Hurricane Katrina Response To Exceed All Previous Animal Disaster Efforts

WASHINGTON — The Humane Society of the United States is moving into Mississippi today to begin a multi-state animal rescue and recovery effort in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

"The Humane Society of the United States has planned and trained for this sort of catastrophe for years," said HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle. "We issued warnings asking people to evacuate with their pets since we've seen what happens when animals are left behind. The tragedy is that so many people apparently could not leave in time. The human and animal toll is expected to be enormous."

The following activities are already underway:

• The HSUS Disaster Response Unit is stocked and headed to Mississippi. The four-wheel drive truck and 38-foot air-conditioned trailer is equipped with rescue, sheltering, and communications gear as well as pet food and supplies. Trained disaster relief personnel will travel from a staging area in the Florida panhandle into Mississippi today.

• Laura Bevan, who has responded to disasters going back to Hurricane Andrew in 1992, is leading The HSUS' field response with assistance from professionals and trained personnel experienced in animal handling.

• The HSUS is supporting the evacuation of animals from the Louisiana SPCA to shelters throughout Texas for adoption.

• The HSUS Southeast Regional Office located in Tallahassee is partnering with the Florida State Agricultural Response Team to assess animal needs and to provide rescue and sheltering of animals in south Mississippi.

• The HSUS is also readying response teams from Texas to provide assistance on the west side of the impact area.

"This is going to require a massive, long-term effort to help the animals and the people impacted by Hurricane Katrina," said Bevan.

The HSUS has been planning for Hurricane Katrina since last week, coordinating with other organizations through state agencies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross, and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

The costs associated with The HSUS' rescue efforts are expected to exceed the organization's previous major disaster responses, which include aiding the animal victims of last year's tsunami, and responding to the series of hurricanes that hit Florida last year. The HSUS is accepting donations to support its disaster response efforts on its web site – www.hsus.org or by sending checks to HSUS Disaster Relief Fund, 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037.

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.