Luke, a two-year-old lab mix, is among the Texas rescue dogs waiting to be adopted at Willamette Humane Society. (Courtesy/Willamette Humane Society)
Ten dogs are looking for new homes in Salem after being displaced from Texas shelters affected by heavy rains and flooding.
The Willamette Humane Society took in the pups, ranging from six weeks to two years old, to help clear shelters in the Beaumont, Texas area.
It’s common during natural disasters to transport animals already in shelters elsewhere so shelters can take in animals separated from their families. These dogs were moved to make room for those separated from their families in Tropical Storm Imelda.
“We’re making sure we’re not transporting dogs across the country that may have their families looking for them,” said Betsy Bode, operation director for the Willamette Humane Society.
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Bode met the dogs on the tarmac at Hillsboro airport last night. A few were scared from the journey, but most were in good spirits.
“They’re at the front of their kennels wagging and giving kisses,” she said.
The shelter didn’t take in any displaced cats because they’re already at capacity, Bode said.
Workers unload rescue dogs flown in from Texas at the Hillsboro airport for transport to Salem on Oct. 3, 2019 (Courtesy/Willamette Humane Society)
The dogs still need to be medically screened and fixed, but visitors can meet them and reserve them for adoption starting this weekend. The Humane Society is open 12-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 4246 Turner Road Southeast.
Humane Society volunteers are working to get profiles for the animals on the shelter’s website.
Adoption fees depend on age, size and breed, but adult dogs on average cost between $150 and $250 to adopt. Puppies are more expensive.
The younger puppies will be sent to foster families until they’re old enough to be adopted out.
The group is a variety of breeds, from a Labrador mix to a Chihuahua mix.
“It ranges from real small dogs all the way up to the biggest one is about 70 pounds,” Bode said.
Willamette Humane Society previously took in dogs displaced by tornadoes in Alabama in March. The last dog in that group was adopted last week after volunteers worked to overcome his shy nature.
Bode predicted the dogs would go fast.
“These guys seem a lot more outgoing and I think they’ll be into homes very quickly,” she said.
Workers unload rescue dogs flown in from Texas at the Hillsboro airport for transport to Salem on Oct. 3, 2019. (Courtesy/Willamette Humane Society)
Reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.
