As Tropical Storm Gustav continues to strengthen, residents of the Gulf Coast brace themselves for the potentially deadly impact. The Humane Society of the United States is preparing its staff and equipment to respond.
"Our entire animal rescue team has been put on standby to deploy at a moment's notice if our assistance is needed," said Scotlund Haisley, senior director of Emergency Services at The HSUS. "The Humane Society of the United States has deployed a core team of responders today to begin transporting our specially equipped disaster response vehicles and rescue boat to the Gulf Coast."
The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA) in New Orleans and a number of other humane organizations in the Gulf Coast region made the decision to evacuate their animals early. Others are expected to follow suit as Gustav approaches. The HSUS has sent animal transport vehicles from both D.C. and Florida to be available for evacuation assistance on Saturday.
"Many of our colleagues have reached out to assist us with our advance evacuation process and we're very grateful to The HSUS for providing additional transport vehicles and personnel who are in route to New Orleans," said Ana Zorrilla, Chief Executive Officer of the LA/SPCA. "These resources are critically needed given the number of animals that we anticipate evacuating in the next three days."
The HSUS has called upon members of the National Disaster Animal Response Team (NDART) to be sure they are ready in the event of a deployment. NDART volunteers serve as resources for individuals, animal-related organizations, government agencies and others concerned about the urgent needs of animals before, during and after disasters. The HSUS often uses this valuable resource to supplement its own animal rescue team when faced with a large-scale disaster.
"It is crucial as this storm approached that residents in the path of Gustav plan ahead for their safety and the safety of their animal companions," said Haisley.
For more information about disaster preparedness, visit humanesociety.org/disaster.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.la-spca.org) worked in cooperation with many wonderful humane agencies to rescue more than 15,000 animals after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005. A private non-profit dedicated to the elimination of animal suffering, the LA/SPCA is the oldest and most comprehensive animal welfare organization in the state of Louisiana.
