Shelter Pets Removed from Gulf Coast Region in Anticipation of Isaac

Earlier this week, animal shelters in Louisiana and Mississippi scrambled to remove as many pets as possible before Hurricane Isaac hit land.

After receiving a call from the Humane Society of South Mississippi, North Shore Animal League rescue teams set out immediately for the region. They reached Mississippi on Sunday evening and on Monday were fully deployed in a massive rescue effort.

In addition, the ASPCA assisted in pre-evacuation efforts by transporting animals to the Humane Society of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Shelter employees and volunteers patiently awaited the arrival of 27 dogs evacuated from the Humane Society of South Mississippi late Monday night.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas also brought in 265 dogs and cats from the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and from the Humane Society of South Mississippi.

Transport vehicles arrived at the SPCA of Texas' Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney on Tuesday morning with 87 cats and 60 dogs transferred from the Louisiana SPCA in New Orleans. Another group of animals, 34 cats, arrived at the SPCA of Texas' Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center in Dallas from the Humane Society of South Mississippi in Gulfport.

The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took in 45 dogs and 24 cats early Tuesday from St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana. The animals were expected around Monday afternoon, but gridlock traffic delayed their arrival. Despite their long trip, they appeared in good spirits Tuesday morning, tails wagging as they were examined.

"As we approach the exact anniversary of Katrina's landfall just seven years later, we have learned many lessons," said Tara High, executive director of the Humane Society of South Mississippi. "One of the lessons was to have a plan—and have partnering shelters and organizations on our side, ready to help if ever we need it. We know that our planning and our partnerships mean less lives are lost and happier endings for displaced shelter animals."

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