SPCA Working On Way To Keep Pets During Hurricanes

Some of the sad stories during Hurricane Katrina involved people and their pets.
Dogs and cats were left behind to survive on their own.
The Mobile SPCA hopes to provide an alternative if another hurricane heads our way.

by Diana Lucio

Published: Wed, August 29, 2007 - 8:25 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, August 30, 2007 - 10:27 am CST

Their kennels are cramped. But the dogs and cats at Mobile’s S.P.C.A. are healthy, happy and ready to find a home.
Since Katrina the number of orphaned animals has exceeded the space at the Mobile S.P.C.A. But a plan to remedy the situation is well underway.
"During Katrina we had to set up temporary facilities and this will help us have better facilities to take care of the animals if a disaster arrives." Said, Jeannie Cooley, S.P.C.A. Office Manager. The facility will include more kennels for animals, office space for paid staff and volunteers,storage space for food, and more importantly overnight housing quarters for people and their pets in case of a disaster. “We don't want to see people doing like they were having to do during New Orleans and having to put their animals out on the street and leave." Said, Cooley. Because of the limited amount of space pet adoptions are held off site, but with the expansion pet adoptions will be held daily at the animal shelter. The $275,000 complex will help the S.P.C.A. reach their goal by decreasing the amount of euthanized animals due to shelter overcrowding. However, the S.P.C.A. is still in need of donations. The project has had several delays because of financial setbacks.

“Non-profit organizations work by donations, that's what they get, so you know we appreciate all of our members and everybody that does things. More people that donate to that,that really helps the cause a lot.", said Cooley.

For more information on how you can help. You can call the Mobile S.P.C.A. at 251-633-3531.

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