Cats still being found amid debris in storm-ravaged Greensburg
PRATT, KS (June 13, 2007) – Rescuers have trapped more than 20 cats believed to be owned by victims of the tornado, and will continue to trap lost pets this week and bring them to the Pratt County Humane Society, where they can be reclaimed by their families.
Staff from the Kansas Animal Health Department and volunteers with United Animal Nations (UAN), a national animal protection organization based in
People missing pets from the tornado can reclaim their lost cats and dogs until July 15th. After that date, the animals will be available for adoption. The shelter can provide wire crates, litter boxes, cat litter and food to any family reclaiming an animal.
Anyone looking for a missing pet should contact the
“Many people assumed that their cats got blown away by the tornado,” said Carman Simon, Program Consultant for the Animal Facility Inspection Program of the Kansas Animal Health Department. “But now that we are setting traps, they are coming out of the debris and they are hungry. It’s obvious that many of them have families because they are so friendly.”
More than 44 volunteers with UAN’s Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) program are feeding and caring for the canine and feline tornado victims at the shelter and trying to match them with lost animal reports that pet owners filed after the tornadoes. One of the volunteers is Paige Klemetson-Grossman of
  EARS volunteer Paige Klemetson-Grossman and her husband took a week of vacation time to help the Kansas tornado victims.
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“When people ask why we would spend a week of our vacation time cleaning dirty cages and cuddling with cats and dogs instead of taking a cruise, I have only one response,” said Klemetson-Grossman. “The animals need us.”
With more than 3,200 EARS volunteers in the
“UAN has an extensive volunteer network and 20 years of experience operating emergency shelters, and their assistance has been invaluable in keeping these animals, who have already been through so much, healthy and safe,” said Simon.
The Pratt County Humane Society will also hold adoption days for their regular population of animals on June 15 and 16. After this date, the Humane Society will close in order to move animals to another facility while the shelter begins plans to rebuild.
People looking for pets lost in the tornado should call (620) 672-6777 for more information.
The Kansas Animal Health Department ensures the public health, safety and welfare of
MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Raymond, (916) 429-2457.
Founded in 1987, United Animal Nations is
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