Humane Society of Greater Savannah, Tybee Police send pet-supply trailers to Brantley County wildfire victims

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - As families across Brantley County and parts of South Georgia recover from destructive wildfires, animal welfare groups in Savannah are stepping in to help—making sure displaced pets and livestock have what they need in the days ahead.

Volunteers with the Humane Society of Greater Savannah, along with crews from Tybee Island Police and Tybee Island Public Works, spent Thursday afternoon loading one of three trailers with donated pet supplies.

The shipment includes hay for larger animals, dog food, cat food, litter, pet beds, and other essential care items.

In many evacuations, families didn’t want to leave without their animals, even when ordered to get out.

The Humane Society of Greater Savannah says it’s been working with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and partner organizations to help ensure animals have a safe place to stay until owners can return home, and it is even working with Thomasville Humane to clear up some of their space.

So far, the shelter has also taken in three kittens that were burned in the wildfires. They’re currently with a foster family, and the shelter says it is continuing to prepare in case additional animals need care or temporary housing.

“This is definitely going to be able to get them by for the next week or so, if not a little bit longer, so they can start to rebuild,” said Nina Schulze, Director of Animal Outcomes for the Humane Society of Greater Savannah. “Any little thing that anyone can donate that’s just going to help that community and go a long way for them.”

The first trailer is scheduled to depart for Brantley County at 9 a.m. on Friday. Organizers say this is likely the first of several supply runs as recovery efforts continue.