CFA Disaster Relief

CFA Disaster Relief: 2005

SEPTEMBER: Hurricane Rita, Gulf Coast,USA

CFA's Disaster Relief is currently assessing the situation in the wake of Hurricane Rita, and will send resources where needed - to shelters to help rebuild, and to temporary shelters to help with the relief, vet care, etc.

AUGUST: Hurricane Katrina, Gulf Coast, USA

• Sept.09.05 - The Code3 Associates' Big Animal Rescue Truck (BART) is currently staging in Gonzales, LA.

• Sept 08.05 - Each day, animal rescue groups receive pages and pages of requests to pick up pets.

Here's the story of one cat now back safely with its owner - On Sept. 2nd CFA received an anxious email pleading for assistance to rescue a cat, Heidi, left behind during evacuation of the Lake Terrace area of New Orleans. We recommended the contacts listed below as the area was still inaccessible. Today we received word that Heidi's owners, with the help of some good samaritans, were able to get back into the area and rescue her. Tonight, Heidi is once again safe and sound, and her owner says, "she has snapped right back after being abondoned for 12 days. Please pass this along to all of the worried pet owners. There is still hope."

• Sept.08.05 - CFA is currently working closely with the Rescue Relief of San Antonio, TX, Houston SPCA, and the School of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University as well as several other specific agencies. The need is overwhelming, and CFA is very appreciative of donations to assist in these efforts. CFA member clubs have been accepting donations for aid at their shows across the country. The CFA Gulf Shore Region has established a separate fund that will provide assistance directly to breeder and exhibitor residents who were affected by this disaster.

• Sept.07.05 - The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA), the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association (LVMA), the Louisiana Animal Control Association (LACA), the LSU AgCenter, and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) are managing animal evacuations and recovery plans for New Orleans pets and displaced animals. Visit their web site for additional details.

• Sept.6.05 - ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF CONTACTS FOR PEOPLE WHO LEFT ANIMALS IN HOMES OR BOARDING FACILITIES:
  1. RESCUE ASSISTANCE: Code3 Associates is currently working in the Jackson, MS area. Contact for assistance is Mike Rayburn, (303) 718-1348.
  2. NEW ORLEANS HOTLINE FOR PEOPLE WHO LEFT ANIMALS IN HOMES OR BOARDING FACILITIES:
     • (225) 647-0712 LA/SPCA Animal Search and Rescue (Orleans Parish); (504) 733-8572 Jefferson Feed, Pet and Garden Center (Jefferson Parish)or Katrinaanimalrescue@yahoo.com. Please call and leave name, address of confined animal, species, number of animals, and when food would have run out. Louisiana SPCA director Laura Maloney says shelter workers follow other agencies and crews through neighborhoods and rescue pets, some who are locked in houses.
     • LSU VETMED: Residents who left pets in their homes may call toll-free (888) 773-6489 between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm or e-mail katrinalostpet@ldaf.louisiana.gov to leave information about the number of animals that need rescuing, their species, and their confined location.
  3. HOTLINE FOR EVACUEES IN HOUSTON AREA: The Houston SPCA is now accepting animals from storm victims staying in Houston Area Shelters. For those needing shelter for pets, call 713-802-0555.
  4. PETS TRAVELING WITH OWNERS The Louisiana Veterinary Association (LVMA) is currently accepting pets at: - Blackham Coliseum in Lafayette - LSU in Shreveport - Monroe Civic Center for small animals - Ike Hamilton Center for large animals (in Monroe) - Farmer's Market in Alexandria - LSU AgCenter/Parker Coliseum in Baton Rouge CONTACT: LSU Agriculture Center Shelter Manager, Dr. Paula Drone: 225-572-0732
  5. PEOPLE WITH PETS WHO ARE CURRENTLY EVACUATING NEW ORLEANS The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA) will transport animals from pick-up points in New Orleans to: - The Lamar-Dixon Expo Center: 9039 St. Landry Rd., Gonzales, LA CONTACT: Lamar-Dixon Shelter Manager, Loretta Lambert: 225-413-8856
  6. ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY SHELTER
     • LAKE CHARLES, LA - Pets are being accepted at Calcasieu Parish Animal Services and the Lake Charles Civic Center. Calcasieu Parish Animal Services: 5500 A Swift Plant Road; Lake Charles, LA 70615. CONTACT: David Marcantel, 337-439-8879 or dmarcantel@cppj.net
     • LAFAYETTE, LA - The Cajundome is a shelter for humans only; pets are being housed a block away at Blackham Coliseum. Cajundome: 444 Cajundome Blvd.; Lafayette, LA 70506; 337-265-2100. Blackham Coliseum: Located one block from the Cajundome at the corner of Cajundome Blvd. and Johnston Street. CONTACT: Homeland Security veterinarian Dr. Renee Perrier; 101 Idlewood Blvd.; Lafayette, LA; 337-981-8387.
     • ABBEVILLE, LA - Shelters are being established at the BOYS and GIRLS CLUB and the FRUIT OF THE LOOM Factory that is closed. They are reportedly setting up for people and animals. At this time, we have no specific information on these shelters other than - CONTACT: Joelle Rupert, 337-893-0235

• Sept.5.05 - The Code3 Associates' Big Animal Rescue Truck (BART) is now in Mississippi with the initial crew. BART is Code 3's tractor-trailer unit which contains a vet triage and exam center equipped with a fold-down stainless steel exam table, it's own storage bank of 12 stainless steel cages, an autoclave/sterilizer, surgical light and a wide variety of medical, surgical and clinical supplies, as well as 15 pages of inventory equipment and supplies apart from the clinic. Our rescue personnel are in the rotation schedule.

• Sept.4.05 - Disaster Relief continues to monitor the situation in the states ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, but the gulf shore area is simply not safe to work in, and no unauthorized personnel are being granted access. Unfortunately, their hands are tied until a go-ahead is given by authorities. As soon as Disaster Relief is notified by authorities that it is safe to enter areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, they will get involved.

• Aug.31.05 - CFA's Disaster Relief is monitoring the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina closely and will be available to assist with any rescue efforts if called upon. Note that the animal shelters in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas did evacuate their animals in advance of the hurricane, and shelters in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio now have these animals. The situation and conditions are so bad in the devastated areas that assessment teams have not been allowed in. Once allowed access, it will take time for assessments to be made in such a large area.

JULY: Hurricane Dennis, Southeastern USA

CFA Disaster Relief monitored the situation in the aftermath of Hurricane Dennis. Assessments did not indicate a specific need for animal relief work.

If you have any questions regarding the CFA Disaster Relief Fund specifically, or disaster work in general, please contact Pam DelaBar

Contact CFA | Privacy Policy | Credits | Search | FAQ

Copyright ©1995-2009 The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc., with the exception of the photographic images which are Copyright © by the individual photographers.