Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Purveyor

(29,876 posts)
Thu May 5, 2016, 03:29 PM May 2016

Fort McMurray Pet Owners Make Desperate Pleas For Help

Hamilton Spectator
By Cassandra Szklarski

Laura Gislason and her boyfriend Kyle Benio escaped the Fort McMurray wildfires with just the clothes on their backs.

Now safe with relatives in Edmonton, her thoughts centre on the dog and cat they were forced to leave behind: a 16-year-old bichon-Shih Tzu named Gabi and Pastel, a five-year-old calico.

"There should be food or water for them to get to for a few days, at least, but I don't know," frets Gislason.

"I hope that they just thought that we will be coming back soon and had a nap or something."

A day after raging wildfires forced residents to flee the Alberta city, Gislason was among several pet owners frantic to get information on how they could retrieve animals left behind.

Many desperate residents took to Facebook to plead for help: "We had to turn my three horses loose. If anyone sees or hears of them please contact me," writes Megan Bastien.

"Two small dogs are locked in a house downtown right now ... Can anyone help? She has tried all the provided numbers to no avail," says Natalie Lynn on behalf of a pet owner.

MORE...

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6530204-fort-mcmurray-pet-owners-make-desperate-pleas-for-help/

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
 

Eleanors38

(18,318 posts)
2. Animal rescue should be part of indoctrination for first-returns to afflicted areas,
Thu May 5, 2016, 03:44 PM
May 2016

whether or not responders sre LEOs, fire fighters, wardens; or volunteers and families. Perhaps these people could phone/radio into a central facility which could send in traps, wranglers, etc., and get animals back for treatment, water and food. Pet chip detectors should play a role.

Warpy

(110,913 posts)
4. No, not if you had enough time to grab them and put them into your car
Thu May 5, 2016, 04:25 PM
May 2016

Many of these people were not at home when the evacuation started. Some of them were home but the pets were frightened and hiding and there was absolutely NO TIME to look for them or to grab papers or photos or anything else, it was done at a dead run for the car.

I know my cats would have gone with me in their carriers and if a shelter got stuffy about it, I'd be happy to sleep in my car with them if I'd had any warning. These folks had no warning.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Fort McMurray Pet Owners ...