NEW ORLEANS and WASHINGTON—Relocation has begun for animals at the temporary emergency shelter at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La. Yesterday, officials of the Louisiana SPCA and The Humane Society of the United States received approval from federal and state authorities to transfer 400 animals out of the shelter to other animal shelters across the country. More transfers are expected this week.
The transfers open more room for other animals being rescued daily amidst the ruins of New Orleans. Before transport, each animal is photographed, microchipped and documented. Petfinder.com is posting their photos to facilitate reunions of pets and owners.
The HSUS is also looking for another site near Gonzales to establish a new shelter to house more of the animals from New Orleans.
The HSUS and other groups have rescued nearly 4,000 animals to date from New Orleans and areas of Mississippi. More than 200 people have been reunited with their pets. More reunions happen every day. At the temporary shelters set up in Gonzales, La. and Hattiesburg, Miss., animals are examined by medical staff, cleaned, fed, watered and cared for around the clock. Hundreds of HSUS disaster response team members, volunteers, and other animal groups are keeping operations running at both sites. The HSUS is deploying approximately 50 new people each day who have professional animal care and control expertise.
The Lamar-Dixon operation is coordinated under the command of David Pauli, director of The HSUS Northern Rockies regional office and Laura Maloney, director of the Louisiana SPCA. Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO arrived at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center yesterday.
"This is a massive undertaking," Pacelle said. "We are working hard to get to as many of the stranded animals as possible. Even with an army of staff and volunteers, we need FEMA and other responders to help with this rescue effort. People who have lost everything are holding on to their last hope that their pets will be saved. It will take every available agency to engage in this search and rescue effort as time is running out for the animals left in Katrina's wake."
Signs of hope were revealed over the past few days as men and women in uniform—both law enforcement and military—were seen helping animals in distress and allowing people to evacuate with their pets.
To buy time for many of these animals, responders in the field are setting up "feeding stations" of large amounts of food and water for animals who elude capture and until another rescue attempt can be made.
For more information, go to www.hsus.org
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.
