BULLETIN: Pets & Hurricanes
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Hurricane Katrina Equine Relief | Hurricane Animal Relief and
Pet Micro-Chip Recovery Info | International Fund for Animal Welfare
Pets & Animals in Distress has put the below following Hurricane Preparedness Guide below to those communities, shelters and pet owners that could be in the direct path of a hurricane.
Please follow the below tips in case of immediate evacuation is declared for you and your pets in those targeted hurricane regions.The separation or loss of a pet can have a profound impact on a family! We should make every effort to insure our pets are safe and with us.
A written disaster plan, particularly in households with pets, can lessen a disaster's impact and save lives! Advanced planning is essential and could save your pet(s) life, and the best recommended plan is to take your pet with you when and if you have to evacuate.
REMEMBER — Public Shelters Do Not Allow Pets!
All facilities in a disaster area may be subject to some degree of damage or flooding. If you are thinking of boarding your pet, consider the difficulties of providing a healthy environment without electricity, running water, plus limited supplies and personnel!
To all residents in the path of a hurricane : Please take these hurricane precautions and evacuation warnings very seriously, as we have seen the destruction first hand in the aftermath of hurricanes.
Please say a prayer for all of us and the animals that may be in harms way.
Sincerely,
Brenda Beck, President
1511 East Commercial Blvd, PMB #129
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334
United States
A Public Service Hurricane Bulletin from Pets & Animals in Distress
Hurricane winds do a lot of damage, but drowning is the greatest cause of hurricane deaths. As a hurricane storm approaches and moves across the coastline, it brings huge waves and storm tides which may reach 25 feet or more above normal. The rise may come rapidly, flooding coastal lowlands. Waves and currents erode beaches and barrier islands, undermine waterfront structures, and wash out highway and railroad beds. The torrential rains that accompany the hurricane produce sudden flooding as the storm moves inland. As its winds diminish, rainfall floods constitute the hurricane's greatest threat.
Planning ahead is the key to keeping yourself and your companion animals safe during a disaster. Follow these tips to reduce the risk to your companion animals during disasters:
- Always keep a collar and tag on those animals that should normally wear collars. This includes cats that never go outdoors. When putting a collar on a cat be sure it is a break away collar, which is designed to slip over a cat's head should the collar get caught on something. During a disaster an animal can escape and a collar and tag increases your chances of getting the animal back. On the tag, include your phone number and address. Remember the phones may not be working, so in order to reunite you with your companion animal an address is necessary. You may want to consider tattooing or microchipping your animals as a more permanent form of identification. If you have been evacuated and are going to be living away from home for an extended period of time, you should put a temporary tag on your animals with a phone number, other than your home number. If someone finds your animal and tries to call your home number, there is a good chance it will not be working during a disaster.
- Identify several possible locations where you can take your animals should you have to evacuate. These would be places that would not likely be affected by the same disasters that would hit where you live. This would include boarding kennels, veterinary clinics with boarding space, grooming facilities, dog and cat clubs, and training clubs. Don't forget to consider friends and family members too. Look for hotels/motels that accept animals. Bookstores sell books that list "pet friendly" lodging. Some hotels/motels may not normally allow animals, but they may make an exception during a disaster, so make some inquiries. It is important to know that Red Cross evacuation shelters will not allow animals, other than seeing eye dogs and other recognized service dogs. If you are not sure where to take an animal when you evacuate, do not leave them behind, as this greatly increases the chances that an animal will not survive.
- Start a buddy system with someone in your neighborhood, so that they will check on your animals during a disaster in case you aren't home. Agree to do the same thing for them. Exchange information on veterinarians and have a permission slip put in your file at the vet, authorizing your "buddy" to get necessary emergency treatment for your animal should you not be able to be reached. If someone watches your animals while you are on vacation, talk with them about a disaster plan to be used to evacuate and care for your animals in your absence.
- In addition to your regular supply of animal food have at least a weeks supply of food on hand to be used during a disaster. Store the dry food in an airtight/water proof container. If you use canned food, buy the flip top cans or have a can opener with your disaster supplies. Do not use canned food that has been opened and not refrigerated for an unsafe period of time. You should also include any favorite treats that your animals like, which can be a comfort to them during the stressful time that follows a disaster. Chew toys can help entertain a dog that might have to be chained or confined in a crate for the first time, or for longer periods of time than they are used to. Continue to feed your animals the food they are used to and put it out as close to the normal time as you can. Keeping them on their regular routine, the best you can, helps minimize the stress they might be feeling. If you feed canned food to dogs and cats, reduce the normal amount by half (supplement with dry food) to reduce the possibility of the animal getting diarrhea.
- You should have at least a weeks supply of water in storage at all times for your animals. It can be stored in the gallon containers it is purchased in, but do not keep it in direct sunlight, as algae will start to grow. Be sure to rotate the water at least once every other month. It is important to not let animals drink flood water or any other water sources that may be contaminated as a result of a disaster. If officials have issued a "boil water" warning, that means that the water that comes out of your tap is not healthy for people and animals to drink. If you are drinking bottled water or purified water during a disaster that is what your animals should be drinking too.
- Take several pictures of all the animals and keep these pictures with your important insurance papers that you would take with you if you have to evacuate. Be sure to include in the pictures any distinguishing marks that would make it easier to identity an animal. These pictures can help reunite you with a lost animal. Store the pictures in a resealable plastic bag in case you have to post them in the rain.
- Talk to your veterinarian to see if he/she has a disaster plan. Your animal may need medical attention after a disaster has struck and you need to know where to take your animal. If your regular veterinarian does not have a plan, locate a veterinarian in your community who does. Knowing in advance where to take an injured animal may save that animal's life if it is in critical condition and time can't be wasted. Keep a first aid kit and first aid book in your disaster kit for your animals. Assembled kits and books can be bought at pet supply stores or ask your veterinarian for a list of what should go into a first aid kit if you want to put one together yourself. If you have a houseful of animals, putting together a kit yourself is advisable, as the prepackaged kits will probably not contain enough supplies.
- If an animal is on long term medication, always keep a backup supply on hand, since a veterinary office may not be open for some time following a disaster. If the medication needs to be refrigerated, keep an ice chest on hand to store it in, in case the electricity is off and you are unable to use your refrigerator. If you need ice, you can usually get it from a Red Cross shelter.
- Have assembled and ready to go, a cat carrier to evacuate each cat in your household. An "Evacsak" is an alternative to a carrier. It is similar to a pillow case, but is a much safer and more secure way to transport a small animal. They take up a lot less space than carriers, and if you have a house full of animals that need to be transported, you can get a lot more Evacsaks into a car. They can be purchased by contacting Animal Care Equipment and Services at 1-800-338-ACES. A carrier would then be used to house a cat if you have to be away from your home for an extended period of time. Be sure to have a shoe box size litter box and a food and a water dish to use in the carrier.
- Have a harness and leash for each of the dogs in your household. If you have to evacuate, dogs can become frightened and if you only have a collar around their neck, they may be able to pull away from you and have the collar slip over their head. A harness will allow you to securely control your dog. If your dog rides in the car, always have a leash in the vehicle. A disaster may occur while you are away from home, and if you should have to abandon your car, you want to be able to keep your dog safely controlled. You may want to get a harness and a leash for your cat too, in case you have to keep them confined in a cage while you are living away from home. If they are not used to being in a cage, a harness would allow you to safely take them out of the cage and give them some exercise. Do not leave a cat unattended though while it is on a leash, otherwise, the cat might end up strangling itself.
- Have a stake out cable for all the dogs in your household. Walls and fences may come down during a disaster and it may be necessary to keep your dog confined on a cable leash until repairs can be made. Be sure the cable is long enough for the dog to move around, but not a length where it might get tangled around something and cause the dog to choke itself. Shelter from the elements should be within the dog's reach too. If you do not have something to attach the cable to, you should get a stake that screws into the ground. Be sure it is secure for the size dog you have. Pet supply stores sell a variety of sizes.
- If your dog is kept in an outdoor run, make sure it's in a location where falling debris (tree limbs, shingles, power lines, chimney bricks, etc.) won't fall on the run and possibly injure the dog. If something were to fall on the run and possibly prevent opening the door, you should have a heavy duty wire cutter, in case the dog was trapped inside and had to be freed.
- Be sure and comfort your animals during a disaster. They are frightened too, and having you near to give them a hug will help. It will probably do a lot to help you too. If an animal is not ready to be comforted though, do not force it. This is especially true for cats. Let an animal come to you when it is ready.
- Know where the animal shelters or animal rescue organizations are in your area. You may need to visit them after a disaster to look for a missing animal. It is important to start looking for a missing animal as soon as you realize it is gone, as some shelters may not be able to house for a very long time large numbers of displaced animals that arrive during a disaster.
PETS AND HURRICANES : Why Pet Owners Must Plan
Public shelters for people will not accept pets. If you wait until the last minute to evacuate, you may have no choice but to go to a public shelter. If such a situation should force you to leave pets behind, please prepare your children and other family members for the fact that their pets may not survive or may be irretrievably lost before you are able or permitted to return to your home.
There is no way to know how long it will be before you are permitted back after the storm. Frightened animals quickly slip out open doors, broken windows or other damaged areas of your home opened by the storm. Lost pets are likely to die from exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food and water and on the road where they can endanger others. Even normally friendly animals of different species should not be allowed together unattended since the stress of the storm may cause distinct behavior changes.
REMEMBER: If you must evacuate . . . then conditions are not only unsafe for you but unsafe for other living creatures as well!!! Develop Your Written Plan Now.
A written DISASTER PLAN will help you and your pets survive. Identify your evacuation area and level to determine if and when you would have to evacuate. If you are located in a storm surge flood plain, the decision to evacuate will depend on the category of the storm. Always prepare for one category higher than the one being forecast. A hurricane often increases in strength just before making landfall.
Your goal should be to evacuate to a safe location. Friends or relatives in a safe area are your best choice. If they are unable to house both you and your pets, arrange shelter for your pets at a veterinarian or kennel close to your evacuation location so that you will be able to have as much contact with them as possible. You and your pets will fare better if you are together.
If you plan to go to a motel, determine in advance whether pets are welcome and what, if any, special rules are applicable. Make plans well in advance of the hurricane season for cows, horses, sheep, etc. Additional preparedness guidelines may be obtained from Town of Hempstead Animal Control , or the Nassau County Chapter of the Red Cross.
If You Must Evacuate Leave Early!
An unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too long to leave safely! All animals should have secure carriers or collapsible cages for large dogs, as well as collars, leashes, rabies tags and owner ID tags.
Carriers should be large enough for the animals to stand comfortably and turn around. ID must be on the carrier. Train your pets to become familiar with their carriers ahead of time. Then the carrier will be a secure and comforting refuge if the animal is required to live in it for days-even weeks-after the storm.
Before hurricane season begins on June 1 of each year, make sure all your pets have current immunizations and take these records with you if you must evacuate. Photograph each of your pets prior to June 1 every year and include these pictures with your pets' immunization records.
Your pet survival kit should include ample food (at least 2 weeks supply), water/food bowls, medications, specific care instructions, newspapers and plastic trash bags for handling waste, cat litter, brushes, combs and other hygiene items, toys and other comfort items, muzzles if necessary.
A manual can opener is a necessity. All belongings should be marked with identification. If you are not evacuating your pets to a commercial animal facility, you should also include first aid supplies for your pets in the survival kit. Ask your vet for an emergency care pamphlet for animals. If you plan to shelter your pets at a kennel or clinic, call before evacuating to determine if space is available. Some kennels will accept reservations early with prepaid fees.
Allow sufficient time to travel from the kennel to your evacuation location after making certain that your animals are secure. If you have snakes or other exotic pets, contact local pet stores or zoological gardens, in a safe area, for assistance in sheltering your pet.
Again, be prepared to supply appropriate housing for the pet (not glass) and other supplies necessary to sustain the pet for at least 2 weeks. The facility you choose should be operated by knowledgeable, capable staff and the location should be high, dry and of sturdy construction.
Throughout the evacuation and the storm, your pets will need reassurance from you. Remain calm, keep as close to their normal routine as possible and speak to them regularly in a calm, reassuring voice. If you must evacuate without time to prepare your pet, Animal Control will house your pet. This space is limited and should be ONLY a last resort.
If You Can Stay At Home
It is just as important to adequately plan for your pets even if you don't have to evacuate. Carriers, collars with proper ID and leashes should be maintained for your pets at all times. Your pets will be most comfortable and secure in their carriers in a safe area of your home until the storm has passed.
If they are not secured during the storm and your house is damaged, your pets may escape and become disoriented, since normal landmarks and scent trails could be obliterated. If your pets become lost, proper ID will ensure their return to you. Place your pet food and medications in watertight containers in a cool, dry, dark place. Store adequate water for your pet.
Your water source may become contaminated. (To purify water, add 2 drops of household bleach per quart of water, mix, seal tightly, let stand for 30 minutes before drinking.) If you bring plants into the home before a storm, be careful not to allow pets access to them since many ornamental plants are poisonous
After The Storm
Walk your pets on a leash until they become reoriented to their home. CAUTION: Downed power lines and other debris pose real dangers to you and your pets. Do not allow pets to consume food or water which may have become contaminated. Be particularly careful in using candles or oil lamps around pets. Never leave them unattended. When you know you have done everything you can do to protect all members of the family, disaster preparedness will give you tremendous peace of mind.
BE SMART AND LEARN TO SAVE AND PROTECT YOUR PET
Evacuate out of the area of the storm! Visit friends or relatives who will let your pets come with you. Create a list of boarding kennels within a 100 mile radius of your home. If you don't have friends or relatives to evacuate to, call these pet friendly hotels and make a reservation.
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Your help is needed...please spread the word....let's not forget about the animals
Hurricane Katrina Equine ReliefJump to:
| Hurricane Animal Relief and
Pet Micro-Chip Recovery Info |
International Fund for Animal Welfare | BACK TO TOP
As an equine organization it is natural for us to give thought to the many horses, donkeys, mules, dogs and cats who are being impacted by the devastation of hurricane Katrina. Many of these animals are facing starvation. Many have been seriously injured. Unless they receive relief efforts soon, their survival is in jeopardy. Northeast Florida Dressage Association and First Coast Hunter Jumper Association would like to ask each of you to assist with this effort by joining
Through the selfless generosity of Dale and Chris Dunn, we can personally see that donated relief items will be delivered directly to assist animals in real need. Dale and Chris will be driving your donated items to emergency staging areas in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. They will also be personally assisting with the rescue efforts.
NFDA and FCHJA will be accepting your donations on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 10:00am to 3:00pm at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs during the FCHJA Horse Show. A trailer will be on site and we need to fill it. You may have already given generously to help those in need but this is a time for us to stretch. Below is a list of items that will be crucial in helping horses and horse owners.
Please contact your friends, relatives and fellow barn people and ask them to consider donating items. Whether it's an item you have in excess, or something you feel compelled to purchase. Remember that nothing is frivolous when you don't have a thing. Although needed desparately, in lieu of donating hay and/or grain, please consider a monitary donation. These items will be purchased along with additional supplies. Checks can be made to LSER/HFH. (Lone Star Equine Rescue, Inc./Habitat for Horses is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization).
If you have any questions regarding items in need, please contact Dale and Chris Dunn at (352)478-2412 or (904)626-1990 or Marge Savage at (904) 276-2427 or (904) 449-1893 or Nancy Wines at (904) 449-2939. Again, please organize your donations and plan to come out to the Clay County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 10. Thank you in advance for your assistance and always remember...it could be us!
Thank you,
Marge Savage
or email Chris Dunn: ravenwoodfarm@bellsouth.net
NEEDED ITEMS:
- Muck Buckets
- Water Buckets
- Horse blankets and sheets
- Halters & Lead Ropes (must be new to prevent the spread of disease)
- Fencing Materials-temporary fencing including hot wire, chargers and plastic poles and panels
- Tarps
- Medical Supplies - Bandages & Antiseptics
- Monitary donation for Horse feed and hay
- Please use your imagination and check in your barns to see what is available
Colleen Nicholson
315-652-4964 Appt Line
Dear Friends and Family,
We have just returned from spending a week at the Lamar Dixon Expo
Center in Gonzales, Louisiana the site where the search and rescue
teams for horses, cats, dogs and other animals were housed as they
were located from the disasters left by Hurricane Katrina. This
has
been the most memorable and emotional week we have ever spent as we
assisted Habitat for Horses and Lone Star Equine Rescue under the
directions of Dr. Denny French of the Louisiana State University
Equine Program - Hurricane Equine Rescue Operation. The Northeast
Florida Dressage and First Coast Hunter Jumper as well as many others
helped load up our horse trailer full of donated medical supplies,
halters, lead ropes, buckets, and many other horse related items to
make the 14 hour drive through to the destruction and wake left by <
Katrina. Upon arriving and checking in with our contact, Bonnie Clark
who was the coordinator of the equine rescue barns we proceeded to
walk the aisle ways and see what we were going to be doing.
We have a few stories that we would like to share, there are many but a few that we would like to pass on. Vickie, a vet assistant with the Dog/Cat Rescue Team came over and asked if we could put some of the cats in our living quarters of the horse trailer as the generator had quit and there was no a/c or fans to keep the cats cool and it was very hot outside. We of course said yes and they loaded and stacked 19 cats and their crates in our trailer. We have pictures of this as it looked like Ravenwood was the Cattery of the day. There was a white mother cat with two white kittens and they had found a black tabby orphan who was about 2 weeks old. They were bottle feeding this baby and Vickie decided to try the little one with the mother who had kittens. The mother cat took over cleaning the new baby and let it nurse. It was really something to see and the mother cat and babies stayed with us until they left the next day to go to their foster home. It was awesome to see.
The Center was filled with every rescue group you can think of. The Animal Planet semi was right across from us. There were 3 barns of dogs/cats and other such animals and the barking went on nonstop. After awhile you got kind of numb to it all. It was sad to see so many animals who had lost their homes and owners and we fear for the outcome of their future. The ASPCA & the HSUS started shipping out dogs and cats to shelters and safe houses so that the animals could be fostered out and adopted in the long run. The horses however will have a better chance. Over 80% were microchipped so their owners could be located and found. Louisiana does not want to foster outside the state but HFH/LSER knows that we have many homes here available and after Oct. 1st we will know more if our foster homes will be needed. Anyone interested in fostering a horse/dog or cat if you will just email us we will add it to the list so that in case we are able to foster we will be ready.
We started our trip back home exhausted, sad and happy if
you can understand that and knowing that what we did made a difference. In
the week that we were there we saw horses reunited with their owners,
helped those that were scared and hungry get more secure and
comfortable and start to settle and eat and sleep at night. There
was
a little less fear in the eyes of many when we left. We would have
stayed longer but Dale was carted off by ambulance to the hospital and
diagnosed with exhaustion and the doctor said…go home, you have done
so much and now you need to rest. We were thanked by everyone every
day for all that we did. The Red Cross, the animal owners, other
volunteers, the doctors and nurses, the vets and vet students, the waiters/waitresses in the restaurants everyone we met who found out
what we were there for thanked us for giving our time and our hearts.
It is Dale and I who are the blessed ones as we shared the lives of many who had lost so much and were so brave and courageous. We met so many from around this country of ours who like us wanted to only help and now they are friends for life. Our belief in God and mankind is now stronger than ever and we are thankful for the privilege of this journey we were allowed to take.
God Bless all of you and all of God’s Creatures,
Dale & Chris Dunn
Hurricane Animal Relief and
Pet Micro-Chip Recovery Info
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Update on efforts to assist animals in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and ways you can help. This info came in via Popcorn Park Zoo in Forked River, NJ — part of the Associated Humane Societies.
1. In Lafayette, Louisiana, Lafayette Parish Animal Control is operating an animal shelter where evacuees can bring their pets. Official report that the shelter has food, water, crates, cages, bedding and newspaper, but that pet owners are responsible for providing care to their own animals. The shelter is at Blackham Coliseum in Lafayette, Louisiana, right next to the Cajundome. Please call Lafayette Parish Animal Control at (337) 291-5644 for more information.
This information was posted on Metropets by:
Cson Johnson Silversmith
Jack Russell Terriers
Texas Jack Russell Rescue
2. Houston SPCA
The Louisiana SPCA used air-conditioned trailers to evacuat 250 shelter animals to the Houston SPCA before Katrina struck New Orleans. The area where the Louisiana SPCA is located was flooded by the hurricane.
As New Orleans Superdome evacuees arrive in Houston, many of them will be sheltered in the Astrodome. The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals is arranging accommodations for the pets of people who are staying in Houston-area shelters and preparing for the influx of more animals.
You can donate to the Houston SPCA at:
Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
900 Portway Dr. Houston,
TX 77024
713-869-SPCA (7722)
spcahouston.org
The Houston SPCA is also offering to provide shelter for humans being
evacuated to the Astrodome.
3. The Humane Society of the United States - to donate, click on:
https://secure.hsus.org/01/katrina_relief/ny7qxbbM19RtL?
The HSUS Disaster Animal Response Teams (DARTs) deployed immediately to
the crisis, landing in Mississippi the day after Katrina did her
damage. Teams are equipped to respond to the needs of all animals –
including pets, horses, farm animals, and wildlife - affected by
Katrina and the floodwaters. Here are dispatches from our teams:
Companion Animals
The HSUS DART team is working with the Mississippi State Veterinarian’s Office and gathering resources in Jackson. A pet-friendly shelter and emergency animal shelter have been set up at the Coliseum in Jackson, and have taken in dozens of companion animals, with many more rescues to follow. The Veterinarian’s Office and animal rescue teams plan to provide shelter for many more animals from the surrounding areas. Our teams are moving southward and working to reach the most troubled areas of Gulfport and Biloxi.
As New Orleans Superdome evacuees arrive in Houston, many of them will be sheltered in the Astrodome. The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals is arranging accommodations for the pets of people who are staying in Houston-area shelters and preparing for the influx of more animals. HSUS volunteers are helping transport animals from evacuees arriving at the Astrodome and ferrying them to the temporary shelter, which will be fully operational by Friday, September 9th, 2005.
The HSUS Southwest Regional Office has been in contact with the state veterinarian and is working closely with the Louisiana SPCA on the ground in Louisiana. Pets are now being accepted at several stations, with plans in place for others as the need arises.
4. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Disaster Relief Fund helps shelters and organizations across the country that are impacted by natural disasters. Your donation today will go directly to help shelters impacted by natural disasters rebuild facilities and assist in their disaster recovery efforts.
If you wish to make your donation by phone, please call (866) 275-3923. You can also mail your contribution to us at
ASPCA Disaster Relief Fund,
424 East 92nd Street
New York, NY 10128
Please make your check payable to ASPCA Disaster Relief Fund.
5. American Humane Association
Update -- September 1, 2005
The American Humane Association is deploying its rescue rig to join its fleet of vehicles and volunteer responders already staged in Mississippi, ready to respond to the needs of Hurricane Katrina’s animal victims.
TO THE APPLICABLE RESCUES ETC: Micro-Chipped Pets Missing & Found
If anyone calls your group or comes to you saying they lost their micro-chipped pet, PLEASE give them the following info:
SPECIAL REQUEST FROM THE FOLLOWING (3) PET ID MICROCHIP COMPANIES:
Please call the following if your pet was micro-chipped and lost during in any of the states hit by the hurricane.
Many animals were found with micro-chips in all of the states hit by Hurricane Katrina.
There are several hundred already safely placed and need their owners to call:
AVID MICROCHIP ID
(THEY ALSO OWN PET NET MICROCHIP COMPANY)
CALL 800-336-2843
HOME AGAIN MICROCHIP RECOVERY
CALL 866-738-4324
VET-LINK.COM MICROCHIP
800-838-8563
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Hurricane Katrina Equine Relief | Hurricane Animal Relief and
Pet Micro-Chip Recovery Info | BACK TO TOP
International Fund for Animal Welfare September 6, 2005 |
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Hurricane Katrina Victims Searching for Pets
Dear Roseann,
Thanks to your overwhelming response to help victims of Hurricane Katrina reunite with their missing pets, we have surpassed the original goal of $130,000 needed to send our emergency relief team and Mobile Command Vehicle to the disaster sites.
Upon arrival to a Houston animal shelter housing over 600 displaced pets, we quickly discovered that the magnitude of the situation is far greater than originally feared.
IFAW is continuing to help establish temporary shelters for the hundreds of animals still on their way from the battered areas in Louisiana and Mississippi, where many pets were either left to fend for themselves in the powerful winds or trapped in flooding cages as owners were forced to flee.
Yesterday ER Team member Gail D'Abrunzo assisted in the evaluation and intake of 60 dogs rescued from several Louisiana shelters with more animals expected today. The dogs were in good spirits but smelled badly due to the unsanitary conditions from which they were rescued. You can listen to a full audio account of the rescue operation here.
Situation in New Orleans Remains Grim
IFAW's Emergency Relief Team has now established its rescue operations in Gonzales, LA — approximately 50 miles from New Orleans. Working with state authorities and other animal rescue groups, IFAW is conducting door-to-door search and rescue missions in New Orleans to evacuate as many animals as we can who have been left behind.
Words cannot describe the value of your contributions to these folks who have lost everything.
The Matuzzi family is just one of the families who were in New Orleans waiting on the roof of their flooded home to be rescued when they heard their Great Dane, Malice, trapped inside their attic. They broke a hole in the roof to pull Malice free, then swam to safety…only to be told they had to leave Malice behind in order to evacuate. They refused and were lucky enough to find a bus driver willing to take Malice with them to the Houston Astrodome for temporary shelter.
Upon arrival in Houston, thanks to your help, Malice was provided the care and shelter he needed at the local SPCA. Today, the Matuzzis and Malice were tearfully reunited.
Literally thousands of stories like Malice abound. From one owner’s successful smuggling attempt of their pet lovebird Lola in their clothes upon evacuation, to the reunion of one woman’s Chow, Angel, who swam with her through the floodwaters to safety.
But for every happy and hopeful reunion, thousands of pets remain lost or missing. Animal shelters are running out of room and we must try to reunite saved pets with their owners as quickly as possible.
I can’t thank you enough for the hope you have already provided for so many hurricane victims. But our work is just beginning. If you haven’t done so already, please consider making a gift to our Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescue Fund, and tell as many others as you can about the work we are doing to save the animal victims who were left behind.
Thank you for your generous response,
Fred O'Regan
President and CEO, IFAW
P.S. IFAW is collecting rescue requests from evacuees and others who are unsure of the whereabouts of their animals. Requests are being compiled with other organizations into a master database, which will then be forwarded to rescue teams. If you or someone you know needs to report a lost animal please visit our Missing Pet Registry here.
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IFAW © 2005
This message was sent to: rodieann@aol.com
Worried about Donating online?
I used to be too ... so I made sure our online system is safe, secure, and
state-of-the-art. It also eliminates check-processing costs, so more money
goes directly to saving animals. But if you prefer to donate by phone or
mail, simply send to:
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PO BOX 193 | 411 Main Street | Yamouth Port, MA 02675
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