Two by two, they escaped the great flood
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Thursday November 26 2009
PETS are often the forgotten victims of floods.
And yesterday it emerged that numerous dogs, cats and even a snake were last night being comforted by "foster parents" who are providing emergency accommodation for them.
Karina Haugh (14), along with dozens of other residents, were rescued by army personnel from their flooded homes in Oakwood Drive in Ennis, Co Clare.
Karina, however, was forced to leave her pet dog Sissy behind.
In her sixth day of emergency accommodation at Ennis's West County hotel yesterday with 107 others made homeless by the floods, Karina said: "I wanted to take Sissy with me, but I wasn't allowed. I was crying."
Since last Friday, Karina and other neighbours have been able to go back and feed their "home alone" pets.
Foster
However, rising flood levels on Tuesday sparked fresh fears for the pets and forced Clare's Dog Warden, Frankie Coote to evacuate the animals -- and nine dogs and four cats now have temporary homes with "foster parents", while their owners remain in emergency accommodation.
Mr Coote also revealed that a three-foot snake is looked after by friends of its owner.
Deirdre Ryan, of local dog grooming parlour Peter Barks, has taken in four dogs and has been able to temporarily house two with a friend. Yesterday she was looking after a cocker spaniel and a cross-bred beagle.
Deirdre said: "I don't know their names, but they're in good nick and a credit to their owners.
"They're a little bit freaked out by a stranger taking them out of their homes, but they are very sweet dogs with lovely kind temperaments."
She added: "Hopefully, when people get back on their feet they will go back to their homes. They are well-fed dogs and I've no doubt that their owners are missing them."
- Gordon Deegan
Irish Independent
