Update October 15, 2005


Hurricane Relief Update October 15, 2005

Everyone has the same question… How was it? And my answer is always the same. It was an unforgettable experience. The scale of the destruction was hard to comprehend. The animals’ resilience, their desire to live and their capacity to love were/are awe-inspiring. So much so, I still well-up with tears just writing this. The people I met were truly remarkable. Undoubtedly some of the most kind, compassionate and committed people you will ever meet. Coming from all over the United States, Canada and the world, and all with one goal in mind. To help the animals any way they could.

One such person is Anita Carswell. Anita was my IDA contact at the Lamar-Dixon Exposition Center in Gonzales, Louisiana. (L-D was the staging area for most of the animals rescued in New Orleans.) After a chance meeting my first morning at L-D, Anita had me filling my rented Chevy Blazer with food, water and animal cages for my first day of animal rescue on 9/23. What a day it was. With Hurricane Rita bearing down on the gulf coast and through stifling heat and humidity, Anita’s commitment to the animals was amazing. She guided us from one address to another in search of companion animals whose guardians had called and requested their rescue. In between every address we visited, there were always a few stray animal encounters. If we were unable to rescue these stray critters, we would leave food and water on a nearby porch or under a house out of the weather. Most stray encounters ended in this manner. With darkness beginning to fall and the effects of Rita becoming more serious, we started our journey back to L-D with four lucky dogs and two very vocal cats. Unfortunately our return trip was to include at least three detours (parts of the city had flooded again) and a police escort. We arrived back at L-D tired and dirty and more than a little relived.

Whether in the city doing animal rescue, at L-D cleaning cages and walking dogs or working to reunite the rescued animals with their guardians, the days were long and the work was physically and emotionally exhausting. That being said, the two and a half weeks I was there were some of the most rewarding days I have spent on this earth. It was hard to leave. 

IDA’s efforts on the ground in the hurricane zone(s) made all the difference for many a rescued, hungry or thirsty companion animal and continue to do so today. Even at this late date, IDA staff members are still doing feed and water operations in New Orleans as well as attempting to rescue any stray animals they find. IDA members can be proud of the work this organization is doing to help the animal victims of these devastating hurricanes. To Dr. Katz and everyone at IDA, thank you for giving me this opportunity. I will never forget it!

Scott Cecile
Everett, WA




Read Project Hope’s Doll Stanley’s first hand account of Hurricane Katrina and the animal relief efforts