Hurricane Katrina Rescue Diary

	September 23, 2005

Friday, September 23, 2005
From Kathy Warnick
President, Humane Society of Missouri

After more than three weeks working non-stop to save more than 1000 animals affected by Hurricane Katrina, the Humane Society of Missouri Disaster Response Team is briefly returning home to St. Louis from the New Orleans area.

Team Leader Debbie Hill, director of Rescues and Investigations, and her team are returning with 45 dogs from the temporary animal shelter established at the Lamar-Dixon Exhibition Center in Gonzalez, LA.  Some of these rescued animals are special-needs cases, suffering from malnourishment, chemical burns, skin irritations and tumors.

Upon arrival to the Humane Society of Missouri shelter, the dogs will receive veterinary examinations. Humane Society of Missouri veterinarians will prescribe the required medical treatments and then the animals will be placed with previously registered foster families on Monday. Foster Families of special-needs animals will receive extensive instructions from Humane Society of Missouri veterinarians and pet behavior specialists about caring for their foster pet.

The rescue team will remain in St. Louis for a few days of rest and to make preparations to deploy Tuesday to hurricane-affected areas in Texas.  I know I speak for pet lovers everywhere - and especially in St. Louis - when I say how much we appreciate their dedication and sincerely hope and pray for the continued safety.

Hattiesburg Pets Go Home with Foster Families