PIKE, Ky. — News about the recent mudslide that led to unsafe conditions at the Pike County Animal Shelter has traveled across the country, and people from various parts of the nation are pitching in to help.

One such group of helpers left their homes in Brighton, Tenn., at midnight on Saturday morning, equipped with a horse trailer filled with pet supplies for the shelter. Gina Austin, founder of the Lab and All Breed Rescue Network (L.A.B.R.N.) based out of Brighton, along with Gina’s daughter Caroline, Caroline’s friend Charity Lockner, and the Austin family Labrador Retrievers Zoe and Tasha, met Pike County Office of Emergency Management Director Doug Tackett and Pike County Animal Shelter Director Rose Deskins in Pikeville on Saturday afternoon to deliver the load.

“I had the access and means to obtaining these resources, which were donated from communities in Mississippi as well as the Greater Memphis area. We wanted to get these supplies here to Pike County to help these animals who have also been affected by this disaster,” said Austin. Upon commencing the trip, however, little did Austin know just how bad, and to what lengths she would go, to get the items to Pike County. The group encountered strong winds, high rains, hail, and even road construction, before arriving in Pikeville several hours delayed.

Deskins said that she was glad that group decided to persist against the elements and continue their trip.

“Oftentimes during disasters, people don’t remember that pets are in distress. And if pets are in distress, their owners are, too. These supplies will restore what was lost during the flooding at the Pike County Animal Shelter so that we can best serve all those in need,” she said.

“I would also like to thank everyone else who helped out the shelter during this disaster, especially the people of Pike County who helped us get the animals out of harm’s way at the shelter, and who took in the shelter’s animals for foster care,” Deskins added.

“The damage to the animal shelter was caused by a partial mine blowout. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) has inspected and made that determination. They will be in to seal or drain the old mine workings. The damage to the shelter has been listed for FEMA on the flood declaration,” said Pike County Deputy Judge/Executive John Doug Hays.