The Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association (KCHA) in West Virginia was urgently seeking foster homes for its dogs after a vehicle crashed into the shelter building on Wednesday. Thankfully, most of the animals were unharmed, but the accident created a safety hazard for the dogs that had been housed in the kennels.
The driver of the U-Haul told local news stations he had been trying to drive around the curve when the accelerator on the truck got stuck; and the next thing he knew the wall of the building was crashing down on top of him.
One dog’s leg was injured, but thankfully, no other animals were seriously hurt.
The dog hurt when the wall fell on her is doing fine, and luckily she suffered no broken bones.
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The bigger concern, however had been with the structural damage. A photo accompanying the KCHA’s Facebook post showed the vehicle wedged into the side of the building.
The truck is the only thing holding this side of the building up, which creates a very serious safety hazard for the dogs in our kennels.”
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The shelter asked for the help of the community to open their hearts and homes to foster dogs in need. This temporary relocation will not only ensure the safety of the animals but also free up space at the shelter for any pets who may come in during this critical time.
To everyone who rushed to help our animals, we cannot thank you enough fro your kindness. It has been a whirlwind, and we are still in shock, but the animals are safe and that’s what matters.
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KCHA is West Virginia’s largest and most lifesaving animal shelter, admitting thousands of animals each year. Fostering plays a vital role in their mission, providing a loving and nurturing environment for animals until they find their forever homes.
Fortunately, 146 dogs were moved into foster homes and only 12 remained at the building as of Wednesday evening. The cats were being safely housed on the opposite side of the building.
If you live in the Charleston area and are interested in fostering a dog, please contact the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association at 681-319-1999.
You can also visit their website at https://adoptcharleston.com/ to learn more about fostering and their other volunteer opportunities.
Even if you’re unable to foster, consider sharing KCHA’s plea on social media to help spread the word and find temporary homes for these deserving dogs. The organization continues to accept donations as well as blankets, pet pillows and toys.
On an update Thursday morning, crews have been working to restore the air-conditioning. In addition, structural beams struck by the U-Haul truck are scheduled to arrive.
The Kanawha County Commission has also offered their financial help and has offered to reach out to outside agencies for help with the animals if needed.
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
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