Animals recovered after the April 27 storms will soon be put up for adoption if not claimed from the Pell City Animal Shelter by their owners.

When families started clearing the rubble after straight-line winds and tornadoes ravaged St. Clair County on April 27, some were also missing important members of their families — their pets.

Today, many of them are calling the Animal Shelter of Pell City home as they wait to be reclaimed.

Shortly after the storm, approximately 20 to 25 dogs and cats were brought to the Animal Shelter of Pell City, Inc., for safekeeping and to be reunited with their families. As of last week, only two beloved pets have been reclaimed and reunited with their families.

The animals are being held for one to two weeks after being dropped off at the shelter, rather than the standard seven-day stray hold, to allow families an opportunity to claim them before they’re up for adoption.

The first group of storm animals went up for adoption Saturday.

“We are asking owners for vet records or photo ID of their pet, but I’m not going to deny someone their pet because they don’t have any records left,” said Charley Jones, the lead kennel attendant at ASPCI. “We do have people fill out a visitor registration form, which asks for the breed, age and color of their animal so someone doesn’t just walk in the back and say, ‘That pitbull is mine.’”

There are no boarding, food or impound fees assessed for reclaiming animals lost due to the storm, but if families fail to act quickly, their pets may be adopted by another family.  

Jones said the shelter has been able to house all of the storm animals, and has a cooperation with local organizations to house adoptable animals if the need arises, but donations of dry food for the animals in their care would be greatly appreciated.

The shelter prefers Purina kitten and puppy chow to avoid changing formulas on sensitive animal digestive tracts, but is willing to take other brands, especially for adult dogs and cats.

The shelter is also collecting livestock feed to support the families in the Shoal Creek Valley whose homes were damaged or destroyed, but still have animals to care for.

For information and photos of animals rescued after the storm, visit petfinder.org and search for Animal Shelter of Pell City, Inc., search for their page on Facebook or call the shelter at 205-814-1567.