Suzy Volunteers at Cedar Rapids Temorary Animal Shelter
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by Suzy - Online Dog Coach
Over 1000 dogs and other animals were affected by the flooding around Cedar Rapids, IA in June of 2008. The HSUS, EARS, and others set up a shelter to house the many animals whose owners stayed in temporary housing that did not allow pets. Suzy volunteered at the emergency shelter June 26 through July 4. You can visit her Blog to read about her experiences, find links to information about rescue efforts, and learn how you can help.
Some disasters that could require home evacuations are a tornado, flood, wildfire, chemical spill, train derailment, or house fire. There are many things you can do to keep your pets safe in a disaster.
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We slept in a gymnasium on military cots provided by the Red Cross. We supplied our own bedding and toiletries.
The temporary shelter was set up in horse stables. Each dog (or all dogs from the same household) had a 10×10 stall to themselves. Three to Eight cat kennels fit in each stall.
Daily activities always included cleaning kennels and checking on the health and wellbeing of everyone’s pets.
We took turns standing at the entrance to direct volunteers and pet owners to the appropriate locations.
I stayed up late several nights to finish paperwork and work on my blog
The Cedar Rapids local permanent shelter was destroyed in the flooding. I am holding one of their cats while her kennel is being cleaned.