News Release

LA/SPCA DEPLOYING STAFF AND SUPPLIES TO ASSIST
HOUSTON SPCA IN AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE IKE:

Agency Also Reaching Out to Other Areas Including Calcasieu Parish

New Orleans, LA (09/13/08) – The Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA) will be deploying staff and supplies to assist the Houston SPCA with post-disaster needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, which affected the lower Gulf Coast and particularly the Texas Coast earlier this morning. The LA/SPCA is sending three teams Sunday morning to Houston, led by LA/SPCA’s Director of Humane Law Enforcement Kathryn Destreza, to assist with post-disaster recovery and animal rescue operations.

LA/SPCA director Ana Zorrilla says she contacted Houston SPCA and other humane organizations earlier in the week offering support, supplies and personnel to help them deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. “During the past three years, the Louisiana SPCA and the citizens of New Orleans have benefited from the assistance of humane organizations and individuals from across the country. We are very fortunate to be a position to return that generosity,” said Zorrilla. Supplies will be sent with the team going to Houston, including items that were donated to the LA/SPCA during Hurricane Gustav, including pet food and cleaning supplies.

The LA/SPCA has also been in contact with Calcasieu Parish Animal Control and Protection Department in Lake Charles, Louisiana and the agency plans to send support there as well.

The LA/SPCA is also providing donated food to area shelters and humane organizations that were affected by Hurricane Gustav. Organizations that have received donated food and supplies from the LA/SPCA include the St. John Parish Animal Shelter, Slidell Animal Shelter, East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control, and St. Landry Parish Animal Control.

For Hurricane Gustav, the LA/SPCA received donated food and supplies from several organizations across the country including a large supply from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Other groups that have also assisted with support and supplies include United Animal Nations, the Krewes Kare from Florida, Pet Smart Charities, the Humane Society of Gulfport and the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Zorrilla also thanked SPCA of Texas in Dallas, the Humane Society of Missouri and The Humane Society of the United Sates for their assistance with staff, supplies and evacuation support for Hurricane Gustav.

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