JEFFERSONTOWN, Ky. — The Kentucky Humane Society has taken in more than 60 animals that were sheltered in Louisiana before Hurricane Ida rocked the state.


What You Need To Know

  • The Kentucky Humane Society has taken in more than 60 animals displaced by Hurricane Ida

  • KHS is trying to get the animals adopted as quickly as possible

  • All of the animals have been assessed, updated on their shots and spayed or neutered

  • At least 60% of animals at KHS come from overcrowded shelters

Taking these cats and dogs in has given them a much better shot at finding a new home, and possibly even surviving. But now the Kentucky Humane Society is packed full, so the staff is hoping to get the pets adopted quickly.

At least 60% of animals at KHS come from overcrowded shelters. (Spectrum News 1/Sam Knef)

Royals is one of the new dogs, and she’s happy as can be now, said Kentucky Humane Society PR Marketing Director Andrea Blair.

“They definitely had a stressful couple days getting here,” Blair said.

It’s been a long journey for the animals, and one that could’ve ended abruptly a lot earlier.

“These animals are lucky to be out of those flood zones, and all of the terrible things that are happening in Louisiana,” Blair said. “We took in over 60 animals from overcrowded shelters. What that does is it allows Louisiana shelters to then make room for animals that were lost because of the storm, or had to be surrendered after the storm.”

The animals were all rescued by the Bissell Pet Foundation. They were first taken to an emergency shelter in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“When it comes to things like hurricanes and other types of disasters, animal shelters are really on the front lines. So when they become overcrowded, they have to make difficult decisions often,” she said.

Royals is one of the new dogs, and she’s happy as can be now, said Kentucky Humane Society PR Marketing Director Andrea Blair. (Spectrum News 1/Sam Knef)

Difficult decisions can mean putting animals down.

But now that the roughly 30 cats and 30 dogs are at the Humane Society's Pet Retreat in Jeffersontown, they have shot at finding a new home.

Blair said she’s really hoping people give them that shot.

“Honestly, it’s a lot. We already have probably at least 300 other animals in care right now. So when we do take in animals like this, we want to get them worked up as quickly as possible, and then we really want people to come out and adopt,” she said. “We have a few that are shy and skittish, but overall they’re really great animals. So they’re just looking for a second chance.”

“When you adopt from an animal shelter, you help save lives,” Blair said.

All of the animals have been assessed, updated on their shots and spayed or neutered.

Kentucky Humane Society is the largest destination shelter in Kentucky, meaning when other shelters are overcrowded, they reach out to KHS for help.

At least 60% of animals at the Kentucky Humane Society come from overcrowded shelters.

More information can be found on the humane society’s website.