At around 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening, in response to rising floodwaters, an animal rescue convoy rolled into Memphis.
American Humane Association's Red Star Emergency Animal Services team is stationed at 1716 Shelby Oaks Drive North, near Sycamore View and I-240. The team is working in partnership with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which received an official request from Memphis mayor A C Wharton's office and the Shelby County Office of Preparedness. Their purpose, as the Mississippi River is expected to crest at a near-record high within the next week, is to assist with regional rescue of pets and other animals. Included in the convoy is a horse trailer and a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
The Red Star team operates out of an 82-foot mobile command center and veterinary hospital, with rescue gear, watercraft, veterinary supplies, and sleeping quarters for rescuers. The group works with local, state, and federal authorities to bring animals to safety in times of natural disasters and other crises.
The team will also establish a regional emergency shelter for rescued animals who are awaiting reunification with their families.
If you need help with your animals during this time, call the hotline for the local office of emergency preparedness —901- 324-8799; text them at 901-290-7530; or email them at staysafeshelby@gmail.com.
