Pets Part of the Hurricane Katrina Rescue Efforts

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and other animal welfare groups continue to rescue and reunite animals and owners stranded by hurricane Katrina.   As of September 14, rescuers had saved more than 5,000 animals.   Over 200 people are back together with their pets.

The animals are rescued from streets, rooftops, and from flooded homes.   They are hungry and scared.   At the shelters set up in the Gulf States, workers check, feed, clean and care for them.   Approximately 300 people are working to rescue animals.

Many owners were forced to leave their animals behind when they fled the hurricane and floods.   Animals could not go with their owners to the shelters for people.   This was stressful for the pets and for adults and kids alike.  

Reuniting pets with owners is a priority

Reuniting the animals with their owners is a priority, says Gretchen Syler of the HSUS.  

“For people who have lost nearly everything, just knowing that their pet is safe provides much comfort,” she adds.   

The rescue effort has been creative and coordinated.   To help stranded animals, workers have set up feeding stations of food and water.   The stations keep animals alive until rescuers can get back to them.   Transport is the biggest need right now.   Workers need to make room for new rescues.

“This is a massive job,” says Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president. “We are working with as many of the stranded animals as possible.”

Hundreds of animals are rescued daily.   Workers take their picture, put in a microchip device and document them.   Finally, they post the information on a website, www.petfinder.com, where owners can find their pets.

Huge rescue and return effort

The rescue and return effort is huge.   For example, one animal welfare group put pet carriers on highway ramps. Folks who found animals could leave them in a carrier for rescuers to get them later in the day.

The best part of the story is that families are reunited.   One lucky dog, Pepe, was returned to his owner and her grandson at a rescue center.   The owner cried out loud as she kissed Pepe through the cage.   She did not think she would find him or her other dogs.    

She held him close and said, “He's the old man. He's been with us for a long time.”  

Source: Humane Society of the United States