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Looking back at the past year, it’s almost unimaginable that
we were able to not only survive our unprecedented
hardships, but also overcome them. Most staff lost their
homes, clothing and all their possessions. Those who worked
the front lines during the rescue operation worked non-stop
from the moment we left New Orleans on August 27. There was
no break in anyone’s lives – they had no chance to assess or
even comprehend their personal losses. They gave their all
to the LA/SPCA and the animals that needed rescue. The staff
performed like machines. And when we returned to New
Orleans, the months that followed were fraught with change
and uncertainty and a constant need to get it done and move
on to the next hurdle, the next project, the next program.
In July 2006, the LA/SPCA leadership team took part in a
two-day workshop conducted by a group of organizational
psychologists in a project called KARE – Katrina Aid Relief
Effort. KARE donated their professional services to assist
and particularly strengthen the team building skills of
organizations devastated in the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina. An exercise in the workshop assessed our individual
levels of stress. A stress level of 300 points was the
benchmark of extremely high stress. Our stress level came in
at an average of 1300 points. By those standards, we should
have all dropped dead from heart attacks months ago.
Katrina also brought attention to companion animal issues,
especially those in Louisiana. Debates raged (and continue
to) in the animal welfare community over stories of loss and
reunion. What constitutes a good home for an animal? How do
Louisianans fare in how they care for their animals when
compared to the rest of the country? How much does income,
education and cultural differences play into the equation?
Are a greater income, higher education and a progressive
society a necessary component of being a good pet owner? Who
should be held accountable for what happened to the many
animals during Katrina? Are animals simply considered
“property” or family members? What value can you place on an
animal’s life? Is love enough when it comes to caring for an
animal? If you evacuated without your pet does that mean you
never deserved them in the first place? Should New Orleans
residents be looked upon as poor pet owners and undeserving
of owning another animal? These questions become more
complicated or, in the opinion of many, black and white,
when you consider that 95% of animals in Louisiana are
intact and that a substantial percentage that were rescued
were discovered to be heartworm positive. These questions
symbolize our work everyday as we focus on both our
long-term and short-term goals.
 The
LA/SPCA is incredibly grateful to the many individuals,
volunteers, foundations, animal welfare agencies and
corporations whose generous support has allowed us to
continue operating during this time of crisis. We realize
there are many needs across our region but the past year
reflects just how strongly the needs of our animals must be
met. Our fundraising efforts post-Katrina have been
complicated as the LA/SPCA lost its donor database in a data
conversion. In the coming months we will launch a $17
million capital campaign to build a permanent facility and
provide an LA/SPCA campus with a full range of public
services and programs. In short, there is still much work to
be done.
Some of the LA/SPCA staff, volunteers and a few of our
animals. August 1, 2006
Jackson Hill Photography © |
