HelpingAnimals.com // Features // Latest News
October 19, 2005: Animals Saved From Katrina Reunited With Their Families
Last month, PETA’s Hurricane Katrina animal rescue team rented an RV and drove it—with more than 30 rescued dogs inside—to PETA’s headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, to help Louisiana authorities make room for the hundreds of animals arriving daily at the emergency animal shelter in Gonzales, Louisiana.
Five of the 32 dogs fostered by PETA staff and volunteers have since been matched with their guardians. One dog, a dachshund named Peanut, was flown back to his family in Lafayette, Louisiana, earlier this month. Licorice, a toy poodle who is still too weak to make the journey, will be flown back to her guardian in November.
On October 16, three more lucky—and lucky-to-be-alive—dogs began their 23-hour driving odyssey back to Louisiana, where they were eagerly awaited.
Mary Lou: The Cairn terrier’s family, the Estaveses, stayed in their St. Bernard Parish home as long as they could before taking the last ferry out, but they were forbidden from taking their animals along and have been frantically searching for them ever since. Their 8-year-old Jack Russell terrier, Baxter, is still missing. 
Charlie: The cocker spaniel’s final destination was Thibodaux, Louisiana, where he was reunited with his “mom,” Virginia Brackvitch, who was at the hospital with her sick husband at the time that the hurricane hit. He was also reunited with his two canine buddies, who made their way back home from Georgia.
Peewee: Still recovering from kennel cough and a bacterial skin infection, the Chihuahua-mix was reunited with Mary Dean, who fled her home near Tulane University to a hotel that didn’t allow animals.
“There were tears of joy shed on both ends of the journey,” said PETA staffer Emily Allen, who shared driving duties with her twin sister, Elisa. “But our hearts go out to the thousands of people and animals who have yet to be reunited, whose heartache could have been prevented if government emergency plans had included arrangements for animals.”
PETA continues to work on Capitol Hill to require emergency personnel to help people evacuate their animals to safety during disasters.
You can improve the lives of dogs and cats suffering from cruelty and neglect.
Forward this to friends.
PETA's House Government Reform Committee Testimony
Heroes of the Storm
Stars Urge Officials to Take Action to Protect Animals in Disasters in PETA Ad
Read the Latest News From the Gulf Coast
Listen to PETA's Reports From New Orleans
Watch Footage of PETA's Life-Saving Work
See Pictures of PETA's Rescue Work
