What we learned from Katrina

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005, thousands of human and animal lives were changed forever. Through Katrina, one of the largest natural disasters in world history, we saw some of the greatest stories of animal survival. 

Angel, a  female collie, spent three weeks in the New Orleans floodwaters before rescuers could bring her to an emergency shelter. With no family to come home to, the frightened dog’s entire life was upturned – but RedRover was there to help.

RedRover was on the ground in 2005 after the storm hit, and this Friday marks the nine year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and RedRover’s largest natural disaster deployment. RedRover Responders (formerly Emergency Animal Response Service) provided critical animal sheltering support to help the pets and people displaced by the disaster. Under our volunteers’ care, homeless animals like Angel experienced safe shelter, the security of regular meals, socialization and exercise, and warm, loving human comfort in the midst of the disaster – all thanks to the support of caring people like you.

In our emergency responses to both Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, RedRover’s team of more than 400 volunteers and 15 veterinarians from 40 states and Canada cared for and rescued 2,100 animals in 6 locations in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. RedRover also disbursed $255,000 in hurricane relief grants to bring additional help to animal victims and the people who care for them.

Nine years after Katrina, many aspects of emergency response have changed for the better, including the formation of the National Animal Rescue & Sheltering Coalition (NARSC) with RedRover and other animal groups – but we knew that the loving care and support our RedRover Responders volunteers provide for the animals would always remain the same. Thanks to you, the enduring gift of safe shelter and compassionate care is available for pets and people affected by natural disasters.

Help us always be prepared. Donate to the Emergency Response Fund today