Hurricane Isaac Response: ASPCA on the Ground

Thursday, August 30, 2012 - 5:00pm
Hurricane Isaac Response: ASPCA on the Ground

As you know, exactly seven years after Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Isaac is devastating Gulf Coast communities. Waist-high flooding has forced thousands to evacuate their homes, and as first responders work to rescue people stranded by the storm, the ASPCA is planning rescue operations for stranded and imperiled animals.

The ASPCA’s response to this crisis is only just beginning and is evolving by the minute, but we have taken the following measures:

  • Our top experts are working closely with the Louisiana State Animal Response Team to plan and execute rescue.
  • We’re deploying responders to conduct door-to-door rescue of animals in flooded or abandoned homes.
  • We’re assisting a Louisiana animal shelter facing flooding.
  • We are supplying boats and other equipment for critical water rescue missions.
  • We transported animals from a Mississippi shelter to make room for possible Isaac victims.


If you’re seeking a way to help, you can make a gift to the ASPCA here. The ASPCA relies on the support of compassionate people like you to conduct rescues like this one and to assist animals facing other crises.

Tags: 
Disaster Response
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Comments

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 00:08 — helen blackwell (Visitor)
God Bless all of you helping these animals that need all of us/I have four cats that came to me as strays three as babies/about 3 mo of age/and one about 2ys 0f age about one year later/they are like family/

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 03:07 — Kat (Visitor)
I do believe in the ASPCA, I watch them all the time on animal planet, I see all they do for animals. BUT, THAT is in NEW YORK!!!! I live in a little town in north Texas, We do NOT have any such organization to help neglected/abused/abandon animals. I found a 3 month old puppy in a field, covered in ticks!!! I called everywhere I could to see if there was any place that would help her with out a upfront charge, no one here would even lift a finger to help in any way. So, needless to say, I took the puppy in a week ago, she is now very much happier and healthier, and its only been a week. How does someone request for ASPCA volenteers in certian areas??? Theres lots of strays out here and lots of neglect and abuse because we dont have an animal control unit or anything. People here just don't care. I DO THO!!!!!! I have 2 dogs and a ferret of my own. I am a 41 year old women, with very little income. 1 of my dogs got parvo @ 2 months old, then just a few months ago, same dog got hit by a car and broke both hips. I could not afford the double surgery to fix her, so I put her in a wheelchair, and she is now rehabilitated and walking, playin, jumping and being like a puppy again. ASPCA is awesome!! But only in the area they serve!!! They arent EVERYWHERE!!!

Sun, 09/02/2012 - 02:29 — Pat M (Visitor)
You are correct. ASPCA helps in big national disasters. For your local area, you need to find out who is Animal Control for your town. I know some places don't have it, but in that case, usually the Sheriff has to pick up strays. If you are near a larger town, I would take the puppy there and tell them it's a stray you found.

Tue, 09/18/2012 - 17:34 — Kelsey (Visitor)
THIS right here, is exactally why I choose to help the ASPCA and I donate to them as often as I can, usually monthly! What I want to know though, is who was responsible for gassing and killing all those innocent animals?! I can't believe that! Is the ASPCA doing anything to help???

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 20:36 — Royan Herman (Visitor)
Of ALL the charitable organizations in our country, in my experience ONLY the ASPCA is truly ingenuous and charitable, trying at all times to help animals in need, see punishment meted out for those who would hurt them and influence legislation to benefit all critters without a voice of their own. Know what you are talking about before you mouth off. Royan Herman

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 23:09 — angela (Visitor)
I completely agree that the aspca is wonderful, and we should all be thankful for what they do! i also just wanted to mention Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Ut. They have a magazine and are a huge advocate for animals. I just completed my first trip there to volunteer, and WOW!! All animal lovers should defintely check it out.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 23:10 — angela (Visitor)
I completely agree that the aspca is wonderful, and we should all be thankful for what they do! i also just wanted to mention Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Ut. They have a magazine and are a huge advocate for animals. I just completed my first trip there to volunteer, and WOW!! All animal lovers should defintely check it out.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 20:39 — Rachel Peters (Visitor)
Im sure his was posted by some kiddie troll with nothing better to do while waiting to go back to kiddie school then look for posts they can use to get rises out of people. Just ignore them

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 20:42 — Christina E. E.... (Visitor)
I believe the ASPCA is a great organization who are really there to help animals. Shame on you for dissing them. Did God die and leave you in charge? Sure hope not!

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 20:47 — Silverthorne (Visitor)
Maybe you have the ASPCA mized up with some branches of PeTA? Anyway, the focus of the ASPCA is to find, rescue, and reunite, when possible, animals that have been seperated from their original owners during a disaster. They work hard to give every animal they take into their care a fighting chance to continue living a good life in a loving home, and that includes returning pets to their people when those people can be found. That also includes and extends to any rescues they work with and that volunteer to help out. (which incidentally, likely include those 'small rescues and shelters', you're mentioning...or at least the ones that are actually resecues and not animal collectors and breeders who pass themselves off as rescues, to the detriment of the animals in their care). Please research your groups better before spouting off. And to the ASPCA, I wish you all the luck and help you will need in getting these found animals home.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 23:03 — Rita Philpottt (Visitor)
Why are you accusing PETA of killing animals? I support both the ASPCA and PETA who do wonderful things to protect and rescue animals. How can you be so irresponsible with your claims against PETA under the guise of defending the ASPCA against equally irresponsible claims? Where are you getting your information?

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 07:52 — Silverthorne (Visitor)
Keep in mind I said SOME memebers of PeTA--not all. But after studying them for a long time, and keeping in mind things like their more radical members doing things like throwing pigs' blood on people who wear fur (rather ironic they use parts of one animal to shame people wearing other parts of another animal), and that their kill rate for 'rescued' animals is extremely high in comparison to many rescues, including other big names like ASCPCA and HSUS, I don't agree with them. Also, if you dig enough into the group, you find they believe things such as the fact that we shouldn't even have pets--ALL animals should be 'free' from humans and human interference. They also believe, at the care, that it is kinder to put an animal to sleep rather than subject them to the 'stress' of fostering them and moving them around until such time as they find their permanent home. These are not made up--if you dig deep enough into their own sites, you cna find these things (Including the kill rate percentages that they post each year for pets they 'couldn't find homes for'.) Add to that things like them wasting tiem targeting video games. of all things, for 'promoting animal cruelty', and you have a rather sensationalist mess that I can't condone. (You can easily find all of this information simply by Googling it). Again, keep in mind, I'm not saying ALL PeTa memebers are like this...and I'd even say most are not, and are probably not even aware of what they are actually supportinh, but the core group is that way. It's not something I cna support--not when there are other groups that have the same core message and go about it in legal, quiet, and far more humane ways--both for animals AND people. Anyway, PeTa's virtues are not what this post is about, and I do apologise if I offended you--it's just after years of studying many MANY groups, I feel confident in my opinion of the core group that runs the place. I do apologize--let's get back to the discussion at hand, though, all right? No need to derail because of difference of opinion.

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 17:37 — kelley (Visitor)
I wanted to respond to one of your comments. The videos you speak of, I don't think, are the games the kids play at home. There is a new type of video out there, most disturbing, that is about animal cruelty. Almost like a "snuff" film of animals. I know that police around the country are investigating these disgusting videos. Again, they are actual vidoes, not a game kids would buy in a store. I mention it to avoid confusion, because what the ASPCA and police are targetting, is pure evil, and I'm thankful they are trying to catch these awful people.

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 15:11 — Sharon (Visitor)
For those who beleive that PETA is in the game to save animals, I invite you to check out the link below. Each animal welfare agency and pound in Virginia (where PETA is based) is required to file an annual report with the state vet's office. The report lists the number of aniamls each handled and what happend to them. In 2011 PETA took in 2050 animals - only 73 made it out alive. Don't beleive me.... see for yourself: http://www.virginia.gov/vdacs_ar/cgi-bin/Vdacs_search.cgi?link_select=facility&form=fac_select&fac_num=157&year=2011

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 19:25 — Sharon (Visitor)
For those who beleive that PETA is in the game to save animals, I invite you to check out the link below. Each animal welfare agency and pound in Virginia (where PETA is based) is required to file an annual report with the state vet's office. The report lists the number of aniamls each handled and what happend to them. In 2011 PETA took in 2050 animals - only 73 made it out alive. Don't beleive me.... see for yourself: http://www.virginia.gov/vdacs_ar/cgi-bin/Vdacs_search.cgi?link_select=facility&form=fac_select&fac_num=157&year=2011

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 20:58 — Dora (Visitor)
SPCA focuses on helping not killing wow shows how ignorant you are that you leave such a comment

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 21:04 — Jane (Visitor)
Are you crazy? Where are you getting your misinformation? And are you in New Orleans or are you just sitting at home making stupid comments? You have no idea what you're talking about, so you need to shut up.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 21:11 — Deborah (Visitor)
Shame on who???? You have been misled and are making damaging accusations toward an organization that never fails to go into harm's way to RESCUE these precious and abandoned animals, offering LIFE, not death. Keep up the good work ASPCA. You are in my prayers. Money's tight, but I donate what I can when I can. Wish I could do more.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 21:14 — Fonda (Visitor)
That is an absolutely UNEDUCATED statement..... shame on you for thinking that that is what the ASPCA does....

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 21:29 — Milber Berry (Visitor)
It is a shame that some people do not know the wonderful work that is done by the ASPCA. I have been a contributor for many years and continue to be amazed at how they stretch their dollars to help animals in need.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 21:34 — Dexter's Mom (Visitor)
"Better to stay silent and be thought a fool, then speak and remove all doubt....." You're an ignorant moron who should make an effort to educate yourself rather than sit on the sidelines and spew misinformation and garbage. Silence is your best bet.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 21:49 — Donna Becker (Visitor)
"Elizabeth," get your facts verified before you post such silly comments. Your outlandish claims indicate that you're connected with groups who themselves don't want to treat animals humanely. You're way off base and irresponsible.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 22:55 — Victoria (Visitor)
I am disgusted by your comment death camp ASPCA is a wonderful organization that saves animals and rehabilitates animals and finds wonderful homes for them and death is not in the question.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 23:07 — Rita Philpott (Visitor)
Who are you and where do you get your insane ideas? This is serious business and not a forum for bored kids to make up outrageous claims. This is cyber bullying.

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 01:12 — diane (Visitor)
BOY, WHAT A DUDE...I'M BEING NICE.

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 08:27 — Amanda (Visitor)
They're trying to do whatever they can. And it's not true that all the animals were hauled off to be killed. I am in Michigan, and I have a friend who actually adopted one of the unclaimed dogs; they had a rescue set up for people all over the nation to rescue and adopt unclaimed Katrina pets. Jambalaya is happy and healthy and most definitely, alive.

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 12:37 — Cheryl J Fox (Visitor)
I live just outside Atlanta and know about the heroic efforts that were made after Katrina to find new homes for pets who could not be returned to their owners (who in many cases were deceased during the hurricane.) Many special flights were made to Atlanta and other cities who were willing to find the animals new forever homes. The ASPCA played a huge part in this effort. Was animal rescue perfectly conducted duriang Katrina? No. It was a horror on such a scale as had naver been seen before. But both the HSUS and ASPCA havea abeen studying Katrina eaver since to determine how betgter to rescue animals in future disasters, and they are conducting excellent, rigorous training for teams who can go into a disaster situation and do an outstanding job. With Isaac, those teams are no doubt being challenged. And they will take what they learn in this situation and put it into the ongoing training.

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 08:51 — dale (Visitor)
The ASPCA is one of the few agencies that puts their dollars to work in noble rescue efforts, NOT in their deep pockets. They helped in the rescue of hundreds of cats from neglect in the hoarding sanctuary of Caboodle Ranch in FL. I was part of our local shelter event to adopt out these rescued cats to forever homes. In the news, the ASPCA are first responders to EVERY tragedy! THAT's where their dollars go.

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 08:51 — dale (Visitor)
The ASPCA is one of the few agencies that puts their dollars to work in noble rescue efforts, NOT in their deep pockets. They helped in the rescue of hundreds of cats from neglect in the hoarding sanctuary of Caboodle Ranch in FL. I was part of our local shelter event to adopt out these rescued cats to forever homes. In the news, the ASPCA are first responders to EVERY tragedy! THAT's where their dollars go.

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 10:30 — Anonymous (Visitor)
I used to donate to ASPCA, until they would call me 2-3 times a week asking for more money. They charged me twice one time and when I called, got a foreign call center person who barely spoke English and didn't understand what I was trying to tell her. Another call ended in the same results. ASPCA is an organization just like any other organization and you cannot guarantee your donation funds are going towards saving the animals.

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 17:21 — Laurie C Wright (Visitor)
I would gladly adopt a dog in need of a home. Where do I find dogs eligible for adoption? Please let me know. I already received ASPCA email regularly, and volunteer on behalf of animals!

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 21:52 — Linda Larnerd (Visitor)
I have no idea what that person is talking about, but keep up the good work and don't pay any attention to what that person says...what an idiot.

Wed, 09/12/2012 - 21:58 — Deborah McNally (Visitor)
This is typical of the lame rumor !! You have no idea and no proof of the administration of such a large organization and yes, animals are transported to various places where there is room to be cared for with the right amount of space and staff. I belong to a large organization which does the same thing with animals that they rescue. Do you really think it would be practical to have only one main building in the USA that had to house ALL the rescues and have space for every disaster?? Really?? DMC

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 19:06 — Evelyn (Visitor)
Love it that you're right in there, providing supplies and helping to rescue & evacuate the animals. I also hope that they're being sent to NO KILL facilities rather than to any old "shelter" that doesn't apply the NO KILL programs.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 19:11 — Carolyn Waters (Visitor)
I am glad you are helping the animals, but unlike Katrina, I hope the animalswill be available for their owners to reclaim and not shipped off across the country without the owners knowing where they are. During Katrina small small rescue groups swooped in and took animals up North and no one kept track of who left or who they belonged to. That is cruel, not helpful.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 21:37 — Mishka (Visitor)
If you had been involved, you would know that most rescuers posted photos and descriptions of all rescued animals on the internet and sent printouts of the same to locations in states affected so that people could find their pets. If you had actually been involved you would have seen this in action.

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 08:46 — Nicki (Visitor)
Why are you blaming the ASPCA for irresponsible pet owners? Why didn't they evacuate their animals along with themselves? It seems like the ASPCA is the only one who cares about these innocent creatures during a disaster. It's pathetic. Pets are supposed to be family members too.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 19:12 — M Maria (Visitor)
they are dying in mud. they probably can't be rescued but can someone please go euthanize them.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 19:19 — Luna Rabalais (Visitor)
I live here in Louisiana volunteer at an animal shelter as well and am currently housing 22 animals, 8 of my own the rest found hungry probably more scared than anything. Please do not send insensitive material like this to me regarding animals in my state. I sincerely hope you can help you will need food for large livestock the cows are hungry and frightened rescue workers are trying. There is a vet who stayed behind in Tangipahoa parish though he is flooded to help them. Try wwltv for info. My heart breaks every time for all of this. I currently have a safe place no power like most but a generator was given to me. I have 1 cat on IV another of my own w/one lung & another 1 kidney. If you need help contacts or an animal that is ill and requires meds in frig I can keep them on temp basis. Lots of flooding be careful best of luck. 5044025154

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 19:25 — charlie (Visitor)
God bless you! Amazing what you are doing.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 19:33 — Jami Lee (Visitor)
I moved from New Orleans to Florida last year and miss the animals at ARNO and am worried about everyone over there. Thank you for taking in needy animals and offering more help. Bless you and stay safe.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 20:28 — Amy Stabley (Visitor)
I hope that everyone on this planet would come to know and understand what a kind, giving, loving and compassionate person you are! I wish someday, everyone could have a HEART as big as yours!!! Thank You for doing what you do best!

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 20:37 — Sharon Weber (Visitor)
WOW! You are a saint to care for these special needs animals!

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 20:45 — Yvonne Maggs (Visitor)
Am so glad there are wonderful people like you to help these poor animals.. My husband and I lived in Addis while he worked for Dow for about 6 months,back a few years ago. We live in Canada so have no worries about hurricanes, so when anything happens in Louisianna it breaks my heart. Good luck to all of you, my heart and prayers go out to you wonderful people.. God bless you all......

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 21:19 — BETSY (Visitor)
Thanks to you and others like you for rescuing the voiceless victims of these storms. What would they do without you and without organizations such as the shelters and the ASPCA? I feel so sorry for animals left in their paddocks or pens or barns. OMG I'm an ASPCA Guardian yet feel useless! Knowing you are there helping is great consolation to those of us who can't be. Let your needs be known and people will come through to back you up!

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 23:21 — Kay Jones (Visitor)
Thanks to the ASPCA for all they do during these crises as well as every day .. I likewise am a ASPCA Guardian and I too feel helpless as well .. but knowing that the ASPCA is indeed there is a huge consolation to those of us who cannot be to help !!!

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 21:40 — Betty Emery (Visitor)
Bless you for helping the animals. Post what we can do to help. There are thousands of networkers on fb that can help in some way or another. As well as rescues that help save dogs on death row all over the US. Just post it, I will take it from there.

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 07:57 — Niki Keen (Visitor)
You are truly an amazing person. To give so much not only in a crisis but all the time shows what a great heart you have. Keep up the great work and please know when I read this, it warmed my heart

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 19:23 — Charlie (Visitor)
Wow. It is so easy to judge. Are you all willing to take in a rescue or two into your home? And care for it out of your own pocket in hopes that the owner will come looking for it? I thought not. At least ASPCA and the rescue teams are trying to save animal lives. Step up and help.

Thu, 08/30/2012 - 20:03 — BoxerLuvr (Visitor)
Amen!! Instead of sitting and dwelling on the negative- (which is all assumptions and not even based upon facts necessarily), step up and help and be a part of the solution!! If more people would open their homes to foster, there would be less animals that would have to go to shelters. Shelters only have so much room. And most times if you foster thru a rescue, vet bills and sometimes even food is paid for by the rescue, it costs very little to nothing to foster. I am sure many of these shelters that are taking in these animals would love to have some more foster homes!

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