Animal issues Social effects of Hurricane Katrina

a stray dog abandoned owners approaches rescue worker in new orleans. many animals left owners not take them evacuation shelters.

in aftermath of hurricane katrina, approximately 8,000 animals rescued , brought temporary shelters set @ lamar-dixon exposition center in gonzales, louisiana, or parker coliseum @ louisiana state university.

most helicopter pilots , rescue boat captains refused load pets in order hold more people. many families in affected area refused evacuate without pets. while field hospitals allowed pets enter patients, evacuated superdome not allowed take pets them.

one case attracted national attention of snowball, small white dog made famous coverage of associated press reporter, said, when police officer confiscated little boy s dog, child cried until vomited. snowball, snowball , cried. story of snowball became centerpiece in fundraising appeals welfare organizations , various ad-hoc websites created people soliciting funds locate snowball , reunite him boy.

rescue teams set in worst hit regions in response desperate pleas pet owners. horses posed particular problem, stranded , cannot stand in water long periods of time. rescue agencies set shelters , tried find homes adopt pets lost owners. rescue centers becoming overwhelmed in days following hurricane. several online resources set give rescue groups, individuals, , businesses around country centralized venue publish offers , requests helping animals displaced hurricane katrina. of 10,000 fish @ new orleans aquarium of americas died because backup power ran out after 4 days. of marine mammals , large sea turtle survived. audubon zoo lost 3 animals out of total of 1,400 due disaster planning , location on high ground.

the humane society of united states (hsus) in conjunction louisiana spca , many other groups, had hundreds of staff , volunteers working in louisiana , mississippi. of september 20, 2005, 6,031 animals rescued , 400 reunited owners. estimated 600,000 animals killed or left without shelter result of hurricane katrina.

inspired story of snowball, representative tom lantos (d-california) introduced pets evacuation , transportation standards act house of representatives require states seeking fema assistance accommodate pets , service animals in plans evacuating residents facing disasters. bill passed overwhelming majority on may 22, 2006.