Best Friends Rapid Response team assisting pets left behind
Though the levees held and the storm damage was not as bad as predicted, Best Friends Rapid Response Manager,
Rich Crook noted that they have still been very busy.
Best Friends Network
San Antonio community Team Leader Mark Cross works for FEMA and was deployed to Baton Rouge as an Information Specialist. He noted, “Since Katrina, the federal government has been making plans to help accommodate evacuees and their pets. Throughout the entire year, there has been cooperation between the federal government, state government, and local government to make sure that animals are not left behind.”
He revealed that there are currently 125 pets being housed in the two federal shelters in Louisiana.
Unfortunately, not all evacuees were so forward thinking and the Best Friends Rapid Response team has seen numerous abandoned animals.
Crook noted that they have received, “many calls with reports of loose and/or animals left behind. I have four teams in the field responding to calls and performing assessment searches.” A grid of the area was mapped out last night and team members were assigned locations to search.
Animals found in secure yards are left food and water with a note stating that the team had been there. There are multiple reports of loose dogs seen dragging leashes or ropes.
Patty Hegwood, Director of Animal Care, commented that the team is "heavily armed with yummy snacks to lure the dogs toward them," who are then transported to the shelter.
Dogs who are found to be tethered are also brought in, with a note being left for guardians letting them know where to reclaim their pets.
Food and water are also being left for large congregations of cats that appear to be feral colonies.
Some additional help is required, so Ellen Gilmore, Best Friends Volunteer Project Coordinator noted, “We are deploying five people who are existing, qualified team members who will be arriving in New Orleans tomorrow at Rich’s request. They will assist in whatever rescue operations Best Friends is asked to do.”
Gilmore also stated that she has received numerous inquires from good-hearted people wishing to help. However, it is important to remember that
all Rapid Response volunteers must first complete FEMA coursework and meet additional requirements, prior to being contacted for deployment.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1. You can help fund Best Friends’ efforts to help save companion animals in emergency situations with an online donation to the
Best Friends Rescue Fund.
2. If you wish to help in emergencies like this, it is necessary to be prepared in advance. All volunteers must complete the following five course, available through the
FEMA website, in order to be placed on the “ready” list:
- FEMA IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System, I-100
- FEMA IS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
- FEMA IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
- FEMA IS-800.B National Response Framework, An Introduction
- FEMA IS-10 Animals in Disaster, Module A: Awareness and Preparedness
Additional volunteer requirements can be found in the
Rapid Response community resources, in the “Requirements for Volunteers” folder.
For additional details on joining the Best Friends Rapid Response team, you may contact Ellen Gilmore at
elleng@bestfriends.org.
For more information:
•
Best Friends Animal Society Rapid Response Community• See
Emergency.Louisiana.gov for the area’s latest information, including the
Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) evacuation details
•
Riding the Storm Out, blog by Best Friends Network Louisiana community and Ambassador Team Leader, Patty Meehan – NOTE: Meehan experienced a power outage so has been unable to add additional posts, though she and her pets are fine (an update on her status is found
here)
•
Hurricane Gustav, Best Friends on the Scene in New OrleansPosted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff
Photo credit: taken by Molly Wald, Best Friends photographer