While there are many animal rescue organizations in the greater Baton Rouge area, there are not many animal advocacy groups specifically targeting fallouts of disaster situations, until now.
The University’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute recently formed the Animals in Disaster Advisory Group, which will work to preserve animal safety in situations like hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and other disasters.
After taking note of the University Agricultural Center’s estimate of more than $75 million in livestock and forage economic losses in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the SDMI decided to take action.
“We’re focusing on response to animals in disaster situations,” said Lauren Bourg, SDMI manager of external relations.
The group is a combined
effort of the SDMI and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Other state contributors include the Louisiana State Animal Response Team, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Infectious Epidemiology Section and the University School of
Veterinary Medicine.
One of the organization’s goals is to connect these organizations with those outside of the state. Such groups include the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the United States Department of Agriculture. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture Emergency Programs Division is also represented.
“Animal care associated with disaster events and planning is an area of tremendous and growing importance to the disaster management community,” said executive director of SDMI Joseph Booth in a news release. “This advisory group is composed of some of the leading experts in the nation and will be instrumental in shaping the future of disaster
management.”
The University has the ability to provide relief and resources to animals that civilians and other organizations may not have
immediate access to.
When the strong winds for Tropical Storm Lee caused the Bastrop County Complex Wildfire in 2011, the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine triaged more than 250 animals.
LSU also stepped up in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, housing more than 1,200 pets. Thousands more homeless animals were placed in makeshift shelters around the state.
Bourg said one of the main reasons people elect not to immediately evacuate when facing a disaster situation is not wanting to leave their animals or livestock, but saving animal lives can help save human lives.
“If we can help the animals, we can help get everyone out of harm’s way,” Bourg said.
“If we can help the animals, we can help get everyone out of harm’s way.”