Rescued Animals Arrive Today at Spirit of St. Louis Airport
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 150 animals rescued by the
Humane Society of Missouri's Disaster Response Team and others working along
the southern Mississippi coast arrived at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport
today. The Humane Society of Missouri, in cooperation with the HSUS, is
bringing animals to St. Louis to help relieve the overcrowded animal shelters
in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast. The animals flew in by chartered plane
from Bobby L. Chain airport in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Humane Society
of Missouri's Disaster Response Team has already rescued over 1,000 pets
displaced by the hurricane.
"We are prepared for and expect to receive many more animals in the days
and weeks to come," said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of
Missouri. "Our veterinary and shelter teams are in place to receive the
animals and we have more than 1,400 emergency foster families ready to help."
Upon arrival the animals were taken to the Humane Society Headquarters,
1201 Macklind Ave. In addition to Humane Society vehicles, the animals were
transported in trailers, trucks and other vehicles driven by Enterprise Truck
Rental employees, St. Louis City Police Department staff and Humane Society
employees. Humane Society of Missouri veterinarians will examine all the
animals and treat any that need care.
All the animals being received by the Humane Society have either been
abandoned or surrendered by owners who are no longer able to care for them.
Since Hurricane Katrina, thousands of animals have been rescued and taken to a
temporary shelter in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, operated under the auspices of
HSUS.
The animals have received decontamination baths, have been examined and
vaccinated by veterinarians in Mississippi and all have been microchipped.
They will be re-examined by Humane Society veterinarians who will determine
the animals' needs and provide necessary booster vaccinations. Animals
requiring more extensive medical attention will be cared for at the shelter.
The animals will stay at the Macklind shelter overnight.
"These animals have come through a lot -- a terrifying storm, separation
from owners, water and food depravation and multiple relocations. Some of
them will require special care and all will need extra love and attention,"
said Warnick. "We are very grateful to the hundreds of people who have
volunteered to provide foster homes for these pets."
On Friday, persons who have already registered as emergency foster
families with the Humane Society will go through the process to be matched
with a foster pet. More than 1,400 St. Louis-area families have volunteered to
serve as foster parents. The foster care process, which will take
approximately two hours, includes a mandatory presentation about fostering
special pets led by a trained behavior specialist.
Each foster family will be provided with free veterinary care for the
animal at either of the Humane Society's clinics, along with a supply of
Purina pet food, a crate, collar and leash. They will also receive printed
information about fostering special animals and have access to the Humane
Society's Behavior Helpline.
The foster families must agree to care for the pets for a minimum of 30
days. If the owner has not claimed the pet after 30 days, it may be placed
for adoption. To help owners locate their pets, photos of these animals will
be posted online at http://www.petfinder.com and on the Humane Society website
http://www.hsmo.org .
Since August 31, 12 members of the Humane Society of Missouri's Disaster
Response Team have rescued more than 1,000 animals in distress in the
Hurricane Katrina-ravaged area of southern Mississippi and Louisiana,
including New Orleans. On a daily basis they have faced dangerous conditions
including piles of debris, putrid waters, alligators, insect infestations,
extreme heat and high humidity. They are continuing their efforts in order to
rescue even more animals in need.
The Humane Society's Disaster Response Team is equipped with a trailer
that can hold up to 100 animals, a 14-foot boat, a trailer for chainsaws,
generators and other supplies, six trucks, one van equipped with animal cages
and an RV to serve as living quarters for the team.
A daily diary and photos of the Humane Society's Disaster Response Team's
efforts can be viewed at http://www.hsmo.org/katrina .
Other support of the Humane Society of Missouri's disaster efforts
includes Nestle Purina Pet Care which has made a significant monetary and pet
food donation to the rescue efforts. Build-A-Bear Workshop also has made a
generous grant from its charitable foundation to help in relief efforts.
SOURCE Humane Society of Missouri
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Related links:
http://www.petfinder.com
http://www.hsmo.org http://www.hsmo.org/katrina
CONTACT:
Jeane Jae, +1-314-363-9556, or Samantha
Leavitt, +1-314-520-4669, both for Humane Society of Missouri
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