Pets and Flooding Update Fargo ND

Picture credit: Elsie, one of the two Stensgard family dogs, sands on the earthen and sandbag dike surrounding the Stensgard home, not pictured, which overlooks a flooded outbuilding as the Red River continues to rise, Wednesday, March 25, 2009 in Fargo, N.D. Due to the flooding, the Stensgard home can only be reached by boat. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

3-27-09
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA:

KAT 5 has spoken with the Fargo Humane Society. According to them the situation is under control today but they may change tomorrow as the river continues to rise. There is an emergency animal shelter set up at the Fargo Humane Society. Local businesses, like dog obedience schools, are stepping up to help to shelter animals of potential evacuees. There are currently mandatory evacuations across the river from Fargo in Moorhead, ND. There are not yet mandatory evacuations in Fargo with the exception of a nursing home and hospital. There maybe mandatory evacuations in Fargo later.

There has been one animal rescue call yesterday with horses in flood waters. The horses were rescued and are now safe. The Humane Society has our number and will call us if things change and we are needed in any capacity. 800 more National Guardsman have arrived in the area to man the levies. Below is the information on emergency animal shelter:

FM HUMANE SOCIETY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FARGO-MOORHEAD EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND ADOPT-A-PET IS SETTING UP A REGIONAL EMERGENCY ANIMAL SHELTER AT THE SCHOLLANDER PAVILION AT THE RED RIVER VALLEY FAIRGROUNDS ON THURSDAY, MARCH 26TH.

THE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL RESOURCES HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED. THE FIRST OF THE GROUP WILL START ARRIVING EARLY AFTERNOON TODAY, AND WE WILL BE UP AND RUNNING NO LATER THAN LATE AFTERNOON THURSDAY, MARCH 26TH.

In the meantime, if you think you may need to use the emergency animal shelter for your animals, please prepare an emergency care kit for your pets. -

The kit should include

medications
current medical records
current vaccination records stored in waterproof containers.
Make sure your pet has identification tags
Food and water – at least three day supply, in an airtight container
Current photos and description of your pets
Pet carrier
sturdy leashes
familiar items, i.e., blankets, toys, pet beds
other useful items, such as newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, household bleach

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3-25-09
Bismarck, NORTH DAKOTA: KAT 5 spoke with the Bismarck Humane Society today. There is flooding in Bismarck due to the snow and ice melting. There are mandatory evacuations. The National Guard has rescued 3 animals. Most residents are evacuating with their pets. The Bismarck Humane Society and Animal Control is housing animals dropped off by evacuating residents. Local motels are encouraging residents to bring their pets to non-pet friendly motels as well. There is a local high school where residents may bring their pets.

Hopefully it will be a non-issue and the "dynamiting" of ice will divert worse flooding. This is happening right now. The H.S. is fine. They have our number if things change and either rescue or procurement of supplies is needed.