Hattiesburg Zoo general curator John Wright describes the amount of stored food they keep on-hand in preparation for hurricane season.
Frozen mice and canned primate diet food might not appear high up on your hurricane readiness list - unless you're Lori Banchero and you've got 150 mouths and 50 species depending on you.
Banchero is administrator at the Hattiesburg Zoo in Kamper Park. She and the staff stay particularly busy this time of year stocking up on food and reviewing hurricane plans.
The zoo keeps at least a six-week supply of food and plenty of grain on hand between the peak hurricane months of June until November.
The zoo staff reviews the hurricane readiness plan each May.
The plan spells the locations and characteristics of all the different animals, and outlines where they would be best housed during a storm.
The zoo staff reviews the hurricane readiness plan each May.
The plan spells the locations and characteristics of all the different animals, and outlines where they would be best housed during a storm.
"It shows what we have and where we put them if a hurricane comes," said Banchero.
No Hattiesburg Zoo animals perished in Hurricane Katrina, but the storm damaged part of a zoo fence.
A couple of blue duikers - small antelopes - got loose, but were found within a week.
The Animal Rescue League in Laurel is also busy preparing for weather-related disasters.
"We stockpile any food and medication we might need," said Denise Bozeman, director of the not-for-profit no-kill shelter.
The league had no Katrina-related deaths or injuries to the 100 animal assortment of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.
"Cat litter, bleach, cleaning solutions - we want to be more prepared than we were before," she said.
Because of its location in the community, water and power were restored to the league's location at 2511 Moose Drive right after Katrina, Bozeman said.
"This place is blessed," she said.
The league is taking reservations from people who might need someone to take animals during hurricanes.
"Call now to reserve a space," Bozeman said, adding the service is for dogs and cats, but not reptiles or birds.
The number is (601) 649-0821.
No Hattiesburg Zoo animals perished in Hurricane Katrina, but the storm damaged part of a zoo fence.
A couple of blue duikers - small antelopes - got loose, but were found within a week.
The Animal Rescue League in Laurel is also busy preparing for weather-related disasters.
"We stockpile any food and medication we might need," said Denise Bozeman, director of the not-for-profit no-kill shelter.
The league had no Katrina-related deaths or injuries to the 100 animal assortment of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.
"Cat litter, bleach, cleaning solutions - we want to be more prepared than we were before," she said.
Because of its location in the community, water and power were restored to the league's location at 2511 Moose Drive right after Katrina, Bozeman said.
"This place is blessed," she said.
The league is taking reservations from people who might need someone to take animals during hurricanes.
"Call now to reserve a space," Bozeman said, adding the service is for dogs and cats, but not reptiles or birds.
The number is (601) 649-0821.
