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Hurricane Katrina

'Katrina's babies' a real mixed menagerie

Mississippi dogs and cats of all sizes, shapes and colors wait at county Animal Services for new homes here.

By BETH N. GRAY
Published September 21, 2005

BROOKSVILLE - Hank, Ethel, Jethro, Ricky and Nelson make up members of the pack.

There's a Labrador, a retriever, boxer mix, bulldog mix, hound mix and one "with a smidgen of spaniel and everybody else that lived on the block," said Joanne Schoch, executive director of the Humane Society of the Nature Coast.

And there's a "Heinz 57." But because of his big size, the mongrel should be dubbed a "Heinz 68," she suggested.

Along with calico and tabby kittens, domestic short hair and one longhair, all are four-legged evacuees from Hurricane Katrina's path through Mississippi.

"Katrina's babies," as Schoch (pronounced Shock) calls them, came to Hernando County to seek new loving owners, safety and security.

About half have been adopted or have foster homes already, Schoch said on Monday, but more are waiting, and more will be coming in next week.

So far, 38 dogs and eight cats have been scooped up from rescue organizations in Hattiesburg and Waynesboro, Miss.

"Animals that are coming into our shelters - their families have either perished or the families signed releases because they could no longer care for their pets," Schoch said. "We know for a fact they will not be claimed."

Pets found wandering are being held at intake sites in the hope that they may be reunited with their owners, she noted.

Veterinary records accompany some of the Hernando newcomers. Even those without written histories have passed health exams at intake centers.

Last week, the Humane Society of the Nature Coast in Brooksville took in the first contingent of eight dogs and seven cats. The latest delivery of 30 dogs and one cat, these lacking detailed veterinary records, found shelter and care at Hernando County Animal Services, where more isolation facilities are available.

While homes for the displaced pets are badly needed, the rescue groups say they aren't relaxing adoption standards.

"These animals are very traumatized and very frightened. We can only guess what each one went through," Schoch said.

"An animal, when it's traumatized, can be unpredictable. They need a calm home," she said. "We are not fostering out or adopting out animals immediately to homes with (young) children. Kids don't have judgment. They want to be so loving and they may not have patience."

Families with older children, however, are acceptable adoptees, Schoch said.

With an influx of traumatized animals that are short of patience, animal shelter staffers lack the time to analyze each pet's personality and temperament.

So far, though, they have pegged Oscar, a heeler mix.

"He needs to be an only pet, not with another dog or cat," Schoch said.

While professional and semiprofessional pet caregivers work with the newcomers, Schoch said the current rescue program wouldn't have been possible without the volunteers who answered the emergency call.

Brenda Haynes and Carmen Sunden of People for Pets of Silverthorn coordinated the rescue effort and established a database of incoming animals and potential adopters to facilitate matches. The Humane Society didn't have the staff, telephone time or computer capability to get it done, said an appreciative Schoch.

Humane Society volunteer Debbie Brown climbed into the motor home of volunteer Carmen Poppe of Ocala for the 15-hour trip to Hattiesburg to bring home-seeking pets to Hernando. The women will make another trip in the coming week.

Briton Liz Adam, vacationing in Spring Hill, came to help care for the animals over the weekend, as did Mary Beth Gary of Brooksville, Schoch said.

Over the weekend, Liana Teague, manager of the Hernando County Animal Services, and her staff stayed on their own time with Friday night's arrivals to help the pets settle in and get adjusted.

"They really went above and beyond," Schoch said.

The Humane Society needs large pet crates and cash donations. It costs about $400 for an RV round trip with air conditioning or a truck with trailer to Mississippi, Schoch said.

But beyond the expense, the Humane Society has received an unforeseen benefit by giving relief to pets hurt by Katrina.

"People are coming to look, and it helps get a few others at the shelter adopted," Schoch said. "So those incoming have been good for our babies, because it's shown a spotlight on them as well. We need to help those animals up there, but we need to help our own, too."

Beth Gray may be contacted at graybethn@earthlink.net

For information about volunteering, adoption or donations, call or visit the Humane Society of the Nature Coast, 7224 Mobley Road, Brooksville 683-7490. People for Pets of Silverthorn, coordinating relief relocation: Brenda Haynes, 754-2755; Carmen Sunden, 796-7253.

[Last modified September 21, 2005, 00:24:18]