ST. LOUIS -- Nearly 150 animals rescued by the Humane Society of Missouri's Disaster Response Team and others working along the southern Mississippi coast arrived at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport today. The Humane Society of Missouri, in cooperation with the HSUS, is bringing animals to St. Louis to help relieve the overcrowded animal shelters in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast. The animals flew in by chartered plane from Bobby L. Chain airport in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Humane Society of Missouri's Disaster Response Team has already rescued over 1,000 pets displaced by the hurricane.

"We are prepared for and expect to receive many more animals in the days and weeks to come," said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri. "Our veterinary and shelter teams are in place to receive the animals and we have more than 1,400 emergency foster families ready to help."

Upon arrival the animals were taken to the Humane Society Headquarters, 1201 Macklind Ave. In addition to Humane Society vehicles, the animals were transported in trailers, trucks and other vehicles driven by Enterprise Truck Rental employees, St. Louis City Police Department staff and Humane Society employees. Humane Society of Missouri veterinarians will examine all the animals and treat any that need care.

All the animals being received by the Humane Society have either been abandoned or surrendered by owners who are no longer able to care for them. Since Hurricane Katrina, thousands of animals have been rescued and taken to a temporary shelter in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, operated under the auspices of HSUS.

The animals have received decontamination baths, have been examined and vaccinated by veterinarians in Mississippi and all have been microchipped. They will be re-examined by Humane Society veterinarians who will determine the animals' needs and provide necessary booster vaccinations. Animals requiring more extensive medical attention will be cared for at the shelter. The animals will stay at the Macklind shelter overnight.

"These animals have come through a lot -- a terrifying storm, separation from owners, water and food depravation and multiple relocations. Some of them will require special care and all will need extra love and attention," said Warnick. "We are very grateful to the hundreds of people who have volunteered to provide foster homes for these pets."

On Friday, persons who have already registered as emergency foster families with the Humane Society will go through the process to be matched with a foster pet. More than 1,400 St. Louis-area families have volunteered to serve as foster parents. The foster care process, which will take approximately two hours, includes a mandatory presentation about fostering special pets led by a trained behavior specialist.

Each foster family will be provided with free veterinary care for the animal at either of the Humane Society's clinics, along with a supply of Purina pet food, a crate, collar and leash. They will also receive printed information about fostering special animals and have access to the Humane Society's Behavior Helpline.

The foster families must agree to care for the pets for a minimum of 30 days. If the owner has not claimed the pet after 30 days, it may be placed for adoption. To help owners locate their pets, photos of these animals will be posted online at http://www.petfinder.com/ and on the Humane Society website http://www.hsmo.org/ .

Since August 31, 12 members of the Humane Society of Missouri's Disaster Response Team have rescued more than 1,000 animals in distress in the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged area of southern Mississippi and Louisiana, including New Orleans. On a daily basis they have faced dangerous conditions including piles of debris, putrid waters, alligators, insect infestations, extreme heat and high humidity. They are continuing their efforts in order to rescue even more animals in need.

The Humane Society's Disaster Response Team is equipped with a trailer that can hold up to 100 animals, a 14-foot boat, a trailer for chainsaws, generators and other supplies, six trucks, one van equipped with animal cages and an RV to serve as living quarters for the team.

A daily diary and photos of the Humane Society's Disaster Response Team's efforts can be viewed at http://www.hsmo.org/katrina .

Other support of the Humane Society of Missouri's disaster efforts includes Nestle Purina Pet Care which has made a significant monetary and pet food donation to the rescue efforts. Build-A-Bear Workshop also has made a generous grant from its charitable foundation to help in relief efforts.