Ruff Rescue in Hernando County is organizing a drive to help animals affected by Harvey.

  • Hernando rescue collecting supplies for animals affected by Harvey
  • Volunteers plan to help smaller towns in Texas, Louisiana
  • They also hope to have enough supplies for Irma

The group wants to help all types of animals affected by the storm.

Volunteers set up shop at a Tractor Supply in Hudson on Sunday in hopes of getting more supplies.

"Just felt the need to get some donations together and if it were to hit here we'd want some help as well," said Pam Simmons, owner of Ruff Rescue.

Right now, the rescue is keeping what it's collected at Simply Storage in Spring Hill. Ruff Rescue has received about 2,000 pounds of food from a rescue in Georgia, as well as other cleaning and medical supplies.

"When you see the pictures of the horses with their skin falling off because they have horse rot or you see animals that have been in water and treading water for a week how could you not want to help," volunteer Barbara Bouchard said.

Organizers say they are looking for donations for all types of animals. They already have some hand soap and mouthwash, which they say can be used to treat the fur of horses and other animals that have been out in the rain for too long.

"People don't think about the livestock, they think about dogs and cats they don't think about livestock," Simmons said. "There's pigs out there hanging onto fences trying to you know survive."

"They don't have a voice we are their voice we need to help," Bouchard added.

Organizers still need some sort of trailer to transport the supplies or enough donations to rent a truck. They plan to head to small towns along the Texas and Louisiana border that don't have as much help coming in.

But they aren't just thinking about Harvey. They are hoping to get enough donations to help animals that could be affected by Irma.

"Once Irma hits wherever it hits we're hopefully going to have enough supplies that we would then have donations ready to go that day," Simmons said.

There will be people set up at the Tractor Supply stores in Hudson and Brooksville from 6 to 8 p.m. all this week accepting donations for animals.

Organizers say donations can also be dropped off at Simply Storage in Spring Hill.