By Paul Tuthill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-973967.mp3
Springfield, MA – The tornadoes that devastated parts of Massachusetts earlier this month proved stressful for people and their pets. Two Springfield based animal welfare organizations have been busy helping out. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.
While search and rescue efforts directed toward human victims took precedent in the hours immediately following the June 1st storms, animal control officers also fanned out to the shelters and affected neighborhoods, according to Pam Peebles, director of the TJ O'Connor Animal Control Center.
The city owned animal control facility dispatched officers to shelters to retrieve pets people had brought with them and to collect reports of missing animals. That night they rescued a cockatiel and a hamster from separate homes. In the week that followed more than 125 animals were rounded up, 45 reunited with their owners.
TJ O'Connor has put photos of animals rounded up on its Facebook page to help owners find their missing pets.
One of the success stories stars pet owners Claude and Roberta Cyr. When a oak tree crushed their cape style house in Springfield's tornado ravaged East Forest Park neighborhood, the senior citizen couple managed to get out safely, with their three dogs on leashes. The next day they returned to find one of their two cats on the stairs leading to the attic. But, there was no sign of their other cat Snowball. But, then Roberta Cyr, said a call from a neighbor prompted animal control officer Lori Charette to bait a trap, using a blanket from the Cyr's home and Snowball was discovered in the trap, a week after the tornado.
One of the Cyr's dogs had to be euthanized, but they come daily to the TJ O-Connor center to spend quality time with their two dogs and two cats while they live temporarily in a relative's apartment.
The building housing the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society in Springfield's South End neighborhood sustained major damage in the tornado, but it reopened a week later. Spokesperson Candy Lash says Dakin will provide temporary care for pets that people are forced to relinquish
Both of the animal welfare organizations are distributing emergency pet food and basic pet supplies to people on a daily basis. Both are also accepting donations of canned dog and cat food..all meat baby food, leashes, collars, bowls, blankets and pet carriers.