MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) - The Memphis Emergency Animal Shelter took in dozens of pets during recent flooding. Now the shelter is closing, and some pets were left behind by owners.Some owners desperately want to get their animals back, but still are not in a position to do so. Others are nowhere to be found.
Wednesday was moving day. Food, toys and treats were all packed up and ready to go.
"We have about 40 animals here now," said Bonnie Dean with the ASPCA.
The ASPCA was in the process of closing the emergency animal shelter opened in response to flooding throughout Memphis and Shelby County.
"There are other needs for us to be doing this same type of situation somewhere else," said Dean.
The pets still in the shelter were being transferred to the care of the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society.
While owners tried to finalize new living arrangements, most of the 40 cats and dogs have been accounted for, but some have not.
"We're still afraid that one or two of these left may end up having to be adopted out under another situation," said John Robinson with the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County.
The humane society will keep these emergency shelter animals for the next week to 10 days, then release them to their owners.
"What we're hoping is that there is some contact in the near future," said Robinson. "Our goal is to get all these animals back to their homes."
That goal may need help to reach.
"If you haven't heard from us, that means we can't reach you, so you need to contact us today," said Dean.
Otherwise, certain animals dropped off at the emergency shelter but not picked up may be adopted by someone else.
To contact the ASPCA about a pet you dropped off at the emergency shelter, call (901) 826-5379. That number will still be connected for the next several days.
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