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| A dog rescued at the Superdome is shown in this 2005 file photo. ©The HSUS |
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Three years ago, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast with such force and fury that the destruction it caused is still felt today.
The most devastating natural disaster in U.S. history, it wrought unimaginable havoc on the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents of Louisiana and Mississippi. Thousands of residents did not evacuate, at least, in part, because they could not take their pets with them.
What it also brought about were some crucial—and long neglected—changes in the way we plan for and respond to disasters.
Be Prepared
The catastrophe forced the country to recognize the critical importance of being prepared in the event of a disaster and for government at all levels to smooth the way for citizen self-reliance during an emergency.
It also turned the national focus to the critical need to include animals in disaster preparedness plans.
Left Behind
When Katrina hit, tens of thousands of companion animals were left behind to fend for themselves, and thousands of people who were unable to take their pets with them refused to evacuate their homes. Residents perished because of their decision to stay behind.
"The past three years have seen a huge shift in how the American public views the importance of disaster planning," said Melissa Rubin, vice president of field and emergency services for The Humane Society of the United States and a manager of The HSUS disaster response to Katrina.
"The attention that is coming from all directions—the public, federal, state and local legislators, animal groups, and other relief agencies—has been amazing. But there is still work to be done. We must all continue to plan ahead and work with state officials and local relief agencies to ensure the safety of our vulnerable animal companions during a disaster."
Congress Takes Note
Arguably the most significant achievement of the post-Katrina landscape is the passage of legislation to help prevent animals from being left behind in disasters.
One year and one month after Katrina hit, Congress approved and the president signed into law the Federal Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act. The law, inspired by The HSUS, guarantees the inclusion of companion animals in disaster preparedness planning. States that don't comply will not be eligible for federal disaster funds.
"Hurricane Katrina taught us the hard lesson that, as we prepare for future emergencies, it's important we protect our pet owners in our plans, many of whom had to choose between their safety and the safety of their pets," said U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.).
"The PETS Act simply requires state and local preparedness groups to include plans for evacuation of pet owners, pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster.
"I am grateful to have worked with the Humane Society and my friend, the late Tom Lantos, in passing this common sense legislation," Shays said.
Across-the-Board Change
Traditional relief organizations are also beginning to understand the importance of including pets in disaster preparedness and response. The American Red Cross has recently changed its guidelines to include planning for people with animals in local emergency shelter planning.
These changes have resulted in a new Memorandum of Understanding between the American Red Cross and The HSUS.
"The American Red Cross is fully committed to ensuring that communities are prepared for and able to respond to emergencies," said Joseph C. Becker, senior vice president of disaster services for the organization.
"Our chapters across the country work in cooperation with other non-profits and local governments to ensure the needs of animals and their owners are addressed through comprehensive response plans."
"We also continue to work closely with organizations such as The HSUS and Ready.gov to ensure all pet owners have the information they need to properly prepare their households," he said.
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HSUS volunteer Jane Garrison and Louisiana SPCA Humane Officer Jennifer Ranero are shown with a rescued cat in this 2005 file photo ©The HSUS |
Group Effort
Humane organizations across the U.S. are getting on board, too, and are doing their part to ensure that animals are protected when disasters strike. Since Katrina, nine major relief organizations joined forces with specialists in animal sheltering and animal control to form the National Animal Rescue & Sheltering Coalition.
The coalition has met bi-monthly since Katrina to coordinate better coverage in the groups' joint response to help animals in disasters.
While these coalition members are an invaluable resource, they simply cannot meet the overwhelming need of disaster response across the country. That is why local animal disaster response training and state or county-operated animal response teams are so important.
To the Rescue
Since Katrina, The HSUS has taken an even more active role in disaster training of animal rescue volunteers. As of December 2007, more than 2,500 volunteers had been through HSUS Disaster Animal Rescue Team and Emergency Animal Sheltering training courses.
The development of State Animal Response Teams, if supported by leaders and resources, can also be a significant force to build community readiness. Pennsylvania was one of the first states to establish their own such team.
"Pennsylvania realized before Katrina that an effective response mechanism was necessary to assist animals and their families in both preparing for and responding to disasters. The HSUS has been critical in assisting with training of our volunteers and also 'being on call' should we need their assistance," said Joel H. Hersh, executive director, Pennsylvania State Animal Response Team.
How Far We've Come
Although no disaster has come close to matching the devastation of Katrina, many have tested the safety and preparedness plans that have been put into place over the past three years. The recent Midwest flooding, which has been referred to as the third most devastating disaster in U.S. history, illustrates how far we have come since that harrowing disaster struck the Gulf Coast three years ago.
"As soon as I arrived on the scene in Cedar Rapids, we experienced the eerie similarities between the Midwest flooding and Katrina," said Scotlund Haisley, senior director of Emergency Services at The HSUS. Haisley led on-the-ground efforts during that flood for The HSUS.
"We were struck by déjà vu at times while wading through the waist-deep water or cruising in our rescue boats—past second story windows of flooded homes," he said.
'Change is Happening'
But one major difference in Iowa, Haisley said, was the high number of people who took their pets with them when they were forced to evacuate their homes.
"Change is happening, and we're seeing more and more folks think ahead and plan what they and their families will do in the event of a disaster. This shift of more self reliance helps to take the load off local, state and federal authorities and minimizes the number of animals who become victims," Haisley said.
