog and her puppies were also part of the Georgia transport. The puppies have been placed in foster homes, while the mother pup is being treated by humane association veterinarians.

Another transport of animals arrived Thursday, while a third is slated to arrive Sunday. The pets will be available for adoption, but only after they first settle into Delaware Humane Association's shelters and undergo medical checks by veterinarians.

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Staff will also be assessing the dogs' and cats' behavior to "ensure the best possible adoption fit."

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the humane association is operating by appointment only. Those interested in adopting can view available animals online and submit an application at delawarehumane.org/adopt/how-to-adopt.

From there, staff will reach out to set up a "socially distanced meet and greet appointment."

Those who cannot adopt but want to help fund the transport service can do so online at delawarehumane.org/animaltransportprogram. Donations are also accepted at delawarehumane.org/give.

Send story tips or ideas to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com or 302-324-2785. For all things breaking news, follow her on Twitter at @izzihughes_