Tornado Hits Tylertown
JANUARY 5, 2007
TORNADO HITS HUMANE SOCIETY SHELTER SITE!
ANIMALS AND WORKERS ESCAPE INJURY
As if coping with the aftermath of one disaster weren't enough, a tornado caused serious damage to the Humane Society of Louisiana's makeshift shelter site, in the early morning hours of January 5, 2007. The group had evacuated its animals from New Orleans to the property in August 2005.
"Luckily, none of our workers or animals were injured," said Animal Services Director, Johnna Harris, who was still assessing the damage at last report.
The group originally fled to the property to escape Katrina's wrath. They purchased the undeveloped lot and house as an emergency hurricane evacuation site, just months before the killer storm. After its shelter building in New Orleans was destroyed in the hurricane, HSL launched a massive, grassroots animal rescue effort from the property, then nicknamed "Camp Katrina." Since that time, they have since been struggling to keep their programs in operation.
The tornado hit the Tylertown compound at 2am, destroying and toppling outdoor kennels, dog play yards and one small portable building. Thousands of dollars worth of supplies and premium pet food were also ruined.
More than a dozen of the dogs affected were rescued during the aftermath of Katrina. One mother dog, who was recently abandoned with her puppies at the site, successfully protected her pups, as their kennel and the puppy play yards were destroyed around them. Miraculously, one pit bull, Houston, originally thought lost, was found alive, after his dog house was found completely shredded. The indoor cat housing area did not appear to have suffered major damage.
Tax deductible donations to help the organization can be made online at www.HumaneLA.org, by calling 1-888-6-HUMANE and/or by sending a check made payable to the Humane Society of Louisiana to PO Box 740321, New Orleans, LA 70174.
It is expected that recovery from the tornado alone will exceed tens of thousands of dollars, even if insurance fully compensates the agency for roof damage to its primary building. Outer buildings, fencing, kennels, dog houses and supplies will all need to be replaced. Animals will also need to be housed in paid boarding facilities, until initial repairs can be made, and there will be labor costs for clean-up and rebuilding. Before the tornado, building costs to help the agency recover post-Katrina had already been estimated to exceed $300,000.00.
TORNADO HITS HUMANE SOCIETY SHELTER SITE!
ANIMALS AND WORKERS ESCAPE INJURY
As if coping with the aftermath of one disaster weren't enough, a tornado caused serious damage to the Humane Society of Louisiana's makeshift shelter site, in the early morning hours of January 5, 2007. The group had evacuated its animals from New Orleans to the property in August 2005.
"Luckily, none of our workers or animals were injured," said Animal Services Director, Johnna Harris, who was still assessing the damage at last report.
The group originally fled to the property to escape Katrina's wrath. They purchased the undeveloped lot and house as an emergency hurricane evacuation site, just months before the killer storm. After its shelter building in New Orleans was destroyed in the hurricane, HSL launched a massive, grassroots animal rescue effort from the property, then nicknamed "Camp Katrina." Since that time, they have since been struggling to keep their programs in operation.
The tornado hit the Tylertown compound at 2am, destroying and toppling outdoor kennels, dog play yards and one small portable building. Thousands of dollars worth of supplies and premium pet food were also ruined.
More than a dozen of the dogs affected were rescued during the aftermath of Katrina. One mother dog, who was recently abandoned with her puppies at the site, successfully protected her pups, as their kennel and the puppy play yards were destroyed around them. Miraculously, one pit bull, Houston, originally thought lost, was found alive, after his dog house was found completely shredded. The indoor cat housing area did not appear to have suffered major damage.
Tax deductible donations to help the organization can be made online at www.HumaneLA.org, by calling 1-888-6-HUMANE and/or by sending a check made payable to the Humane Society of Louisiana to PO Box 740321, New Orleans, LA 70174.
It is expected that recovery from the tornado alone will exceed tens of thousands of dollars, even if insurance fully compensates the agency for roof damage to its primary building. Outer buildings, fencing, kennels, dog houses and supplies will all need to be replaced. Animals will also need to be housed in paid boarding facilities, until initial repairs can be made, and there will be labor costs for clean-up and rebuilding. Before the tornado, building costs to help the agency recover post-Katrina had already been estimated to exceed $300,000.00.
posted by Rachel H. McKay | 7:25 AM
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