Hurricane Helene Pet Relief: DIRECTLY help the animals!

After seeing the unprecedented flooding in East Tennessee and West North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, and hearing hundreds of truly heartbreaking stories of loss, I decided I needed to do something.

People, pets, vets, shelters, and rescues lost EVERYTHING. At first, I just wanted to ship one box to a shelter to distribute amongst the community. I packed up all my old leashes, collars, gently used toys, etc., but still had space for more. So I made a few calls to friends, and in just a couple days received WAY more than one box worth of supplies. That’s when I realized I might be able to do some real good here. And that I’m not the only one with a big Tupperware bin full of spare dog bowls and toys.

I called a couple pet related small businesses that I had relationships with, and every one instantly offered something. Bags of homemade treats, handmade collars, their own pets unused toys, even a collapsible crate. All in less than a week. Now I’m sitting here with a few boxes, wanting to pack even more. That’s why I’m starting this gofundme, to cover shipping costs so I can get additional supplies to local civilian operated donation/distribution sites in TN and NC.

Financial donations to charities and businesses help, but it takes time to get them into the hands of people who really need it. Many of these residents are without power indefinitely, and all the roads out of their town have been washed away.

Giving someone $100 doesn’t do anything if they have no way to spend it. And if you just lost every single thing you own and had your town wiped off the map, would you really be concerned with buying your dog a new ball? Probably not. We’re a few weeks past the hurricane now. Shock has worn off, and the depressing new reality is setting in.

People watched their neighbors houses collapse or get carried away in over 30 feet of floodwaters and mudslides, sometimes with the family still inside. They still may not know if their friends are alive. And with the recent snowfall in some parts, they’re wondering how they’ll survive a winter with no power. What I hope to do is at least give them the brief mental break and shred of normalcy that they truly need. Just the ability to play fetch with their dog again. To pick out a new collar with a cute design or funny message. To give them treats and pets and cuddles. Or to lay with them under a blanket on a clean dog bed and finally let everything out.

As I said above, I’m less than a week into this. I’ve never started a gofundme before, I don’t work in disaster relief, I’m not a business. This description may change as I provide continued support to the people and pets of TN and NC and respond to new supply requests.

But these few rules will apply to every penny I receive.

1. I will keep nothing. I will spend nothing on myself. I will not “pay” myself in any way for my time and effort.

2. I will post photo proof of expenses and donations, and ask the shelters to share proof of receiving supplies if possible.

3. I really hope this turns into something big. If it does, this is the plan for financial donations. Shipping costs first. Flyers, donation boxes, etc second. Materials like boxes, packing tape, etc. third.

Current partners in FL:

Current partners in TN/NC

About me: Hi, I'm Dylan from the Tampa Bay Area, FL. I have a 4 year old Aus Shepherd mix who has been my best friend since I rescued him up near Ocala. I’ve always loved animals and had multiple pets throughout my life. I fell in love with the outdoors from a young age through Boy Scouts, and it has stuck with me. Every year the two of us go hiking, camping, or backpacking in TN or NC.

I remember getting into Bryson City, NC very late one night and going to the only bar still open. The second I walked through the door I could tell how close-knit and caring the communities of the Appalachian Mountains are. It was a culture shock in the best way. I’ve heard stories of locals bringing a grill and burgers on the Appalachian trail and cooking for the thru hikers as they walk by. Now, they’re using their personal vehicles, ATVs, even walking up dangerous unstable terrain to help their communities. Putting their lives on the line (again) to save their neighbors. I don’t have thousands to donate, but I have some extra time to raise awareness and provide continued support over the months and years they’ll need to recover.

The day after Helene hit Florida, I was out with an SUV full of food, water, and supplies. Passing it out to the people of Gulfport, and various low income/elderly communities. Someone gave me around 20 hard seltzers to pass out. Seeing people brought to tears by the offer of a white claw stuck with me. It’s the sense of normalcy.

A couple people have already asked me “why aren’t you helping your own community or state first?”. Because we still have roads. My power was back on 5 days later. Storm surge recedes, 4 feet of toxic mud doesn’t. Thank you for reading.