News Release

NEW ORLEANS EVACUEES RETURNING TO THE CITY:
Pet owners being reunited with their pets at the LA/SPCA

New Orleans, LA (09-06-08) – New Orleans residents who participated in the City Assisted Evacuation Plan (CAEP) and evacuated with their pets have been returning to the city since Friday, and will be reunited with their pets at the Louisiana SPCA animal shelter in Algiers, where the animals were transported prior to the people’s arrival. The CAEP plan was coordinated by local and state officials. LA/SPCA was asked by officials to shelter the evacuees’ pets until their owners are able to be reunited with them.

Early Friday morning beginning at 12:30 a.m. LA/SPCA staff, and volunteers from the Humane Society of the Missouri, were on hand to receive 225 animals that were evacuated to the pet shelter in Shreveport for Hurricane Gustav. Over the next five days residents who used the CAEP with their pets are being directed to come to the Louisiana SPCA to be reunited with their pets. LA/SPCA staff, Board Members and volunteers are sheltering, caring for and walking pets until their owners are able to pick them up from the shelter.

As pet owners return to the city at the Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans, they are being directed to LA/SPCA representatives who are there to greet them and provide them with information on how to claim their pets at the shelter. To claim their pet, owners will only need a copy of their intake form they received when they evacuated or photo identification. Once they arrive at the shelter, they will be welcomed by LA/SPCA representatives who will process their paperwork and reunite them with their pets. Many reunions are occurring today at the LA/SPCA shelter in Algiers and are expected to continue for the next five days. Individuals with special needs, such as those who are wheelchair bound, will have their pets brought to their home by the LA/SPCA. This will also occur over the next several days.

LA/SPCA said many passengers arriving at the Union Passenger Terminal were expecting to be reunited with their pets at the terminal, due to misinformation they received before departing from the human shelters in Shreveport, so understandably many were upset to learn that their pets were not at the terminal but at the shelter. LA/SPCA director Ana Zorrilla said that’s why her agency wanted to have representatives at the terminal to be sure pet owners received accurate information on where and how to be reunited with their pets. “We know that after being at a public shelter for several days and traveling on buses all day, they simply want to be reunited with their pets and go home,” said Zorrilla. “We understand their frustration and want to make their reunification a pleasant experience after a difficult journey.” Zorrilla said residents who have been coming to the shelter since 8:00 a.m. are overjoyed to see their pets again.

Reunifications will be taking place for the next five days at the LA/SPCA shelter, 1700 Mardi Gras Boulevard in Algiers from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. If pet owners are unable to come to the shelter on their own they should contact the LA/SPCA at 504-368-5191 ext. 150 or ext. 100 so the LA/SPCA can arrange the most efficient way to get their pets to them.
 

# # #

Back to News & Press Releases