HAMILTON COUNTY, Ind. (WTHR) – The call for help went out Monday night around dusk. The call was answered by Tuesday morning at dawn and it will be awhile before the staff at the Hamilton County Humane Society forgets the flood of 2020.
"We couldn't get into the building this morning because there was so much water," the phone receptionist at the front desk informed a caller.
This flood is quite different than Mother Nature's. This was a man-made.
The boil water advisory issued for Noblesville and part of Fishers Monday left the shelter with no other option but to ask for water donations. After all, they had no idea how long that order might stay in place.
"We are so blessed. It's hard we are at a loss for words. It's so hard to explain how we feel and how important this is to us and to all the animals we care for,” Megan Bousley, the communications director for the shelter said.
It is easy to see why she felt that way. Around noon Tuesday, residents were still showing up with donations.
Patricia House had to make three trips to haul all the water she was donating into the shelter.
"They deserve just what we deserve. They deserve love. And if they need something we need to give it to them," she said, referring to the animals that the society cares for.
"We also share space with the spay and neuter clinic and they need water too so. Paying it forward as we can," Bousley said.
Jeff and Donna Padgett also answered the call.
"We adopted several cats from here. Pretty good supporters. We bring in food, water and old towels, things of that nature," Jeff said.
"It shows not only is our organization and our mission so important to them but they care so much for the cats and dogs that are in our shelter. That is so important to us," Bousley added.
And that no doubt is how the flood of 2020, the flood of support will be remembered.
Indiana American Water has since lifted the boil water advisory and the Hamilton County Humane Society says there is no need for further water donations.