Spring Break
Shelter Aids Refugee Animals
Kate King
Issue date: 9/16/05 Section: News
Often forgotten victims of Hurricane Katrina are the thousands of pets affected by the disaster. When the citizens of New Orleans were forced to flee the impending hurricane, many were unable to take their pets with them. After the storm cleared, hundreds of pets were left homeless and miles away from their owners. Luckily, local animal control organizations have leapt into action.
Noah's Wish, a charity animal rescue center, has teamed up with Slidell Animal Control in Louisiana to help rescue and provide care for homeless pets.
About 600 animals have been brought to the rescue center, where veterinarians and trained volunteers provide them with care and shelter until they can be reunited with their owners, according to a press release. When residents return, they can visit the shelter and look for their lost pets.
The reunion of a pet and owner is a bright spot in the overwhelmingly dark aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"Right now, pets and their owners need each other for comfort" said Terri Crisp, founder and director of Noah's Wish.
"The pets coming in are frightened and scared, but okay for the most part," said New York City media contact Patricia Ellen Jones.
Animal behaviorists, however, warn owners that pets can suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After enduring an emotionally taxing ordeal, such as Hurricane Katrina, the animals of New Orleans are vulnerable to emotional and mental repercussions.
"Cats are likely to hide, may not use the litter box and may even display aggression," said Victoria Wells, known for her role on Animal Planet's reality show "Animal Precinct. "Dogs may show signs of stress by pacing and panting, excessive barking and whining and even aggression."
According to Wells, the likelihood that a pet will suffer from PTSD depends on a variety of factors. An animal's "emotional baggage" plays a large role in whether they will experience PTSD. If an animal has been abused or undergone another traumatizing event before Hurricane Katrina, there is a greater chance that they will be mentally affected after the disaster, Wells said.
Noah's Wish, a charity animal rescue center, has teamed up with Slidell Animal Control in Louisiana to help rescue and provide care for homeless pets.
About 600 animals have been brought to the rescue center, where veterinarians and trained volunteers provide them with care and shelter until they can be reunited with their owners, according to a press release. When residents return, they can visit the shelter and look for their lost pets.
The reunion of a pet and owner is a bright spot in the overwhelmingly dark aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"Right now, pets and their owners need each other for comfort" said Terri Crisp, founder and director of Noah's Wish.
"The pets coming in are frightened and scared, but okay for the most part," said New York City media contact Patricia Ellen Jones.
Animal behaviorists, however, warn owners that pets can suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After enduring an emotionally taxing ordeal, such as Hurricane Katrina, the animals of New Orleans are vulnerable to emotional and mental repercussions.
"Cats are likely to hide, may not use the litter box and may even display aggression," said Victoria Wells, known for her role on Animal Planet's reality show "Animal Precinct. "Dogs may show signs of stress by pacing and panting, excessive barking and whining and even aggression."
According to Wells, the likelihood that a pet will suffer from PTSD depends on a variety of factors. An animal's "emotional baggage" plays a large role in whether they will experience PTSD. If an animal has been abused or undergone another traumatizing event before Hurricane Katrina, there is a greater chance that they will be mentally affected after the disaster, Wells said.