Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue Groups Brace for Onslaught of Flood-Caused Pet Homelessness

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard called for all residents of threatened areas in Pierre and Fort Pierre to evacuate their homes by 8 p.m.

Photo courtesy: blog.tonic.com

(PIERRE, S.D.) - Animal rescue experts from Colorado and Utah are on the ground and ready to take in pets projected to be affected by South Dakota flooding of the Missouri River, which is expected to take place this weekend.

Animal rescue organizations Code 3 Associates and Best Friends Animal Society are teaming up to rescue domestic animals that might be affected by the floods and provide them with temporary shelter until they can be reunited with their families. It is expected that many animals will be turned in by their owners for temporary shelter, while others that are stranded will need to be rescued.

“We are ready and waiting for whatever might occur,” said Jim Boller, executive director for Code 3 Associates, based in Longmont, Colo. “Residents were to be evacuated last night, but there may be animals left behind, in which case, we’ll be out to pick them up.”

Working with Code 3 will be Utah-based Best Friends Animal Society, one of the stalwart rescue organizations during Hurricane Katrina, which operates the nation’s largest sanctuary for abused, abandoned animals.

Jeff Popowich, senior manager of animal care for Best Friends Animal Society, said his organization has set up a shelter located near Pierre Regional Airport and is ready for any eventuality. “We are all set up and ready to take care of any animals stranded by the floods, with the hope that they soon can be reunited with their loved ones.”

Plans are for both organizations to stay in South Dakota until animals have been rescued and reunited with their families.

A news release issued by the office of South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard called for all residents of threatened areas in Pierre and Fort Pierre to evacuate their homes by 8 p.m. Thursday. Law enforcement officials began going door-to-door Wednesday to inform residents of this new evacuation request.

According to the news release, the evacuation request applies to all residents in Pierre and Fort Pierre whose homes are at an elevation of 1,434 feet above sea level, or lower.  Law enforcement will have maps with the 1434 level clearly marked, and these maps are also available at http://www.disasterrecovery.sd.gov/

People with questions are encouraged to call the flood hotline at 1-866-446-5324 or visit http://www.breadysd.com.

Sources:

Code 3 Associates, Inc, a 501(c)3 non-profit,  is dedicated to providing a professional response resource to communities for their animals in disaster situations as well as to provide professional training to individuals and agencies involved in animal related law enforcement and emergency response.

Best Friends Animal Society is a nonprofit organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are No More Homeless Pets®.  The society's leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah, headquarters, the country's largest no-kill sanctuary.  This work is made possible by the personal and financial support of a grassroots network of supporters and community partners across the nation.

To become a fan of Best Friends Animal Society on Facebook go to: http://www.facebook.com/bestfriendsanimalsociety

Follow Best Friends on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BFAS