ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. — Shelters and rescue centers worked diligently to make animals comfortable in St. Clair County, Illinois, on Wednesday after unprecedented flooding inundated the area.
It was quiet but still active at Gateway Pet Guardians in East St. Louis.
Staff were relieved after residents came to the rescue to foster and donate items after dangerous floodwaters rose across the area on Tuesday. Fosters made more room for the emergency intake.
"We have a lot more dogs who need us and we're actually sending staff out in. We have about 20 dogs out in the field that need rescue," said Alisha Vianello, executive director.
Vianello and her staff are just one group on a mission to help the around 50 dogs displaced at St. Clair County Animal Services in Belleville.
"It was pandemonium. Floodwater up to our waste. Dogs just swimming in the overflowed creek. Just absolute chaos," Co-Executive Director of the Belleville Area Humane Society Savannah McDonald said.
Relying on generators due to a power outage on Wednesday up the hill from the flooded facility, McDonald and her staff shifted their focus during the flood.
"We decided to prioritize the animals that were kind of in the most danger which were the cats," she said.
They hopped in to help strays too.
"I have a kitten with an eye injury that was brought to us. We had a beautiful Australian shepherd that came in who was actually reclaimed this morning by frantic owners so that was a happy ending," she said.
Working with minimal light and in the heat from the power outage, medical staff at the human society worked to treat animals who came in from the disaster.
"There's always the chance for the animals to be infected with parasites with water rising and dirt and gross stuff from the ground coming up. There's also a chance for just shrapnel in the water," said Katerina Vrieswyk, a medical specialist.
This is the second time in two years these animal rescue groups have had to spring into action to save animals during flooding.
"We're getting good at this, unfortunately," Vianello said.
During remarks following the disaster, St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern stressed the need for a new animal control facility.
"We have to get out of there. And we've known that so the county has purchased new property to build a new animal control facility. We've been working with architects and designers to build a stress-free shelter. So the county is elevating its Animal Services."
Kern mentioned the county was working with architecture firms to build on 74th Street near Route 15.
You can support Gateway Pet Guardians by:
- Making monetary donations at gatewaypets.org/donate or through Venmo gatewaypets
- Donations such as L/XL crates, leashes, martingale collars, treats and dog toys. They can be brought to the shelter or shipped to Gateway Pet Guardians, 725 N 15th St., East St. Louis, IL 62205.
- Fostering a 40+ lb adult dog for at least 1-2 weeks. Potential fosters can visit the facility before 6 p.m. on Tuesday.