ATLANTA, Ga. — An animal rescue organization transporting cats from Atlanta to Vermont was caught in the deadly multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 85 in Jackson County that killed eight people on Monday, authorities said.

FurKids Animal Rescue, the largest no-kill shelter in Georgia, said they were about 90 minutes into a trip to deliver 37 cats to a partner shelter when the collision occurred. According to the Georgia State Patrol, a tractor-trailer struck a van, sparking a chain-reaction crash that left seven people dead at the scene. An eighth victim was found the next day, officials confirmed.

FurKids said their van driver was injured and remains in stable condition at the hospital. “In the chaos of the wreckage, cages were crushed and cats began to flee,” the group wrote in a Facebook post.

By Monday night, 35 of the 37 cats had been accounted for, while two remain missing. Several animals were taken to nearby veterinary facilities for treatment, including two transported to the University of Georgia Veterinary Hospital.

According to WRDW the organization expressed its grief over the tragedy, saying, “We are devastated for the families affected and are doing everything possible to ensure the safety and well-being of both our staff and the animals in our care.”

The crash, which occurred around 4:15 p.m. near mile marker 147, also involved a semi-truck and multiple other vehicles, according to WRDW.

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