Best Friends Left Behind in Ike's Path

From the Best Friends Network

Disaster Response

“Sad and Emotional Day”

September 18, 2008 : 5:48 PM

Many Hurricane Ike evacuees chose to leave without their pets

“Persons not heeding evacuation orders in single-family one- or two-story homes will face certain death,” noted a National Weather Service advisory to Galveston Island residents prior to Hurricane Ike.

Unfortunately, many of those same people did not give that same consideration to their pets.

The situation in Southeast Texas is far more dire than anticipated, not only because of the tremendous destruction caused by Hurricane Ike, but because of pet guardian apathy.

The Rapid Response team, along with Galveston Animal Control officers and a sheriff performed search and rescue throughout the day yesterday, saving six animals including one kitten, one wart hog (who will be released) and four dogs, one of whom was found chained and caught in a fence. However, those victories were bittersweet as the team encountered many deceased animals who had been abandoned by their guardians prior to evacuation.

“Wednesday was a sad and emotional day for everybody,” noted Rich Crook, Best Friends Rapid Response Manager. “It is difficult to see that people would leave their animals.”

The team estimates that at least 50% of the evacuees left without their pets. Despite repeated warnings from local officials of catastrophic flooding, numerous animals were left behind - chained or crated - many of whom have paid the ultimate price for their guardians’ indifference.

Outrage following Hurricane Katrina, when people were forced to evacuate without their pets, prompted the national passage of H.R. 3858: Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006. This law ensures that both local and state emergency plans are to include companion animals.

Such legislation leaves no excuse for anyone leaving a pet behind during the Hurricane Ike evacuation or any other emergency situation.

“Any pet owner who willfully left their pet behind, chained up outside or left in crates, after advanced warnings of catastrophic flooding, should be charged to the fullest extent of whatever cruelty laws are on the books there in Texas,” said Paul Berry, Best Friends, CEO. “Such careless, thoughtless neglect for another life is absolutely inexcusable.”

What those guardians did when they left their chained dogs behind was not only inexcusable, they actually broke the law. H.B. 1411 passed during the last Texas legislative session and became effective 9/1/07. The new law specifically prohibits guardians from leaving dogs tethered outside between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. or in extreme weather conditions, including hurricanes.

So the clock is ticking for those abandoned animals who survived the storm, now going on five days without food or water. Best Friends will continue to search for those unfortunate pets whose guardians chose to leave behind and will provide the medical care and assistance needed (see Rapid Response in action in Hurricane Ike – Left Behind).

Best Friends is assessing the situation. Additional measures must be in place to encourage residents to evacuate with their pets, to prevent a reoccurrence. Please check back regularly for updates on how you can help avert such catastrophes in the future.

Take action now:

The government includes pets in evacuation plans, so it is important for all caregivers to take personal responsibility and never leave in an emergency without your animals. Keep in mind, disasters are not limited to hurricanes, so whether or not you live in a coastal area, it is important that you prepare now, so you are ready in case disaster strikes.

FEMA offers plans on care for animals prior to, during, and after emergency situations. Additional links to informative sites can be found here.

Remember, your pets are entirely reliant on you for their care and safety. Possessions can be replaced, but family can not. You can start immediately by preparing an emergency kit for your pets as well as an emergency plan.

Do not spend a lifetime of regret because you failed to prepare today.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. You don’t have to be on-site in Texas to help. Be a part of Best Friends’ efforts to save companion animals in emergency situations. Please make an online donation to the support the Best Friends Rescue Fund. It is through contributions like yours that Best Friends is able to provide assistance in disasters such as Hurricane Ike.

2. Donations are needed by the The Joe Vickery/Galveston County Animal Shelter. Supplies such food, collapsible wire cages, de-wormer, disposable cat litter pans, and Frontline® flea & tick control are in great demand. Donations may be brought to the shelter at 3412 Loop 197 North in Texas City, Texas (map to location).

3. Interested in helping in future emergency situations? See Hurricane Ike Is Coming! for more on what you can do to prepare in advance to join the Best Friends Rapid Response team.

For more information:
• The Houston SPCA has activated a disaster hotline. If you need to report lost or found animals, please call 713-435-2990, 877-661-0161, or 713-861-0161.
• The Orange/Jefferson County disaster hotline is 409-980-7280 or call the Humane Society of Southeast Texas Rogers Spay and Neuter Clinic at 409-838-2510.
• Thousands of Cattle and Horses Roaming in Texas
• ‘Like Katrina without the water’
• Best Friends Animal Society Rapid Response Community

Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff
Photo credit: taken by Pam Crook

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