Weathering a hurricane. I’ve given it a great deal of thought… what would we do, where would we go, how would we cope if the storm destroyed it all. We created a comprehensive disaster plan. Our first priority was to secure safe relocation for all of our staff and animals. Our second priority was to make provisions for lost animals upon our return. It all looks good on paper and sounds good when we talk about it, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it would be enough.

Palmetto Animal League was put to the test on Friday, October 7th when Hurricane Matthew came swirling into town, threatening everything we call home. PAL was extremely fortunate. Our building is rated to withstand a Category 3 Hurricane and we are on high ground, so luckily power was only out for one day. Our home team stayed at the Adoption Center to ride out the storm with pets unable to be evacuated. Our away team safely relocated over 100 animals to Aiken, SC.

Matthew was not only a test of tangible wind and rain, but also a test of PAL’s intangible identity and the people who make it so. I can tell you, what I witnessed in the days following the storm was quite simply… humbling.  

After the initial shock of the storm began to subside, and one day after the evacuation order was lifted, the American Humane Association’s Red Star unit was knocking at our door. They were ready to help our community and needed a base from which to conduct their relief work. PAL’s strategic location in Okatie was an ideal spot for American Humane (AHA) and the National Veterinary Response Team (NVRT) to base their operations. Together, the AHA and NVRT distributed thousands of pounds of pet food and cat litter from the PAL parking lot. They were also able to get supplies to Hilton Head Humane and Beaufort County Animal Services for distribution. NVRT provided veterinary care to those in need from the PAL Community Clinic, while also sending a team to Beaufort County Animal Services. So many of our friends and neighbors received essential support thanks to American Humane and the National Veterinary Response Team.

Then another generous, animal-loving business called to offer their help. Kroger donated 8,000 pounds of pet food and cat litter for PAL to distribute to those in need. We had just spent several days making food and veterinary care available to those able to travel to our Adoption Center, and with the Kroger donation we were now able to take much-needed supplies to people where they live.

Delivering supplies to neighborhoods is not a routine function of PAL, but surrounding communities were in need, so we reacted. This outreach would not have been possible without a team of PAL supporters pitching in to help. Dr. Rodell Lawrence, Executive Director of the beautiful Penn Center, allowed us to distribute pet food from their beautiful location on Saint Helena Island. Tom Curry of Lowcountry Paver sent a truck and a driver to relocate the Kroger trailer stocked with pet food. Teresa Forrest of Forrest Concrete sent a pallet jack so we could unload the truck. And our friends in the media helped spread the word so folks who needed help for their animals could respond. Staff and volunteers all came together to unload the food over two days and not a morsel was left – every bit donated to those in need.  

The stories we heard along the way were inspiring, humbling and eye-opening. We met some wonderful people doing all they can to care for their animals. For some that meant staying behind to brave the storm and for others it meant evacuating knowing it would result in immense financial strain. Seeing friendly faces handing out supplies for beloved pets made a lot of people smile and forget the challenges ahead of them, if only for a moment.

When we opened the Palmetto Animal League Adoption Center six years ago, we made a promise to the community, that this is your animal rescue/shelter/advocate/no-kill resource because you are the ones who adopt, foster, volunteer and provide financial support. PAL exists to help pets on your behalf, and your compassion and commitment to the animals is nothing short of amazing.

This month we honor our 6th year of saving lives. Many of us watched firsthand as the PAL family rallied to help those in need following Hurricane Matthew. It was a direct witness of the organization we’ve been building together for years… a loving, compassionate, empowered and intelligent rescue resource. I saw PAL make good on its promise to be there for our community.

Animal loving individuals coming together creates a different kind of storm, one that is far more powerful and long-lasting than any hurricane. The winds of change are sweeping over our community as we embrace unity, togetherness, humility, compassion and the joy of helping one another without prejudice or ego. The ugliness of disaster is no match for PAL families as we come together to help animals and each other.

May we all embrace this feeling of unity and let it be the powering force behind everything we do.

Always for the Animals,

Amy Campanini
Palmetto Animal League President