CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – Following Hurricane Ida, recovery efforts continue across Louisiana from the storm. But thanks to the daring rescue of a Clarksville animal shelter, nearly 20 dogs were evacuated before the cyclone arrived.

Needy Paws Animal Shelter performed the 14-hour round-trip rescue after seeing a Facebook post from Every Paw Rescue in Ville Platte, Louisiana.

The animal rescue was in the direct path of Hurricane Ida and needed a place to shelter their puppies. After a previous option failed, Needy Paws stepped up.

“I was just looking at those I knew were in the area and saw his cry for help,” Meaghan Childers explained with Needy Paws. “I asked the council if there was something we could do and seven hours later they were on the road.”

Cory Maag was one of those who made the grueling overnight trip. Originally the plan was to bring home trucks filled with just over a dozen dogs, with Magg explaining, “our plan was just to come back with 12”. But the numbers increased once the volunteers arrived, and a total of 19 dogs were brought back to Clarksville, one of them being a surprise extra that was originally not found.

This puppy was indeed called “Ida”. The Clarksville team set off just in time, just hours before the hurricane made landfall.

But the shelter did not act alone. Community volunteers mobilized to make the trip, unload the dogs and even build additional outdoor housing so the puppies could stay. “[When we returned,]”Magg said,” The parking lot was packed and there were over 30 people waiting. “

Visitors drop off donations almost daily, with water, dog food and other items being stored at the shelter for the two dozen additional guests.

The 19 puppies are up for adoption or will soon be, as well as the animals already in Clarksville before the hurricane.

The shelter is also looking for volunteers to help walk the dogs and any extra gear people are willing to donate.

For more information on Needy Paws visit their website HERE

And to help Every Paws Rescue in Louisiana, check them out HERE