Release Date: August 28, 2008Release Number: 1763-176
» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
DES MOINES, Iowa -- In June, when the Iowa River inundated Iowa City's neighborhoods, families rushed to safety - and many dropped their pets at the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center. But floodwaters engulfed the shelter itself, forcing the staff and dozens of pets to flee.
It was then that the shelter's employees began to appreciate the importance of disaster preparation.
Two months earlier, shelter director Misha Goodman had completed a disaster plan, designating the county fairgrounds as an alternate location in emergencies. She coordinated with the Red Cross, which set up a large shelter for human flood victims at the fairgrounds, a short distance from the relocated animal shelter.
These arrangements helped the shelter - now in a second temporary location on Sand Road – to weather a time of crisis. Flood victims gradually returned to reunite with their dogs and cats. Goodman says only one evacuated pet remains, a black and gray mixed breed dog named Tulip.
She is available for adoption.
Goodman describes Tulip as "a survivor." She was found among a litter of puppies placed in a plastic bag and left to die. Only Tulip lived. She spent two years with a family that adopted the pup, and she proved to be a vigilant protector. "One time the family noticed the dog was acting odd, even tugging at their arms," says Goodman. "When they finally looked to see what was wrong, they discovered a stranger in their yard near the children's room."
But when the floods came, Tulip's family had to move into temporary quarters where pets were not allowed. And, until she finds a new home, she is a reminder that disasters take a toll on owners and pets alike.
In the larger city of Cedar Rapids, there were hundreds of pets like Tulip. Their displaced owners could no longer keep them, a situation compounded by the fact that flooding destroyed the city's animal shelter. An emergency pet shelter established at Kirkwood Community College wound down last month. When flood victims failed to pick up their animals, scores of pets were shipped out of state.
"We were lucky to be able to tap into a national network of rescue organizations," says Cedar Rapids animal control supervisor Jim Clark, adding that as a result, the rate of euthanasia was "practically nothing."
What more can be done? Animal rescue officers in disaster-stricken Iowa communities continue to look for families willing to adopt pets remaining homeless after the severe tornadoes, storms and floods earlier this year. Clark says the Cedar Rapids shelter will move to another temporary location shortly and will be better able to handle any influx of displaced pets. Until then, he hopes those temporarily caring for flood victims' pets will remain patient.
Pet owners can do their part by learning lessons from this year's disaster and by preparing for the future.
Use the following guidelines to develop a plan for the small animals in your household.
- Identify shelter.
- Gather pet supplies.
- Ensure your pet has proper identification and up-to-date veterinarian records.
- Providing a pet carrier and leash.
Take the following steps to prepare to shelter your pet:
- Call your local emergency management office, animal shelter or animal control office to get advice and information.
- Keep veterinary records to prove vaccinations are current.
- Find out which local hotels and motels allow pets and where pet boarding facilities are located. Be sure to research some outside your local area in case local facilities close.
- Know that, with the exception of service animals, pets are not typically permitted in emergency shelters as they may affect the health and safety of other occupants.
- FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Thursday, 28-Aug-2008 16:41:28
1 comment:
You write very well.
Post a Comment