 | |
Hurricane Ike Disaster Response Diary
September 17, 2008: Photos from our Disaster Response Team
The following photos were taken by members of the ASPCA Disaster Relief Team on Tuesday, September 16, in Liberty County, TX. The team conducted assessments of affected areas and met with City of Liberty animal control staff.
Liberty County, although not hit as severely by Hurricane Ike as some other parts of Texas, is dealing with the storm’s ripple of chaos. This pack of displaced dogs, which includes three nursing mothers, is being cared for by a group of neighbors who have banded together to help the strays.
Equines can drop weight quickly—becoming dangerously thin—from enduring extreme stress and environmental changes, such as those caused by Hurricane Ike. Now that his owner has been allowed back into his home, this senior horse is once again being cared for.
This free-range pig is one of the lucky ones: He’s still with his owners, who sustained minimal damage.
After severe winds, rains and flooding, some people are now being allowed to return to their homes and care for their livestock. However, fuel is in short supply, and many are without electricity and running water.
The car contains one of the many furry families who evacuated and are now returning to their Texas homes after Hurricane Ike's devastation.
September 17, 2008: Update From the ASPCA Disaster Response Team: $75K in Grants
We at the ASPCA have dispersed and pledged more than $75,000 in grant funding to organizations in Texas and Louisiana following Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, in addition to deploying a team of disaster response experts to assist both states. The grant funding covers recovery costs, as well as transportation assistance, distribution of food and supplies, and other needs.
“Thanks to the kindness and generosity of our supporters, the ASPCA is able to offer grants and emergency funds to assist organization affected by both Hurricanes Ike and Gustav,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “Over the years, these organizations have shown exceptional commitment and dedication the animals in their care, and we are happy to be able to provide assistance during their time of need.”
These two photos depict damages to Denham Springs Animal Shelter, LA, caused by Hurricane Gustav. This shelter is one of many to receive an emergency grant from the ASPCA to repair damaged kennels and once again provide a safe haven for Louisiana’s animals.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, the ASPCA has already pledged more than $25,000 in pre-assessment grants to the following organizations:
- Animal Aid of Vermillion Parish, LA, for recovery and supplies
- Walter Ernst Foundation of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association, for equine hay drops in southwest Louisiana
- Habitat for Horses Inc. in Hitchcock, TX, for emergency hay after destruction of a new barn and sheds, and for 60 horses on site and another 300 in foster care across several states
- Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue Organization in Shreveport, LA, for assistance with removal of hoof stock from flooded areas in Vermillion Parish, as well as hay
The ASPCA is working closely with the Texas State Animal Resource Team (TXSART) and other credentialed animal care agencies to assist and provide resources. ASPCA disaster team members are stationed at the Area Command Center at the Texas Animal Health Commission in Austin, TX, and are currently providing assessments in Liberty County, just north of Galveston, one of the hardest-hit areas.
In addition to its current efforts following Hurricane Ike, the ASPCA distributed $50,000 to the following agencies following Hurricane Gustav, as well as deploying staffing and equipment, to assist animal welfare organizations on the ground. Agencies receiving emergency grants following Hurricane Gustav included:
- Wild Animal Orphanage, San Antonio, TXs, for transport assistance
- Louisiana SPCA, New Orleans, for food and supplies provided for shelter animals as well as pets of evacuees in the surrounding community
- Greater Birmingham Humane Society, Birmingham, AL, for reimbursement and assistance with gathering and transporting supplies
- Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Plaquemines Parish, LA, for crates and supplies to relocate animals and restock
- Animal Rescue New Orleans for recovery, and kennel and food distribution to lower parishes
- Humane Society of Louisiana, New Orleans, for assistance and assessments throughout Southeast Louisiana
- Denham Springs Animal Shelter, Denham Springs, LA, for recovery and kennel damage repair
For more details on the actions of the ASPCA Disaster Response team, check out our website’s pressroom.
September 15, 2008: ASPCA Disaster Response Team Travels To Texas
We have deployed a team of disaster response experts to assist Texas in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Our amazing team includes a veterinarian, veterinary technicians, disaster responders and sheltering professionals.
“We are working closely with the Texas State Animal Resource Team (TXSART) and other credentialed animal care agencies to assist and provide resources,” said Sandy Monterose, the ASPCA’s Senior Director of Community Outreach. “Early tomorrow, we expect our team to be assigned a specific task, which could be animal sheltering, field rescues or field assessments.” Members of the ASPCA disaster response team arrived at the Area Command Center at the Texas Animal Health Commission in Austin, Texas on Monday, September 15. An ASPCA disaster response trailer, being driven from Gulfport, Miss. by ASPCA disaster team staff, is expected to arrive in Beaumont, TX, an incident command center, on Wednesday.
“We are pleased to be able to lend our assistance again, both in terms of human resources and equipment, in relief efforts for Hurricane Ike, especially so closely on the heels of Hurricane Gustav,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “By using our resources strategically and making key connections at the local levels, the ASPCA’s Disaster Response team is able to effectively respond to shelters and animals in need.”
For more information, see our press release.
Donate Today
