Allan Schwartz, vice president of Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR) in Lisbon, Md., who is doing animal rescue in Mississippi, warns pet and horse owners in stricken areas to ask for identification before they allow their animals to be taken by anyone. He said stories are growing of people who turned their animals over to “rescue” workers and never saw them again. That happened in Mississippi yesterday with three horses.

“In Mississippi, we have photo ID badges,” said Schwartz. “Anyone authorized to be working has a photo ID. If you are elsewhere, get the person’s driver’s license, their name and address, the vehicle registration number, license plate number, or anything else you can” for identification. “Find out who they are working with and get as much information as possible.”