Rescue groups needed for two shelters’ cats and dogs

Both citizens and animal welfare organizations learned a valuable lesson three years ago from Hurricane Katrina; if there is a mandatory evacuation, it is imperative that pets be included in disaster plans. Thus, when Hurricane Gustav hit, Louisiana’s animal shelters were ready.

Karen Lieberman, Assistant Manager of Best Friends Animal Help, notes that “There are two groups that absolutely did the right thing and evacuated their animals to safety before Hurricane Gustav hit. Since they don’t know what Gustav did to their shelters or how many animals will need their help when they return, they hope to place their current animals with other rescue groups.”

If your shelter or rescue organization has the ability, you can help by taking in one or more of these deserving cats or dogs.

P.A.W.S. (Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society) had to evacuate 79 cats and kittens as well as 65 dogs and puppies to safety in Jackson, Mississippi. However, they may not return to their Parish until the end of the week, so placements for their animals are needed now.

All of their animals are already fixed and in good health.
• P.A.W.S. dogs
• P.A.W.S. cats

If you can help any of the animals from P.A.W.S., please contact Robin Pannagl at indigo51660@yahoo.com.

Calcasieu Parish Animal Services and Adoption Center evacuated to Shreveport, Louisiana with 35 dogs and 20 cats. Although a group in California said they could take the dogs, they would not arrive for another 10 days. However, the shelter employees must report back to work in Lake Charles once the storm clears. So they too need other organizations to take in all of their cats and dogs.

Their animals are all vaccinated, de-wormed, tested and negative for feline leukemia or heartworms, microchipped, and most are spayed or neutered.
• Calcasieu dogs
• Calcasieu cats

If you can help any of the animals from Calcasieu Parish, please contact Diane Morales at dmorales@cppj.net or call her cell phone at 337-540-3015.

Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff
Photo credit: photo of Kris, one of the many felines from P.A.W.S. in need of rescue, courtesy of Petfinder.