Latest news with #AshevilleHumaneSociety
Miami Herald
21-04-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Shelter worker endured ‘so much loss' after Helene. Then came touching adoption
A shelter worker endured 'so much loss' after Hurricane Helene — then came a heartwarming adoption. Colleen Daly, whose apartment flooded in the storm, rushed to save her two dogs. A few months later, one of the pups got sick and died, leaving her 'devastated,' a North Carolina animal shelter wrote April 17 on Facebook. But then, Daly's co-workers at the Asheville Humane Society encouraged her to meet Bali, a resilient and cuddly dog. The pup was the right fit for her family, which ended up adopting her. 'She was in isolation for a great portion of her time here due to having parvo,' Daly told McClatchy News via email. 'But one of our animal care staff (members) describes her as 'an absolute sweetiepie' and indicated that she was well loved.' Bali, now named Buu, got a fresh start after Hurricane Helene ravaged parts of Western North Carolina in late September. When the storm hit, Daly's family reportedly 'watched as the water rose around their apartment.' Her husband, Brian Asheland, swam through the floodwaters to find help for a neighbor. 'They lost their apartment, both of their cars, their belongings,' the humane society wrote. Daly's dogs survived, and she was there as 100 animals from the shelter were flown outside the hard-hit area. 'In the coming months, Colleen heard the same question 'How are you so positive?' She always had the same response 'The dogs are okay. They're my world,'' according to the shelter. Then she lost one of her dogs, Lemonny, to kidney disease. 'Colleen wasn't alone in her grief,' the shelter wrote. 'Tadpole, Colleen's oldest dog, has a disability and struggles socially. Without Lemonny, he seemed lost. He refused to get off the couch to greet people — he was unrecognizable.' Eventually, Daly was introduced to Buu, a 'playful' and 'affectionate' dog who had arrived as a stray in February. Daly and her husband adopted Buu, giving their once-struggling pup Tadpole a new best friend as the family waits for their next apartment. 'She bounces around him, accommodating his wonky version of play, and snuggles up with him — just to be,' the shelter wrote. 'Tadpole? He is brighter than ever before.'
Miami Herald
15-04-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Senior shelter dog overlooked for a year finds ‘perfect' home with familiar face
A senior shelter dog was overlooked for more than a year — then came a heartwarming adoption. Honey Bun now has the 'perfect' home — with a familiar face. A North Carolina animal shelter said the dog had been living with a foster mom, who eventually decided to adopt her. 'She's such a sweetie and I love her very much,' her new owner told the Asheville Humane Society in an April 11 Facebook post. 'I feel so lucky that she came into my life.' Honey Bun got a second chance after she landed at the shelter in March 2024. She had anxiety, possible arthritis and eyes that didn't 'work as well as they once did,' the shelter wrote in past social media posts and an email to McClatchy News. 'Honey Bun came to us as a senior in rough condition — sporting a lengthy list of medical concerns, she required a great deal of care,' the humane society wrote. 'Sweet, patient, and easygoing, our staff fell in love with Honey Bun. She gave as much as she received through limitless affection.' As Honey Bun spent months waiting for a home, Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Western North Carolina in late September. In the wake of the storm, the senior pup was one of roughly 100 dogs who had to be transferred to another facility. A shelter worker, only identified as Grace, stayed behind to spend extra time with her. 'Honey Bun and Grace had a powerful bond,' the shelter wrote in October. 'Grace knew transport was necessary for Honey Bun's happiness, even if that meant not sharing the adoption experience together.' Honey Bun landed at the Forsyth Humane Society in Winston-Salem, which placed her in a foster home. The shelter said her foster mom, identified only as Susan, was dedicated to caring for the 'calm,' snuggly dog. 'Susan cared for Honey Bun like she was her own, never complaining about the requirements of her care, choosing instead to celebrate her personality, companionship, successes, and 'happy hops,'' the humane society wrote. 'Susan sent us updates on Honey Bun regularly, and even hosted a tiny reunion at her home for the members of our staff who had bonded with her.' Over time, the 11-year-old, mixed breed pup was overlooked. The shelter said people often pass over senior dogs, especially those with medical issues. Then the shelter shared the good news that Honey Bun finally was matched with the 'perfect adopter': Susan. Several Facebook users celebrated the pup as she kicked off her next chapter. 'Staff was elated to see her adopted,' the animal organization wrote. 'One staff member in particular gushed at what an exceptional sweet dog she is and that her adoptive parent is perfect for her.'
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'We haven't forgotten': Couple's road trip ends with rescue mission of hope for Helene-struck North Carolina
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Four months have passed since hell clawed its way through the Blue Ridge Mountains, leaving a trail of devastation across western North Carolina. The scars of Hurricane Helene, which ravaged Asheville on Sept. 27, 2024, are still fresh and agonizing. For resident Colleen Daly and so many others, the storm's devastation serves as a constant, haunting reminder of the day hope itself seemed to disappear, leaving behind an apocalyptic landscape where vibrant community life once thrived. Helene claimed 106 lives in the state, a grim statistic that solidifies its place as one of the deadliest storms to strike the U.S. in the 21st century. The financial devastation continues to mount, with estimates nearing a staggering $60 billion. "I lost everything in Helene," Daly whispers with the memory still sharp. Her home, her cars, every single possession … gone. Asheville Mother Recounts Last Moments With Son Before He Was Swept Away By Helene Floods: 'He Became My Hero' The initial outpouring of compassion and support was a lifeline for Asheville. But as is often the case, that initial surge of help dwindled, revealing the long and difficult road to recovery, Daly explained. Then, last Friday, fate intervened in the form of an interaction between three strangers. The kindness of two unlikely heroes, on a mission to support Helene-ravaged towns along the East Coast, reminded Daly that even in a vast world, kindness can still make a difference. Arriving at the Asheville Humane Society for work last Friday, well before opening, Daly was greeted by an enthusiastic wave from across the parking lot. Ginger Wood was beaming. Just days before, her husband, Michael, had decided it was time to welcome another furry member into their family, and they were determined to adopt a dog from a shelter affected by Helene. "Why Asheville? We love it there," Michael Wood told FOX Weather. "We try and spend a weekend or two there multiple times a year. With the damage from Helene last year, we hadn't been there in a while. It's one of the prettiest places in the Blue Ridge Mountains." The Virginia Beach couple had initially planned to adopt an adult dog, but one glimpse into Champagne's soulful puppy eyes changed everything. "Probably can't explain it, but if you've ever had it happen to you, you'll know what we mean," Michael Wood said. "He just looked up at us and that was it." Helene Disaster Exceeds Devastation Caused By The 'Great Flood Of 1916' In North Carolina Their decision, however, was more than just adopting a pet; it was a powerful message to answer the call for tourists to return and pump money back into the region's struggling economy from Helene. "To have folks that say 'we haven't forgotten about you' … is such a powerful message," Daly explained. "It was really beautiful in a seemingly insignificant way." For Daly, Helene's impact on her beloved Asheville was deeply personal. Her town, her work at the shelter and her life's passion were all intertwined with the recovering town. Witnessing strangers step into that shared space, recognize a need and offer help was profoundly moving, she said. "What a couple," she praised, as Champagne was about to embark on his new life in a loving home. But first, a tiny bow tie, the first of many gifts from his new family, was fastened around his neck, as his new owners laughed and cried tears of happiness. 'It's Shocking': Asheville Devastated After Historic Floods From Helene "It's easy to tell when you love what you do, and these folks personify it," Wood said about the shelter's adoption staff. The Woods said they were so excited to welcome Champagne into their family that they actually cut their road trip short. The couple happily reports that he is doing wonderfully, completely smitten with his new, 11-year-old Staffy sister, and loving his new home. Helene's Deadly Aftermath Continues In Asheville, North Carolina: 'I Never Could Have Imagined This' Helene's impact on the Asheville Humane Society was immediate and severe. When the shelter was knocked offline, the facility relied on generators for nearly a week. Staff members slept on-site and communicated solely by walkie-talkie. Potable water was unavailable until late October, and even then, it was trucked in and stored in a large tank, not running through the shelter's pipes. This made ensuring a safe and sanitary environment for the animals impossible, the shelter said. Intake of new animals was suspended until December, when running water was finally restored. To safeguard the animals' well-being, the shelter, with the support of the BISSELL Pet Foundation, airlifted over 100 animals to partner shelters in unaffected regions. This gave the displaced pets a greater opportunity to find permanent, loving homes. Asheville Photographer Captures Hurricane Helene's Impacts, Describes Being Cut Off From Outside World Beyond relocating animals, the shelter said they played a crucial role in community relief efforts, distributing well over 200,000 pounds of pet food, along with crates, beds and litter to families struggling to care for their pets after the hurricane. Reuniting lost pets with their families also became a major priority for the shelter. The Asheville Humane Society is seeking monetary donations to help the animals in its care. Click here to learn more. "We love what we do," Daly said. "We know how important it is, not only to the animals but for the people who love them."Original article source: 'We haven't forgotten': Couple's road trip ends with rescue mission of hope for Helene-struck North Carolina
Miami Herald
12-02-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Wife waited hours outside animal shelter hit by Helene. Then came emotional adoption
A woman waited hours outside an animal shelter hit by Hurricane Helene — then came an emotional adoption. The North Carolina shelter said one of its workers was entering the adoption center at about 9 a.m. and heard someone share an enthusiastic greeting. 'A woman was waving (violently) at me from across the parking lot, a big smile plastered across her face,' the Asheville Humane Society employee wrote Feb. 7 in a Facebook post. 'I made my way over and she blurted out that she had been there since about 7:45am (we open at 10) to ENSURE she would be first in line to adopt sweet Champagne.' The woman said her husband allowed her to choose which dog they would take home. But he figured out her secret and showed up with a bag of 'items that would only fit Champagne — including a tiny bow tie.' 'She and her husband were visiting Asheville to pump some money back into the economy,' the humane society wrote. 'They had decided a long time ago that they were ready to add another dog into their small family, and wanted to support a shelter impacted by Helene.' The deadly storm hit Western North Carolina in late September, unleashing wind damage and catastrophic flooding on some mountain communities. The shelter sent some of its animals to safety as it lost water in the wake of the storm, according to a past social media post. Months later, the couple couldn't wait to adopt Champagne. More than two hours after the wife started waiting outside the shelter, the family finally kicked off their new chapter together. 'At 10am the doors opened and they burst inside,' the animal organization wrote. 'The energy was high. And in a matter of minutes, Champagne was off to a home that loved him very. Very. very. Much.' The Asheville Humane Society didn't respond to McClatchy News' requests for additional information about Champagne and his new owners on Feb. 10 and 11.
