When natural disasters tear through inhabited areas, they harm more than just structures. People’s lives are at risk, and so are the lives of their domestic animals. Hurricane Laura made landfall in Louisiana this summer, and with it came forced evacuations and destruction.
Henry Roach, an Iraq War veteran, faced a heartbreaking decision during the first round of evacuations. His truck was already packed full of people, including his 88-year-old mother. His German Shepherd Savage simply would not fit. Roach promised to come back for his dog once his human family got out of the area.
Savage Flees His Backyard
Roach later returned to retrieve Savage, but a neighbor informed him that the storm blew his yard fence down. A confused Savage escaped from the yard.
Thank Savage’s lucky stars, a Good Samaritan discovered him after he escaped. Calcasieu Parish Animal Services picked the 6-year-old German Shepherd up. The shelter stood in the path of the storm, so the ASPCA sent an emergency response team out to assist.
Savage stayed at an emergency ASPCA shelter while he waited for his dad. Thanks to kind people, he suffered no harm.
Reunited, “In Good Spirits And Healthy”
Fortunately, Savage didn’t have to wait too long to reunite with Roach. As soon as the dog saw his dad, he began to wag his tail furiously. In a statement to People, Roach said:
“I was ecstatic to see Savage not only alive, but in good spirits and healthy.”
Jessica Rushin, the ASPCA’s Senior Director of Placement Partnership, witnessed this joyous reunion. She shared:
“It’s gratifying to see pets go home after such a stressful time. He was definitely glad to see Andy.”
As a silver lining to a challenging situation, the ASPCA has reunited many animals with their families as local residents begin recovering from the disaster.
“Our disaster response team is dedicated to keeping displaced animals safe and happy while they’re in our care, and we look forward to reuniting more owned pets with their families and helping to find new, loving homes for surrendered and homeless animals.” – ASPCA
The Importance Of A Disaster Preparedness Plan
The ASPCA hopes that this rollercoaster of a story inspires other people to include their animals in their disaster preparedness plans. Odds are you consider your dog family, and you don’t want to have to leave them behind.
Planning ahead by registering your dog’s microchip or having a packed emergency bag should be a must for people in at-risk areas. You can also call your office of emergency management to find out which evacuation shelters are pet-friendly. If you can’t bring your dog to a new location during an emergency, establish a safe-haven for them (like a friend’s house) prior.
For more tips on disaster preparedness, consult the ASPCA here.
H/T: Greater Good
Featured Image:@ASPCA/Facebook
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via Whisker Therapy