WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) --- The Washington Animal Rescue League brought in 37 dogs and five cats from Alabama on Sunday evening.
Hundreds of pets have been left sick, injured and homeless after tornadoes ravaged Tuscaloosa, Alabama in late April. As a result, the municipal animal shelter was overwhelmed with pets.
Gary Weitzman the League's CEO says he was part of a contingent of shelter workers who went to set up an emergency shelter and animal hospital after the wake of the storms.
"There were so many dogs that had been literally whipped around trees by the tornado...it was an absolute war field down there," he says.
A number of puppies are suffering from the Parvovirus, a canine disease that attacks the animal's digestive system. There is no cure.
"This was one of the first times we've gone on a rescue, come back with the animals on the truck that weren't just coming back to get them adopted. These animals were just afflicted with life threatening diseases," says Weitzman.
Gerri Lee and other vets at the shelter are monitoring the pups. She treats them with IV fluids and gives them love and a chance to recover.
"With Parvo, it's hard to say. One moment, you may think they're gonna pull through, and then they don't. The best thing we can do is take it day by day," says Lee.
If things go well, the dogs may be cleared for adoption in four weeks.
A short-haired female cat and her four kittens also made the journey. They seemed to be good health and have tested negative for ring worms. The cats may be ready for adoption in one week.
Written by Elizabeth Jia
9NEWS NOW & WUSA9.com