YORK COUNTY, Pa. — In the dog days of summer, some pups at Animal Rescue Inc. in New Freedom, York County are being relocated.
The move comes after a pipe burst in the shelter, causing flood damage and reduced space for the shelter to care for its animals.
Grace Froelich, director of Animal Rescue Inc., said, "The whole ceiling has to come out," which crews will begin demolishing Wednesday.
Despite the damage, Froelich says the main concern right now is the animals.
“Moving the animals was of the utmost importance. We have a few animals that are mentally handicapped not knowing what's going on and they were just standing in like 6 inches of water," Froelich said.
Some animals that have full mobility were able to climb to safety and avoid the water, but the animals in their golden years at the shelter had to wait for help.
While most animals were moved to areas on the property unaffected by the flooding, more than 200 animals are in need of relocation. Some are temporarily being placed in foster homes until the damage can be repaired, the majority of which Froelich hopes will be completed by this weekend, but other parts she says will take weeks.
And with a heatwave expected to hit central Pennsylvania this week, Froelich says keeping the animals in their normal outdoor kennels is too dangerous.
She said, "It wouldn't be such a problem, but tomorrow's going to be about 100 degrees; the animals that are outside in outside areas they can’t be out in that weather.”
Many cats and dogs have already been taken to a temporary home where they can stay cool, but there are still some in need of a place to stay for the next few days. If you are interested in fostering a pet, you can call Animal Rescue Inc. at (717)-993-3232.