If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Animal Rescue Workers Stay With Animals
Shelter Workers Stay With Animals As Hurricane Rita Heads Towards Texas
By Nohl Rosen Cat Galaxy 9/23/2005 Texas City, TX With Hurricane Rita on its way to Texas and most of the areas in the path of this storm already evacuated, one can only imagine what the animals go through. One shelter, Whiskerville Animal Sanctuary in Texas City, TX knows exactly what they might be feeling. In fact shelter workers are staying behind at the facility to look after the ones in their care. Although one sad fact of evacuations is they were seeing many people stop by the shelter and asking workers there to take in their cats and other animals rather than asking what they could to help. Because the shelter was filled to capacity already, it was heartbreaking for Wydell Dixon, the shelter manager to see people not only wishing to leave their animals behind but also had to turn them (the people and their animals) away because the shelter already had plenty of animals to care for and space had run out. "We gave them a carrier (for their animals) and sent them on their way," Dixon said. Dixon stated that those evacuating and wanting to leave their animals behind also seemed to be confrontational and upset at shelter workers because they could not take their animals because they failed to understand that the facility was already full. But Dixon stated that people should be aware that animals are living creatures and that people should not leave them out of evacuation plans and that they be considered in them. "Their animals are a part of the family. They need to realize that, even though a hurricane is on its way," she added. Dixon also said that people actually left their animals behind at home as well to fend for themselves. A horror that has become all too common when natural disasters strike. The shelter workers at Whiskerville, besides Dixon herself also stayed behind to care for the 300 cats and one prairie dog that they had at the facility as well as wait the storm out. Whiskerville, a no-kill facility also did not have the resources they needed to evacuate to safer locations like some of the larger shelters do because they operate on a very tight budget. The shelter did have 100 dogs at the facility but they were able to find foster homes for all of them. As Hurricane Rita threatens Texas City with high winds and heavy rain, the shelter is calling out for its biggest need, two generators to keep the power on if it indeed goes out. Dixon described the shelter's buildings as pretty solid but it could end up flooded if they get 4 feet of water. Dixon also stated that the shelter does have plenty of food, water, medicine and other supplies to handle any eventuality but power could go out making two generators their biggest need of all in order to get through the storm and also make the animals more comfortable should the power go down. As the city evacuated and is now under a 6pm curfew, Dixon and shelter workers found themselves not only having to save there own animals but one cat as well from Dixon's neighborhood that was also brought to the shelter. Whiskerville also took in animal victims of Hurricane Katrina as well but Dixon proudly stated that they were re-united with their human families. Dixon added that the decision for her and other shelter workers to stay behind with the animals was an easy decision but wants people to know that it wasn't to be brave. "We are not staying behind to be heroes. We are doing it for the animals. My heart is with them," she said. -- Cat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Another forward | Nanny | Cat anecdotes | 0 | September 4th 05 08:31 PM |
The Animal Rescue Site | Ruby Tuesday | Cat health & behaviour | 7 | January 7th 05 05:18 PM |
How to make your animal shelter lose foster parents! | American | Cat rescue | 4 | November 6th 04 09:00 PM |
(US OH) Dog Pound workers armed with license to kill; animal abuse evident | [email protected] | Cat anecdotes | 14 | July 22nd 04 10:54 AM |
Friend in Oshkosh Wisconsin needs help! | Batson | Cat health & behaviour | 10 | May 26th 04 08:47 PM |