Shelter After the Storm for Rescued New Orleans Katrina Cats

By Sharon Proctor

It takes a community of rescuers to raise a family of cats

LTJG Kristina Rieck-Perez, a retired member of the United States Coast Guard, set off to MuttShack triage center at Lake Caste School in New Orleans shortly after Katrina devastated the city.  She headed up the MuttShack Animal Search and Rescue Teams that followed up on leads of animals setting traps and rescuing dogs, cats, birds, wildlife and other pets abandoned, lost or stray in New Orleans.

MuttShack triaged the animals in the Lake Castle School with 75 dog runs in the Gymnasium and 150 cat crates in the school Pavilion.  When MuttShack left the school facility because of classes starting, the dogs were moved to boarding kennels at Kendra Williams' Lansas Kennels in Abita Springs, and Creature Comforts in Slidell. The cats were transported to Sanctuaries in Washington State. Feral cats to feral colonies, and FIV positive cats to a feral island exclusively for FIV positive cats. However,

Hundreds of dogs and cats still remained on the streets.

Most shelter organizations had taken as many cats as they could handle.  Because of the policy of reunification and finding foster homes, their systems clogged up, not getting the quick turnaround that they usually get with adoptions.

"There is nowhere for cats to go in New Orleans, the no-kill shelters have a moratorium on taking in cats because they are full. Kill Shelters simply euthanize cats that have been there longer than five days to make room for the newly rescued.

The cats on the streets are no better off.  With no people in many of the devastated parishes to generate the trash that cats live on they may starve. The area is also toxic from the flood residue and cats suffer extreme skin burns, neurological diseases, and infections from toxins,” said Amanda St. John of MuttShack Animal Rescue.

Kris Rieck-Perez and her husband Earnest were so concerned with the numbers of cats that were left behind on the streets, they decided to turn their property in North Carolina into a Sanctuary for animals of all persuasions.

They have built two of four planned sheds for the kitties and are still in the process of installing the climbing trees and platforms for their jungle gym.  The sheds are insulated and have washable melamine walls and ceiling with lighting and heat and the double doors are closed in bad weather and they use the cat door.  Litter boxes and straw bedding is inside and they are also installing perches.

Cathy Wells, an active animal rescuer and Feral Coordinator for Cat Haven, Inc. in Baton Rouge, pulled together a motley crew of 32 of the most un-adoptable, unwanted cats.  She decided to look for the worst cases of cats to rescue. The FIV positive cats, a blind and deaf cat, a cat with his ears so infected he has almost none left, and feral kittens.

Some came from the notorious Roicy Kill Shelter in Lafayette. Jim Davis, a writer and second time volunteer for MuttShack, rescued cats hours before they were to be euthanized. He spent several days with one kitten in his apartment, nursing him back to health.  His wife Claire Davis with Alley Cat Allies coordinated a rescue effort that involved pre-emptive strikes against the shelter, pulling animals in advance of their kill dates. Alley Cat Allies opened their hearts and wallets and spayed and neutered the cats and vetted them in preparation for their new home.

Some came from active and extraordinary rescuers who run traps in New Orleans. Nancy Cleveland, from Chicago originally came down for two days following Katrina and has stayed for five months.

Janelle Masters and her daughter Jennifer Masters from Baton Rouge, active cat rescuers, helped prepare the cats for their long journey, stuffing bedding into carriers and making the kitties as comfy as possible.

Barbara Fought Manager of Emergency and Entitlement Grants, at PetSmart Charities donated transport carriers, food and litter for the journey.

Brookhaven Animal Rescue League, a no-kill, all-volunteer animal welfare group assisted in financing the two transport vans and fuel.

When the big day came, MuttShacker Amanda St. John drove the 32 cats on their first leg, a nine-hour trip from Baton Rouge to Atlanta. 

A transfer took place in Atlanta.  The cats were transferred to their second transport, with Kris Rieck-Perez herself, completing another six hours of travel.

Kris and her husband Earnest spent most of the night quietly introducing each cat into its new environment - a safe haven from a dreadful storm. When the cock crowed at five in the morning their journey was finally over.

Rieck-Perez Sanctuary, in North Carolina

You can be a part of this rescue! Help is urgently needed for veterinary care for the Roicy kittens. (see Blog)  Please donate to the site, then send your confirmation e-mail to Kris and Amanda.