ASPCA Gustav Update

ASPCA Disaster Response Team Deployed to Assist During Gustav

Everyone remembers the heartbreaking stories of the thousands of animals left behind during Hurricane Katrina in 2005—but this year, thanks to a special state-mandated response team, Louisiana’s pets were kept safe during Hurricane Gustav. The ASPCA was proud to be a big part of that plan; our Disaster Response Team was deployed last Thursday at the request of the State of Louisiana to assist in pre-storm evacuation and sheltering.

Our team played a crucial role in checking in and caring for the more than 800 animals—pets belonging to evacuees—at the Louisiana Mega Shelter in Shreveport. We were also able to assist in the transfer of homeless pets from area shelters to agencies outside of Gustav’s path. That includes 24 dogs and 14 cats from St. John Parish Animal Shelter, who were transported to shelters in Texas. “We thank the ASPCA and the Louisiana SPCA for their assistance,” said Jerry Trigo, an animal control officer at St. John Parish Animal Shelter. “For the first time since I have been volunteering and working there, all the kennels are empty.”

As of this writing, evacuees have not yet been allowed to return to their homes, and our team continues to assist in the care of animals at the Mega Shelter. “We’ve seen everything from puppies, kittens, dogs and cats to rabbits, hamsters, birds, snakes and other reptiles,” says Sandy Monterose, the ASPCA’s Senior Director of Community Outreach. “Our team is working 24/7 with other agencies to assure that pets belonging to evacuees are cared for.”

It’s hard work, but there have definitely been some bright spots—well, four bright spots, to be exact! On Monday, a dog whose owner lives in New Orleans gave birth to a litter of pups at the Mega Shelter. The ASPCA’s Dr. Melinda Merck was on hand to help welcome the wee ones into the world. And the ASPCA team especially enjoys escorting pet parents, housed at a nearby shelter for people, to the dog and cat areas for visiting time.

For continued coverage of the ASPCA Disaster Response Team’s efforts in Louisiana, please check our website regularly for updates. And if you’d like to support our current and future efforts to help animals who’ve been touched by events beyond their control, please read more about our ASPCA Disaster Relief Fund.