ARTICLE FOR THE HERON
On August 29, 2005 hurricane Katrina, considered to be one of the most destructive hurricanes, struck the United States.
As a trained volunteer of United Animal Nations’ Emergency Animal Rescue Service (E.A.R.S.) for such disasters, I was contacted by E.A.R.S. for participation in their rescue efforts in Louisiana. Debbie, a pet sitter in Seminole contacted me and wanted to help. Within a few days after being contacted we began to fill my Jeep with veterinarian supplies and donations and we were off to Monroe Louisiana.
While the people in the stricken areas were being rescued many of them were forced to leave their beloved pets behind. There were people concerned about rescuing the animals that were left behind to fend for themselves. Volunteers were saving as many lives as possible, both people and pets. And, while the evacuees were being transported to other parts of the country so were the animals, but not necessarily in the same direction.
A gentleman in Monroe graciously offered his barns and property to E.A.R.S. for shelter for the animals.
The next morning after we arrived we needed to be back at the shelter at 6:00 a.m. Tractor trailer trucks were delivering another 65 dogs to the shelter. We got them off of the trucks and took their pictures and then processed their paper work. We now had about 250 dogs. About 45% of them were pit bulls, but very good. We also had almost every other kind and size of dog. The dogs were taken to the volunteer veterinarians for a checkup. The vets set up a clinic in the barn.
Some of the animals under our care had many critical medical needs. All of them were tested for heartworm and about 65% were positive. So sad, if only they had been given their heartworm prevention each month. Some were emaciated, had chemical burns, and lacerations as well as the emotional trauma making this an arduous effort.
We had about 50 volunteers at our shelter in Monroe. Volunteers from all over the country and Canada. The volunteers all worked hard long hours in the 90 degree plus weather. My face was sunburned and my nose blistered. Volunteers putting up chain link fencing, which was donated. We now had a play area for the dogs. Putting up tarps to keep the hot sun off the dogs in the back shelter which only had a roof. Cleaning cages for 250 dogs, which believe me was hard work and not pleasant. Hauling water in large trash cans from a hose up front and bringing food. Walking the dogs with some of them never having been on a leash in their lives. I felt at times that they were walking me rather instead. Every once in awhile you would find a dog that knew commands. The Red Cross provided lunch and dinner for the volunteers.
I fell in love with a dog which got off the tractor trailer. He was so depressed. He wouldn’t eat, just laid in his crate. It would just break your heart. I took him under my wing and in a few days he was eating and wagging his tail as I would approach his crate. I wanted to foster him and possibly adopt him. However, I was just told by our National E.A.R.S. Director, Kay Mayfield that his owner was found in New Orleans.
It was heartbreaking to look at their scared faces and into their sad eyes. They didn’t understand all the destruction and being abandoned. Now they were without their families as well as in an unfamiliar place. However, their tails would wag and they would lick our faces to say thank you. This is when you say to yourself that the work your doing is well worth it. Would I go again to help, you betcha.
One of the dogs that was rescued had been left in a house in New Orleans for 30 days. Three rescue groups were given the address of the dog and tried to locate him but without any luck. Finally, another group went in and found him. The house was flooded, dark and no food but the dog was found behind a sofa alive. We received him at our shelter in Monroe when the family found him and they were reunited. As of the 15th of October there had been 10 dogs reunited with their owners and there are about 30 pending reunions from the Monroe location. Remember, people are displaced all throughout the country.
Please open your hearts to these poor homeless animals and give them a home. Contact you local animal shelters. For more information about E.A.R.S. you can contact me at 727.736.6369 or contact UAN at www.uan.org.
I want to express a special thank you to the following for their help and overwhelming generosity. Dr. Don Woodman and his lovely wife, Susan, Animal Hospital of Northwood; Dr. Neil Shaw, Florida Veterinary Specialists, Tampa; Julie Nicosia, Animal Hospital of Dunedin; Walter Blenner, Esq. of Glenn, Lins & Blenner and to all of our wonderful clients who donated to United Animal Nations.
NOTE: Founded in 1987, United Animal Nations (UAN) is the nation’s leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services.