Blizzard Buddies! Wappingers Falls Locals Clear Animal Shelter Before the Storm

Major Snowstorm Blows Through the U.S.

It was the most buzzed about storm in recent years. Winter Storm Fern was barreling towards New York.

According to Meteorologist Ben Noll, it was expected that 55% of all people in the United States would simultaneously "experience snow, sleet or freezing rain."

The reports were spot on. It was predicted that most of the Hudson Valley would get anywhere between 10 to 20 inches of between Sunday January 25th, 2026 and Monday January 26th, 2026.

READ MORE:  Is New York Stuck in a 10-Year Cycle of Major Winter Storms?

Snow piled up quickly across the region causing many delays and closings. Ahead of the storm a local animal rescue asked the public for a little bit of help.

Blizzard Buddies! CARE of DC Asks For Help Ahead of Snowstorm

CARE of DC, located in Wappingers Falls, posted on social media a call for Blizzard Buddies.

What's a Blizzard Buddy? It's a temporary foster program to help keep the dogs and puppies "comfortable during the storm" as travel was most likely going to be difficult for the CARE of DC staff.

The rescue explained that they would provide each foster with everything they would need from Saturday January 24th through Tuesday January 27th.

Local Fosters Show Up in Droves, Clear the Wappingers Falls Shelter

It didn't take long for word to get out about the Blizzard Buddies program at CARE of DC.

The local community turned up big time for the shelter. CARE shared on Facebook after their Blizzard Buddies post took off writing:

Thank you for the incredible response to our Blizzard Buddies call! We currently have more volunteers than dogs, so as usual, fosters will be first come, first serve, and we may run out of dogs — a VERY wonderful problem to have.

Thankfully, every single adoptable dog was able to go to a warm home as the snow piled up outside. CARE shares:

Even though my husband and I didn’t get a dog while we waited in line, we were happy to see the tremendous community support. And even happier that every dog is safe and warm in a home with people that truly care.