Open House At Delaware Humane Society Allows Displaced Residents To Visit Their Pets

Wilmington, DE – June 3, 2006 – Heavy rains over the past two nights led to nine people seeking sanctuary at the Red Cross shelter at the William “Hicks” Anderson Community Center last night, after flooding displaced them from their apartments on 28th and Tatnall Streets. The nine – which include a family of four – joined 58 residents from two apartment complexes who have been in a Red Cross shelter since Tuesday May 30th. By end of day yesterday, 88 former residents of Crestview Apartments and Compton Towers had been registered and assisted by the Red Cross.

Crestview Apartments residents who have not yet registered with the Red Cross to determine their eligibility for financial assistance should register at the William “Hicks” Anderson Community Center, by 6pm today (Saturday June 3rd). They can also call the Red Cross office at (302) 656-6620 during office hours, 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday, for more information.

Meanwhile, displaced residents from the two apartment complexes have been invited to an Open House today at the Delaware Humane Association shelter in downtown Wilmington, to visit with their pets. The American Red Cross has a nationwide partnership with the American Humane Association to provide for the emergency relief of domestic animals, the assurance of their care and the search for their owners. Mary Ann D’Amato, in charge of volunteer and community relations at the Delaware Humane Association, confirmed that their animal shelter is currently housing 4 cats and 1 dog who belong to residents of Crestview and Compton Towers apartments. In addition, 2 birds and 2 cats are in foster care. The Open House began at 11:00am and will run through 2:00pm today.

The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula is committed to continuing to manage the shelter for the residents of Crestview and Compton Towers, in collaboration with the management of the William Hicks Anderson Community Center and its government, emergency management and community partners. It is estimated that Red Cross emergency services – provided free of charge to for those affected by the two building emergencies – will run to $100,000, to cover their immediate disaster-caused needs.

Individuals and businesses are urged to donate generously to the Red Cross Local Disaster Relief Fund to help all those affected by disasters in our community. As the Red Cross is not a government agency and is not federally funded, it relies on donations from the public in order to provide its critical emergency services to those in need.