Pet evacuation efforts as Hurricane Gustav hits

IFAW's (International Fund for Animal Welfare) ER Team arrived in Louisiana in advance of Hurricane Gustav's expected landfall early next week.  On the 3rd annivesary of Hurricane Katrina, IFAW will be on the ground to make sure this time, the welfare needs of animals are properly met.

Called to assist by the Louisiana State Vetrinarian, the IFAW team, along with members from the Animal Rescue League of Boston, are standing ready at the "megashelter" at the State Fairground 5 miles west of Shreveport.  Animals have already begun arriving and as the evacuation continues, more are on the way.

A second IFAW team is also ready to deploy should search and rescue efforts be needed post-landfall.  We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

The section that the IFAW team is responsible for now contains 63 dogs, 18 cats and 1 bird.

We are proud to be part of this effort to ensure that evacuees can take shelter, knowing that their animal friends are safe and will be waiting to reunite with them once the danger has passed.

PETA was at work as soon as Gustav raised its first serious head above the clouds, trying to prevent another monumental tragedy for animals. More than a week before Hurricane Gustav's anticipated landfall, PETA sent Gulf Coast media markets our preparedness tips, reaching local residents with the lifesaving message that the calm before the storm is when they must safeguard their animals and offering instructions for evacuation. PETA's emergency team of volunteers is primed, and we await further developments.

On Saturday, Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain announced that more than 160 trucks have been outfitted with pet crates to handle the evacuation and that companion animal shelters for animal guardians with "critical transportation needs" are ready for service during the Hurricane Gustav evacuation, saying, "We are taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of Louisiana's pets."

Cats and dogs wore special identity collars before they were put in a special air-conditioned truck that took them to animal shelters away from the danger zone.

Many people who abandoned the city ahead of Gustav could be seen at Louis Armstrong Airport taking their pets with them.

Cats, dogs and birds in cages could be seen in overloaded cars that jammed highways, moving out to safer areas.

But those with no independent means of transportation had to hand over pets to animal control officials and animal protection groups that agreed to organise an evacuation.

"There's a pre-emptive attitude this time, which is great," said Patty Hegwood, of the Kanab, Utah-based Best Friends Animal Society.

Many people are simply not prepared with a pet disaster kit that contains food, water, photos of their pets, and medications. They haven't compiled a list of pet-friendly hotels along evacuation routes. (See www.rescuedsaving animals.com for items to pack in a pet disaster kit and tips for preparing to be safe in any emergency.) This means they are putting their lives, the lives of their pets, and the lives of animal rescuers at risk.

Carla Oncay, the zoo's general curator, said the large animals -- lions and bears -- will be quarantined in their dens. Smaller mammals and birds will be quarantined at the zoo's hospital if necessary.

As for water, The Alexandria Zoo maintains an emergency supply, and all of the pools and ponds on the zoo's grounds are filled with fresh water, which allows for an extra supply of drinking water if the emergency supply runs out.

However, that's not expected.

"We're pretty well ready with water," Oncay said.

Zoo staff plans to spend the night on the grounds Monday and Tuesday to monitor the weather and the animals.