$25,000 Raised In 2 Days For Pets Left In Dark From Windstorm

SPOKANE, WA — A Washington state community ravaged by a deadly windstorm has come together to help a local animal shelter whose pets were left at risk when the power went out.

It took just two days for animal lovers in the Spokane area to raise more than $25,000 for pets at the Spokane Humane Society following the Jan. 13 windstorm that resulted in two deaths and widespread damage in and near Spokane.

Ed Boks, executive director of the shelter, told KREM his shelter staff and foster caregivers had only sought $15,000 for a new generator that was needed to prevent a future power outage. Just one week after the windstorm, about $30,000 has been raised.

"We decided we just can't let our animals be at the risk of a natural disaster," Boks said. After the windstorm, volunteers were at the shelter "lickity split" to help temporarily evacuate the 50 or so animals and bring them to foster homes and other shelters, he said.

The Spokane-area windstorm was as strong as the historic storm that hit the area in 2015 when it recorded a 71 mph wind gust at the Spokane International Airport, KREM and others have reported. Two people were killed, and more than 100,000 people were left without power, according to reports.

At the shelter, the fundraising has continued well past their original post-windstorm goal. The extra $10,000 raised already will go toward the purchase of new Wi-Fi and phone units. If the total raised reaches $45,000, the shelter will be able to buy a new transport vehicle to replace an aging one it is using now.

And two pets found their forever homes in the process. Both adoptions fell under the "failed foster" category, Boks said, when foster caregivers decide to adopt the pet they are caring for.

"It's truly amazing," Boks said. "The community just responded in a huge, huge way."

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