At the end of October, 13 dogs and cats were rescued from an area of North Carolina hit by Hurricane Helene. The pets were flown to an upstate New York animal shelter.

Bissell Pet Foundation provided the funding, Pilots To The Rescue provided the plane and the Susquehanna SPCA provided a temporary home. All of those steps and people were essential to bringing 13 dogs and cats to Otsego County.

“These communities lost so much. And, across the country, we've all been wondering, how can we help. Adopting a pet from a hurricane impacted area is just one … really important way to make a difference,” said Brittany Schlacter, a marketing and public relations specialist for the Bissell Pet Foundation.

As North Carolina recovers from Helene, both people and pets are looking for a home.

To date, Bissell says it's helped rescue 1,200 pets since Helene hit.

Michael Schneider’s nonprofit, Pilots To The Rescue, picked up the dogs and cats from a full shelter in North Carolina.

“When we get to the other side, you see the transformation when you open up that crate and you know, they are still timid to come out, but animals are very intuitive and they can feel that energy," Schneider said. "So all the people on the receiving end are the ones that are very excited to see them. And there's a better path for them forward, and a loving home waiting to adopt them.

"So, they pick up on that energy, and then they start to come out of the crate and their tails are wagging and licking your face. And it's just a total transformation from point A to B, and I get to witness that journey every time I do this kind of work. And that's what keeps me going."

The Susquehanna SPCA took the pets into their care and helped the animals find new homes. Almost all of the pets from the flight have been adopted.

“A lot of people were leaving in a rush in an emergency situation. Sadly, often when folks are going into shelters, they're not allowed to take their pets. And so, people run into really tough times," said Susquehanna SPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes. "And so we were able to help clear the shelters so the animals could also be safe and then be reunited with their family."

Will Rivera had said he wouldn’t own a dog. This is until he fostered Tony.

“It broke my heart, and I do a lot of trauma work for survivors of victims of crime, and direct service work," Rivera said. "And so it just reminded me of all the work that I do and why I do it. And [I saw] how scared he was. I mean, he wouldn't even shake or move or even wag his tail."

After one day, Tony went from a foster dog to a family pet.

"He'll go up to anyone now and let them pet; he will see another dog and play with them really quick,” said Rivera. “And I tell everyone just as much as Tony needed a needed a place, I needed him even more.”