First Katrina now Issac it is about time to move to another state before hurricane number 3 come through.

A tragedy for sure. At least this man cared enough to take care of his kitty. Many animals won't be so fortunate. I hope people will be compassionate and care for the displaced animals while their owners attempt to get their lives back together. A long road ahead for the families affected. Best wishes to you all.

Well said. I remember all the articles about animals that where left behind in Katrina. I can't imagine how hard that would be for me and I would hope that if I had to leave my dog someone would adopt her.

Glad he went back for his kitty! Seriously tho what the heck, my animals would have never been left behind to begin with!

really glad they were able ro get lovey out of there . we had abad flood here in vestal new york last september that flooded us out of our home also . we had to evacuate in the middle of the night but we were not allowed to bring our two precious friends gizmoe and candi with us . for 4 long days we worried and cried about what would happen to them as the authorities were not allowing anyone back into our entire area . then finally we called the police department and a kindly dispatcher told us to go to the roadblock that had been setup near by and see if we could be escorted in just to get our cats . well god must have been hard at work helping us that night because just as we were getting there an emergency personnel vehicle also pulled up and they had just surveyed our block and told the officer there that it would be ok for us to go in for our cats . we have never been so happy to see an animal let alone two of them . people do not always have a choice on whether to leave animals behind in emergencies i know we did not . god bless thse people and lovey i hope they will be ok life does go on !!

If you're being evacuated to a shelter, they will not allow you to bring your pets. That's why so many animals get left behind. It isn't because the people don't care.

I am very glad this man when back for his cat! But wonder WHY he left it in the first place...He had a carrier with him. Did someone give him that so he could rescue the cat??? The cat looks very happy to see him. It must have been a very frightening time for the animal. I don't know what his story was, but after Bush signed the Pet's Act into law CARTs (County Animal Response Team) were mandated to form along with CERTs (County Emergency Response Team). There should have been people in the area ready to help him evacuate WITH his animal. Is it possible that even now people don't know that CARTs exist? Additionally, people are told to make an evacuation plan for themselves and their animals in case an emergency should occur. Is it possible that people don't know this either??? What can be done to make sure everyone knows this???

He left the cat and went back for it, piss poor.

What are the odds that next year the same guy will be evacuating his home...BECAUSE HE LIVES IN A FLOOD ZONE!

It's always the same bunch of people sitting on their roofs waiting for someone to come save thiem. Time to walk away, live above sea level.

Stand on the railroad tracks long enough and guess what?

BTW, for those insensitive people who don't understand. I am a resident of Southern La, Issac effected everyone. We to were flooded and when we are told to evacuate ost shelters here will not allow you to take your pets no matter what. And as for moving, I moved here from South Fl. and Louisiana is of the most beautiful places I have ever lived and the people here are the most loving and caring people you will ever find. It's rich culture and heritage needs to be preserved. Also it is not easy for people tp pick up and leave. There are a lot of poor people here as well, that are elderly with no families and those are some of the people who are left behind. So before you go and make comments do your research first. I love it here and if we have to rebuild than thats what we will do. To all those who have lost, stay strong and keep going!

Industrial Strength;

Easy for you to say. Clearly, you have no idea how many people live in southern LA and the entire delta region. How about the millions in quack areas? or the millions in tornado alley?Or all those in the wild fire zones? You profess to have all the answers, lets hear it genius.

This man is a kind-hearted, sensitive family member of mine. He is also a VET who has a love for animals. He lived on a farm that my kids call "Uncle Donald's farm". Do you know how many animals he had? Many were already rescued before Lovey. There were family members rescued from this home in the middle of the hurricane. Winds roaring, water rising, no supplies,... He stayed at this home for days beyond to care for the animals left behind and hoped he too would be rescued. I'm sure the cat was fine home alone for that short period of time.

Everyone is an expert. Everyone has a better solution. You never know until you are in this situation what you will do. Get over yourselves and realize these are real people with real lives that were destroyed from this. They did the best the could in the situation and are trying to move forward with the new normal. And they are not asking for a free ride or a pity party contrary to popular belief.

We love this family and wish them nothing but the best. Please be considerate and realize they are reading this.

I think that there is a place in Heaven ... a beautiful house with flowering gardens. There is a sign out front of the house that says, "Reserved for Don Duplantier, his loved ones and his cat, Kirtty." God will Bless Don for his kindness.

It can and will with your tax dollars. Federal flood insurance programs rebuild, rebuild, rebuild, rebuild and rebuild again and again and again!

They should make it mandatory that if you want money from the Fed move or build your house higher, 12 feet above the flood plain at least.

ok first of all...this man is REQUIRED to have flood insurance ESPECIALLY if his house was flooded before...and...the more some people build up...the more other people flood...just look at the surrounding areas of new orleans for this storm...the water has to GO SOMEWHERE!!!...and as for taking money from the federal government...well i think we all believe there should be many rules and regulations that allow this...including but not limited to people having to take drug tests to collect unemployment and food stamps

On it, you've obviously never been to Louisiana. 12 feet above the flood plain? Except for the Northern part of the state and the tops of the levies, Louisiana would be uninhabited.

Ok, so LA is uninhabited.

Better than pouring money down the toilet for nothing. People can still work there in needed industries, they just don't have to live there. Don't see too many people living on a firing range.

abcoclol;

Spoken like a true leftist socialist nazi. Congratulations. Unemployment insurance is paid by employers, not the government. Do some research, you won;t look so naive.

Industrial strength;

Clearly you are a died in the wool brainwashed Brahman. There is little hope for you.

On it, you've obviously never been to Louisiana. 12 feet above the flood plain? Except for the Northern part of the state and the tops of the levies, Louisiana would be uninhabited.

I've been there many times, since 1960, along with all of the southern coast. They have a way of building in low areas and it is required with new construction, even in Louisiana, with pilings. Made from treated poles or concrete they get you where you need to be with your house.

Dicodemus, On It when was the last time you saw someone unload a ship in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico or Arizona. When is the last time northern states were burried under snow. And when it melts all the flooding that follows? Wake up to the facts of life. All alone the coast of the US it gets flooded and thru out the North it gets flooded. Heavy rains, or no rains makes no difference. Northern Louisiana pays a ton more insurance that is used to help cover loses. Up North wages are so extremely high that it costs a fortune to live. My electric bill for a 1530 square foot home is under $125 A MONTH YEAR ROUND. No gas bills as this is an all electric home. People live where they want to because of the weather. I love 60-70 degree weather in December and January. Enjoy what you like a quit worrying about others.

To all the people who collapsed my comment:

First, more people appear to have agreed with me in the thread than didn't, though many were more moderate, so I'm puzzled. I've never seen a plea for thoughtfulness towards pets collapsed before.

Second, I do live in earthquake and tsunami country and forest fire country. Admittedly, if the house is collapsing around me, my unthinking natural response will be to get the hell out -- especially if I've tried to grab the cats and they've dived under the bed. I know. It's happened.

Or if the forest fire were raging -- unexpectedly -- over the hill and down onto our home and the cats had pulled their multidimensional trick and become invisible, I would absolutely flee without them, weeping as I ran or drove away.

However, just as with my kids and relatives and most important possessions: I would hope that, except for a sudden event, I'd've bailed with the cats, the kids, granny and the insurance docs, well before the disaster surrounded us.

A hurricane is not a sudden event. The Gulf Coast had been warned for days in advance of Isaac's landfall. Put the cat carrier by the door along with your briefcase of important papers and an overnight bag and get out while the getting is good.

That's all I'm saying. If you have to wait until a boat rescues you from the second floor, you waited too long. And, I have been there.

I do sympathize with poor Mr Duplantier and everyone else in the flooded areas. I was just sad about the damned kitten. So, sue me!

Fired Up in NC, you're exactly right. Mr. Duplantier had his priorities straight - family, the dress and his cat (who didn't seem to be enjoying his trip, but I'm sure he is glad Papa came back to pick him up).

Fired Up in NC. Oh how right you are. God bless Mr Duplantier and his family...including Lovey. Papa "done good" and got what mattered. Blessings on this family.

he may not of been able to find the cat. they have a way of hiding. Poor thing was probably scared to death and found a place where it felt safe and was not coming out come hell or high water

Cats do have a way of hiding, especially if water and loud noises are involved. I think I would stay with my cats, too, if I couldn't take them with me, but I hesitate to judge anyone until I have been there and know the circumstances better.

I agree that one small cat should have been allowed to evacuate along with her people. Leaving animals behind is extremely risky, often tragic. The horror that was Katrina taught many people in the LA area to have evacuation readiness plans that include their animals. I'm with ElegiaLeung, they would have to physically disable my husband and me to make us leave our cats behind. No way on earth. In IL, we obviously don't have hurricanes, but tornado season can present challenges. Our three cats are certainly included in our "take cover" plans. We couldn't have it any other way, they are dearly loved family members. So glad Lovey was safe.

"Take cover" plans...good luck if you can find them.

Do not judge unless you have the facts.

This to ElegiaLeung: You are wrong. Though I have loved all my critters over the last 56 years, I will say, that and animal is not my top priority! If possible, I would have saved the cat, but not at the expence of human life. Mine or someone elses! He went back and got it as soon as he could safely do so! Give the guy a break! Besides, Don't judge till you've walked in his shoes for a while. You don't know his circumstances or if he has health issues.

I totally agree with you, Dame808

I am from the south. I have experienced both hurricanes and tornadoes. Both are very devastating. As far as mansions go, alot of southern cities have historical homes and if they are passed down from your family as they usually are they are not expensive. Historical doesn't mean your wealthy. It would make me extremely sad and worried to leave my cats behind. However, getting my three kids out comes first. Shelters can not allow animals to live there as well. The shelters would be over run. Not all pet owners are responsible it would be easy for animals to get ill. I believe in God and he has always taken care of family. That includes my cats. What this man did was the right thing. Don't judge others. We are all sinners and need Gods grace.

My favorites are the people that stay because they will not leave their cat.....good lord.

RevImmigrant, his cat is also his family and priority as you don't see much else in the boat with him. Duplantier can still smile through all of this because he still has Lovey to comfort him.

Let's imagine for one moment everyone was allowed to bring their pets along when evacuated.

You would have dogs , cats ,snakes , lizards and Guinea pigs all in the boat with you . We know how well these critters behave when frightened . So we have a dog chasing the cat who's after the snake who is eating the rodent all in that little boat with you and the owner of the animals. Think people. Loss of a pet can be devastating, no arguement. Loss of a family member because the boat is capsized by frightened animals? Get serious. Can you imagine the resue shelters?

Elegialeung;

Then they probably would pry them off your kitties when they found your body floating, of course, your kitties would drown too but hey, you didn't "abandon" them. When you are evacuated to a shelter you can't bring pets and you "means" have nothing to do with it, that's the rules. Most motels won't allow them either, IF you can find a motel room. Clearly, you live in one of those utopian places where bad weather, earth quacks, wild fires or crime never happen. Good for you, but, don't be so quick to be critical when you have NO FREAKING IDEA what's going on.

That's not mold - that's the mud/water line of how high the water was (and of course the mud on the walls below that line). It's receding now.

Hey so called AWSOMISOM, The man & his family are alive. I'd say that's a Blessing from GOD in it self! Bad things happen to the good as well as the bad, the same as good things happen to the bad as well as the good. You put your FAITH in whatever you want to. As for me, I'll keep my FAITH in GOD. Thank you very much.

You have a sense of humor? Who is the idiot here?

Awesomisome is probably about 14 years old. Look at his lack of punctuation, incorrect grammar and the picture of a gun, all of these things are indicative of an undereducated public school miscreant. So go easy on him, he doesn't know he is an idiot.

AWSOMISOM is an attention starved troll trying to be funny but failing miserably with badly timed sarcasm. Duplantier and his pet's situaton is nothing to laugh and mock. Better hope you don't end up in the same situation sooner or later.

Well -

If there was any sense to all this 'natural' goings-ons, When ever a place is flooded, whether it be 1,10,20yrs., then that area is considered a flood plain and NO develpoment is allowed WHATSOEVER.

This was experienced back in the days of the '30's floods, being proposed by the US Army Engineers, but ignored and down-played thru out by politicos vying for space, attention and votes of residents -However, NO ONE has ever been able or counter different. We learned back then - that if/when you are in sight of water, you better have a boat and everything at least 20ft. above ground or move/live elsewhere.

My mother worked there - Army Engineers- River, Harbors, Flood Control as Admin.Sect./Steno to those Engineers- 38yrs, Washington, DC and Gravelly Point, National Airport.

However, you can't tell me that when you shove/block the water from Downtown NO, that it won't flow elsewhere - Is just a matter of a liquid force meeting an immovable object will find a different path as is wont with any liquid - A matter of Natural Force Physics - Liquid takes the path of least resistance - Simple 9th grade Science.

but not for Storm Prevention of flooding for the American Tax Payer.

How do you eliminate flooding when you're below sea level?

Even after spending billions to build a new levee system, areas still flooded.

New Orleans should be torn down and made into a sanctuary for wildlife! It's wet lands for crying out loud!

DaSarge;

Yeah, corps of engineers learned so well they caused the major flooding along the Missouri river and because of their "planning" had to make it worse by blowing up levies. And these NO Development areas you talk about, guess what, many ARE being developed. The lower Mississippi river delta is a flood plane and nothing will change that, not even your precious corps of engineers. It has also been people homes for the last 50,000 years, you seem to forget the Native Americans that were here first, then ten generations of other folks who moved into the area to avoid government interference in their lives. I see they had no better luck with that than we did.

So how about all those people in wildfire zones, tornado alley, quack zones, or your favorite crime ridden city? I know,,,,, you move them all and yourself back to where ever your ancestors came from. Maybe they'll welcome you back. It was the French who thought it a good idea to drain a swamp and build a city, you people just continued it.

It should be torn down and made wet lands, it should be left to rot, it should be this, it should be that. Now imagine if something happened and they were going to tear down you home, no compensation, no help, what would you do? Hmmm?, come on all you arm chair experts, let's hear your solution. Where are you going to relocate 6 million people from the delta zone, it ain't just N.O. Come on, we're listening for the brilliance to poor from you learned mouths. Idiots.

Holland is also a low lying country, yet they've managed to avoid devastating floods. Why can't we build the same automated flood barriers that the Dutch and other countries in Europe have? After all, aren't we the wealthiest country in the world?