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Hurricane Katrina: Pet Rescues and Reunions - Updates
As things are changing rapidly in the Gulf Coast area, we have created this webpage to help distribute information. The webpage includes messages from HSCI as well as selected pieces from other organizations. |
| 10-29-2006 | In October 2006 the final hurricane pet was placed in a permanent home. |
| 12-29-2005 |
In total, 28 dogs
came in around midnight. The dogs seem to be adjusting quickly to
their new homes. We received a variety, in age and breed. The majority are small/medium dogs. We
will give them the weekend to settle in and process their medical records next week.
Since the pets were transferred from another shelter, HSCI benefited greatly from their work. This group of hurricane pets will be available much sooner than the first group. Shelter staff in Mississippi provided us details on their healthcare, personality, and socialization. Anyone interested in possibly adopting should visit the Pet Adoption Center during viewing hours. Applicants can see the pets currently available for adoption and complete an application. There are about 20 dogs and 40 cats currently available for adoption. Included in that group are 7 dogs and 7 cats from the first hurricane rescue by HSCI. We encourage prospective adopters to have an application on file. Our adoption staff can make recommendations of pets to meet based on family, lifestyle, and interests. We had a great turnout this afternoon/tonight for volunteers. With the holiday weekend, we know many have plans or will be away. Volunteers are encouraged to come in if available Saturday or Sunday. |
| 12-28-2005 |
HSCI is transferring approximately 30 dogs from a shelter in Jackson, Mississippi to alleviate some
of the stress on shelters in the South due to Hurricane Katrina. The dogs are expected to arrive
late this evening.
We are asking for volunteer dog walkers to come in at 7:00 am or 4:00 pm especially during the next week to assist. Other volunteers to help with the cleaning, cat rooms, and small animals would greatly help our staff. We currently have pets from the hurricane (both cats and dogs) available for adoption. More will dogs will be available next week. Look for future updates on this page. |
| 11-1-2005 |
Our dog room re-opened to the public. The dogs from the gulf coast area along with others are
available for adoption. Our website features some of the pets. Based on high response, the
application process time likely will be lengthened.
More dogs will be ready during the next several months. As a matter of policy, we do not release any information (breed/age/sex/health/etc) about a pet until they are available for adoption. HSCI is still in the surgical process with the cats from the Gulf Coast. Cats will be moved in to our adult and kitten room as space allows during the next few months. |
| 10-24-2005 | HSCI has been responding to inquiries from Louisana and Mississippi residents as well as other organizations looking for lost pets. Thus far, we have not had any reunions. The majority of pets HSCI received were strays, pre-hurricane and/or owner-relinquished and, therefore, do not have owners. |
| 10-04-2005 |
Jill and Sally spent 10 days on their "hurricane relief mission". They started by driving to
Tylertown, Mississippi where the Louisiana Humane Society has a temporary facility. Requested
supplies were dropped off before heading to Gonzales, Louisiana. They were stationed at the
Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, where approximately 8,000 pets had been processed already.
Most of the days were spent in New Orleans doing search and rescue. They were authorized to enter any home on the list provided by HSUS where animals were reported as left behind. Jill loved to use a crowbar and to shatter glass. For the animals not found, food and water stations were left behind. Each day began at 5:30 am with a dispatch meeting. Return to Lamar-Dixon was at about 8 pm each night. The pets then needed to go through intake until 10 pm or so. Jill and Sally then loaded the van with food, water, and crates for the next day's work. Jill did search and rescue each day because of her investigation experience. Sally accompanied her most of the time but did spend one day in triage and another day working the horse barns at Lamar-Dixon. |
| 09-28-2005 |
After receiving our pets on Tuesday afternoon, HSCI had an extremely busy Wednesday. Our phones
were ringing all day. We apologize to those who could not get through or waited for a staff member.
We appreciate all those calling to offer to help in various ways.
Here are the most common questions / answers: |
| 1. |
When will the hurricane pets be available for adoption?
There is always a waiting period before pets are placed for adoption. Our staff needs to evaluate their health, provide vaccinations, conduct health tests, and establish them on a routine. We will also need to do spay / neuter surgeries. With so many pets coming in at once, our staff is concentrating on medical issues right now. It may be up to a month before they become available for adoption. We will publicize their availability through our website and local media. Depending on health and history before HSCI, they may be place for adoption sooner/later than a month (i.e. if they are spay / neutered already they may be available sooner OR if their owner gave them up, we do not need to hold them as long). This is all part of our normal procedures. We have many great pets available for adoption now. If you are looking to add a pet to your life, please come visit the Pet Adoption Center. We have many more cats / rabbits / small animals than our website has posted. Our viewing hours are 11:30 - 5:30 except on Sundays (Monday until 7 pm). Adoption is a long-term commitment. |
| 2. |
Can I visit them?
Because the hurricane pets are quarantined, they are not available to the public at this time. These pets have had an eventful month and need time to adjust to their new surroundings and to recover physically. Our Pet Adoption Center is open for viewing of cats, rabbits, and other small animals. Our available dogs are being held off-site. Families with approved applications for dog adoption will have appointments to meet available dogs. All our available dogs are listed on our website. |
| 3. |
Do you have a ....?
We do not disclose any information about pets being held in quarantine. As we gather information and the pets become ready for adoption, the information will be made available on their kennel ids and our website. |
| 4. |
I heard you need volunteers. How can I help?
We received fewer pets than expected so our volunteer need is less than expected as well. We are asking our animal care volunteers who have been through training in the last year and active to come more often. Help in cleaning, caring for the rabbits / cats would greatly help our staff who are involved in medical tasks and hurricane dog care. Our hurricane dogs require a much higher level of care than volunteers can provide at this point. There will be the opportunity for volunteers to help these pets later. We depend heavily on volunteers and would love to expand our volunteer base. We will be conducting volunteer training (necessary before starting) again in November and hope those interested in becoming animal care volunteers attend. Other ways you can help: |
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| 5. |
What can I bring you?
Many of our bills (mortgage, vet care, payroll) depend on financial contributions. We do reduce our expenses by having supplies donated to us. Our Wish Lists involve a comprehensive list. The items we use heavily are: bleach, paper towels, laundry detergent, stamps, copy paper, non-clumping cat litter, and IAMS dog / cat food. We cannot have enough of these items. |
| Look for more updates. |
| 09-28-2005 |
We received a message from our second team in Louisiana. Raegan and our part-time vet arrived
Saturday to Mississippi. They were sent to Baton Rouge to Louisiana State University's vet school,
a major hub for rescued pets. LSU is very close to Gonzales, where our other team is located.
Raegan has been working mostly with cats but will spend a few days conducting dog behavioral assessments before she leaves this weekend. We are hoping she can share her experiences in a newsletter article. (members receive our quarterly newsletter) |
| 09-27-2005 |
On Tuesday an anonymous donor arranged for two cargo planes to pick-up pets in Slidell, LA. Mostly
dogs, and a few cats, arrived on Tuesday afternoon. The pets slept for most of their journey.
HSCI greatly appreciates the community members who helped out that day. We were unsure the number or condition of pets arriving. Luckily, we are in a community where many local businesses were quick to agree to help out by providing carriers or space in their boarding facility/vet practice. Look for our next newsletters for details. Pets from the Gulf Coast will be held for a time. During this period, we will be providing them with medical care and allowing them time to adjust to their new surroundings. HSCI will announce when adoptions will begin. Adopting our shelter dogs will help us provide space for our most recent arrivals. The needs of pets due to Hurricane Katrina exceed local and state resources. HSCI recognizes the scale of this disaster and agreed to assist where we can. Volunteer Note: Our operations are normal for cleaning/cats/rabbits. All dog volunteers needs to check with staff when arriving. Until these pets are available for adoption, volunteer access will be restricted. Volunteers working with dogs must be experienced at HSCI and over 18 years of age. |
| 09-26-2005 | Jill and Sally notified HSCI they were able to reach and enter Lamar-Dixon, the pet staging area in Gonzales, LA. They were quickly put to work delivering supplies in the New Orleans area. |
| 09-25-2005 |
Four individuals with ties to HSCI were scheduled to go to the Gulf Coast as volunteers for this
particular week. Before leaving, they made plans with their employers, families, and childcare
providers. They spent the week preparing and collecting items they may need during their stay.
Toward the end of the week, their trips were put on hold because of unknown conditions involving Hurricane Rita. Sally (office staff), Jill (volunteer/investigator), Raegan (past manager, animal care staff) were scheduled to go to the Lamar-Dixon shelter in Gonzales, a hub for animal rescue efforts. Our part-time vet was to go to Gonzales and then receive her assignment. On Saturday, 9/24, the two groups headed south. With Hurricane Rita approaching land, they were to call for updates. Based on damage and travel restrictions, they would receive instructions where to report. Communication is difficult for volunteers because of cell availability and their very long work days. We will provide updates as information becomes available. |
| 09-18-2005 | Joan and Nancy have been helping out the last week at a temporary shelter for the hurricane pets in Mississippi. They have had very long days and dealt with hot weather conditions. Their return may be soon so we will have more details to share about their experience. Dave's plans to go fell through. |
| 09-17-2005 |
There are numerous animal organizations reacting to Hurricane Katrina. Some are national
organizations, others specialize in disaster response, and others are large independent Humane
Societies that have specific equipment needed. Most organizations are likely to be involved in some
way at some point.
HSCI has received many calls from those wanting to volunteer. Only those trained and invited are allowed in the areas. Here is a Information / Suggestions for Katrina Animal Rescue Volunteers handout from one organization, ASPCA, concerning volunteer efforts. Joan and Nancy are responding as part of the United Animal Nations EARS team (Emergency Animal Rescue Service). The UAN's action report illustrates how this is a combined effort, a long process, and reunions with the original pet guardian is the goal. |
| 09-11-2005 |
Hurricane Katrina and Pet Rescue / Reunions
Through the media coverage, you may be aware how some individuals would not evacuate because they did not want to leave their pets, others left their pets thinking they would be back in a day or two, and others were fortunate to escape with their pets and find temporary housing for all. HSCI has three volunteers currently working in the Gulf Coast area. Dave went down early this week. Nancy and Joan are part of an emergency response team activated on September 10th. They will be helping with identifying pets and, hopefully, many reunions between pet guardians and their pets. Some of the national pet-related organizations are suggesting supply donations go to local shelters rather than the Gulf Coast. They have more food, etc than they can use at the current time. Our volunteers were told not to bring any supplies with them (consumable or non-consumable). We hope to update our supporters with first-hand information from our volunteers as it becomes available to us. |
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