They arrived Thursday afternoon after a long drive from down south to get out of the path of Tropical Storm Laura: 29 cats and six dogs.

It was part of a nationwide, multi-organization effort to bring dogs and cats in the path of Laura – at the time a hurricane – to safety, and hopefully, their forever homes.

What You Need To Know

  • Six local animal rescue organizations collaborated with Louisiana animal shelters to take in dozens of dogs and cats from Louisiana ahead of Hurricane Laura

  • Ulster County SPCA rescued 29 cats and six dogs from the region

  • Ulster SPCA workers drove down to Maryland on Thursday morning at 3:30 a.m. to retrieve the dogs and cats and drive them back to Ulster County

"They had potty breaks; they had water breaks before we actually loaded them up, so once they actually get in the van, everybody goes to sleep," said Gina Carbonari, the executive director of the Ulster County SPCA.

The Ulster County SPCA was one of six area animal rescue groups, including Pets Alive in Middletown and the Dutchess County SPCA, who worked with the Humane Society of Louisiana to move cats and dogs from at-risk shelters to other shelters nationwide.

"It also opens up those shelters, so that in the aftermath of a hurricane or any type of natural disaster, there is space for animals down there that are going to be lost and found, so their owners will be able to find them," said Carbonari.

They’re now playing, resting up, and getting health checks so they’ll be ready for adoption soon.

Una is one of the six Louisiana pups they brought up.

"She is a Catahoula mix, which is very often a type of breed that you'll find down in the Louisiana area, and she is a beautiful little girl. She'll be available probably next week," said Carbonari.

To find out how you can adopt one of these cats or dogs, go to ucspca.org.