22 Aug Hope And Help Reaching Animals In Louisiana Floods With Assistance Of Local Philanthropist

50-foot Lois Pope Rescue Vehicle on scene of devastation with national animal rescue team

Hope and help are reaching animals caught in the devastating flooding in Louisiana thanks to the critical assistance of local philanthropist Lois Pope. The animal lover has funded several 50-foot-long rescue vehicles for American Humane, the country’s first humane organization, one of which rushed to the scene to help lost, frightened animals without homes.

The giant emergency vehicle, a team of seven trained emergency responders, and a veterinarian are basing their operations in hard-hit Livingston Parish, where 75 percent of the homes are reported to be destroyed. The American Humane team’s mission will be to assist and conduct field rescue of animals, provide much-needed care and medical attention, take animals to the established emergency shelter, and relieve overworked staff at the local shelter. Conditions are expected to be dire. Reports indicate that while the floodwaters are receding, a number of roads remain closed, and there are limited water and food options. Living conditions will be arduous, working in both water and ground environments, and the rescue team will be living in the trailers on bunks and cots.

The giant, 30,000-pound rescue truck carries supplies and equipment to shelter up to 100 animals.

“The flooding in Louisiana is the most destructive natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane.

“Animals with nowhere to go and no one to care for them will now find help and hope because of their steadfast friend, Mrs. Lois Pope. For all of them, thank you!”

About American Humane and its animal rescue program
American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization, founded in 1877. Its animal rescue program was created in 1916 at the request of the U.S. Secretary of War to rescue war horses on the battlefields of World War I Europe.  Since then, it has been rescuing animals of every kind and have been involved in virtually every major disaster relief effort from Pearl Harbor to 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Joplin, Missouri and Moore, Oklahoma tornadoes, the Japanese and Haitian earthquakes, and Superstorm Sandy. For more information or to support rescuing animals in need, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org.

Photo by: Duane Conder for American Humane