Hurricane Katrina: Animal Disaster Relief Teams to the Rescue



Update December 7, 2005


IDA's Project Hope Hurricane Relief Team Ventures Into Neglected Gulf Coast Areas
Animals Transported North to Make Room for New Rescues, Truckload of Food Delivered to Gulfport, Miss. Shelter

In response to desperate pleas, IDA's rescue efforts in Biloxi, Miss. continue. While the nation's attention was focused largely on the tragedy in New Orleans, many other areas along the Gulf Coast were devastated after experiencing the brunt of Hurricane Katrina. In Biloxi, where barge casinos once lined the Gulf Coast, the giant boats now sit blocks back from the shore among the ruins of the city, and animals scavenge through the rubble in vacant lots in search of something to eat. IDA representatives Eric Phelps and Lisa Martin spent the week trapping animals here who were once friendly, loving companions, but who had quickly adjusted to life on the streets, shying from human contact.

The week culminated in a massive transport of animals to points north to free up space at the overburdened shelters. Working with the Humane Society of South Mississippi (www.hssm.org), IDA transported more than forty dogs and cats to Richmond, Va. and Baltimore, Md. Some of the animals continued on to Stratham, N.H. with volunteers from New Hampshire SPCA (www.nhspca.org) while others remained in Baltimore at the Maryland SPCA (www.mdspca.org).

We offer our deepest thanks to IDA member and e-news subscriber Rauni Armbruster, who responded to last week's e-news request for help with transportation of a truckload of food from Colorado to Mississippi. Rauni, a transportation broker, informed Christina Davis, owner of Airstone Enterprises, that a truckload of food was available, but there was no one able to transport it to the shelter. Christina stepped up to the plate, donating a truck, gas and a driver who made the 1,500-mile journey from Colorado to Mississippi. We are ecstatic that the tractor-trailer departed Englewood, Colo. yesterday with 22 pallets of food (graciously donated by the Colorado Humane Society) bound for the Gulfport, Miss. animal shelter. Many thanks to Christina and Rauni, who also pitched in for fuel expenses. With the help of our members, we can make a difference!


  • Project Hope still desperately needs more shelters and rescue organizations outside of the disaster zone to take homeless animals rescued from the Gulf Area. Please contact hurricanekatrinainquiries@idausa.org if you or your local shelter can provide space for needy animals.
  • Volunteers are needed in Biloxi. People with their own vehicles such as vans that can transport animals to other facilities are especially needed. However, anyone can help with the feeding and trapping operation. Please contact hurricanekatrinainquiries@idausa.org if you area interested in volunteering.
  • We need funds to continue our relief work. As an illustration of the financial resources needed to rescue animals, rental of a vehicle and gas for one week costs upwards of $1000. Please contribute to IDA's hurricane relief fund when making your end of the year donations. To donate, send checks made payable to IDA with a note reading "for hurricane relief" to In Defense of Animals, 131 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Click https://secure.ga0.org/02/varescue and scroll down to donate online using your credit card.