Hurricane Dorian: Over 250 Dogs And Cats Killed In Bahamas Shelter

As Hurricane Dorian battered the Bahamas last week, more than 250 dogs and cats have died in an animal shelter, according to shelter staff.

The Humane Society of Grand Bahama lost 220 dogs and 50 cats to a storm surge caused by the hurricane, which arrived at the shores of Grand Bahama as a Category-5 storm, CNN reported.

Felicia Telfort, the shelter supervisor said that she and five other co-workers were looking after 300 dogs and about 100 cats when the storm hit.

As the water rose to the chest, Telfort and other workers tried to elevate all of the animals’ cages to protect them from the flooding. But after the water levels inside the shelter became dangerously high, the shelter workers were left with two choices. They could either continue their rescue efforts or save themselves.

And so, the six employees climbed into the attic through a small hole in the ceiling, stayed inside as the storm raged, listened to all the howling and crying which eventually stopped.

Due to the deadly Category-5 hurricane, water invaded the interior of the animal shelter. The staff members survived the storm but many of the animals couldn’t make it through the flooding.

The staffers were able to swim out of the shelter the next day, which is now taking care of 75 dogs and 50 cats with minimal medical supplies, food, and vehicles. They are trying to replace everything that got damaged including digital X-ray machine, laboratory blood analyzers, microscopes, and ultrasound equipment. Elizabeth Burrows, executive director of the humane society estimated that the ruined materials are worth $250,000.

The shelter employees were not working alone to save the animals during Dorian. One Bahamian woman homed 97 dogs to look after them. Several local rescuers saved around 100 cats from the destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian. Organizations like include Joseph’s Legacy, Tri-State Noah Project, the Paws Cause Rescue and more also teamed up for the rescue work, as per Fox19 News.

At least 50 people have now been confirmed dead and several missing after the storm wreaked havoc in Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands. Officials fear that the death toll may continue to climb up.