Spencer, Iowa, was devastated by a massive flood that damaged thousands of homes and left many people and pets homeless.

Numerous people evacuated but not all were able to get back to their homes to get their pets due to flooded roads. 

Local animal shelters, People for Pets and Humane Society of Northwest Iowa, started search and rescue missions to save pets trapped in homes. They headed out on boats after receiving calls from concerned pet owners and worked with local boarding facilities to help find housing for all the displaced animals. 

The 11,000 residents are still combing through the damage to see if their homes are salvageable and searching for lost pets. 

Thanks to your donations, daily clicks at The Animal Rescue Site, and playing trivia on Freekibble, Greater Good Charities (GGC) arrived to help with 40 pallets of pet food and supplies for the displaced pets.

The donated food is being used to feed the animals and the shelter has started a food pantry to help people impacted by the flood. Pet food and toys were also brought to locals who were taking shelter with their pets in a building north of town. 

Jenna recalls how heartbreaking it was to see all the displaced people and their pets and remembers how a toy made a huge difference to one dog. "There was an elderly woman and she had a Husky. The Husky was so, so sad. We brought him a squeaky toy and he was the happiest guy. It was the cutest thing. It made my heart really happy. All he needed was a little toy."

GGC's team met Steph, assistant shelter director, while at the shelter and discovered that she not only helps animals in her community by also clicks daily at The Animal Rescue Site and plays trivia on Freekibble to help feed shelter animals around the country. She is a huge animal lover, just like all of you, and has welcomed several rescue animals into her home.

Her daily actions - which only take a few minutes - have resulted in pet food and supplies for her community during this crisis. She is beyond grateful for the support and encourages everyone to click and play daily to help pets in need. 

The catastrophic flood is something the community and rescuers will never forget. The community is helping each other during this crisis and are determined to rebuild their town that was just beginning to thrive.

Photo: People for Pets

The shelter has opened their doors to house displaced pets while their owners try to figure out where they will live. However, the shelter is overcrowded and desperately needs more space. "I think we're pushing 130 animals and that includes dogs. So obviously we're very over our capacity," Jenna told us. 

Their 80 cat kennels and 15 dog kennels are full, and some have more than one pet in them. Staff have even put wire crates in other rooms for displaced pets and allow several pets to roam free in the office. 

How You Can Help

In a matter of minutes, people lost their homes and all their belongings. The Animal Rescue Site and GGC's Good Flights are conducting an emergency flight to help keep families together. 

The flight will fly dozens of cats that were waiting for homes prior to the flood to New York and potentially other New England states for a second chance. This will not only save the lives of the pets on the flight but also make room for animals who lost their homes in the flood. 

Concerned pet owners will know that their beloved pals are safe and have a place to go until they are able to find new housing.

The shelter is overcapacity and unable to take in any more pets. Due to the flooding, the number of people looking to surrender their pet has increased dramatically and adoptions have almost come to a halt.  

The pets of Spencer need our help now! 

Cat Passengers 

Shelter cats who have been patiently waiting for months and years for a home will soon find loving homes thank to the emergency Flight to Freedom.  

Meet a few of the lucky felines who will be passengers on the upcoming flight. 

Mary Beth

This sweet feline has been at the shelter for almost three years waiting for a loving home. She adores people and attention but isn't a fan of other cats. She will tolerate them but prefers to find someone who will spend all their time petting and spoiling her. This queen is ready to find her palace.  

FIV-Positive Boys

Four male cats who are all Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) positive are getting a second chance to find their person thank to this flight. George and Ranger have been waiting for months while Tommy and Skittles have been at the shelter for over a year. They are all friendly and love attention.

Join us in flying these shelter pets to freedom and lending a helping hand to displaced pets and people in Iowa.