WASHINGTON and NEW YORK — The Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced the creation of a reconstruction fund to rebuild animal welfare organizations damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
The ASPCA and HSUS are each donating an initial $2.5 million, for a total of $5 million, which will be used to reconstruct animal shelters that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and to restore the capacity of animal protection work in the region. They are seeking total funding of $10 - $15 million for shelter reconstruction, and will begin appealing immediately to animal-friendly corporations, the government, and other sources to attain the financial goal.
"The amount of devastation in the affected region is unprecedented and the public has been extremely generous in donating to animal welfare disaster relief funds," said Edwin Sayres, president and CEO of the ASPCA. "Once the rescue and recovery efforts have been completed, it will take months, if not years to restore the organizations."
"The destruction of several humane societies in the Gulf region is an immediate and long-term threat to the well-being of animals in large portions of Louisiana and Mississippi," says Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO. "It is critical that we rebuild the humane infrastructure to provide the tools for animal care in communities on the Gulf coast."
Disaster response teams from The HSUS, ASPCA, and other organizations have been on the ground in the affected regions of Louisiana and Mississippi since August 29th and will continue to rescue pets and other animal victims of the hurricane. Temporary sheltering operations – which are now among the largest de facto animal shelters in the country — are set up at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La., and in Hattiesburg, Miss. Hundreds of volunteers along with animal welfare professionals are assisting with rescue and relief efforts, and the operation of emergency animal shelters. Persons looking for a lost or displaced pet should go to www.disaster.petfinder.com/emergency or visit the shelters in Gonzales and Hattiesburg to look for their pets.
Among the facilities destroyed are the Louisiana SPCA in New Orleans and the Humane Society of South Mississippi, located in Gulfport, Miss. Before the hurricane struck, LA-SPCA shelter staff evacuated their animals to the Houston SPCA. The LA-SPCA provides care and basic medical services for approximately 11,000 homeless and unwanted animals each year.
Before the disaster, the Humane Society of South Mississippi sheltered 15,000 animals per year and provided a full-service medical clinic. According to the society's web site, its building took on four feet of water and all of its vehicles were destroyed by the hurricane. On September 2, a disaster animal response team helped the Mississippi shelter evacuate more than 130 animals.
In the coming months, The HSUS and the ASPCA will evaluate the needs of the affected communities. The groups will also reach out to corporate partners to leverage their initial gifts.
About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (ASPCA) was the first humane organization established in the Western Hemisphere and today has one million supporters. The ASPCA's mission is to provide an effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA® provides national leadership in humane education, government affairs and public policy, shelter support, and animal poison control. The NYC headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital, animal behavior center, and adoption facility. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series Animal Precinct on Animal Planet. Visit www.aspca.org for more information.
About The HSUS
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing more than 9 million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country.
For more information on Hurricane Katrina disaster response for animals, go to www.hsus.org and www.aspca.org.
