Clicker Training for Dogs
Hurricane Katrina Animal Relief
donation information adoption information volunteer information
The Shelters
The victims of Katrina owned dogs, cats, birds, and other domesticated pets. When they were advised to evacuate, not all could take their pets; some were left behind, while others were left with neighbors and relatives who were staying behind.
After the hurricane struck the Gulf Coast, many pets were found wandering and ended up in shelters. The destruction left pet owners helpless with nowhere to turn for their pets other than the shelters.
When the levee broke and flooded New Orleans, thousands of homes that survived the storm became unlivable and pets weren't allowed in the shelters set up for displaced residents. Those pets, the lucky ones anyway, also went to shelters.
As the number of displaced pets grew it became obvious that no existing shelter could house or care for them all. That's when the Parker Coliseum at the Louisville State University was converted into a refuge for pets waiting and hoping to be reunited with their families.
Parker Coliseum
I pulled into Parker Coliseum's off loading area about 1:00 pm (LA time) and was greeted by friendly, helpful, and grateful volunteers who unloaded my van as they questioned me about where I came from and where I got all these donations.
From what my van carried they were able to fill four pallets to be removed by forklift: one of dog food, one of cat food, and two of bedding and kitty litter.
The large photo of the dog area is taken from the bleacher section. Cats are contained in crates that line the walk-way that surrounds the inner area of the coliseum, and birds are in a "safe" room where there are no drafts and traffic is limited, as birds are easily stressed.
Jamie who is running the pet relief show at LSU, and I had spoken on the phone before I left Kentucky. She was kind enough to take me through the facility, showing me where to sign up for foster and adoption information and escorting me through the labyrinth of crates and cages that contained hundreds of healthy and happy dogs. A notable fact is that when I walked into the coliseum there was only a faint odor; there was also NO feces in any crate that I passed - no easy feat when caring for this number of dogs. Out in the cat area there was no odor of cats. Every animal had some sort of bed, even if it was only a towel. Puppies were on newspaper - with good reason.
I was fortunate to witness free pet food being passed out and owners retrieving their pets from shelter life. I also saw people wandering from area to area hoping to catch a glimpse of missing pets. More quickly than the food stores were depleted they were being replenished.
There was a continuous stream of generous people driving up with one or two bags of food. Air movement is an important ingredient to having a healthy pet, and one lady had obviously done her homework on what the shelter needed. She donated six large fans still in the boxes, which she had purchased specifically for the animals at the shelter.
There was no shortage of volunteers that Saturday, which apparently is not the case during the week. Anyone considering traveling to Baton Rouge or Gonzales to volunteer at either shelter should consider doing so on weekdays.
Lamar-Dixon Expo Center
The scene at this shelter, which started housing smaller pets more recently, is much different. Many of these animals have been drinking and/or living in infested water and are ill with internal and skin ailments. Veterinarians and vet-techs are bustling about, IV bags are hanging at the ready, and three entire horse stalls are filled with drugs and other medical supplies. More supplies are stacked up on the pavement outside the stalls.
I counted four veterinarians and about twenty vet-techs. An SPCA mobile veterinary unit was parked near the intake (triage) area to help care for the most severe of cases. I was able to speak with one of their two pharmacists and got a "wish" list of supplies they need donated.
The SPCA is very active at this shelter and I believe anyone donating to that organization will be spending wise money. I followed four SPCA vehicles in, which included a stock trailer containing newly rescued animals. I watched as they unloaded a large crate with three little identical toy dogs. One was so anxious it had to be netted out, but the vet-tech was gentle about the task and spent 15 precious minutes on it.
One of the most prevalent observances I had at both shelters was the affection and attention volunteers gave to their charges. Animals were walked on leashes, cuddled, encouraged to eat and drink, and crate scrubbing was an ongoing task.
Internal problems was the cause of diarrhea and some dogs were lying in their own, but I got the idea from their appearance they may have been to weak or too ill to stand for the job. Crate exchange and scrubbing/disenfecting was a continual process at this shelter.
The Expo Center also appeared to be some sort of staging area for SPCA and police with dozens of travel trailers being used as housing and communications centers. Security is much higher here than at LSU, with National Guard and police at the entrance. From the huge warehouse-type volumes of dog food present I got the impression this is not a place the general public is welcome to offer donations. The man in the photos is an officer walking his own greyhound, a rescue from the track.
This will be an ongoing process for at least several more weeks (maybe months), so anyone wanting to donate to these fine shelters and the animals they are caring for, please do so. Anyone wishing to volunteer during the week will be welcomed with hugs and gratitude (as was I).
General Information about Donations and Volunteering
Click here to find out general information about vounteering, donating, and adopting at Parker Coliseum, LSU's shelter. Be advised that only the general information number is working at the time of this writing due to phone service damage.
Lamar-Dixon, which was initially a shelter area for human refugees, is less communicative. Their general number (225.621.1700) refers callers to the SPCA; the SPCA is very functional at this shelter right now, so that's probably a good contact. They have need of the following medical supplies:
- t-sets
- injection caps
- macro sets
- IV sets
Their drug needs include: Dormitor and Antisedan - Not available at your local pet store, but veterinarians can donate these items. If you work for a vet or know one who will donate, please pass on this information.
Lamar-Dixon is located at 9039 St. Landry Rd, Gonzales, LA 70737.
Anyone who donated money or items to the LSU shelter (stuff I took on my trip) may click here for a tax deduction form.
Adoption Information
Click here for adoption and fostering information, which is sketchy right now. No adoptions are being conducted until October, according to my source. To adopt or foster large animals (Lamar-Dixon), check with the SPCA.
I added my information into the books provided for those interesting in adoption and foster homes and will act as a contact for anyone wanting to know when they will be started.
Volunteer Information
Click here to download the volunteer information form I was given. Volunteers are needed on weekdays far more than weekends, when local people are available. You do not need to call ahead to volunteer, but more information about it is at the LSU website (links above).
