Rescue

Humane Society of Missouri Opens Temporary Emergency
Pet Shelter in Pike County
Temporary Shelter Available for Household Pets of People Displaced by Rising Flood Waters

June 17, 2008- As part of its continuing effort to assist flood victims, the Humane Society of Missouri at noon today will open a temporary shelter for household pets in Bowling Green, Missouri, at the Pike County Fair- grounds on Highway 54. Persons seeking assistance with temporary shelter should use the east entrance of the fairgrounds; there will be signage directing them to the Humane Society of Missouri’s location.

If pet owners are unable to make it to the Pike County Fairgrounds they may take their pets to the Canton Missouri Veterinary Clinic or the Hannibal Humane Society. The Humane Society of Missouri will transport pets from those two locations back to its temporary emergency shelter in Bowling Green. The Humane Society of Missouri is prepared to offer temporary shelter to these pets for up to 7 – 14 days.

Important Pet Safety Reminder: If you evacuate, take your pets.
The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets if you evacuate is to take them with you. If it’s not safe for you to stay in the disaster area, it’s not safe for your pets.

If you leave, even if you think you may be gone only for a few hours, take your pets. Once you leave your home, you have no way of knowing how long you’ll be kept out of the area, and you may not be able to go back for your pets. Try to make alternate shelter arrangements for 1-2 weeks.

Don't Forget ID
Your pet should be wearing up-to-date identification at all times. This includes adding your current cell phone number to your pet's tag. It may also be a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area—if your pet is lost, you'll want to provide a number on the tag that will be answered even if you're out of your home.

In Case of Emergency
Persons needing emergency sheltering information for themselves or their pets should contact their local law enforcement or emergency management officials.

Pet Emergency Kit It is a good idea to prepare a pet emergency kit in case you and your pet need to be evacuated. Emergency kits should contain: Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container and a first aid kit. Sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers to transport pets safely and to ensure that your pets can't escape. Carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand comfortably, turn around and lie down. Your pet may have to stay in the carrier for hours at a time while you are away from home. Be sure to have a secure cage with no loose objects inside it to accommodate smaller pets. These may require blankets or towels for bedding and warmth, and other special items. Current photos and descriptions of your pets to help others identify them in case you and your pets become separated and to prove that they are yours. Food and water for at least five days for each pet, bowls and a manual can opener if you are packing canned pet food. Information about your pets' feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to board your pets or place them in foster care. Pet beds and toys, if you can easily take them, to reduce stress. Other useful items include newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, grooming items and household bleach.

 

###

Humane Society of Missouri Disaster Response Team Dispatched to Flood Ravaged Areas of Iowa and Missouri

June 16, 2008- The Humane Society of Missouri Disaster Response Team has been working as the lead agency to rescue pets from flooded areas of Cedar Rapids, Iowa since last Wednesday. Assistance was needed from Code 3 of Colorado and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to help rescue over 300 animals and temporarily shelter more than 500 animals.

The Humane Society of Missouri Disaster Response Team will be departing today and stopping in Canton, Missouri, located in Lewis County about 40 miles north of Hannibal.  They will be delivering extra crates, food and animal supplies for use in their emergency shelter. A transport and intake team will stay in Cedar Rapids to help HSUS transition into a leadership role as the Humane Society of Missouri leaves.

The river near Canton, Missouri is currently at 26.6 feet and rising with an expected crest on Thursday morning of 27.3 feet. At 25 feet, the National Weather Service states that major flooding begins at this stage and floodwaters overtop the levee protecting the town.

 

June 14, 2008- Humane Society of Missouri Deploys Rescue Team to Aid Flood Victims in Iowa - Iowa Department of Agriculture Requests HSMO Team Because of Water Rescue Experience

The Humane Society of Missouri Rescues and Investigations Team has dispatched an emergency response team to aid flood victims in Iowa.

Wednesday evening, June 11, Tim Rickey, Director of Rescues and Investigations for the Humane Society of Missouri, received an official request for assistance from the Iowa Department of Agriculture for rescue teams trained in water rescues. The Humane Society of Missouri Rescues and Investigations unit immediately dispatched three rescue teams, totaling 10 people with boats, trailers and the Humane Society of Missouri’s mobile shelter vehicle.

The Humane Society Disaster Response team is currently engaged in rescue operations in Cedar Rapids, IA. There, two of the teams are performing water rescues operations and the other team is assisting in the onsite temporary shelter in Cedar Rapids.

Flood waters in Iowa are expected to rise until the end of the week with waters cresting on Sunday. Officials with the Iowa Department of Agriculture anticipate more than 300 animals will be in need of shelter.

Many homeowners had to flee their homes quickly and were unable to take their pets with them. The Society of Missouri is working with the Cedar Rapids Humane Society to remove as many animals as possible from harm’s way. The Humane Society of Missouri will continue to monitor the rising waters in both states and when/if necessary return to Missouri to provide rescue assistance.

“Both the Iowa City Humane Society and the Cedar Rapids Animal Control are underwater,” says Tim Rickey, Director of Rescues and Investigations Humane Society of Missouri. “We are fortunate that our disaster response team has the training, experience and resources to assist our neighbors in their time of need.”

 

June 12, 2008- A second Disaster Response Team has been dispatched at the request of the Iowa Department of Agriculture to assist with emergency animal sheltering in Cedar Rapids. Near record rain has caused the already high Cedar River to flood the city and surrounding areas.

 

June 11, 2008- At the request of Iowa City Animal Control and Code 3, today the Humane Society of Missouri is deploying our Disaster Response Team to Iowa to assist with animal rescue in the hard hit, flood ravaged areas of that state. The team consists of four highly trained and experienced rescue staff who will perform land- and water-based animal rescue. Please revisit this page to receive updates of our Iowa rescue efforts.

 

 

###