Oct 2005 Rescue

Feline Refugees of Rita/Katrina Second Group - 30+ Rescued

No sooner had the first group of 50+ Katrina refugees settled into foster homes and started on the road to becoming healthier, both physically and emotionally, when the plans for a second trip down to the Gulf Region began. This time, the Del Ray Animal Hospital organized the rescue effort.

In the days and weeks after the devastating hurricanes hit, several make-shift animal shelters sprang up in the region. With little in the way of food, drinkable water, or medical supplies and no electricity to cool the animals in the sweltering heat, exhausted workers did what they could to care for the huge influx of animals made homeless by Hurricane Katrina and then Rita.

Before leaving for the Gulf, the group contacted some of these temporary shelters in Mississippi and arranged to bring some of their animals back to Northern Virginia in order to make room for others to be rescued. Expecting to bring back primarily dogs, the travelers were surprised to find many homeless cats also in need of their help. A huge rally of support from canine rescue groups nationwide had resulted in a many of the dogs finding their way out of the shelters, but it seemed, very few organizations were taking cats out of the region.

In the end, cats and dogs were taken from animal shelters in Mississippi and Louisiana. All totaled 31 cats (and kittens) and 33 dogs journeyed an entire 24 hour day arriving to the safety and comfort awaiting them in Northern Virginia. The Olde Towne Pet Resort in Springfield generously provided daily care and accommodations for the cats and dogs throughout their first week in Virginia. 4Paws took responsibility for placement of the cats and Homeward Trails worked to find foster homes for the dogs.

During the first week, while they stayed at the Resort (quite the story of rags to riches) all of the animals received wellness exams and treatment for illnesses. Many of the cats became ill with upper respiratory infections-not surprising given the stress and trauma that they had recently lived through. A few of the cats' illnesses became debilitating, requiring hospitalization and intense treatment regimes. Though there were tense times, all of the cats recovered from these early illnesses and are currently in foster care.

While they all are thriving in foster care-happy for daily meals, a comfortable place to sleep and people who love them-not all emerged from their ordeals unscathed. One is positive for Feline AIDs (FIV), a kitten is positive for Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and a third cat tested positive for both FIV and FeLV. All three very social and loving cats, it is likely, based on evidence of recent wounds, that they each became infected with these incurable diseases during the days and weeks after losing their homes in the hurricanes.

Pictures have been posted on Petfinder.com in an effort to reunite owners with their lost cats. We have been in contact with some individuals desperate to find the furry loved ones from whom they have been separated. So far, though, none of the cats that we rescued were matches for cats specifically identified as lost by their owners. The task of finding lost owners is daunting. In instances, especially in Louisiana where adequate records were maintained as to where the cats were found, we have sent letters in search of owners.

Unfortunately, it is looking as though most, if not all, of the rescued felines made homeless by Hurricanes Rita will need to be placed into new adoptive homes. Not only will many original owners not be found, but it is likely that even more will no longer be in positions to be able to care for their pets.