This week marks a significant milestone for the country and for our Rescue Team at American Humane Society. It has been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana, devastating communities and taking the lives of countless animals.
To help communities get ready for hurricane season ahead, we’re rolling out a free preparedness toolkit packed with tips and resources so pets and people can stay safe when storms hit.
When disaster strikes, whether it’s floods, wildfires, earthquakes or hurricanes, we’re there on the front lines. Our first responders don’t just show up; they are resolute in their work to find animals in danger, give them shelter and provide care.
Hurricane Katrina underscored why our rescue team is essential when our team put in over 18,000 volunteer hours rescuing and sheltering animals in need. Over six intense weeks, we worked alongside other animal welfare organizations to rescue and evacuate more than 5,000 animals left stranded by the chaos. We were part of the massive rescue effort at The Lamar-Dixon Expo Center—the largest animal shelter operation ever seen in U.S. history.
Thousands of beloved pets were lost when families had to leave them behind during Katrina’s devastation. That heartbreak changed how America responds to disasters involving animals forever.
For two decades now, we’ve kept that lesson close—deploying wherever disaster strikes to rescue animals in crisis and reunite them with their families whenever possible.
As we remember those difficult days from 20 years ago today, one thing is clear: American Humane Society will always be there when animals need us most.
To help ensure you are prepared this hurricane season please download our free toolkit and donate today to support American Humane Society’s critical work.
