By SARAH THOMACK
St. Joseph Post

Due to the voluntary evacuation issued Thursday night because of potential flooding, the St. Joseph Health Dept. made the decision to evacuate all the animals from the St. Joseph Animal Shelter for their safety.

According Kappy Hodges with the Friends of the Animal Shelter, the animals were moved temporarily to the building the Friends have been leasing with plans to purchase and renovate into a new animal shelter.

Volunteers worked overnight helping to move the animals to the building at 5909 Corporate Drive.

Hodges said the dogs and cats are currently all safely inside the building, although they are confined to crates, which are smaller than normal kennel size. As a result, the dogs will need to be walked frequently and Hodges says volunteer help is welcomed during daytime hours 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

St. Joseph Animal Shelter Humane Educator Jennifer Lockwood said there is also a rescue trailer set up in the Hyde Park parking lot for residents to take their pets if they have been displaced due to the flooding.

For updates and ways to help, go to the Friends of the Animal Shelter Facebook page.