For the pets and their people affected by Hurricane Katrina, it can all be summed up with a few simple words. Destruction. Loss. Hardship. 

As we approach the two year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina we have all heard these words so many times. But there is still much work to be done at The Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA), whose Japonica Street shelter was completely destroyed on August 29th 2005. And now Pet Friendly Real Estate Professionals are reaching out and to lend a helping hand. 

In conjunction with THE LUCKY DAY Campaign, The Pet Realty Network^TM, a Naples, Florida based company, offering the single most informative online source of Pet Friendly Real Estate is pleased to announce the recent partnership with LA/SPCA. 

"THE LUCKY DAY Campaign is The Pet Realty Network's online campaign to raise awareness of the number of pets surrendered to shelters due to residential pet restrictions, when moving, or when natural disasters strike, and to help Humane Societies make it a LUCKY DAY for one of the millions of pets in shelters across the country waiting for a loving home." explains Rhona Sutter of The Pet Realty Network^TM. 

To celebrate this exciting partnership, The Pet Realty Network^TMwill donate 10% of the agent registration fee to The Louisiana SPCA's rebuilding efforts for each Pet Realty Network^TM Real Estate agent registration in the state of Louisiana.   

Located in Naples, Florida, The Pet Realty Network^TMknows about Hurricanes from first hand experience.  Pets and their people are equally affected during natural disasters.  "When your world is falling apart it's comforting to have your pet with you for support," says Sutter. 

In anticipation of Hurricane Katrina, the LA/SPCA's swift and efficient evacuation drills that they had practiced so many times before had proven to be good practice.  The shelter staff successfully evacuated 263 animals in climate-controlled vehicles to the Houston SPCA.   However, nothing could prepare them for the days, weeks, and months following Katrina, as they were faced with unimaginable task ahead of them - to build a shelter out of thin air.  The Lamar Dixon Exposition Center in Baton Rouge would soon become the temporary home to The Louisiana SPCA and the largest animal shelter and rescue operation in U.S. history. 

Almost two years later, Phase 1 of the new "Dorothy Dorsett Brown Louisiana SPCA Campus" was unveiled with grand opening ceremonies on May 18^th2007.  The new campus on Mardi Gras Blvd in New Orleans, will consist of three total phases including Animal Rescue & Care Center, Adoption Education & Veterinary Care Center and Boutique and Urban Revitalization and Community Outreach. 

Today, the LA/SPCA urges pet owners to plan for the upcoming Hurricane season.  "The 2007 Hurricane season is upon us and for every pet owner that means it's time for families to make place for their animals, in the event of an evacuation," says Laura Maloney, LA/SPCA executive director.  In Orleans parish alone there are 10,000 animals in need of assisted city evacuation. 

Together with The Pet Realty Network, Real Estate Professionals can help reduce the number of pets surrendered to shelters due to residential pet restrictions, when moving, or relocating and in doing so can contribute to the worthwhile efforts to help rebuild LA/SPCA and protect these animals during Hurricane season and all year long.   For more information, please visit http://www.petrealtynetwork.com/ or http://www.la-spca.org/ 

PHOTO CREDIT:  New Orleans, LA 9/8/05 -Photo by: Liz Roll - FEMA