The impacts of Hurricanes Milton and Helene are being felt in the D.C. area, as animal shelters in Northern Virginia are working to get rescues from Florida, North Carolina and Southwest Virginia to families — and quickly.

The effort has turned into an all-hands-on-deck operation, with Homeward Trails Animal Rescue in Fairfax Station partnering with several different shelters to help manage the rapid growth in rescues up for adoption or fostering.

“Making room for them has been critical,” said Kelsey Moncrief, the Homeward Trails Animal Rescue Cat Program Director.