Brave Animal Rescuers Battle Baton Rouge Deluge

Baton Rouge, LA and surrounding areas were battered over the weekend by torrential thunderstorms that rained more than two feet of water in less than three days, leaving tens of thousands of homes and businesses flooded and residents scrambling for higher ground. At least 10 people and an untold number of animals have perished. However, more than 20,000 people and hundreds of animals have been rescued (this dramatic video of a woman and her dog being rescued from a submerged car illustrates the danger that people and animals are facing). A coalition of different groups—including the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART), local animal control agencies, and area shelters—is working together to rescue animals in distress from the floodwaters and take care of lost pets. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck told FoxNews.com that the rescue operation “does present a lot of challenges, but our agents have been trained for this. What our guys do is very heroic—they are going into these neighborhoods, the terrain is very treacherous, they work throughout the night.” Thousands of animals remain imperiled: donations to LSART and area shelters can help save their lives.