Did You Lose Family Pet in Hurricane Helene? Hunt To Reunite Dog and Owner

A North Carolina animal rescue shelter has issued a desperate plea to find the family of a clearly much-loved dog who washed up during the recent hurricane.

Forgotten, Now Family Rescue, based in Charlotte, took in a Great Pyrenees mix who had been found by a river after the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.

The dog, who they have named River, was found in an area completely inaccessible, but thanks to the help of an All-Terrain Vehicle, a wildlife officer, a veterinarian, and an animal control team member, they were able to bring him to safety.

Now the shelter is determined to reunite River with his family. Because of his friendly, loving temperament, they are certain there is a family out there, looking for their beloved family pet.

Shelter worker Chrissy Elder told Newsweek: “River is the best boy. We are so hopeful to find him his incredible family.”

“Somehow he still gave love away despite his horrific situation. River is the best dog and we know he has to have his family somewhere out there,” the shelter wrote in an appeal to their Instagram page, @forgotten_now_family_rescue, on October 9.

“We are searching high and low for them so please share River’s story over and over in hopes someone recognizes him or his family sees this,” the shelter said.

In the video, liked over 110,000 times, they showed photos and videos of the gorgeous dog and said he had been found in the Pensacola area in Yancey County. He is now with a foster carer in Charlotte, and despite getting a flood of people offering to adopt him, the shelter explained they are not accepting adoption applications.

“We are working to find his family. There is nothing we want more than to see him home,” it reiterated.

The rescue shared a fresh appeal on October 18, confirming his family has not yet been found, but that they remain confident “he has an amazing family out there searching for him.”

Referencing the devastation Hurricane Helene wrought on the area, the shelter said: “They already potentially lost everything. The last thing [we] want to do is have them losing their dog too.”

Animal lovers were brought to tears by River’s story and the heartfelt appeal to reunite him, with one user writing: “Prayers you find this angel’s family quickly!!! Bless you for saving this Sweetheart and hope he gets saved soon.”

“Thinking of all who have suffered there,” another wrote, as a third said: “I hope he finds his family. I can’t imagine how scared and confused he is. So many lost pets breaks my heart. I just pray he still has a family to go home to.”

Hurricane Helene devastated parts of North Carolina, claiming 95 lives in the state, according to officials.

Over a dozen victims remain unnamed, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Yancey County, where River was found, had 11 Helene-related deaths.

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