This week's flash flood washed out a local animal shelter, and volunteers asked Ball State students and members of the Muncie community to temporarily adopt some of the dogs and cats until the place could be cleaned up.
More than 100 animals were trapped in flooded kennels and buildings at the Animal Rescue Fund shelter on West Riggin Road northeast of Ball State, shelter employee Lydia Parks said.
"I pulled up and I heard dogs crying and carrying on," she said. "I got out of my car and saw what looked to be a lake surrounding ARF. The garage was completely submerged, and the basement was flooded up to the top step. In the 13 years ARF has been here, I've never seen anything like it."
Parks called executive director Phil Peckinpaugh and everyone else she knew to come rescue the animals.
More than 5 feet of water stood in some places around the property, and Parks got started without waiting for the others to get there.
"I was scared. I didn't know what I would find," she said.
ARF adopts all types of animals, and one of the outdoor kennels held a pig, which was covered in water up to its snout.
Parks waded in to rescue the animal and received several electrical shocks from the water's contact with the electric fence and exposed power outlets.
Peckinpaugh sent announcements out to local media asking for help and temporary adoptions of the pets until the shelter can reopen. Repairs could take weeks or even months.
"We lost just about everything," he said.
Communication studies graduate student Sheri Niekamp sent an e-mail appealing for help.
"[Sunday] night's rain has placed ARF under 5 feet of water, destroying the food supply and placing the animals in dire need of foster homes," she wrote. "If you are able to take in a dog or two while the situation is sorted out, please contact ARF or myself ASAP. We appreciate any help we can get at this point in time (fostering, food donations, monetary donations, etc.)."
All the animals were brought to safety and relocated to local veterinarians. Within a few hours most of them were temporarily adopted, leaving just a few remaining by midday. Cars lined up on both sides of the road outside of the facility with people coming to adopt or to help out in any way they could.
"Sometimes it takes a disaster like this to realize how much you are loved in the community, and I am so thankful," Peckinpaugh said. "I didn't realize how many people loved us until now."
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