Pets not left behind in New Orleans evacuation

updated 2:57 p.m. ET Aug. 31, 2008

NEW ORLEANS - Authorities evacuating residents from New Orleans ahead of Hurricane Gustav are making amends with four-legged friends after thousands of pets perished in Hurricane Katrina three years ago.

Animal welfare groups tried to make sure that evacuees had their pets with them, while shelters away from the Gulf Coast accommodated animals this time around.

Many owners stayed in the city during the catastrophic 2005 hurricane because they could not take their pets to shelters and could not bear to leave without them.

"This city has been hit so badly, they've lost so much, and the last thing they have to hold on to is their animal," said Laura Bergerol, a volunteer with Animal Rescue New Orleans.

The group stacked up boxes for residents who planned to carry their small pets with them as part of an evacuation on buses and trains through the Union Passenger terminal.

Pet owners stood in line to register their furry friends. Then they were given a machine readable band to tag on to their pet, in case they became separated.

Among the horrors of Katrina three years ago were dead dogs bobbing in the drowned streets of the city, 80 percent of which was flooded.

Latest on Gustav and Gulf Coast damage NBC Field Notes from the Gulf Coast September could be even stormier Party rolled on for some as Gustav rolled in Gustav rain follows some evacuees inland All's well at Superdome, other Big Easy venues Rising from Ruin: Three years after Katrina Clicked: How Gustav plays out on the Web FirstPerson: Your storm images, video | Share

Julian Coleman lined up to register his feisty Rottweiler-German shepherd puppy Ali.

"I didn't want to just leave him to get hurt, like so many did in Katrina," Coleman said as Ali jumped up. "It makes me feel a little safer having him with me."

Evacuee Sylvania Moore was anxious about being separated from her mother, but relieved to be able to take her shitsu, Buddy, with her.

"He gets to ride the bus with us, which is good," said Moore, clutching Buddy in her arms outside the terminal. "It's a relief that we didn't have to leave him behind."

More from msnbc.com Pilot’s promise: If teens build it, he’ll fly it    What was the oddest story of the week?    WP: Military sees troops helping in homeland  ConsumerMan: Just say 'no' to gift cards Shark or boy? 5-year-old has extra set of teeth

MORE FROM PET HEALTH

Pet health Section Front

What your dog says about you Pet store chain linked to puppy mills Puppy Cam wranglers: 'No, you can't have one' Pet owners skipping vet visits as economy sinks Cat came back — 13 years after going missing Homes sought for dogs as tracks close World’s ugliest dog dies after battle with cancer CDC: Pet food sickened at least 79 people Berlin opens soup kitchen just for dogs Dogs and cats with OCD? You betcha Pet health Section Front   Add Pet health headlines to your news reader: