WASHINGTON and NEW YORK - The Humane Society of the United States, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), United Animal Nations (UAN) and Best Friends Animal Society are asking all animal shelters, breed rescue groups and others who are sheltering animal victims of Hurricane Katrina to voluntarily extend the hold period of those animals to allow for more family reunions to occur.
Since Hurricane Katrina struck, more than 8,000 dogs, cats, horses, livestock and other animals have been rescued in Louisiana and Mississippi. Most of these animals were triaged through emergency shelters established at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La., Louisiana State University (LSU), and the Forrest County Multi-purpose Center in Hattiesburg, Miss. More than 200 animal shelters in the United States and assorted rescue groups agreed to take Katrina survivors into their care while rescue operations were ongoing.
Under a previous agreement, shelters expected to hold animals until October 15. That date was established early in the disaster response before there was a clear understanding of the magnitude and complexity of the rescue, relief and reunion operation. Now, shelters, fosters and other groups are asked to hold the animals not less than 30 days from the date the agency posted or edited the animal's photo on Petfinder's website. The national animal protection organizations are appealing to shelters to extend the hold period until December 15 when possible.
The ASPCA has released a document on foster recommendations that encourages all groups holding Katrina pets to post photographs and related information of those animals on Petfinder's site which has been the central location for rescued pet information.
Animal shelters are also encouraged to commit staff and volunteers to navigate the Petfinder site regularly for lost reports from owners that may match animals in their possession. For the full text of the Katrina Foster Recommendations, go to www.aspca.org.
"As the rescue and recovery efforts draw to a close we are faced with the daunting task of reuniting as many Katrina pets with their owners as possible," said Julie Morris, senior vice president of ASPCA National Outreach. "As these pet owners' lives have been completely turned upside down, we would like to extend as a long a window as possible for them to locate their pets."
"We especially want to encourage the American public to support local animal shelters in this difficult time, by assisting their efforts to reunite animals with those who have lost them," said John Snyder, senior director of The HSUS's companion animals section. "There's no better moment to find out what needs your local shelters have as they respond together to this unprecedented crisis."
There have been more than 1,000 reunions of pets and their families to date including in-person reunions in Louisiana and Mississippi and matches through Petfinder. The HSUS and ASPCA will pay the transportation costs and help with the logistics to reunite pets with their families when needed.
Persons looking for their displaced pets who may have been rescued from the disaster zone should regularly monitor the Petfinder site and also check Petharbor.com, another website posting rescued pet information. Those in need of assistance to navigate the websites should call 1-800-HUMANE 1.
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. On the Web at www.hsus.org.
