Hurricane Katrina Rescue Diary
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September
07, 2005 |
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Wednesday, September 07, 2005
From Debbie Hill, director of Rescues & Investigations
This morning we returned to a home we had offered assistance to yesterday. A 70-year-old gentleman had 10 dogs he had rescued over the past several years. The animals were all very well cared for, well fed, healthy and neutered. During the storm, his home flooded to within 10 inches of the ceiling. He and all the animals swam in the house for their lives until the water subsided. It is now becoming more and more difficult for him to find food and water for the dogs. After discussing the situation, he decided to relinquish the pets to us so that they could receive the care they need. An NBC TV crew followed and interviewed us on this rescue.
This afternoon, while combing the Mississippi beach for lost dogs, we discovered a 4-foot alligator trying to survive in the saltwater. Brett, Kyle and a Brevard County (Florida) reptile professional captured the alligator and loaded it onto our truck. The alligator was taken to the temporary shelter in Gautier and will probably be released to a safer habitat.
This evening we received some dogs, including an Afghan hound suffering from skin problems, from emergency medical technicians who had rescued them from a home attic.
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| Tim restocks a dog owner's food supply |
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The EMTs told us about two other dogs in a home that was about to be demolished. We climbed over 15-ft. high stacks of debris, used a fallen tree trunk to cross a nasty sewer-water ditch and walked through the ruins of many homes. We found a beautiful female Weimaraner and a shepherd/basset mix in what remained of a ruined home. The Weimaraner came right with us but we couldn't convince the smaller dog to come out. We'll go back tomorrow to try again to get her.
We have some sad news to report. Despite our best efforts and the valiant work of local citizens, the little Pekingese mix suffering from heat stroke did not survive. This lost little Peke, and all the other pets we encounter, remain in our thoughts while we continue our rescue efforts.
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Carmen gets water to many thirsty dogs |
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Wednesday,
September 07, 2005
From
Kathy Warnick,
Humane Society
of Missouri
president
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Brett
asked Robb and Brandy
to bring even more carriers. |
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Today the Humane Society of Missouri sent two more professionals
to assist with the pet rescue efforts in the areas affected by
the hurricane. Robb Jones and Animal Health Technician Brandy Turnbough
graciously agreed to volunteer for the assignment. They are traveling
in a two-van caravan with two professionals from St. Louis County
Animal Control.
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Brandy
and Robb leave for
the gulf. |
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When Robb and Brandy reach our team in Mississippi, two members of the initial
team, Tim Rickey and Brett Huff, will leave for New Orleans in one of our vans,
jon boat in tow. They will be directed by HSUS regarding the areas of New Orleans
that need assistance with animals. It is our understanding they will be going
house-to-house by boat searching for abandoned pets. The pets will then be
transported back to a temporary shelter in Gonzales, Louisiana at the Lamar
Dixon Equestrian Center. We wish Tim and Brett all the luck in the world to
stay safe while they help the animals stranded in New Orleans.
All
copyrights in photographs and diaries are claimed and reserved
by the Humane Society of Missouri. |
