FEMA: Massive Pet Rescue Ongoing

FEMA ^ | September 15, 2005 | FEMA Press Release

[Zacs Mom]

BATON ROUGE, La.-- State and federal agencies, along with numerous non-profit organizations, are united in an ongoing effort to save the pets and animals left helpless by Hurricane Katrina.

"This is the largest animal rescue in the history of the United States ... absolutely unprecedented in scope," said Larry Hawkins, spokesperson for the Unified Incident Command for Animal Rescue in Louisiana . "We have a huge number of people working on this and it's a big success."

Rescuers wade or boat through the flooded city in a house to house search for stranded animals. This joint effort includes the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association's Small Animal Response Team. Joining those efforts are the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Louisiana State University 's School of Veterinary Medicine , the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Humane Society of the United States .

FEMA Search and Rescue teams and elements of the military have also recovered numerous pets encountered in the course of their assigned humanitarian rescue mission.

Presently there are 3,850 animals being sheltered at facilities statewide and 445 rescued pets have been reunited with their owners. Scores more are expected to be picked up as soon as families find housing that permits pets. To date, over 4,000 pets have been rescued. Many more are coming in daily.

Animals are arriving so quickly that at one point the system was temporarily overwhelmed. During the weekend, the triage shelter at Lamar Dixon Expo Center temporarily closed its doors to new arrivals due to concerns about overcrowding. Contrary to reports, rescue efforts did not stop during that time. Animals were either sent to alternate facilities or fed and watered in place until they could be retrieved later. The situation at the Lamar Dixon facility has been remedied and additional locations for sheltering are being sought.

The rescue effort is a four-step process beginning with recovery of the animal. Next, the pet is processed so it will not be a health threat to humans or other animals. This triage phase begins with an examination by qualified veterinarians, including those from FEMA's and the American Veterinary Medical Association's Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT). Vets from Louisiana , the U.S. Public Health Service, USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), LSU and volunteers from around the country are also joining in to accomplish the mission. After the initial exam, animals are fed, watered, bathed and given critical medical care and appropriate vaccinations.

Identification efforts begin next. During this phase, a history of the animal is compiled including where the animal was found. This information is transferred to a microchip that is implanted on the rescued pet. Microchips allow animals to be tracked if they are transferred. Digital photographs of the animal are also taken to be posted at www.petfinder.org . The fourth step is sheltering the pet to await reunion with its owner.

Time has become critical for pets that have been stranded since the storm. If people know of a pet that needs rescue call the Animal Rescue Command Center at 225-925-3980. People can also visit www.petfinder.com or www.petfinder.org for more information on pet rescue. More than 8,000 requests for rescue have come in so far.

If someone is looking for a pet they should contact their nearest Humane Society or go online to www.petfinder.org . More information is also available at www.vetmed.lsu.edu .

Although there are some 400 horses and mules in the pet shelters, including those from French Quarter carriage services, more large animal rescue efforts are taking place outside the city. There, units including the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers work to get feed and fresh water to livestock. In Plaquemines Parish, the LDAF and USDA/APHIS are coordinating a state and federal airlift to carry lifesaving supplies to stranded cattle.

National response to the plight of the animals has been heartwarming and overwhelming. Individual and corporate donations have fully equipped the rescue with food and supplies. If people want to help, they are asked to make a cash donation to their favorite animal organization or see www.lvma.org .

Those involved with the rescue want to reassure pet owners and the nation that every humane effort is being made to save the animals left vulnerable by Hurricane Katrina. "We understand what animal owners want and we want the same thing," said Hawkins.

Press conference location:

Louisiana State Emergency Operations Center 7667 Independence Blvd. Baton Rouge , LA 70806

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003 .

[HairOfTheDog]

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[apackof2]

www.Noah'sWish.org

[Darnright]

>I didn't see PETA listed as one of the organizations helping. What's up with that?<

PETA, at least the powers that be, is not interested in animals. Rather, it is interested in how it can use people's concern for animals to further a leftist agenda.

Some PETA actions:

November 1, 2002 Washington, DC: PETA has issued an alert against contributing to the American Lung Association as well as a call for a boycott of the Bank of America because it sends corporate contributions to the March of Dimes - both organizations which fund animal-based biomedical research. The anti-charity campaign by PETA and PCRM, through PRCM's new "Council of Humane Giving" uses misinformation on the use of animals in research.

November 1, 2002 Washington, DC: PETA has issued an alert against contributing to the American Lung Association as well as a call for a boycott of the Bank of America because it sends corporate contributions to the March of Dimes - both organizations which fund animal-based biomedical research. The anti-charity campaign by PETA and PCRM, through PRCM's new "Council of Humane Giving" uses misinformation on the use of animals in research.

January 18, 2001 Washington DC: London Mayor Ken Livingstone, appearing at a luncheon in his honor during the US Conference of Mayors meeting, took a glass of water in the face from a PETA spokesperson who was upset over the plan to rid Trafalgar Square of pigeons. Bruce Friedrich, attending the luncheon under a faked press affiliation, asked the mayor about the plan, pronounced it "all wet," tossed the water at Livingstone and was hustled out of the room by security.

[justche]

I have to admit, it's a good thing I'm not closer, I'm sure I would try to fill the acre I live on with pets that need to be rescued....

[cibco]

I used to get fund raising letters from PETA. I would send them articles from my hunting magazines in their business reply envelopes.

They now send regular envelopes you have to put stamps on. I sometimes still send them trophy shot's. 37 cents is worth wasting their time.

[msf92497]

"PAGING ACE VENTURA!!!"

[Mercat]

This may deserve a separate thread but Animal Planet has a wonderful special on rescue after Katrina. Knowing AP, they will run it again. I'm still wiping away the tears.

[Darnright]

>I sometimes still send them trophy shot's. 37 cents is worth wasting their time.<

Thanks for jerking the chain of some of the worst jerks in this country.

I salute you (c;

[sweetliberty]

"The owners are homeless and lost everything and they are going to worry about Fluffy? Geez, call the local Korean restaurant."

You know, some people really love their pets. They are part of the family. Maybe some of these people who are separated from their children should just leave them out their to fend for themselves, too. After all, they've lost everything and can't even take care of themselves, so obviously they have no need for their kids.

Pretty callous attitude, in my opinion.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

I suppose you are one very inadequate guy who has to try to be really macho. Instead you sound like a weak jerk. For this thread....you get the "Trying To Sound Like A Real Man" award:congratulations.

[e_castillo]

"Fudge the pets! You cant even do humans."

What are you trying to say Sadam?