A heartwarming scene unfolded at the local animal shelter in Oława, where a potential flood risk led to the evacuation of all animals. Within just an hour, every dog and cat found a temporary home as residents lined up in large numbers to offer assistance.
The evacuation was announced on social media after rising concerns about the flood threat in the area. “Today at 4 PM, we are evacuating the animals from the shelter. Those willing to offer a home for a week (or longer, depending on the situation) please come,” read the post. The response from the local community was swift and overwhelming.
A Moving Show of Solidarity
Around 200 cars arrived at the shelter, and all 43 animals, including 13 dogs and 30 cats, were taken into temporary care in less than an hour. Justyna Duszkiewicz, a shelter representative, expressed surprise at the large turnout. “We had goosebumps. We didn’t expect such a response,” she said.
While the animals initially found temporary homes, some of the new caretakers have already expressed interest in adopting them permanently. “It seems that some of them might not be coming back to us,” Duszkiewicz added.
Emotional Reactions from Locals
One resident, Mr. Aleksander, went to the shelter hoping to adopt an animal. “When I saw the long line of cars, I thought there had been an accident, but it was people waiting for pets,” he recounted. Although he wasn’t able to adopt a pet himself, he was deeply moved by the outpouring of community support.
“People were standing with cat carriers, filling out forms, while veterinarians helped match them with the right animals. It was truly an incredible sight,” Aleksander said.
The Threat of Flooding in the Background
Although Oława has never experienced serious flooding before, the town was preparing for potential inundation. The news of the shelter’s evacuation spread quickly through the community, prompting an immediate and compassionate response.
