This week marks the 10th anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
The Hurricane Katrina Memorial at Angel’s Rest, Kanab, Utah
Lest we forget….
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in animal welfare, Dogs
Tagged disaster management, emergency management, evacuation, Hurricane Katrina, pets in disasters
Did you know that the USA has an evacuation center to cater for animals?
The Georgia State Animal Facility for Emergencies Center (S.A.F.E. Center) is the nation’s first permanent evacuation center for animals. It recently opened at the Fort Valley State University. The 7,800-square-foot facility contains 105 dog cages, 84 cat cages, stalls for 30 horses plus pastures available for livestock. It can be activated at short notice in the event of an emergency.
The S.A.F.E. Center
The facility is intended to temporarily house animals rescued from large-scale abuse cases, natural disasters, terrorist attack, as well as household pets whose owners are fleeing due to emergency evacuations. The Georgia location is ideal for southern state communities that may be fleeing large hurricanes during hurricane season via the interstate highway system. The University offers the services of an on-site school of veterinary medicine.
Through fundraising, the center is equipped with oxygen masks that can be used on dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and other animals. Used for resuscitation, these masks could help during emergency surgeries as well as to help animals exposed to toxic fume releases.
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