Last weekend, an EF4 tornado devastated parts of Western Kentucky. Thousands of homes were destroyed, at least 77 people were killed, and many families were displaced and separated from each other – and their pets.

One town, in particular, was hit hard. The town of Mayfield, KY, with a population of around 10,000, was struck and the tornado left thousands homeless. Not only were homes and apartment buildings destroyed, but family pets have gone missing amongst the chaos.

While some have been fortunate enough to find their animals alive among the destruction, others have not been so lucky.

Many dogs and cats are still missing, as the search through rubble continues for people and pets. After a week of searching, many are still hoping to find signs of their animals and hear that they’re ok. However, not many people affected by the tornado have the means to search. Many are without running water, electricity, and transportation and are relying exclusively on rescue organizations for good news.

Thankfully, there are many groups stepping in to help, including the Humane Society of the United States. They have a team of rescuers on the ground in Mayfield, searching for missing pets and helping animals escape the rubble and find safety.

The rescuers are providing “critical supplies, shelter support and much-needed funding to help this community begin to heal.”

While searching debris, a few rescuers found a white dog. The pup was incredibly friendly and eager to see humans. He probably missed his family and wanted to know what was going on.

Reuniting animals with their owners will be harder said than done, but the animals found by the Humane Society rescuers, like the friendly dog, will be taken care of in a safe, temporary shelter until further steps can be taken to get their families into permanent housing and reconnected with their pets.

It’s groups like this that bring hope and light to the darkest situations. Watch the video below to learn more about their work on Mayfield: