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Hello, and thank you for visiting this web page. UPDATE: Heading back to New Orleans-departing December 8, 2005. Final update: Returned from the Gulf Coast March 27, 2006.
The animals pictured here are hurricane Katrina survivors. Most of these animals were found by animal rescuers inside of homes. These animals somehow survived for weeks with no food, water, or proper temperature control. As a Katrina animal rescuer myself, I can tell you first hand that the conditions these animals faced were beyond imagination and incredibly harsh.
Annie decontaminating a male River Cooter found swimming in toxic floodwaters.. Homes closed up for up to a month after the hurricane were incredibly hot, (up to 140F) VERY humid, and full of toxic substances and fumes. Mold covered the homes from floor to ceiling. Furniture tossed about like children's toys. We broke into these homes using crowbars, axes, anything we could, to get animals of any and all species out, to safe refuge and badly needed veterinary care in time.
A home after flood waters receded in New Orleans, 9th Ward. You an still see water toward the back, and the entire basement was still 8 feet deep in water.
Another home in the 9th Ward, New Orleans. Water was PAST the roof of this home until water was pumped out of the area.. The lines you see on the walls are crude oil and chemical residue as waters gradually receded. If only photographs of smell were possible. Most all animals (regardless of species) came in severely dehydrated, emaciated and frightened. Those who understand reptiles know that an animal exposed to a high temperatures is unable to cool itself, and its metabolism is at the mercy of the system in which it is living. It is truly a miracle that any of these animals have survived. We are currently trying to find the owners of many of these animals. For animals whose "people" have been located, we are currently providing foster care for their pets until they get back on their feet. In 3 separate cases, the only thing left of the owner's life before Katrina is the animal that we've found. To state these people are overjoyed to find out that their beloved pet has not only been rescued, but is alive and being humanely cared for is an understatement. Many tears of happiness have been shed. If you would like to "adopt" one of these animals for a month at a time, by helping to pay for its food and shelter while we do all we can to add body weight , treat illness and reduce stress, please click on DONATE NOW button, located at the bottom of this page. Dogs and cats received plenty of press, but reptiles didn't. Donations of dog and cat food were in the megatons, but for reptiles, we worked with what we had, or could get our hands on to help make their lives more comfortable before we shipped them back to our sanctuary. It wasn't easy, but we did it.
We are extremely proud of the number of animals we were able to save. When owners are again in a position to accept their pets into their lives, the pet will be shipped back to them, free of charge.
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