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Sep 8, 2005 1:30 pm US/Eastern
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Animals Rescued Along Gulf Coast
New Orleans, LA (CBS) ―
Tales of survival coming out of New Orleans include the rescue of dogs, cats and other family pets that had to be abandoned by families fleeing the rising water.
Evacuees transported from Louisiana to Texas were not allowed to take their pets with them. Some were forced to leave their pets on the side of the road while they boarded buses. Others were lucky enough to hide small pets in their shirts, pants and bags.
"I tried to hide her in my bag. We made it here," says former New Orleans resident Travante Ray about her pooch Cici. "She did good; she swam through some water. She made sure she was coming with her mommy."
Nearly 400 animals arrived this way. Once passengers arrived at the Astrodome, however, they were not allowed inside with pets. The Houston SPCA sent volunteers to meet the buses and take the pets back to its shelter until the owners could care for them again.
Countless pets are still stranded in Hurricane-affected areas. After a week of evacuating people, relief workers are now turning to the work of rescuing pets still trapped on rooftops and front porches.
Laura Maloney, executive director of the Louisiana SPCA, has been working on taking pictures of stranded pets and posting all rescued animals on
petfinder.com. Visit the Web site if you are searching for a lost pet.
The Louisiana SPCA has had access to New Orleans and has rescued about 400 animals, including animals removed from the Superdome and local clinics. The aim is to rescue as many animals as possible and then collect addresses from families who were forced to leave pets behind.
Here is a list of organizations helping with animal rescue and care: