The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County sent one of its most experienced animal welfare officers to Louisiana to help with pets evacuated from New Orleans.  Officer Eric O’Donnell, a past recipient of the Red Cross Real Heros Award for animal rescues, assisted with animal intake and the important process of gathering data on the rescued animals.

The Lamar Expo Center is about 25 miles from New Orleans, and shelters about 600 animals.  About 100 more arrive every day to be shipped to shelters all over the country.  As the first group of volunteers returned to their home states, the center put out the call for more assistance.  Officer O’Donnell not only has animal rescue experience, but also has vital knowledge of the software that is tracking the pets there. 

Despite the heroic circumstances, there was little glamour in this relief effort.  Volunteers bring their own equipment, sleep on army cots, and work long hours in extreme heat.  Officer O’Donnell left on Saturday, Sept. 17 and stayed for a week.

On September 21, we called Eric to see how things were going.

"It’s really crazy," he reported.  "Rescuers go out every day and go from house to house in New Orleans, looking for animals.  They bring in everything — dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, horses, livestock…" 

There is little rest for the weary as volunteers care for the animals all day, then input the information into the computer well into the evening.  "We pretty much go until we drop," said Eric.  "Then we get some sleep and start over again the next day!" 

He reported that they are nearly caught up on the animal information, recording detailed descriptions of each animal and where it was found.  This will help greatly in the process of reuniting owners with their pets. 

Eric has since returned home and is catching up on both work and sleep.  Thanks, Eric!         

This entry was posted on Monday, September 26th, 2005 at 4:59 pm and is filed under General.

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