In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s destruction in Tennessee, the Seattle Humane Society has taken in 60 kittens that were airlifted out of the affected area. The kittens, having touched down at Paine Field on Wednesday night, are part of a Greater Good Charities initiative dubbed Good Flights, which seeks to aid animals in the wake of natural disasters. “Yeah, these are kittens who are from multiple shelters in Tennessee, and they were already available for adoption prior to Hurricane Helene,” Brandon Macz of Seattle Humane told MyNorthwest.
The influx of feline refugees adds strain to local shelters already grappling with capacity issues, yet they continue to make accommodations. The NOAH Center, another Washington animal facility, reports being near capacity but has stretched its resources by leveraging foster homes, which enables them to accept animals from hurricane-stricken regions. A sentiment reinforced by the fact that many of these newly arrived cats and kittens have since been placed into foster care and are anticipated to be up for adoption soon, according to KOMO News.
The concerted effort by Washington’s animal shelters to aid these vulnerable kittens serves a dual purpose. Not only does it provide the animals with opportunities for a permanent home, but it also alleviates pressure on Tennessee shelters, allowing them to focus on reuniting pets with their families in the wake of the hurricane. “Moving these kittens out of shelters creates much-needed space during this crisis,” a rescue spokesperson told FOX 13 Seattle…