IFAW Responds to Hurricane Ike

UPDATE 2: Read an update from IFAW Emergency Rescue team member Michael Booth currently on the ground in Lake Charles, Louisiana rescuing family pets and other animals following the devastation of Hurricane Ike.

UPDATE: In addition to current search and rescue operations in Louisiana, IFAW has now been asked to provide emergency sheltering support for pets in Austin, Texas. An IFAW rescue team will be on the scene later today and IFAW stands ready to provide additional sheltering or rescue teams as needed. Check back for more updates.

IFAW’s Emergency Relief team is on highest alert.

It is still uncertain where Ike will come ashore, but wherever it does, it will likely bring dangerous conditions, including a storm surge that could bring with it a 22 foot wall of water.

The forecast is grim, with meteorologists warning residents of some coastal communities to leave “or face certain death.”

Members of IFAW’s Emergency Relief team are already in the area with our Rescue Trailer, fully equipped to rescue animal victims on land and in the water. We have been designated as the animal water rescue team for Calcasieu Parish, which was hit hard three years ago, during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  They plan to wait out the storm and then immediately begin assessing the damage and undertaking whatever response is needed. We are hoping for the best, but are preparing for the worst.

Stay tuned for updates from our team in the field over the coming days.

If you would like to help us cope with the aftermath of the storm, please consider making a donation.

Comments

[terry norona]

I participated in the Katrina animal rescue in 2005, acutally resucing animals from wherever we could find them. I came down as an independent volunteer and would like to offer my services again if I can be of assistance. I worked with HSUS out of Baton Rouge in 2005 at that time because they allowed me to work directly with the actual rescue operations.

[Leslie]

I'am a licensed animal care specialist from Michigan and if I can help and travel south to help with the animal rescue's please dont hesitate to let me know. Can leave at any moment.

[shirler m]

PLEASE PLEASE help. My beloved cats are in my apartment in galveston texas I am not allowed back in due to law inforcement. Can anyone tell me what I can do to save my babies from certain death. truly, Shirley

[Julia Lehmann]

You might try to call Code3 associates. They have deployed a water rescue team for animals and if they are not in your area maybe they can help you contacting people who can help. Ther office number in Colorado is 303.772.7724 good luck. I'll try to look some more

[Julia]

The Houston SPCA also has a disaster hotline tollfree 877.661.0161 or 713.861.0161 from 10am to 6pm.Also try humane org.s in your area don't give up no.s are going to be busy and its the people who keep trying everything that recover their pets

[Marty]

Dear Shirley, I don't know the circumstances of how your beloved cats came to be left behind to face certain death while you managed to make it to safety. I would suggest that in addition to reaching out to the rescue orgs mentioned, above, that you actually take them with you next time. THAT would prevent certain death, I'm pretty certain.

If you were out of town when the storm hit, perhaps use this as a sad lesson (hopefully not, tho) to have your neighbors - someone, anyone - take your pets as they evacuated.

Mandatory evacuation means that you must leave; humanity demands that you take your animals with you.

I hope your babies survived and are rescued. But please, Shirley, next time take your 'beloved' cats WITH you. Or arrange for their evacuation should the storm 'surprise' you while you were out of town.

Sheeesh.

[shirley]

sheeesh, i can tell you must have no idea what it means to truly love an animal, i have no children these Are my children. FYI my cats were being looked after by a neighbor i had to be out of town due to a death in my family. what a sorry sad person you must be i pray someday the shoe is not on the other foot.

[Trish]

Shirley, where was your apt? I may know of some rescue workers that may be allowed on the island. Unfortunately, the disastrous clog on 45 has now hampered all access to the island. And the people I know have specific orders and may not be allowed to depart. This is heartbreaking either way. Just in case let me know as soon as possible. I can make no promises. I would also recommend trying to contact any local animal shelter that has phone power near the island. Trish

[creative recreation]

I obtain that this really is cranky Geeks, though you can find no way one man or women is the fact that pissed off about almost everything.You've composed an good blog site which has persuaded me to understand this! Fantastic Work!Thank you such an incredible submit along with the review.. creative recreation

[retro jordan 5]

Nicely I feel your source is trustworthy whoever he is so this can be helpful to observe. Also I'm amazed to check out that kotaku has yet to article this news.