One of the most publicized tragedies of Hurricane Katrina was the forced separation of owners and their pets. In the wake of the storm, rescue workers saved thousands of animals left behind while thousands more died.

To prevent that from happening again, the Louisiana SPCA and the city and state made arrangements for pet owners to be evacuated with their animals. Small animals that could fit in a person's lap or under a seat could be taken on the buses.

"One person brought a 200-pound Mastiff but we didn't have a cage large enough to fit it," said Sandy Cochran, a volunteer with United Animal Nation. "So the truck driver said the owner and the dog could ride up front with him."

Majunique Brown and her boyfriend Troy Gloston arrived with two small dogs and a leopard gecko named Magic Man. Brown, whose home in eastern New Orleans, was destroyed during Katrina, was impressed with the city's evacuation efforts for Gustav.

"It just seems like this time there's a lot more help for people. If I couldn't take my pets with me I wouldn't be going anywhere."

Source: neworleanscitybusiness.com