In the instance of natural disasters we often tend to neglect the effect of damage caused on pets, as the struggle humans face usually leads to a domino effect on animals in their custody. But just as much as people, if not more, natural causes for devastation such as flooding can affect pets. As a result of Hurricane Katrina back in 2005 over 200,000 pets were forced to move to shelters, since their owners had nothing left and no means to take care of or house their pets.
Recently a similar phenomenon has occurred again in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, when one of the city’s water pumps broke causing an exponential level of damage, causing many of the locals, roughly 4,200, to live at hotels, shelters, and even out of their cars. As a result of this many pet owners have had no choice but to drop their animals off at shelters. Quickly the shelters became over crowded, causing the veterinarians and volunteers to move the operation to a local community college in order to save as many animals possible, logging in at over 25,000 hours of service. A national outpouring of help and donations of supplies from various chain stores has enabled this team of miracle workers to care for and feed the over 1000 animals in housing.
As of now the shelter’s population has dropped down to 620 animals after the water levels receded and life in Cedar Rapids has returned to a more normal state.
