The impacts of Hurricane Harvey will be felt for years in the Houston area, and while the entire country continues to open their pockets to support fundraisers, a group in Waukesha is opening its doors to some four-legged friends.
The Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) welcomed 46 shelter dogs from the Houston area Monday.
These dogs were not displaced by Hurricane Harvey, but are being cleared out to shelters around the country to make room for the dogs they find as a result of Harvey.
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"It could be us," Lynn Olenik with HAWS said. "You never know what could happen. It could be a wildfire or an earthquake. There's going to be a time we need help too. It's important we all work together."
There were a total of 53 dogs that made the journey by flight to Crites Airfield in Waukesha. Seven of the dogs were transported to Northwoods Humane Society in Hayward.
"We're overjoyed," said Melissa Tedrowe, Wisconsin State Director for the Humane Society of the United States. "It's amazing for all of us. How emotional it is to see a plane land, hear the barks and know you're a chain of help and healing for these animals and the people that care about them."
Around 30 people showed up to help transport, clean and feed the dogs at HAWS.
There was lots of barking, panting and drooling, but at the end of the day, the dogs are in a better place.
"It's very helpful to look out for them and let them know they have somewhere to go," said volunteer Trish Bakalars. "They're the unspoken. They can't voice their opinions."
HAWS says most of the dogs they received are medium to large breeds. Those interested in adopting one of the dogs can call HAWS at 262-542-8851 or find more information on the HAWS website.
