Evacuating Louisiana Animals; Best Friends Provides Carriers
Hurricane Gustav predicted to hit tomorrow
A
fter having crossed Cuba, Hurricane Gustav has been downgraded to a category three; however, the storm continues to gain speed and models currently predict it to hit landfall around 12:00 noon tomorrow as a category three or four. Local reports are also forecasting a possible 12-16 foot storm surge hitting the New Orleans area, resulting in major flooding.
Best Friends Rapid Response Manager,
Rich Crook, is on site and noted, “We assisted with the evacuation of over 400 animals in Jefferson Parish [Best Friends evacuated 200 and HSUS evacuated another 200], this would include hands on efforts here at the shelter and countless calls…gather information and coordinating resources. Most of the animals from the Jefferson Parish shelter went to
Atlanta Humane and
Panama City Animal Control.”
Today, an additional 250 animals from
Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) are being evacuated by
Muttshack Animal Rescue to Baton Rouge.
Crook commented that they are completing “pre-planning for post storm operations” and will soon evacuate to Mississippi. He further stated, “In general, I feel that the city has come a long way from three years ago; however, I do get the sense that we will be very busy after the storm.”
Despite several days of advance notice and the inclusion of companion animals in evacuation plans, there have been multiple confirmed reports that people have abandoned pets in homes and back yards.
Also, it has been reported that officials are not allowing people to board evacuation buses unless their pets are in carriers. Unfortunately, many people have not made such accommodations for their pets.
To avoid a repeat of people being forced to leave beloved pets behind, Best Friends is providing 3,000 free carriers to evacuees.
Emergency management agencies will assess needs following the storm; therefore, there has been no deployment yet.
While people’s desire to assist the animals is admirable, for everyone’s safety, it is important to
not arrive prior to a call-up. If necessary, once volunteer assistance has been requested, those people who have fulfilled the prerequisites for Best Friends Rapid Response deployment will be welcome. See below for details on how you can obtain such requirements.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1. Though not deployed in this instance yet, you can help fund Best Friends’ efforts to help save companion animals in emergency situations with an online donation to the
Best Friends Rescue Fund.
2. Want to be ready to help animals during the next emergency? Prior to sending volunteers in to the field, they must take some specific coursework, which is available through the
FEMA website. At this time, only volunteers with proof that they have successfully completed the following five FEMA courses will be placed on the “ready” list:
- FEMA IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System, I-100
- FEMA IS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
- FEMA IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
- FEMA IS-800.B National Response Framework, An Introduction
- FEMA IS-10 Animals in Disaster, Module A: Awareness and Preparedness
Additional volunteer requirements can be found in the
Rapid Response community resources, in the “Requirements for Volunteers” folder.
After you’ve taken the courses, please contact Ellen Gilmore at
elleng@bestfriends.org to find out more about joining the Best Friends Rapid Response team.
For more information:
•
Best Friends Animal Society Rapid Response Community• See
Emergency.Louisiana.gov for the area’s latest information, including the
Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) evacuation details
•
Riding the Storm Out, blog by Best Friends Network Louisiana community and Ambassador Team Leader, Patty Meehan
•
Veterans of Katrina, Best Friends prepares for Gustav•
Report from New Orleans and
Blog from Henry, updates from Best Friends Director of Animal Care, Patty Hegwood
Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff
Photo credit: provided courtesy of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)