WAVELAND, Miss. – They were some of Hurricane Katrina’s smallest and most helpless victims, alerted to the power of the storm long before most people but unable to flee on their own.
The Aug. 29 storm and its aftermath proved deadly for the inhabitants of the Waveland Animal Shelter, the only such facility in Hancock County, as well as heart-breaking for many pet owners. Director Renee Lick said most of the animals in the shelter at the time of the storm died, but declined to provide an exact figure.
The tragedy was a small one when held up against the unfathomable measuring stick set by Katrina. No one is even willing to hazard a guess at how many pets and other animals died in the storm, but the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates more than 15,000 dogs, cats, horses, livestock and other animals were rescued in the roughly 90,000 square miles of Gulf Coast hammered by the hurricane and whisked off to more than 300 shelters in more than 40 states.
But the deaths and destruction in Waveland continue to reverberate, and elected officials and animal rights advocates are working to ensure the tragedy will never be repeated by pushing for a new facility miles inland that would be managed by the county.
“It would make everybody’s lives better if they had a better animal control shelter here,” said Bay St. Louis veterinarian Charles West, who is on the board of the Friends of the Animal Shelter, which is spearheading the campaign.
A cat at the shelter reaches through the door of its cage. (John Brecher / MSNBC.com)
A push for a new animal shelter in Hancock County was already under way before Katrina, but it has intensified since the storm flooded the building with more than 5 feet of water, virtually ruining the 30-year-old facility.
A depressing destination
Months later, the shelter, which is located next to a sewage treatment plant and bordered on one side by a drainage ditch filled with fetid water, remains a depressing destination for pets whose owners can't care for them or can't be found.
Under the current difficult conditions, the shelter has a capacity of about 35 animals, Lick told MSNBC.com during a recent tour of the site.
The shelter’s canines are kept in cages around the perimeter of the shelter as well as in indoor kennels. Cats -- some calmly gazing out at visitors, others visibly distressed -- are housed just a few feet away though an open door.
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And operations are threadbare. Lick said the shelter lost two animal control vehicles to Katrina and, although it has been able to add one animal control officer to its staff, still has just four officers -- two for the county, one for Bay St. Louis and one for Waveland.
A slow rebuilding effort
As the region struggles to rebuild homes and businesses, the Hancock County Board of Supervisors has also passed a resolution stating its intent to build a new shelter.
President Rocky Pullman said the shelter “needs to be out of residential (areas). … And we've had animal activists come down and scream at us that this facility is unacceptable ... so we're trying to take the public's concern and move ahead.”
The county is eyeing land in the Stennis buffer zone, an unpopulated area around NASA’s nearby missile testing facility for the new shelter, he said.
Dr. Brigid Elcos, the Mississippi State public health veterinarian, said state officials had applied on Hancock County’s behalf for an ASPCA grant of $500,000 for a new shelter. However, the application stipulated that county authorities develop an emergency fund and plan for any future natural disasters.
“We can address this, we can make a difference, we can do it this time,” said Elcos, who added that the destruction in Hancock County was “probably the worst” along the Gulf Coast.
The Bucks-Mont Bay-Waveland Katrina Relief Project, a Pennsylvania-based group comprised of community leaders, also is conducting a fundraising drive to help build the new animal shelter for this shattered town.
Lick conceded the current shelter is crumbling and said she fully supports the drive for a new facility.
Coming up with a plan
The state had been working with local authorities for several years prior to Katrina in an attempt to formulate emergency evacuation plans, but had yet to develop anything concrete when the storm pounded the coast, according to Dr. Jim Watson, the state veterinarian with the Mississippi Board of Animal Health.
Katrina provided a fresh impetus for those efforts.
“We’re trying to encourage the local community … to have a plan so that we won’t be in a position where we (state authorities) have to go down and rescue animals in an emergency-type of situation,” Watson said.
Doll Stanley, the Mississippi-based regional director of the nonprofit animals rights group In Defense of Animals, said the lack of disaster plans was accompanied by a broad failure to coordinate rescue efforts throughout the Gulf Coast region.
“The disaster that followed the disaster was as disheartening to me (as the storm),” she said.
Several people interviewed for this article said that a new animal shelter – well-equipped and far out of the flood zone – would help prevent a repeat performance in Hancock County.
“If we had a better animal shelter, we wouldn’t have had half the problems we’d had in this storm,” said West, who referred to the current shelter as a “dead end,” said.
Safety for animals can also translate to safety of people, Elcos said
“One of the lessons from all of this is that a lot of people won’t evacuate if they can’t take their pets and don’t know where to go,” she said.
Waveland shelter criticized
Stanley, of In Defense of Animals, is highly critical of the Waveland shelter’s handling of the animal crisis after Katrina, saying that officials failed to actively coordinate with the many outside animal protection groups that poured in after the storm. She said she plans to urge the City Council to fire Lick and close the shelter.
Lick responds by saying she and her staff were only able to work with resources they had and that, besides, planning for an unprecedented disaster like Katrina was impossible.
“Everything has their feelings and their criticisms on this,” Lick said. “We’ve never had this type of disaster. … It’s sad, but this was a learning experience.”
West, who runs two of the four veterinary clinics in the county, agreed the shelter had problems before the storm, but said he believed they were “institutional” and weren't attributable to any individual.
Lessons learned
Watson, the state veterinarian, said that Katrina had forced increased coordination between the state and local levels, which he hoped would help officials and animal owners plan ahead for future emergencies.
Officials said the relationships forged with other shelters across the United States in Katrina’s aftermath would better enable animals to be cared for and transported out of the area in a timely manner.
“We’ve never had and hope we never have to go through this again. … Now we know what to do the next time,” said Lick, a no-nonsense former Waveland police officer.
Tara High, director of the Southern Mississippi Humane Society in nearby Gulfport, agreed.
“In the future, we’ll definitely be able to have more options in evacuating our animals and having a plan in place to help the community deal with its pets, for people to know their pets will be safe,” she said.
Caring for the survivors
For now, though, attention has been turned to rescuing and caring for the storm’s traumatized survivors, both inside and outside of Gulf Coast shelters.
“They’ll freak out if you go up and try to fill up their water bucket," Lick said. "… (They) act like they’ve been beaten.”
“You know the ones that went through it (the storm) and the ones that didn’t,” she added.
West, the veterinarian, said he had seen an increase in respiratory illness – an affliction also seen in Gulf Coast residents -- since Katrina. He said he had also treated many dogs whose toenails had been pulled off on the metal steps of FEMA trailers. On the positive side, West said he had seen a decrease in pets struck by cars over the past several months.
Just as many Gulf Coast residents who have relied on help from the government and nonprofit groups after their lives were shattered by Katrina, local animals also need a helping hand.
“Something I tell people is that it’s not just the animals – we’ve got to come back to them too,” Lick said.
Changing the face of crime
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Great article, though I agree with the person who took issue with the reference to this as a relatively small tragedy. I submit that this tragedy is greater than that of the human aspect. The animals had no choice in the matter, but their human counterparts willingly chose to live in a city that was facing inevitable destruction.
Darren Woods, Winston-Salem, NC (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:22:58 PM)
It makes me ill to think about how the animals must have suffered and how little they were thought of considering the entire tragedy. If the people in charge would think about their own pets and how scared they would be if left tied to a leash, etc in a situation like Katrina, I cant imagine this would happen again.
Jo, Los Angeles (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:26:16 PM)
I think it's absolutely unforgivable of people to leave their animals behind during Katrina. Animals, like children, are TOTALLY dependent on their parents/owners. If given the chance to get on a bus without my dog and be saved or stay with my dog and not know the outcome - I would stay with my dog, without a doubt!
Laura, Ravenna, Ohio (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:27:44 PM)
I live "alone" but am never lonely because I share my life with two dogs and four cats. I would no more leave my animals to fend for themselves in a disaster than my 95-year-old Dad. Frankly, my animal companions have contributed far more positives to my quality of life than my dysfunctional human relatives ever have! I'm glad that FINALLY some attention is being paid to this fact of life that has cost some people and many more animals their lives in past disasters. As animal rescuers know, the problem has been around for decades. Instead of crying about it afterwards, how about we all make plans to include our pets in our evacuation plans from now on? I say we in the broadest possible sense, realizing that not all can afford to put their animals in the car and drive away. Shelters should be provided for ALL sentient beings. You shouldn't have to be rich to save your pets from death. Even poor people love their animals. Must we add to their pain?
Bonnie MacPherson, Dayton, Ohio (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:43:29 PM)
I never understand why these shelters can't send their animals to shelters that are better equipped.
Nancy Thieret, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:49:05 PM)
Here are a few links to a few very worthy efforts that are in need of donations and support to help Katrina animals:
http://www.operation-save-a-pet-katrina.com/
http://www.idausa.org/hurricane.html (In Defense of Animals - the group mentioned in the article above)
Cari (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:49:08 PM)
Nice story. I feel sorry for the people running these shelters. Bad management before the storm or not, they are getting it from every side. Remember, no money=bad conditions. For the animal activists, instead of yelling at people that are overwhelmed, cough up some money instead.
Pete Bryan, Dayton Ohio (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:49:50 PM)
I would also like to donate to the shelter fund. The people affected can ask for help, and are getting it, but the animals can't ask. They need our help too.
Tom Jones, Denver, Colorado (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:50:07 PM)
A lot of animals died because shelters said animals are not allowed. This also caused people to die who would not leave their pets. Shame on the government and people running the shelters.
Brett Feinman (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:50:43 PM)
Doe, The meaning of that line was not to take away from the individuals that lost relatives and friends. Sadly but true most people believe animal lives are not as important as human. By writing that line they meant no disrespect. Can you honestly say that the animal loss is even close the tragedy of human loss? I love animals and will help an animal in need, but to critize the author of this article is wrong!
Josh, Marathon FL (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:52:42 PM)
It bothers me that animal activists "came down and screamed" about the shelter instead of rolling up their sleeves and helping. Personally I have found that many so-called activists prefer waving signs and chanting to getting their hands dirty helping people who are doing the best they can.
Caroline, Charlotte, North Carolina (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:52:46 PM)
We adopted a small loving 10 year old or so female after Katrina. She certainly loves us, but on her walks the occasional person will be walking toward us and she will look very alert as though she is searching for someone. There is room for these poor animals if we open our hearts and homes to them.
Jim Sullivan, Florida (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:55:14 PM)
Excellent information is available here:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=hurricane_home
Kendra Jameson (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:55:40 PM)
"...he will be our friend for always and always and always." ~ Rudyard Kipling
Tia, Havelock, NC (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:56:16 PM)
is a missile testing area best for the animals? i realize they are in dire need of a new facility, but, with animal's sensitivity to noise. this new area might be a concern. i would, however, like this information to continue, because, as a sincere animal lover i would like to contribute once the decision is made. my heart goes out to all of them!
CY, peoria, il. (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:56:43 PM)
I, too, would like to know where to send a donation and view any smaller animals up for adoption.
Rita Bryant, Chewelah Washington (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:57:31 PM)
finially a pieice about the animals i have been waiting for one i love animails and the frist writer is right the editior showbe asahmed for writing for the small tradigtiy i remeber seeing a picture on msn of a black and white screaming for help cause she was trapped on top of the fence lord knows how she was there before that the photo was taken... animals do think and love and remeber i am witness to that from my cat whos owner previuosly abused her.... know with that though they don't think on a conouis level like we do... when we knew what was going on "A HURRICAN" they didn't all the know is that everybody is gone and i am all alone... i want to write to write more but i cannot cause of the tears are falling once again for the people and the animals of hurrican katrina
i leave with this i may be in newfoundalnd though you guys are all in hearts, prayers and sonnet.
sarah r newfoundland can (Sent Jan 31, 2006 3:59:22 PM)
There are places that call themselves shelters operating in conditions such as this daily and this is how it is - no natural disaster can take responsibility. There will be no improvements to how the animals are cared (or not cared for). The entire homeless/sheltered animal concept sickens me. How disposable our world is to a pet. These shelters exist because we allow our pets to wonder and get picked up and mate and have litters.
Ronda, Middletown, CT (Sent Jan 31, 2006 4:00:29 PM)
Let this preventable tragedy be our guide when the federal government appoints incompetents to important posts. Of course this moment belongs to the animals, but let their unforgivable suffering remind us of the horrific consequences resulting from betrayals of the public trust (e.g., Michael Brown's FEMA). America's democracy is no longer a representative one. Most thinking, feeling, tax-paying, good-doing people believe that animals are friends and family, or something far more than property. Just a few decades ago, the law considered WOMEN to be property, too - mere inanimate objects. We must demand evolution in our laws to reflect the values of the people who move society forward. Yes, Ghandi did say that a nation can be judged by its treatment of animals. It is not the ignorant, the emotional or the irrational who have such high regard for animal stewardship, but the wisest, the best experienced and the keenest of intellect.
Nancy - New York, NY (Sent Jan 31, 2006 4:01:01 PM)
is there an address where I can send a donation to help build this specific shelter in the article?
karen lockyer Southlake, TEXAS (Sent Jan 31, 2006 4:03:34 PM)
Great write up! Can I get information on adopting a animal shelter pet possibly left behind? Dan, thanks again for this article, we all need to be reminded of this tragidy and what we can do to continue to help those in need.
R Andrew (Sent Jan 31, 2006 4:18:25 PM)
I feel that there are always tragic outcomes to animals that are rendered homeless after any catastrophe like Katrina.Unfortunately There is only so much that can be done when the main effort is to save human lives and property.
Earl Lambert (Sent Jan 31, 2006 4:21:28 PM)
If you go to www.pets911.com they have their address where you can donate. If you can't find it, the address is Waveland Animal Shelter, 322 Gulfside St., P.O. Box 320, Waveland, MS, 39576. Phone number is 228-467-0230.
Tina, Beltsville, Maryland (Sent Jan 31, 2006 4:21:41 PM)
Actually, I think the animals suffered more than the people because they knew before humans did that something was not right and were powerless to get away. They were also probably a lower priority in getting rescued than people were. Thank you for writing this article and bringing the suffering of the animals to light. Also, posting pictures of animals needing adoption would be helpful because the more exposure the animals get, the more likely they are to get adopted.
Holly, Arvada, CO (Sent Jan 31, 2006 4:24:51 PM)
Thought needs to be given to why so many animals were left behind by owners. My understanding is that many of the shelters that accepted the human refugees did not accept animals. Plans need to be made to care for those beloved pets so that people might actually evacuate in a timely fashion. They might if they could take their pets.
Becci, Fort Wayne IN (Sent Jan 31, 2006 4:27:38 PM)
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