The Animal Victims of Katrina - You Can Help

by AZnomad

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(This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday, Sep. 02, 2005 Friday, Sep. 02, 2005 at 12:28:43pm PDT

While we are all horrified and disgusted at the human tragedy and continued devastation that is taking place in the great city of New Orleans, and all along the southern coastline, there is another tragedy taking place that is also affecting thousands of innocents. The animal victims of Katrina.

"The story not as well known to the public is the devastation suffered by the animals in the stricken areas. We know that pets - owned and strays - have been victimized. But there are also countless horses, wild animals, and farm animals who have been killed or are now facing threats to their lives," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.

Pets and Companion Animals

Hundreds of reports have been pouring in of this unprecedented disaster:

- A soaked dog was seen clinging to a rooftop.

- A visitor from Canada was frantic about her two cats that were in a basement apartment.

- A refuge with eight parrots was turned away from the Louisiana Superdome, where people were taking refuge from the flooding.

- A woman who was frantically trying to help her elderly, disabled friend who was being evacuated from a hotel in Biloxi. The SEALS would not allow him to bring his dog. Here was a man who had lost his home and was now being forced to leave the only thing he had left behind. Conditions simply prevented him from taking his animal with him.

- Newlyweds who had boarded their two dogs so they could go on their honeymoon were deeply concerned about their beloved pets. They were completely out of touch until Monday. Their flights were canceled and, to this day, they have no idea whether their animals are safe.

- A woman who was trying to save eight dogs and five cats in Slidell, Louisiana. Her home was gone, she had no power and no water, and she was desperate to find someone to help.

Native Wildlife

The toll of this tragedy on wild animals is expected to be significant, as untold numbers are killed, injured, or displaced by the impacts of Katrina. In Slidell, Louisiana, police Captain Rob Callahan reported to CNN that approximately 100,000 fish lay aground in his neighborhood, nearly four miles inland from the lake shore. The HSUS is monitoring the situation to assess and respond to native wildlife impacted by the disaster.

Dangerous wildlife, such as poisonous snakes and alligators, are likely to be at large in areas where they could pose safety concerns for people and their pets, and should be given a wide berth as they try themselves to get out of harm's way.

Other wild animals may be found stranded, isolated, or trapped by debris. Each will have to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis considering the resources available and other priorities. These animals should be left alone and their locations reported to wildlife professionals or other local authorities whenever possible, since any wild animal approached by a human is likely to act in a defensive manner and may be dangerous.

Captive Wildlife and Zoos

Preliminary accounts suggest that several zoo facilities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have weathered the brunt of the storm without significant loss of animals and facilities. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) has posted interim reports on its member facilities on its website and is in the process of developing a response effort for assistance.

The U.S Department of Agriculture, responsible for the licensing and inspection of zoos and aquariums, is attempting to contact licensees to assess their situations. The large number of "roadside" zoos -- which are not accredited and often have no disaster preparedness plans, in addition to having slipshod enclosures and few personnel -- are particularly vulnerable.

Farm Animals

In a single year, more than 3 billion chickens, pigs, cattle, egg-laying hens, and other farm animals are raised in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana--the five states suffering the brunt of Katrina's wrath. With widespread power outages, flooding, high-speed winds, and sweltering temperatures, animals in meat, egg, and dairy industries are adding to the mounting death toll.

"We are dealing with a calamity of monumental proportions," said Pacelle. "We will do all we can to reach and save every animal we can locate and rescue. And most importantly, we are here for the long haul - whether it's weeks, months, or even years.

Horses

Thousands of horses have probably been impacted, but the current reality is that human welfare must be tended to first, and many areas containing horses are simply unreachable due to fallen trees and buildings, and widespread flooding.

Reports have been received from several worried owners who had to leave horses behind when they evacuated. "The stories I'm getting are not nice," said Rose Westover, emergency evacuation coordinator of Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue in Hitchcock, Texas. "I got a call yesterday from someone who had to leave five horses behind at a stable with water up to their knees." Westover said two of the horses were foundered before the owners left and all five were left standing in stalls with water up to their knees.