Nearly 60 animals left homeless by the recent Oklahoma storms arrived in Chicago Friday for examination, treatment if needed, and hopefully adoption.

PAWS Chicago volunteers and medical staff rescued 30 dogs Thursday to ease overcrowding at the Humane Society of Cherokee County, Fort Gibson Animal Control and other Oklahoma rescues affected by the storms, including some that did not have electricity. The vans arrived early Friday morning.

Friday afternoon, 28 dogs and cats were welcomed by the shelter after arriving at Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling.

“These dogs were left homeless and unloved. It’s part of our mission as an organization to respond and help animals in need, not just in Chicago but around the country,” said Paula Fasseas, founder and executive chair of PAWS Chicago.

Some of the animals are from local Oklahoma shelters while others were given up by their owners.

“It’s sad but sometimes the owners have to give up the dogs. We were lucky enough to put together a team to respond,” said Fasseas.

The PAWS Chicago medical staff will examine and treat the dogs and cats at their Little Village medical center so the animals can be put up for adoption within the next several weeks.

 

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