WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, October 15, 2020 — The Marta Heflin Foundation is funding American Humane’s efforts to keep cats safe amidst hurricanes battering the Gulf Coast. The Marta Heflin Hurricane Laura Cat Transport is moving a number of kittens and cats out of the way of danger, from the Lake Charles, Louisiana area to Longmont, Colorado, where they will begin searching for their forever homes.

“American Humane is thankful to the Foundation for helping our team get these precious cats and kittens out of harms way,” said Dr. Robin R. Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane. “Only through consistent support from partners can our Rescue Team continue saving and improving the lives of at-risk animals.”

The lives of these cats and kittens were upturned by Hurricane Laura, which threatened communities with 150 mile-per-hour winds in late August and devastated the Gulf Coast region. Just last week, Hurricane Delta made landfall l20 miles east of where Hurricane Laura hit.

As families and cities are forced to evacuate, animals can be forgotten. Shelters and other local resources may lose power, resources and, ultimately, the ability to care for animals during disasters. For young kittens, shelters can be volatile environments in which they are extremely vulnerable and getting them into foster homes is paramount for their long-term health.

More than 100 years ago the American Humane Rescue Team was founded during World War I, when the U.S. Secretary of War requested assistance caring for injured horses in war-torn Europe. Since then, American Humane’s team of animal first responders has been on the ground for virtually every disaster in our nation’s history, from Pearl Harbor, to 9/11, to Hurricane Katrina, to the devastating California wildfires and everything in between.

About American Humane
American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization. Founded in 1877, American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals, and our leadership programs are first to serve in promoting and nurturing the bonds between animals and people. For more information or to support our work, please visit www.americanhumane.org.