Unlike Katrina, we were ready for Hurricane Gustav. The pet evacuation for Gustav, and the hurricane pet shelters, were in place this time around.
In spite of the arrangements for animals to be moved out of the storm’s path, some residents apparently were not aware. Reports have come in regarding pets left behind. Animal rescue teams are now gearing up for these post storm operations. Getting animals out of the hurricane’s path was only the first step. Shelters across several states have taken in Gustav pets and temporary shelters, such as the one in Reunion Arena’s parking garage in Dallas, have been set up to receive many more. Volunteer teams work round the clock cleaning, feeding, medicating, and providing general care for the evacuated pets.
Pet owners using public transportation brought their animals in carriers and registered them, receiving an armband with a number matching the number placed on their pet’s crate. Crates were then loaded into large trucks destined for safer ground. The driver of the pet truck would stop every two hours to check on and care for the cargo. Organizations like United Animal Nations, Best Friends, American Humane Association, Code 3, HSUS, SPCA, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and Noah’s Wish worked together to transport shelter animals, as well as pets, out of lower Louisiana.
In October of 2006, President Bush signed into law the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act, requiring emergency preparedness authorities to include in their plans accommodations for household pets and service animals. States that don’t comply could lose funding for disaster relief.
If any animal lovers would like to assist with the Hurricane Gustav evacuated dogs and cats, you are encouraged to contact the Louisiana animal welfare associations.
dogs