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LA/SPCA POSITIONED TO BEGIN DISASTER
RESPONSE OPERATIONS
First-ever pet evacuation deemed
successful
New Orleans (09/01/08) Following the
successful evacuation of pets out of
the New Orleans area, the Louisiana
SPCA is prepared to begin post-storm
disaster response operations.
LA/SPCA director Ana Zorrilla says
the agency has people and equipment
in place in New Orleans to begin
responding to any pet rescue
situations that may exist.
As soon as conditions permit, we
will move into our disaster response
mode, working in conjunction with
the New Orleans Office of Emergency
Preparedness (OEP), said Zorrilla.
We have both people and equipment in
place to provide a strategic
response for animal rescue or any
other situation that may involve
pets in distress.
The LA/SPCA is the only organization
authorized to enter New Orleans and
provide animal-related disaster
services. We have developed a
structured response and will work in
conjunction with New Orleans OEP,
said Zorrilla. At this time, the
LA/SPCA has sufficient trained
personnel to respond to requests for
animal related assistance.
The first-ever City Assisted
Evacuation Plan (CAEP) pet
evacuation, which provided
evacuation and sheltering assistance
for pet owners who lacked
transportation or had other special
needs, was a tremendous success. It
was the first time in the city’s
history that animals were evacuated
prior to a natural disaster.
“Evacuees were very appreciative,
telling us they did not evacuate for
Hurricane Katrina, and would have
stayed for Gustav if they couldn't
evacuate with their pets,” said
Zorrilla. Studies indicated that 44
percent of Gulf Coast residents who
did not evacuate during Hurricane
Katrina stayed because they did not
want to leave their pets behind.
In advance of Hurricane Gustav,
nearly 1,000 pets were evacuated to
shelters outside of the hurricane
zone. In addition, LA/SPCA evacuated
and sheltered pets for New Orleans
first responders, including police,
fire and emergency medical
personnel.
If the public is aware of any
pets that need rescuing they should
report the information
(address and number of animals at
location) to 504-368-5191 ext. 100.
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