ASPCA Provides Emergency Supplies for Animals Affected by Tornado in Taney County, Mo.

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), at the request of the Taney County Health Department Animal Control Division in Branson, Mo., has dispatched its disaster response team to provide emergency supplies to aid animals affected by the devastating tornado that struck the city of Branson and Taney County on February 29, destroying commercial, residential and rural areas. ASPCA officials estimate that approximately 250 to 500 animals have been directly impacted by the tornado.

ASPCA responders arrived on the ground Wednesday, February 29, to work with local officials to assess the situation and establish a system that will provide pet owners with much needed supplies such as pet food, bowls and crates, which are being generously donated by PetSmart Charities, Inc. Additionally, the ASPCA is providing an initial grant in the amount of $10,000 to help animals in need of emergency sheltering and veterinary care. For information about qualifications for grant assistance please contact Taney County Animal Center at (417) 332-0172.

“Many people have lost their homes due to the tornado, and our goal is to alleviate some of the stress for pet owners by keeping them together with their animals,” said Dr. Dick Green, director of Disaster Response for the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team. “The ASPCA has worked with the Taney County Animal Control to establish a shelter-in-place plan where pet owners can request sheltering units consisting of kennels, food, bowls, leashes and collars. The sheltering units will be assembled and delivered to pet owners by the Taney County Animal Control. The ASPCA will continue to provide ongoing assistance, personnel and resources in Branson as long as we’re needed.”

“The Taney County Animal Control is currently going through a remodeling project, which has limited our capacity to take in more animals affected by the storm,” added Eric Hansen of the Taney County Animal Control. “We are grateful that the ASPCA is able to provide assistance to the animals in our community.”

Taney County residents who need emergency animal shelter units or for any animal control issues should contact the Taney County Animal Control at (417) 332-0172.