John M. Iannuzzi
"One can measure the greatness and the moral progress of a nation by looking at how it treats its animals."
- Mahatma Gandhi
Katrina put us all to the test. Could we rise to the occasion and offer a helping hand to our fellow citizens and to the hundreds of thousands of animals affected by the devastation? Katrina affected all of us-each in different ways. To those of us who are committed to the well being of domestic animals, giving money could not be enough.
The SPCA of Westchester, located in Briarcliff Manor, New York, chose to do more. In an outpouring of community spirit and cooperation, a trip to Gulfport, Mississippi was undertaken. In coordination with the courageous employees of the Humane Society of Southern Mississippi in Gulfport a combined emergency supply delivery and a dog relocation effort was planned and executed.
The community, shelter employees and volunteers planned all the details to get us from New York to Mississippi and back again, donated a truck to transport the supplies and return with the dogs, solicited cash and supply contributions, picked up thousands of pounds of food, medicine, toys and blankets, and loaded the truck with all the supplies and equipment necessary. A team of drivers drove the 1385 miles to Gulfport, Mississippi and met up with the return team (who flew down) at the airport. The entire project team then went on to the shelter.
There we met the most remarkable group of dedicated professionals and volunteers that you could possibly imagine. In the face of devastating loss, to their community, personal lives and to the shelter, a small group of amazing people (many now living in tents behind the shelter because they had lost their homes) worked tirelessly to help the thousands of animals affected by Katrina. Their commitment and sacrifice was something that all of us who worked with them will never forget.
After unloading the supplies at the shelter's warehouse we then had to decide which of all the animals at the shelter would be the ones we brought back to New York. That was one of the more difficult times during the entire trip. Working closely with the Humane Society personnel a total of 16 dogs were selected and prepared for the trip back.
To limit the stress on the dogs, the return team decided to make a non-stop return trip to our New York shelter. This began by leaving at 8 o'clock at night to provide a slightly cooler environment for the animals during the first 500-600 miles of the trip. The trip ended 36 ½ hours later back in New York. The return team stopping every few hours to walk each of the dogs and provide necessary water and food.
When the truck arrived back in New York it was met by an outpouring of shelter staff and volunteers. They helped each individual dog with its transition to a new temporary home and provided the medical care, grooming and additional support each needed. All the dogs have now been adopted and now have found their "forever home" here in New York.
Hundreds of shelters and organizations made the same effort and probably feel just as thankful as we do that we were able to contribute in some small way. But we would have liked to have done more.
Maybe all of us lending a hand, at both the national and local levels, is how we ensure that we, as a society and as individuals, live up to Mahatma Gandhi's words.
Please click here to see pictures of our "Katrina dogs" and our involvement in the rescue effort.
