Shelter Aids Refugee Animals

By: Kate King

Posted: 9/16/05

Often forgotten victims of Hurricane Katrina are the thousands of pets affected by the disaster. When the citizens of New Orleans were forced to flee the impending hurricane, many were unable to take their pets with them. After the storm cleared, hundreds of pets were left homeless and miles away from their owners. Luckily, local animal control organizations have leapt into action.

Noah's Wish, a charity animal rescue center, has teamed up with Slidell Animal Control in Louisiana to help rescue and provide care for homeless pets.

About 600 animals have been brought to the rescue center, where veterinarians and trained volunteers provide them with care and shelter until they can be reunited with their owners, according to a press release. When residents return, they can visit the shelter and look for their lost pets.

The reunion of a pet and owner is a bright spot in the overwhelmingly dark aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"Right now, pets and their owners need each other for comfort" said Terri Crisp, founder and director of Noah's Wish.

"The pets coming in are frightened and scared, but okay for the most part," said New York City media contact Patricia Ellen Jones.

Animal behaviorists, however, warn owners that pets can suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After enduring an emotionally taxing ordeal, such as Hurricane Katrina, the animals of New Orleans are vulnerable to emotional and mental repercussions.

"Cats are likely to hide, may not use the litter box and may even display aggression," said Victoria Wells, known for her role on Animal Planet's reality show "Animal Precinct. "Dogs may show signs of stress by pacing and panting, excessive barking and whining and even aggression."

According to Wells, the likelihood that a pet will suffer from PTSD depends on a variety of factors. An animal's "emotional baggage" plays a large role in whether they will experience PTSD. If an animal has been abused or undergone another traumatizing event before Hurricane Katrina, there is a greater chance that they will be mentally affected after the disaster, Wells said.

Despite the warnings of emotional scarring, most owners are just happy to be reunited with their pets. One Katrina survivor was overjoyed when his cat was brought to his hospital room by volunteer workers, on Sept. 10. For three days, 59-year-old Bill Harris stood on a chair in his house trapped by rising floodwater, according to a press release. Suffering from a kidney condition, Harris was in need of immediate medical care. When rescue workers finally got to the scene, Harris was forced to leave his pet behind. Volunteer workers from Noah's Wish located the cat several days after her owner was evacuated and reunited the pair at the hospital where Harris is being treated, the press release said.

Harris needs surgery for internal bleeding and will not be able to take care of Miss Kitty until after he has recovered. Many other pet owners, due to the loss of their homes and jobs, are also unable to provide shelter and proper care for their animals. Noah's Wish has agreed to house and feed all pets until their owners are relocated.

Despite all the care they are supplying to the animals of New Orleans, the animal rescue center is in need of help as well. The building where they operate was damaged by the storm and needs to be rebuilt. The organization also needs funds for food and medicine for the displaced pets. While Noah's Wish is not turning away supply donations, it is difficult for them to find a place intact enough to store them in. Monetary demands will allow the volunteers to buy exactly what they need and also help revitalize the area's economy.