MuttShack Project Katrina history:
MuttShack Project Katrina helped save the lives of thousands of
Katrina animals. Like “Pugsley”, the Pug who swam to the top of
his owner’s refrigerator where he survived for seven weeks,
eating the mold on the surrounding walls as the flood waters
receded. And the German shepherd, Katrina’s longest recorded
survivor - trapped in her home for 71 days only to be discarded
when her owners returned home to collect their “valuables”. She
is now a very happy and healthy canine Canadian citizen.
MuttShack ran the only
fully equipped animal rescue MASH facility and shelter operation
within the City of New Orleans.
Volunteers rescued and provided instant
critical care to over 3,000
animals.
When all local shelters were demolished and small triages were
operating out of parking lots sending animals great distances to
neighboring states – MuttShack managed to treat these dehydrated
and injured animals immediately - right there in the heart of
New Orleans. They did so in a dark and desolate city with no
electricity, no running water, and no sewage or trash
services. They survived the challenges of extreme heat, ravenous
mosquitoes, toxic air and dust, the devastation, the stench and
the new terrors of Hurricanes Rita and Wilma. How? With the help
of sponsors, Partners Florida AKC, and the generosity of
Principal Danny McGovern at the Lake Castle School in East New
Orleans.
Lake Castle School – Project Katrina
MuttShack established an animal
hospital care facility at Lake Castle School. A gymnasium served
as a mega-shelter for dogs, and the screened pavilion, a shelter
for cats. Classrooms became MASH Veterinary clinics, one for
dogs and another for cats. Then an ICU ward, a Quarantine ward
and an Aggressive or Traumatized dog ward. IDEX set up a
laboratory and trained veterinarians and vet techs. Birds were
kept in a fenced in area, and rescued turtles, swans and ducks
swam in the school swimming pool while Katrina rescued dogs
oftentimes frolicked in the second pool area which our
volunteers later termed, “The Bark Park”!
MuttShack Sponsors
Diane Albers of FAKC sent a
life-saving 50,000 gallon water truck, provided generators to
run the medical clinics, and sent loads of supplies, including
medical equipment, clothing and food for animals and people.
David Levy & Associates provided us with a tractor trailer of
pet food. Your online donations supplied vaccines, critical
medical supplies, crates, provisions and gasoline and helped
provide transport. But no salaries and no paychecks!
MuttShack’s Knights of Katrina
Volunteers came from across the
United States and from across the globe – Alaska, New Zealand
and Canada. Our Search and Rescue Teams, Medical/Surgical Teams,
Shelter Teams and Establishment teams worked incredibly long and
arduous hours, oftentimes risking life and limb in traumatic
conditions to save the lives of pets. These loving, nurturing,
unselfish people willingly exchanged their everyday lives, their
lattes, their remote controls, their loved ones and families for
a shot at saving one life and ended up saving countless.
MuttShack was visited by FEMA, the Military, the Police, and
First Responders who all became immediate allies. Working with
FEMA, MuttShack presently runs an online Animal Rescue
Certification course for our volunteers. In doing so, MuttShack
is one of the leading agencies preparing to assist in the
evacuation of pets before the storms. Their work goes on as pet
rescue efforts are still critical.
The extreme devastation to homes in the Disaster Zone has
resulted in floodgates of animals surrendered to local
shelters. They have been transporting animals to safe shelters
across the United States and continue to evacuate animals that
have places to go but no means to get there. They ask for your
continued assistance, a request that becomes a prayer every time
they look into the eyes of a dog, horse, cat, or pony whose life
hangs in the balance for lack of a few more dollars.
Thanks to people like you, the lost pets still in New Orleans
will find their loving home very soon.
See Pictures
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