Even during Irene, Schoharie County remembered its animals.
At the Cobleskill Fairgrounds Command Central, Emergency Management Services' Anne MacCuish manned two phones at a time, trying to find ways to reconnect people and their pets.
At the Golding Shelter, there was a room set aside for those who'd managed to carry their best friends to safety and a trailer from the state, filled with cages and carriers, was headed to the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley.
A rep from the ASPCA also had a desk at command central and Ms. MacCuish said they'd be working with volunteers to go door-to-door, looking for pets left behind or even wandering around, confused, outside.
The Shelter is taking in displaced dogs and cats for temporary housing; by week's end, they expected to have a dozen dogs.
"We'll take and dogs or cats," said Kerrie Colin, manager. "There's no issue with housing or feeding them."
The Shelter will keep the animals as long as needed; they won't be adopted out.
Owners can come by to visit their pets or volunteers will help care for them until everyone's back on their feet.
Friday afternoon, a pickup truck from Guilderhaven, another shelter, was delivering food and cleaning supplies.
PetSmart donated a truckload of food and with so much being donated, the Shelter is also offering food to people who still have their pets but aren't in their homes.
"This community is definitely blessed," said Ms. Colin. "Everyone's given so much."
Although the Shelter is well-stocked now, it could still take food and cleaning supplies-especially real PineSol-and scoopable cat litter.
Call the Shelter at 296-8390 for more information.
Ms. MacCuish is working with State Ag & Markets to help recover and house mid-sized and larger animals.
Call 231-2719 for more information.
Also, New York State Farm Bureau is putting together a spreadsheet of livestock needs and offers; call 634-7852. More information is in a related story.