Hurricane Update: HSUS emergency teams on the ground

HURRICANE KATRINA SPECIAL COVERAGE

From Humane Society of the United States:

In the past few days, we have all watched in horror and
disbelief at the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina.

In the midst of this tragedy, all of us at The Humane Society of
the United States have been heartened by the tremendous
outpouring of support for our disaster relief efforts in the
region. I'm proud to say that because of your support, our
response to assist animals and their caregivers has been
immediate.

Shortly after the hurricane slammed into the Gulf Coast, HSUS
teams were on the ground determining the areas where the most
critical relief was needed. Today, experienced HSUS rescue staff
and volunteers are working with state officials, federal
agencies, and other organizations to evacuate animals out of the
hardest-hit areas. They are also establishing pet-friendly
shelters and delivering supplies, resources, and medical
assistance.

In Louisiana, we're helping to set up an emergency facility at
the Coliseum in Baton Rouge where strays will be brought,
evaluated, and then transported to safety. While thousands of
people are being evacuated from the New Orleans Superdome and
relocated to Houston to be sheltered in the Astrodome, HSUS
volunteers are helping transport animals from evacuees arriving
at the Astrodome and ferrying them to the temporary shelter,
which will be fully operational today.

In Mississippi, seven HSUS disaster field teams left to conduct
damage and needs assessments and to provide help as they find
needs from Jackson south to the Hattiesburg area. The HSUS team
includes about 35 trained responders and 8-10 vehicles (plus
trailers and RVs), including the HSUS Disaster Response Unit.
Team capabilities include companion animals, horses, farm
animals, and wildlife. The team leaders are pushing very hard to
get help to Gulfport, Mississippi, but at this time Route 49 is
open only to state-authorized emergency vehicles.

We will continue to keep you updated on our efforts and we
expect to be granted more access to the hard hit areas over the
weekend. So many pets are trapped and alone, and we are
determined to find and rescue them. And we plan on being there
as long as it takes.

Again, I want to personally thank you for your generosity at
this time. Quite simply, we would not be able to provide the
relief needed for stranded and injured animals in a crisis of
this magnitude without your help.

Sincerely,

Laura Bevan
Incident Commander
HSUS National Disaster Animal Response Team
Jackson, Mississippi

P.S. - Please consider making an emergency contribution to our
Disaster Relief Fund. Your support is critical to our ability to
help suffering and stranded animals during this crisis. Click
here to make your donation now:
https://secure.hsus.org/01/katrina_relief/nG11JE371Fm5B?source=gabaix