The end of July brought floods and devastation to eastern Kentucky. 1,300 people were air-lifted to safety, 39 died, and families were left without homes and the essentials they needed. With this much human devastation, there are always pets and animals who suffer that we never hear about. Out of all the destruction, there are people who rise up and become unsung heroes in helping those in great need.

One of those heroes is Claremont resident Melanie Wilder, a dental hygienist, an animal-lover, and dedicated advocate. She was raised in Hazard, Kentucky and has family members who still live in Perry County. Locally, Melanie collects pet donations for the recipients of Catawba County and Alexander County Meals on Wheels, and she volunteers with EPIC Animal Recovery, an organization that helps catch and track lost or stray cats and dogs. Recently, she decided to take a trip to Perry County to help the victims and pets of the flood.

*It started with a Facebook post for donations,” said Melanie. “We never know if we will get a carload full of supplies or more.” In this case, that Facebook post generated monetary and supply donations for both humans and animal shelters. The carload became a rented U-Haul filled with socks, clothes, bleach, toothpaste, baby items, and more for the residents of Perry County and an estimated 4,000 pounds of dog food and other pet supplies for the local animal shelter. The post also spurred several other organizations, including the Humane Society of Catawba County and Charlotte-based Forgotten, Now Family Rescue to get on board and take vans and U-Hauls of their own. lt’s amazing what one person’s passion and a Facebook post can do to inspire others and create such an outpouring of support.

When I interviewed Melanie, she was quick to say that she really didn’t want any recognition. Her only goal in agreeing to the interview was to bring awareness to the animals and shelters in need. (She is going to hate the unsung hero title I gave her.)

Once she reached Kentucky, the first stop was to drop off the human supplics before heading over to the local animal shelter where she dropped off the pet supplies and then volunteered for the day. While she was there, she met & Border Collie mix named Pepper who had been in one of the shelters hit by the flood. “She just looked very traumatized,” said Melanie. “I brought her back with me and placed her with the Humane Society of Catawba County where she has already been adopted.” Less than a week later, Melanie made another trip to the Kentucky animal shelter with the founder of EPIC Animal Recovery and brought two other dogs back to Catawba County “Animal shelters around the country are in dire need of volunteers, donations, and adoptive or foster parents,” said Melanie. “With so much overcrowding in our shelters, anything I can do to bring awareness to these animals, I will do. They deserve it, and we have to pick up where other people have failed them. We all can do something to help.”

By Kathy Wheeler

Hickory Living, October 2022