Federico Morales working to care for Katrina’s animals.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall and resulted in unparalleled devastation and destruction. The Gulf Coast bore the brunt of Katrina’s wrath, with the city of New Orleans suffering catastrophic damage. After the storm ended, animals were among the most vulnerable creatures in post-Katrina New Orleans. Federico Morales is one individual who came to their aid.

Federico, a Puerto Rican student in the College of Veterinary Medicine, embarked on a 10 week mission to New Orleans to make a difference in animals’ lives. He joined other volunteers from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Federico had special veterinary skills to address the unique needs of New Orleans’ animals.

Federico reflected on his experience in New Orleans, “Many things were going on in New Orleans at the time. The roads were still flooded and the smell was unbearable, but we were there to help the animals, and we had to focus on that. Otherwise, you would be overwhelmed by the catastrophic conditions.” His duties consisted of rescuing animals from abandoned homes and assisting animals that lived on the streets. He also provided veterinary care to the ones in need of medical assistance. Federico said, “Most of the pets were dehydrated. We had to re-hydrate them and then try to find their owners by posting their pictures in the animal shelters.”

Federico said that Dr. Eric Davis, Director of the Rural Area Veterinary Services of HSUS and Dr. Guillermo Couto, a professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, provided support for this mission. “I would not have been able to do this without the encouragement and mentorship from both of them.”