Travel Tips

Hurricane Ike

On September 13, 2008 at 2.10am, Hurricane Ike crashed across Texas flooding approximately 100,000 homes. Galveston was later pronounced uninhabitable and a week long curfew was imposed on Houston because of limited electricity.

The effect on the people in Galveston and Houston was severe. With winds of 110 miles per hour and a central pressure of 952 millibar, many were forced to leave their homes or face the prospect of certain death. Many more were swept up in a sea of panic and in many cases, their pets and animals were left, forgotten and considered a low priority.

The Humane Society of the United States

The first national animal response organisation to act in this crisis was The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) who deployed their Animal Rescue Team. The crew were dispatched to Beaumont in Texas - the day after the hurricane hit. They had set up camp nearby - before it struck and were ready to enter the area straight after the impact.

The HSUS is America's largest animal protection organisation. For more than 50 years it has fought for animal rights through education, sponsorship, donation and hands-on action. More than 10.5 million Americans support The HSUS in tackling animal cruelty and this support was put into action in Houston and Galveston, rescuing abandoned animals.

Scotlund Haisley, Senior Director of Emergency Services at The HSUS, said: "We're determined to reunite those families as quickly as possible and help this area recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Ike."

Help in the Aftermath

Equipped with land rescue vehicles, boats, a mobile command centre and a 75 foot long transport vehicle - capable of carrying 200 animals to safe ground, the HSUS set up animal shelters in Jefferson and Orange County. The team of twenty responded to requests for assistance with animal issues in Beaumont, Bridge City, Port Arthur and Sabine Pass.

After Hurricane Katrina - when animals were forbidden on evacuation buses, many people refused Texan rescue efforts and remained with their beloved pets. This caused some problems as police were called out to find them, but after assurances their pets would be returned to them without fail after the disaster, many left. Some however weren't like one elderly couple who slept in a car with their two Cocker Spaniels, outside the Austin shelter they'd fled to - rather than turn the dogs over to rescue workers.

In the Press and How to Help

A report by CNN showed that although animals are kept in separate rooms to evacuees, transport was provided so that people could visit their pets at animal shelters. The news station stated: “That gives them something to do and makes them feel better during a time of upheaval.”

Dorinda Pulliam, Shelter Director for Town Lake Animal Shelter in Austin confirmed: "That is emotionally comforting to people because they have contact with the only thing they feel they have left.”

Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the HSUS said: “We're working as fast as we can, but sadly, we fear that hundreds of pets and other animals are still waiting to be rescued across the region.”

To continue their necessary rescue efforts in Texas, the HSUS are relying completely on donations. If you can afford a contribution, however small, then please visit hsus.org and give what you can.

- Jen Page