YORK COUNTY, Pa. — The York County SPCA is reaching out to the public for assistance after a recent storm caused damage to power lines near the shelter, resulting in the loss of air conditioning and fans.
The organization said it is urgently seeking individuals who can foster dogs until the air conditioning is up and running again.
According to Kristen Dempwolf, the Communications Director at York SPCA, the shelter is currently without power, leading to uncomfortable and humid conditions for the dogs.
Dempwolf emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, "It's very quickly in the shelter, getting very, very humid and hot and uncomfortable."
The loss of power poses a significant health risk for the dogs in the shelter, particularly those with special medical needs.
"We have some dogs that, due to their anatomy, [excessive heat] can be a real health risk for them," Dempwolf said. "Right now, that means it's going to get very hot very quickly in there, and we need to get dogs out of the building as quickly as possible."
The shelter is appealing to the community to step in and provide temporary housing for the dogs.
"We need to have the community come to the shelter and please take a dog," Dempwolf said. "We just need to get dogs out of our building as quickly as possible."
The situation is further complicated by the uncertainty of when the power will be restored.
"We have no idea when the power's going to come back on," Dempwolf said. "Based on...wires down, we know it's going to be a few days before we have power back at the shelter, so we need to get animals out of the building."
This plea for assistance comes on the heels of a recent Parvovirus outbreak that necessitated the temporary closure of the shelter, halting adoptions and visits. While the three dogs currently under the shelter's care that have Parvo will remain on-site for specialized care, the organization is taking measures to address potential exposure to the virus among other dogs.
Dempwolf stated, "The dogs that were exposed to Parvo, who maybe weren't fully vaccinated, we will counsel each person."
Amidst the scorching heatwave, several animal rescue organizations, including Morgan Paws and Helen Crous Rescues, have stepped up to provide much-needed relief for animals in distress.
In a heartwarming display of compassion, veterinarians from Pattson Veterinary Hospital ventured out with a small group of six to transport animals to cooler locations. Kacie Yaekel, a dedicated veterinarian technician from Patterson Veterinary Hospital, shared, "This is Wombat, all I know is that Wombat is a guy that was just chilling in the kennels and he needs to cool down with some AC."
While some lucky animals will find temporary refuge with the veterinarians, others will stay at the Pattson Veterinary Hospital, where they can take advantage of the air-conditioned facility. Speaking about the situation, Kacie Yaekel emphasized the importance of keeping the animals cool and calm during this difficult time.
Additionally, for those fostering dogs, essential supplies such as leashes, treats, and collars are being provided. However, concerns loom over the uncertain power situation, with fears of extended power outages.
Amid these challenges, the York County SPCA is appealing for support from the community to ensure the well-being of the sheltered dogs during this difficult period.
Those interested in helping out are asked to email the shelter at info@ycspca.org.
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