American Humane Association Assisting in Animal Sheltering in Louisiana as Hurricane Gustav Approaches The American Humane Association has deployed a team of Animal Emergency Services personnel to Shreveport, La., to assist in sheltering Louisiana residents' pets as evacuees flee their homes ahead of Hurricane Gustav. As of this morning, more than 400 animals had already arrived at the shelter. American Humane's Red Star Animal Emergency Services(TM) responders arrived Friday at the mega shelter in Shreveport, along with numerous other national and local animal welfare agencies, including ASPCA, Best Friends, Code 3, HSUS, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Noah's Wish and United Animal Nations, among others. As thousands flee the New Orleans area, many are transporting their animals to the mega shelter to ensure that they are cared for throughout the ordeal. In an effort to keep animals close to their owners, the American Red Cross shelter for people is located near the animal shelter. American Humane's fleet of Animal Emergency Services vehicles, including its 82-foot-long "Rescue Rig," is stationed outside the expected area of hurricane impact until the storm has passed. The Rescue Rig will then be available to support search-and-rescue operations for animals trapped in homes and surrounding areas. American Humane responders are working in 12-hour shifts to care for the animals already in the shelter, and many more are expected to arrive as residents flee the at-risk areas. Cats, dogs, birds and one litter of newborn puppies were among the pets receiving care this morning. The last time American Humane deployed to Louisiana for a major animal emergency response was following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, in 2005. During that six-week deployment, American Humane played a key role in the largest animal rescue operation in U.S. history, participating in the rescue and sheltering of thousands of animals, as part of a collaboration of animal welfare organizations. "Knowing the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it's critical that we can provide residents a safe place for their animals before the storm hits, so residents don't hesitate to evacuate, and so they can focus on keeping themselves safe," said Debrah Schnackenberg, senior director - Animal Emergency Services for American Humane. "The state and the responding organizations are applying the lessons learned from those storms, and their aftermath, to increase the effectiveness of these evacuations and, most importantly, the safety of the people and their pets." For more information and a daily blog reporting from the mega shelter, visit www.americanhumane.org. About American Humane Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection
agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit membership organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link(R) between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane's regional office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the "No Animals Were Harmed"(R) end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane's office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane Certified(TM) farm animal program is the nation's original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food. American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America's "Best in America" Seal of Approval, and has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.