Hurricane Katrina at 10: The Pets Infographic
One part of this recently issued ASPCA "When Disaster Strikes" Infographic caught my eye:
I had heard that Katrina had caused changes in shelters to allow more pets. KatrinaDogRescue.Org says: "When Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana, more than 250,000 pets were left to fend for themselves. Some owners had left food and water for their pets expecting to return within a few days. Those travelling on government-provided transport were not permitted to take their pets with them and had to leave them behind.The owners were unable to return for their pets and the food ran out. Dogs and cats were forced to survive without their owners."
Another article quotes Dr. Dick Green: the director of disaster response for the ASPCA, who also established the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC) in the early 2006 as a direct result of Hurricane Katrina, says they are training NARSC member organizations' first responders how to rescue animals during and immediately after huge disasters.
One U.S. government shelter is going mobile too... this article from The Advocate says: "An 18-wheeler outfitted with 55 stainless steel cages, air conditioning and running water — reportedly the only one of its kind in the country — is now ready for its mission of rescuing and evacuating pets caught in disasters."
All My Hurricane Katrina at 10 Blogs:
