Evacuees Distraught Over Lost Pets

[lizbud]

:( :( :(

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/HurricaneKatrina/wireStory?id=1095576

[elizabethann]

I read the same story minutes ago on www.cnn.com and it just breaks my heart. The poor husband & wife who had to leave their pets behind because they could only take one item and that was a plastic bin of the husbands medications. And of the make-shift gas chamber the rescuers had to make to euthanize some of the pets. What an awful situation. I'm sure it was awful for the rescuers to have to do that. I can't wait to get home and hug & kiss my 2 cats & 1 dog (I'm at work).

:(

[Killearn Kitties]

What a heartbreaking story. It's almost unimaginable what these people are going through just now.

[QueenScoopalot]

The whole thing is just totally heartwrenching. :( :( :( I live in an area that gets hit periodically by whopper hurricanes (near Boston) but am just far enough inland, and on a hill that the worst we get is lots of wind and flying debris. I hate to think of how many animals have perished already, locked into flooded homes that were evacuated. Many areas rescuers can't even get to still.:( If I lived near there, I'm sure I'd be pulling out critters right and left.

[elizabethann]

I just saw this blurb on the foxnews website. So sad. That poor little dog....all by itself!

The first few days were a natural disaster. The last four days were a man-made disaster," said Phillip Holt, 51, who was rescued from his home Saturday with his partner and three of their aging Chihuahuas. They left a fourth behind they couldn't grab in time.

[wolf_Q]

Everything that has happened with the hurricane is awful, this is the first thing I've read that has brought me to tears though. :( Just the thought of having to leave my dogs.....I can't even bear to think it.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

I can't even imagine...

:(

[moosmom]

I'm with you WolfQ. I would fight tooth and nail before I'd leave my cats behind in a situation like that. They'd have to take me out in handcuffs, kicking and screaming. There is NO way in HELL, I don't care HOW bad it is, I'd leave my furbabies.

What really pisses me off is the fact that the shelters they have won't allow animals. What I want to know is WHY??? I think it's wrong and something should be done about it.

UGH!!!! :mad: :mad I get so angry just thinking about it.

[puggywuggles41893]

That is sooo sad.:( :( :(

[mugsy]

This little girl and her hubby already discussed it and we would not have ever left our dogs...period...end of conversation.

Had they tried to make us leave there would have been problems.

I know that one of our friend's niece lives in New Orleans and she and her new hubby took a tarp and put their animals on the tarp and swam 2 miles to a road where he could go get a vehicle from his father's construction business and get them and get them out.

I'm just glad to see that, a lot too late, that they are allowing people to take their animals to shelters and on buses.

[DJFyrewolf36]

I heard that there were evacuation busses that were telling people that they couldn't take animals on the bus. WTH?! Why in the WORLD wouldn't they let animals to evacuate, especially if they were properly contained. I know there is a liability issue, but in a situation like that I would sincerely hope people aren't looking to sue people.

I'd never get on a rescue bus that told me I couldn't take my cats even if it meant swimming or walking a long distance. They're family too.

[mugsy]

That policy has been changed as well....about 3 or 4 days ago. I think they got enough pressure that they caved. They are also allowed to bring their animals to the shelters as well from what I am told. I know 3 people that are down there working currently, so I check the other board and get the latest updates.

[rosethecopycat]

For God's sake LET THEM TAKE THEIR PETS!

I have been thinking long and hard about what I would do in that situation.

I could NEVER turn my back on them and let them die. It would haunt me for life.

I can't even state the extremes I'd go to not to be separated from them.

[lizbud]

Desperately trying to rescue left behind pets.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/08/pet.rescue/index.html

[lvpets2002]

:( I think need to puck & cry now.. This is all just too heartbreaking.. I go home everyday & just hold, hold on to my babies so tight && just could not even think I would ever have to face that choice..

[lizbud]

Public howling turns tide for four-legged evacuees
--------------------

By Susan Berger and Michael Martinez, Chicago Tribune. Tribune staff
reporter Ray Quintanilla contributed to this report. Tribune national
correspondent Michael Martinez reported from New Orleans; fre

September 10, 2005

NEW ORLEANS -- Two disheveled dogs and a cat flew with their people to
Iowa on Friday, where they got food, a bath and a physical exam.

The scene, a far cry from the wrenching images of stranded pooches on
rooftops, was a victory for pet lovers, who have beseeched the
government to allow pets to remain with their owners during evacuations.

Heartbreaking stories about people being forced to leave pets
behind--and estimates that 50,000 dogs and cats were stranded in Hurricane
Katrina's wake--have filled Internet message boards. On Thursday, an urgent
message told of 150 dogs on the rooftop of American Can Corp. in New
Orleans, another of a man rescued through his roof who had to leave his
dog and two cats with no food or water.

Pet lovers throughout the country have joined in a massive effort to
organize veterinarians, boats and food to help save displaced animals.
Convoys have been coordinated through message boards at nola.com,
petfinder.com and craigslist.org.

And on Friday, authorities in Louisiana who have struggled for nearly
two weeks to save human lives in this devastated swampland started
making more time for the animals.

The military began providing animal cages and equipment to homeowners
who would evacuate only if they could bring their pets with them. "We
got the capacity," said Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, "and it seemed like
the right thing to do."

Many residents had refused to leave New Orleans--much of which remains
covered by contaminated water and debris--because they didn't want to
abandon their pets. An increasing number of evacuees in recent days have
also tried to bring their pets along, officials said.

Jennifer Mullin, spokeswoman for Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, said evacuees
"didn't want to leave their animals behind."

"When you think about it, you can't leave a family pet to fend for
itself in those kinds of conditions," she said. The dogs and cat taken to
Iowa--which "are supposed to be really cute," Mullin said--will be
allowed to remain with their owners.

The military's edict on pets answers a petition drive started by
Margaret Barry, 64, of Webster, Mass., demanding that an evacuation order
include pets. By Friday, she had collected 40,000 signatures.

But all along, rescue workers have worried about abandoned pets.

On Tuesday, a scared and skinny golden Labrador stood on a porch on the
edge of the filthy water. A SWAT team from the Chicago area sent to New
Orleans to protect city workers got closer. Three more dogs appeared.

"It was not safe to get off the boat," said Mikel Milks, Glencoe
director of public safety and a volunteer member of the SWAT team. "With 50
pounds of protective gear, if we fell in, we would drown."

Milks and the team returned the next day when the water had receded by
a foot. Conditions were worse, however. Gasoline and oil from motor
vehicles were leaking into the water. In addition to human bodies, Milks
said he saw dead dogs and cats floating amid the debris.

"We yelled, and there was no answer," Milks said. "And then we saw
three Humane Society boats and an animal ambulance from Boston. We yelled
to them the address and they rescued all four dogs."

Although the Humane Society of the United States reported 2,500 animal
rescues as of Friday, time is clearly running out, said Wayne Pacelle,
the society's president.

"There is quite a drama unfolding," Pacelle said Friday. He had heard
of animals being shot and said that while there is an order in St.
Bernard Parish to kill any dog maiming or defacing a human corpse, he has
heard of local authorities shooting when that is not the case.

"We have room for the dogs. There is no need for it," Pacelle said.
"They are scared. They are hungry. But they are alive."

But that will not be the case in a few more days, he said.

Pacelle said it is imperative that all government responders--the Navy,
Army, Coast Guard, police, firefighters and others--assist in capturing
the animals and bringing them to a shelter.

PAWS, a Chicago rescue group, drove a caravan to the Humane Society in
Bauxite, Ark., and returned at 3 a.m. Thursday with 200 homeless pets
so the Arkansas shelter would have room for additional animals displaced
by the storm.

Pet owners went to great lengths to escape with their animals. Three
days after Hurricane Katrina struck, 42-year-old hairdresser Wendy
Seibert towed an unusual companion through the flooded alleys of downtown New
Orleans, joining hundreds of refugees who trailblazed a backdoor route
to the sanctuary of the Superdome.

It was Rusty, her cat, looking dry and comfortably ensconced in a
carryall.

"It's like my child," said Seibert, who ranked Rusty as important as
the two bottles of water she carried to sustain them as they slowly
marched through knee-deep, filthy water.

As incongruous a scene as it was, Seibert wasn't alone at a time when
people were dying while waiting to be rescued on the other side of
downtown at the city's convention center.

Behind her in the pilgrimage-like line through a flooded wasteland was
Dama Fountain, a 45-year-old artist, who was carrying Babette, her
15-year-old cat, also in a small cage. She was joined by her husband, Royce
Osborn, 46, a writer and filmmaker.

Many of the animals have not been so lucky. Milks heard from state
patrol officers that packs of aggressive dogs roving in the streets are
being shot or caught and euthanized.

[trayi52]

This is all so sad! :(

[KYS]

I hope in the future the books will be re-written
on how to handle a dissaster.
I think that people rescue groups should work
side by side with animal rescue groups so that
People and their pets can be rescued together.
If their animals can not be with them in
the actual shelter than a place needs to
be set up near by where they can visit them.

[lizbud]

Originally posted by KYS
I hope in the future the books will be re-written
on how to handle a dissaster.
I think that people rescue groups should work
side by side with animal rescue groups so that
People and their pets can be rescued together.
If their animals can not be with them in
the actual shelter than a place needs to
be set up near by where they can visit them.


Kys,

Believe it or not, there already are FEMA approved plans for
Animal Rescue Teams in disaster events. All the major animal
shelter & rescue groups have teams trained & ready to respond
but they were never given the word until days & days had already passed. There was a major failure of FEMA leadership
and management from the top on down.

[KYS]

lizbud: Believe it or not, there already are FEMA approved plans for Animal Rescue Teams in disaster events. There was a major failure of FEMA leadership and management from the top on down. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

FEMA needs an over-haul to go back the way it was. :(
A co-worker told me that she read that some children
were being rescued and the parents were being left behind to
be rescued later. (this was in the early stages)
Can you imagine children being separated from BOTH
parents. What if BOTH parents drowned before
they could be rescued. (at least let one parent
go with the children.)
UNBELIEVABLE!

[lizbud]

Originally posted by KYS
FEMA needs an over-haul to go back the way it was. :(
A co-worker told me that she read that some children
were being rescued and the parents were being left behind to
be rescued later. (this was in the early stages)
Can you imagine children being separated from BOTH
parents. What if BOTH parents drowned before
they could be rescued. (at least let one parent
go with the children.)
UNBELIEVABLE!

I read one account of a middle aged woman who was being
helped to evacuate. This lady had two small children
who were clinging onto her like life itself, and they found out
the kids were not related to her at all, but just two little ones
who had grabbed on to her for security. The woman did not
have the heart to let go of them & kept them with her.:(

[Laura's Babies]

They have 2000 of the rescued pets at Lamar Dixon in Gonzales, La, right up the road from us and 1000 in Baton Rouge. They are giving the owners 30 days to come claim their pets, so far around 500 have been claimed... I don't want to ASK what is going to happen to the pest that are not claimed.

Those people have no homes to take their pets to, some are still in shelters so HOW can they claim their PETS?? I don't get this 30 day thing at all.... that is NO time in a lifetime of a faithful pet you have had for YEARS! Anyone who has connections, please get groups and orginazations on top this to save the slaughter of many, many faithful pets so their owners will have time to find them. Many of these people do not even have transportation right now to go check these places for their pets.

Why can't groups rescue these pets and set up a "Missing Pets" board like they did for the missing kids? They have cats, dogs, horses, even a pot bellied pig.

Anyone who could just take ONE... Who siggy is it that says that thing about you can't save them all but you can make s big difference in the life of the one you save?

[lizbud]

I would think the Shelters would like to start thinking about
getting some dogs adopted out.Don't know about the 30 day
limit, but there should be a limit.People should have time to come
forward to claim ownership & try to made some arrangements
for their pet.

[RICHARD]

I posted this on another thread.


Good news is hard to come by sooooooo.....

http://www.billingsgazzette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/09/13/build/nation/60-pets-airlifted.inc

[Scooby4]

The animals that are being rescued are to be able to be adopted out. There has been no talks of a euthanasia unless seriously injured. Many of the local shelters are still taking in pets. So that 30 day period may have to be extended anyways. It's been almost 3 weeks now.
I've also heard of some shelters who's owners have been contacted and have agreed to pay for their keeping till they can retrieve the animal. So there is some "boarding" taking place.
One of the rescuers said the other day that this may be a blessing in disguise for many animals. Not every animal was in a safe environment. This may be an oportunity for some to find better homes. Can you imagine the sudden shut down of black market puppy mills alone?
If I wasn't unemployed right now, I would adopt or foster a few...

[senorita02]

It is all so sad.
I personally would never ever leave my two babies , i would simply stay and starve to die with them, before i got on a helicopter and left them, that makes me truly ill to even think about it.
I would die anyway of heartache if i were to leave them.

[Laura's Babies]

THANK YOU RICHARD for posting that link! YES, I live close to Baton Rouge (20 miles or less, 50 to 60 miles from New Orleans), 2000 of them were taken to a place not to far from me, to a large center where my Grand daughter got married last October, so it is close to home for me. All the local TV's say 30 days... One said last night that one has to be closed by the end of September and cleaned completely by Oct. 5 for some event scheduled there. The number of CLAIMED pets went 600 yesterday, the numbers are going up so that is good news.

RICHARD, that link showed me that maybe so many are not doomed and I do feel better about that.

They are trying to adopt out as many as they can but our local shelters and rescue groups are bulging with adoptable pets that they have been having problems finding homes for before this happened. The only hope for these pets is for them to be taken out of this area by rescue groups and good hearted people that are willing to help, like that person in that article Richard posted. I have not been to Lamar Dixon to see those pets because I know I would want to bring them all home with me and I would just sit there and cry for them all. I can't foster any because of how I work.

Believe me folks, on the Baton Rouge TV, they ARE saying 30 days! (I watch it every day!)

[elizabethann]

Here is a link to a fellow in New Hampshire who went down to help the "2-legged animals" but ended up helping the "4-legged animals" because that was the greater need at the time he went down. (I believe he went down AFTER everybody had evacuated). He has started a journal on his website. He owns several restaurants around the state and initially thought he would be cooking for the evacuees as well as the rescue folks. But he is, at the moment, helping the animals:



http://www.thecman.com/CE/AlexRay_Diary.html