By Tamara Blount, Red Cross Communications Manager

In February 2026, American Red Cross volunteer responder Cole Ettinghoff had just finished responding to a devastating multi-family fire in Macon, Georgia. The blaze destroyed a boarding house and displaced both residents and pets. As Ettinghoff gathered a frightened cat to take to a veterinarian, a tiny puppy trotted up to him, yipping for attention.

Ettinghoff, a recent medical school graduate, served as a Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) responder in Georgia. DAT team members are on-call volunteers who respond to disasters, most often home fires, providing immediate assistance to those affected. This can include financial support; helping families secure temporary housing; distributing comfort items such as water, snacks, blankets and teddy bears; and connecting survivors to longer-term recovery resources.

As Ettinghoff moved toward the puppy, it cautiously stepped back. He followed it, only to discover a heartbreaking scene.

“I kept following it, and it led me to the backside of the house,” he said. “It was a heartbreaking scene.”

The puppy was the sole survivor of her litter. Residents of the boarding house explained that the dogs had been cared for communally. Facing displacement themselves, they pleaded with Ettinghoff and the Red Cross team to take the puppy.

“They were worried about who would care for her, especially as many of them were trying to figure out their next steps,” Ettinghoff said. “It was a really challenging situation.”

Unable to find a rescue agency that could take her and unsure what to do next, Ettinghoff and his supervisor wrapped the puppy in a Red Cross blanket, gave her food and water, and contacted their supervisor, Kelly Crane, based in Savannah, who immediately stepped in.

“We were able to get her some food, and I reached out to Kelly Crane, who was more than willing to help and figure out next steps,” Ettinghoff said.

The following day, Crane drove from Savannah to Dublin, Georgia, a halfway point, to meet Ettinghoff and take the puppy into her care. Although Crane knew she and her husband couldn’t keep the puppy due to her frequent disaster deployments, she was determined to find the right home.

“I wanted to work with a reputable rescue to ensure she went to the right person,” Crane said. “I just knew I wanted her to end up in good hands.”

After reaching out to several rescue agencies without success, Crane brought the puppy to a veterinarian, where she received a clean bill of health. She then brought the puppy to the Red Cross office in Savannah, where fate stepped in.

“That’s where Angela saw her at a staff meeting,” Crane said. “And I jokingly said, ‘You need a puppy.’”

Angela Morris, a former Red Cross Community Disaster Program Manager, already had two dogs and wasn’t planning to adopt another. Still, she agreed to care for the puppy temporarily while Crane took time off from work.

“I knew we would probably keep her since I know my family,” Morris said. “I went home and broke the news to my husband and ended up bringing her home. She stayed.”

Morris and her family have a long history of rescuing animals. They have a 15-year-old dog they rescued during a snowstorm in Tennessee and an almost 2-year-old dog they adopted during Hurricane Debby. Their household also includes a bearded dragon – a type of lizard -- and a cat.

The puppy was named Clara Barkton, in honor of Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross. Today, she is thriving in her forever home and enjoying life with her new family and her older dog sisters, Maize and Chloe.

“There are many situations we respond to where we can’t fix everything,” Ettinghoff said. “Heartache and pain are part of this work. But this was one of those moments where we saw a life in need and we were able to help.”

To learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross Disaster Action Team or to find ways to support the Red Cross mission, please visit www.redcross.org.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.