The Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA both have teams on the ground to assist animals and people in the wake of Hurricane Sandy's destruction.

The ASPCA is setting up water rescue teams and a distribution center with PetSmart Charities in Syracuse, New York, where their sheltering supplies will be housed to assist local groups with supplies such as crates, food, food bowls, leashes and toys.

PetSmart Charities says they have dispatched six Emergency Relief Waggin’ vehicles, each stocked with $80,000 worth of crucial supplies, to a temporary distribution center in Syracuse, New York. The distribution center will be set up on Wednesday and will provide necessary supplies to animal welfare organizations across the entire northeastern U.S. through the temporary distribution center. PetSmart Charities expects to provide relief to 3,000-6,000 pets in need.

Make a donation to PetSmart Charities online by emailing at gifts@petsmartcharities.org or via phone at 1-800-423-PETS. Visit www.petsmartcharities.org/emergency-relief for more information about emergency relief. 

HSUS staff members have been communicating with dozens of animal shelters and municipal agencies throughout the region to assess their needs. Many communities accepted pets at evacuation shelters, and HSUS staff asked local officials to include information about pet-friendly shelters in their notifications to residents.

You can get more information about how to help animals and their people affected by the storm via Twitter at #sandypets (No need to have your own Twitter account to see the updates)

Text ANIMALS to 20222 to make a $10 donation to HSUS Disaster Relief Fund.

Visit Sandy Pets Lost and Found on Facebook

Make a donation to the Humane Society