Animal Rescue Alerts 09-26-2005
From Katrina Help Info
Animal Rescue Resources > Alerts > 09-26-2005
Monday September 26, 2005
N.O.: Used Dogs needs help 20:30 ET
16273 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=55655). Check this out----- by jodysiano, 9/26/05 20:30 ET Saw this on BF. Is this true? If so, we need to help this lady. September 25, 2005 : 6:56 PM ET posted by: mvazquez73
I am crossposting a cry for help that is posted on petfinder.com her site is http://useddogs.petfinder.com/ . Her name is Madalin Bernard. Her address is 1021 Saux Lane and she lives in the algiers section of New Orleans. It is dry there. If anyone can help her please do so. Her email address mailto:isk9kitten@cox-dot-net
USED DOGS needs help! I stayed behind on purpose, because I knew there would be so many animals left behind. I have gotten over 100 animals out and am keeping at least 100 alive by feeding and watering them. I am climbing fences going into backyards in very rough parts of towm to feed and water these dogs. I NEED HELP! Even without going out to look for new dogs, hungry and sad ones are showing up at my doorstep EVERY DAY!!!! I have used so many of my supplies for my own USED DOGS already. Frontline Advantage, etc. BUT what I really need for these ones that look like they will have to stay with me for a while is to have them checked by a vet. I need money for vet checkes and spay/neutering!!!! PLEASE HELP. You can send donations to me at P. O Box 741163 New Orleans, LA 70174, and I am going to try and set up someting where you can send directly to a vet just for USED DOGS animals . USED DOGS can never thank HUA, (Hearts United for Animals) and the Ascension Parish animal control ( especially Sherry) enough for their help. Although the LA SPCA is working hard and national groups are here, like HSUS, ASPSCA, to name but a very few, they seem very overwhelmed and it is a good thing I have stayed, because i don't think they would have ever made to the animals i have found in need.
Who We Are USED DOGS P.O. Box 741163 New Orleans, LA 70174 Phone: 504-442-3647 mailto:K9Kitten@cox-dot-net http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/useddogs.html http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?action=1&pet.Shelterid=LA123
Sad news on helping search for dog 21:16 ET
16299 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=55764). Sad news on helping search for dog by chelirrw24, 9/26/05 21:16 ET
I want to thank everyone that took the time to help me find Porkchop and Barney, but I am sorry to report that my sister went into the Parish today and found their bodies. They looked as though they had drown,, Just remember to all of those that have left their animals behind in a hurricane that this could very well be the result for them.. I will miss them so much and pray that they did not have a hard time.
Rebuttal to criticisms of NGO animal relief efforts 20:42 -0700
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 20:42:39 -0700 (PDT) From: Monica Orta mailto:pawpawshouse03@yahoo-dot-com Erics's Dog Blog - TODAY 9/26 - Read comme...
Thank you Tara for your input. Yes there are things that must change and I have been there to see some of the things that need to be improved. I have met this guy, Eric, and he is tying to get the most accurate info he can. I also feel he may be a little one sided and that's not to say that his information is true or untrue.
Plain and simple...... I would advise anyone reading any of this info about ANY of these facilities/organizations to take note and see if you can bring it to the proper persons attention. This jumping the gun and believing everything you read is nonsense. Research it and act on it. What upsets me the most is that if you have not been out there to witness all the good that is being done then GO! I can not stress this enough!This is a disaster situation people. There will be things that they will have to figure out along the way. I am as sick oof red tape as much as you are. I have been on the phone for 5 hours today trying to get through red tape!
Now, I for one know how hard it has been to track the animals we brought in, even w/their ID #. So I know there is much room for improvement there. It will take time. I can understand they can not release these animals to just anyone who shows up and says I am w/XYZ Rescue and I want to take some home. There are proper channels you must go through and yes, it may be a pain in the a** and hard to find these channels but it's better to be safe than sorry for the animals sake.
As for the tent......at Gonzales there is a FEMA airconditioned tent w/300 cots. They supplied us w/dinner, ice, water, cokes, showers, bathrooms. Yes I did see people breaking down in tears. They are overwhelmed, hot and tired. There aren't enough people walking, bathing cleaning after the animals. There probably never will be enough people out there. How can you help you ask? GO VOLUNTEER! Don't expect special treatment, don't expect to be pampered, don't expect to be able to go in there and throw in your two cents....just go work. Some of these people are going off of plain emotion. YOU CAN"T go in there and expect to do that and get anywhere.
My point here is that the blog you read has some truths but is one sided as well. I am not claiming to know all but I was impressed at the organization of the facility considering the circumstances. There is room for improvement everywhere (including but not limited to FEMA, Red Cross, local gov, state gov etc). I can't say I have not been frustrated w/some things that I had to deal with but I do what I can.
So if you really want to know for sure what is going on, go there yourself and work!
Monica Orta Elkins, HBAR
Previous Message mailto:FRADogs@aol-dot-com wrote:
Alright guys, I usually stay out of arguments, and all that. I've heard conflicting stories about what has or has not been happening in the disaster zone with HSUS. However, very few on here, and other lists, have been in this type of situation prior to this time. Please hear me out. If mistakes are being made, YES, they need to be brought to everyone's attention, so that they can be altered and planned accordingly, NOT so everyone can lay blame, though laying blame is easiest. There are several things in a disaster situation that MUST be mentioned. I have personally done search and rescue / recovery both animal & human for years. Please keep these things in mind when writing or addressing the HSUS or other organizations doing rescue on the gulf coast:
- 1) Disaster Zones of the size & severity of the Gulf Coast particularly New Orleans area ARE NOT an area just any volunteer can go safely into. If it's been done, it's with pure luck. The animals after a few days are not generally going to be that friendly dog they were prior to the disaster. Experienced personel with handling aggressive, even dangerous animals MUST be immediately available to avoid serious harm to the rescuers, without whom, nothing would be getting done. This does not mean dog walkers, or even most rescue (animal) persons, we're talking those well versed with a catch pole, and safety precautions. On top of the animal aspect is the disaster aspect itself, there are safety hazards it takes YEARS to learn, including but not limited to diseases, containment and not impeding the recovery efforts of other teams. There's communication protocol that is essential to a safe effective rescue.
- 2) The governments first priority is going to be containment if they feel there is any threat of animals being rescued carrying out diseases to other parts of the country. Unfounded, or Not, if they "feel" there is reasonable expectation of disease, it is their responsibility to ensure containment and quarantine. This is often handled badly and with persons whose job it is to normally provide safety to foreign threats, not well versed in handling the well meaning, even well trained, intentions of the animal rescue world. Just in following orders. It happens, it needs to change, but has not been as well known or seen issue up to this point.
- 3) This disaster while forwarned by experts was obviously not taken seriously enough by ANYONE in rescue management. Hind sight is 20/20. Both Human & Animal rescue and recovery efforts were unprepared for the immense recovery efforts and additional threats and dangers usually found singly in a disaster area, now all lumped together. Without a solid "go to" person for directions, everyone gets in everyone elses way and eventually NO ONE will be permitted in. That said...
Many things obviously Have to Change, and plans with qualified rescue personell have to be put in place, but an animal rescue of such mass movement is to my knowledge unprecedented to this point... FEMA & National Search Teams have had many mass responses, and STILL there were many publicized and unpublicized errors. I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, and so be it... and I"m not on anyone's side. Due to my respiratory problems I was unable to respond to the coast, so am not saying anything first hand in anyone's defense or against anyone... I'm simply asking for everyone to take these things into account and approach whatever actions you feel necessary or statements that you feel must be made with all this in mind. And try to make it constructive instead of an "attack" It's hard on everyone in a disaster area, and no matter what you do, someone is always angry with you, but giving suggestions, making offers to handle some of these "missed" things (From OUTSIDE a disaster zone for those untrained) go a lot farther than yelling. Lets hope we all, people & animal rescue personell learn from Katrina.
Tara Miller (214)668-6163
How are owners going to find their pets 22:29 -0500
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 22:29:15 -0500 From: "Linda Murray" mailto:melmur@cableone-dot-net How are owners going to find their pets
I think that one of main causes for all this is each organization (FEMA, etc) wants to run their own show instead of working together for a common cause. Common sense tells me that animal rescue should have been right behind those trying to locate human survivors. It could have been done on a grid pattern and would have saved valuable time and kept from checking an area again and again. I do see where there may be a need to recheck a neighborhood for pets that had gotten out and came back for food and water.
I think that if we could get this all posted in one area, all shelters, etc. could print and post it for all to see. There are computers in most public libraries and I know that it would be fairly simple for them to get help pulling the info up. Maybe even post copies in stores like Walmart and grocery stores. I'll almost be that once a complete list is made, most newspapers would post it in their paper. Just a wild hair that I thought would help.
Linda
Previous Message #1 From: laurenkvaughn Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 12:57 AM How are owners going to find their pets
As a database expert, it sickens me that missing person and pet data is scattered like this. There should have been a single source for this data FROM THE BEGINNING. All of these media websites could have simply posted a link to the data repository instead of creating their own bulletin boards, etc. That would have been a more useful way to collect and subsequently distribute important information. At this point, it will be impossible to accurately combine data from all the different places where people have posted.
As for needing the print media, all the print media needs to do is give a phone number for people to call and look for their pets. The problem is that nobody at the shelters is answering the phone. My wife is a nurse, and several of us left our cats at the hospital when we were evacuated (into the Convention Center I might add, but that's off topic for this discussion). These pets were supposedly rescued, but since nobody is answering the phone at the shelter, we can't find out what happened to them. So many people want to volunteer to help. Why don't they go to the shelters and work the phones for a while?
Lauren
Previous Message #2
I used to work in media. In this massive case and the probablity that many people don't use the internet, we need print media. I would suggest that once Petfinder and all the others running online photo databases gather their wits and can work as a team, that a newspaper supplement be printed. Funding could be from the HSUS since they have collected so much money, or by businesses buying advertising space. This would look like a Trading Post if you have seen those. It should be dedicated to Katrina's Pets only and have the thousands of pictures of found pets contained in it. They could be distributed by the HSUS or Petfinder free of charge and given away in the local animal shelters nationwide. Everyone, especially the elderly would look at it and find it easy to use.
Just my 2 cents. Carolyn
Learning from Katrina 22:17 EDT
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 22:17:50 EDT From: mailto:FRADogs@aol-dot-com Learning from Katrina
Alright guys, I usually stay out of arguments, and all that. I've heard conflicting stories about what has or has not been happening in the disaster zone with HSUS. However, very few on here, and other lists, have been in this type of situation prior to this time. Please hear me out. If mistakes are being made, YES, they need to be brought to everyone's attention, so that they can be altered and planned accordingly, NOT so everyone can lay blame, though laying blame is easiest. There are several things in a disaster situation that MUST be mentioned. I have personally done search and rescue / recovery both animal & human for years. Please keep these things in mind when writing or addressing the HSUS or other organizations doing rescue on the gulf coast:
1) Disaster Zones of the size & severity of the Gulf Coast particularly New Orleans area ARE NOT an area just any volunteer can go safely into. If it's been done, it's with pure luck. The animals after a few days are not generally going to be that friendly dog they were prior to the disaster. Experienced personel with handling aggressive, even dangerous animals MUST be immediately available to avoid serious harm to the rescuers, without whom, nothing would be getting done. This does not mean dog walkers, or even most rescue (animal) persons, we're talking those well versed with a catch pole, and safety precautions. On top of the animal aspect is the disaster aspect itself, there are safety hazards it takes YEARS to learn, including but not limited to diseases, containment and not impeding the recovery efforts of other teams. There's communication protocol that is essential to a safe effective rescue.
2) The governments first priority is going to be containment if they feel there is any threat of animals being rescued carrying out diseases to other parts of the country. Unfounded, or Not, if they "feel" there is reasonable expectation of disease, it is their responsibility to ensure containment and quarantine. This is often handled badly and with persons whose job it is to normally provide safety to foreign threats, not well versed in handling the well meaning, even well trained, intentions of the animal rescue world. Just in following orders. It happens, it needs to change, but has not been as well known or seen issue up to this point.
3) This disaster while forwarned by experts was obviously not taken seriously enough by ANYONE in rescue management. Hind sight is 20/20. Both Human & Animal rescue and recovery efforts were unprepared for the immense recovery efforts and additional threats and dangers usually found singly in a disaster area, now all lumped together. Without a solid "go to" person for directions, everyone gets in everyone elses way and eventually NO ONE will be permitted in. That said...
Many things obviously Have to Change, and plans with qualified rescue personell have to be put in place, but an animal rescue of such mass movement is to my knowledge unprecedented to this point... FEMA & National Search Teams have had many mass responses, and STILL there were many publicized and unpublicized errors. I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, and so be it... and I"m not on anyone's side. Due to my respiratory problems I was unable to respond to the coast, so am not saying anything first hand in anyone's defense or against anyone... I'm simply asking for everyone to take these things into account and approach whatever actions you feel necessary or statements that you feel must be made with all this in mind. And try to make it constructive instead of an "attack" It's hard on everyone in a disaster area, and no matter what you do, someone is always angry with you, but giving suggestions, making offers to handle some of these "missed" things (From OUTSIDE a disaster zone for those untrained) go a lot farther than yelling. Lets hope we all, people & animal rescue personell learn from Katrina.
Tara Miller (214)668-6163
Hattiesburg: Need foster help and volunteers 20:09
From: "Jama Singley"
mailto:jamasingley@alabamahumanefederation-dot-org
Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2005 20:09:31
Need foster help and volunteers
All of the animals brought into Hattiesburg are in the process of being transported out to approved shelter/organization foster homes after proper ID photos and microchipping are done to each animal. The Hattiesburg shelter should have the fostering process completed by the first week of October. This means after the animals are all sent to foster homes, it make take up to a week to disassemble the temporary shelter so help is need with this endeavor as well.
If your shelter/organization is interested in fostering at least 20+ animals for at least 30 days, then please visit HSUS's website, and fill out a shelter foster application. http://www.hsus.org/
Any questions should be directed to HSUS. A similar process is occurring at the LSU temporary shelter, too. I previously sent out an email concerning that foster program.
NOTE:
- 1) You must have an air conditioned unit to transport the animals out of Hattiesburg (NO dogs/cats will be transported on flatbed trucks or horse trailers.
- 2) You MUST be approved through the application process before picking up any animals from Hattiesburg
- 3) You should have access to a microchip scanner
Jama
URGENT: HSUS is not rescuing many pets--what you can do 19:52
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 19:52:26 -0000 From: "becknforan" <becknforan@yahoo.com> URGENT: HSUS is not rescuing many pets--what you can do
If you called HSUS 800 number to report your pet left in your home, you need to know that rescuers in the field believe HSUS has NOT given out its list of owner call-ins to rescuers.
There is a very good chance NO ONE has gone to rescue your pet because they don't know about your request.
To read details, go to this link.
To report your pet's address to a group actually rescuing, call this number. 443.421.0000 right away. Do not wait to hear from HSUS. You cannot rely on them to get your animal out.
If you can't get thru at the phone number above, go to NOLA.com pet rescue forum at
and post all the details and your contact info. Someone on the list will get the info to Eric's rescue teams.
They are still finding living animals locked in homes, although many are dead. THERE IS A CHANCE FOR YOUR PET, but you must get the info to teams on the ground NOW because time is running out.
http://www.ericsdogblog.blogspot.com/
Hay & Grain for Rita Victims 15:24
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 15:24:21 -0500 Subject: 9/26/05: Hay & Grain for Rita Victims From: Kinship Circle mailto:info@kinshipcircle-dot-org
9/26/05: Needed: Bales of Hay, Sacks of Grain for Rita Victims
CONTACT: Julia Fischer, Grassroots Effort for Animals of the Storm home: 251-645-8605 cell: 251-455-9377 mailto:ggnu@bellsouth-dot-net
NEEDS/SITUATION:
- We’d like to begin stockpiling hay and grain at our drop/distribution supply site in Mobile, Alabama.
- Hay fields and graineries are destroyed across flooded states. Any stores exposed to moisture are contaminated and toxic to animals who consume it.
- Areas hit by Hurricane Rita are largely rural. We have spoken with The Iberia Humane Society http://www.iberiahumane.com/ which has established shelter for rescued animals from Vermillion Parish, Abbeyville, etc. They are currently housing everyone from horses, goats, pigs, sheep, and a goose, to guinea pigs and 40-60 dogs (brought in yesterday).
- Dr. White and his wife Marilynn are still assessing needs for this new effort. We will keep you posted about specific volunteer/supply requests.
FYI:
From: Marie St Martin Humane mailto:stmartinhumane@hotmail-dot-com Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 Subject: RESCUED RITA pets in Vermillion & Iberia parishes, LA
Animals rescued from the Vermillion parish, LA, are being sheltered at the Cecil McCrory Building, on Port Rd. (next to Clyde Prejean's DMV office) in Abbeville.
Animals (dogs, cats, geese, goats, cows, horses... anything you can think of) rescued from the Iberia parish, LA, are being sheltered at the Sugar Arena in New Iberia. Companion animals are then transferred to the Iberia Humane Society (337-365-1923), located at 1314 Troy Road, New Iberia.
Marie Bossard 337-879-6600 337-277-9538 St. Martin Humane Society http://www.stmartinhumane.org/
In the meantime, they mentioned need for A LOT of hay in the upcoming weeks. Julia Fischer, who handles our supply drop/distribution site in Mobile, Alabama, says this will become a pressing need throughout storm states.
WHAT TO DO:
- If you can transport (or arrange to have transported) bales of hay and/or sack of grain to our supply site, please contact Julia Fischer (Animal Rescue Foundation).
Tell Julia: -DAY/TIME SUPPLIES WILL ARRIVE. -WHAT YOU'RE BRINGING. (SOMEONE WILL NEED TO MEET YOU AT THE STORAGE SITE).
Alternate Storage: 5809 Larue Steiner Road; Theodore, Al 36582 (In Mobile off of I-10) West off 65 onto I-10 take exit 15A. Circle under interstate and stay on this road (Hwy 90). Turn right at second stop light and this is Larue Steiner Road. Travel about 3 miles down this road and it will be on this street. 52, 54, 55 are the units we have at this moment.
Hopeful Haven’s Equine Rescue Unit is sending a convey into Rita-effected areas this Saturday. Anyone who needs HAY or FEED, please call Debra Barlow: 318-286-3116
CONTACT:
Debra Barlow 318-286-3116 mailto:hopefulhaven@yahoo-dot-com
LOCATION:
Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue Organization Shreveport, Louisiana
SITUATION:
Saturday, 10/1/05: 5:00 a.m. - Convoy leaves Shreveport, LA from the Summer Gove Baptist Church 8:30 a.m. - Meets in Lafayette at the OMNI Energy Building 4500 NE Evangeline Thruway At I-49 exit 4
Convoy travels to Lake Charles, Vermillion Parish and Port Arthur areas.
Hopeful Haven also has room for evacuees with horses. Arenas and foster homes available. If evacuees have an RV or living quarters in their horse trailer, they will be able to stay with their horses.
GRASSROOTS EFFORT FOR ANIMALS OF THE STORM
KINSHIP CIRCLE 7380 Kingsbury Blvd.; Saint Louis, MO 63130 Katrina relief contact Brenda Shoss: (desk) 314-863-9445; (cell) 314-795-2646 http://www.kinshipcircle.org/
ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION (ARF) 771 Holcombe Ave.; Mobile, Alabama 36605 Katrina relief contact Julia Fischer: (cell) 251-455-9377; (home) 251-645-8605 http://www.animalrescuemobile.org/
Patricia Breen http://www.petstorecruelty.org/
Foster Home Vet Care Guidelines 12:31 -0400
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 12:31:21 -0400 From: "Jean at Puppymillrescue" mailto:embereab@comcast-dot-net Our Vet Care Guidelines, may help foster Homes Of Katrina Victims
Puppymill Rescue Foster Home Vet Care Guidelines
Below are some basic guidelines regarding the initial medical care and treatment of your PuppymillRescue foster dog. Please note that every foster dog is different, and there may be exceptions. If possible please ask your vet (prior to the receipt of your foster dog) for an estimate to cover these procedures and tests. Please submit the estimate to mailto:LeslieChallenger@tampabay.rr-dot-com , or to mailto:pmrboard@yahoogroups-dot-com . The following 7 procedures should be completed during the first vet visit.
1. Complete Physical Exam (includes check respiratory, circulatory, and reproductive systems, check skin, eyes, teeth, ears, palpate lymph nodes, etc).
2. Fecal Test - De-worming as required.
3. Ears - test for ear mites/infections/yeast/etc. and treat as required.
4. Heartworm Test - in house snap test.
5. Brucellosis Test - Must be the lab test initially. If positive then have the vet do the confirmation test.
6. Vaccinations - Rabies, bordetella (kennel cough), DHPP or DHLPP (distemper combo).
7. Microchip - Please have the dog scanned. If no chip is present, plan to have the dog micro chipped at time of spay/neuter or dental. If chip is present - contact PMR. We will need to have the chip registration changed over to PuppymillRescue.
After the initial procedures above, the following procedures and tests may also be needed. Please make sure that you inform Leslie (or another PMR board member) prior to having these done.
8. Blood test - Big 4 (sometimes called a Stat 4) - checks hematocrit, total protein, blood glucose and AZO/BUN. Please have this done prior to any surgery. NOTE: If the dog is over ~ 8 years of age, or the physical exam indicates that there are concerns, we may ask that a complete CBC and chemistry panel be done - check with a board member.
9. Spay/neuter - if other procedures are indicated, such as mammary tumor removal, hernia repair, etc., this may also be done at the same time if the health of the dog indicates. If any tumors or masses are to be removed, please discuss with a PMR board member whether or not a biopsy or culture should be preformed. NOTE: Please do not routinely schedule this procedure.
10. Dental - May require antibiotic treatment prior to doing the dental. Please note that it is rare that these dogs do not require a dental. However, because of age, or other underlying health issues, the dental may have to be delayed until either antibiotic treatment is done, or other health issues are resolved. The dental should include extractions, ultrasonic cleaning/scaling. Depending on the condition of any remaining teeth, polishing or fluoride treatments may or may not be done. Please discuss this with the vet and with a PMR board member.
11. Pain management drugs, antibiotic treatments, and other medication as needed or indicated.
Again, please note that these are guidelines only and are subject to change based upon the individual dog.
Please take this list to your veterinarian and get an estimate for these procedures.
- Complete Physical Exam.
- Fecal Test.
- Check ears (for mites/infection/yeast/etc.) - slide.
- Heartworm Test - in house snap test.
- Brucellosis Test - Must be the lab test initially. If positive then have the vet do the confirmation test.
- Vaccinations - Rabies, bordetella (kennel cough), DHPP or DHLPP (distemper combo).
- Microchip.
- Blood test - Big 4 (sometimes called a Stat 4).
- CBC and chemistry panel.
- Spay/neuter.
- Dental including extractions, ultrasonic cleaning/scaling.
Jean Jones mailto:embereab@comcast-dot-net
Hattiesburg shelter - need directions 09:33 -0400
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 09:33:25 -0400 From: "Barbara Kadesky" mailto:wolfstar@shentel-dot-net Hattiesburg shelter - need directions
Am going to MS. tonight and need directions to the Hattiesburg shelter. Also, in case I can bring animals back, are there any of you registered shelters/rescue groups willing to take a few animals(3-5)? Must be in 50 mile radius of Winchester, Va. I don't have the resources or desire to screen pet parent applicants. And to head off critics-will try to bring only strays and all animals will be photographed, microchipped and posted, ok?
Barbara K
"Last Chance Road Dogs"
Volunteers Desperately Needed for Maintenance of Katrina Animal Victims 09:22
From: mailto:SDurbin@tulsacc-dot-edu Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 9:22 AM This was just posted on ar-news, so is current
Volunteers Desperately Needed for Maintenance of Katrina Animal Victims Contact: Maria Alvarez mailto:tipster@bellsouth-dot-net and copy to: Traci Kestler mailto:TBKestler@aol-dot-com
We are desperate and overwhelmed to know of the many and to see SO many animals in need and who will need continued sustainment.
Traci Kestler has been providing a list of addresses of animals still confined to their homes that need to be fed and watered. By the time we get to the first address, we have stopped to care for the one's on the streets along the way. By the end of the day, we've only covered 2-3 of the 8-10 addresses on the list.
At the moment I know of only four of us driving through the streets of neighborhoods in New Orleans for hours putting out food and water for the many left behind. PLEASE, WE NEED ASSISTANCE TO CONTINUE!!
Many animals were released from inside homes that could not be moved to shelters. They need to be fed and watered at least twice weekly. A friend and I drove today for six hours, but only a very small number enjoyed our efforts. Everywhere we looked there was at least one cat or dog looking for food. We ran out of food and water (and some air in one tire) and headed home devastated knowing that many that had not eaten for days had still not been fed.
For a few days after Katrina we ran into HSUS volunteers several times, but in the last week we haven't seen anyone from any organization in any of the neighborhoods. The food that HSUS put out is long gone... the animals are very hungry. PLEASE HELP!!!
Often the military, paramedics and police officers approach us asking for help with an animal at a certain location. Sadly we often can't get to many of them. Pitbulls, Rotties and a few other mixes are in many areas running loose. Feral cats are in the middle of avenues in broad daylight looking for a kibble.
We are also sustaining several still in their homes, hoping the guardians will return soon, but we have not been made into many more homes that have been out of food for days. Also and unfortunately many feeders of ferals have lost everything and will likely not return any time soon. WE NEED HELP, PLEASE. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS AND FOOD.
THESE ANIMALS DON'T EVEN HAVE A RESTAURANT'S DUMPSTER TO EAT FROM. (THE LEFTOVERS FROM FOUR WEEKS AGO HAVE BEEN EATEN OR HAS ROTTED BEYOND.)
Please forward to any organizations that maybe able to help!!!
Thank you, Maria Alvarez
My first-hand experience in MS 08:56 -0400
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 08:56:33 -0400 From: Linda Braun, northern VA My first-hand experience in MS
Long first-hand account below, horrifying read about HSUS shelter. I believe it. I will never donate money to the HSUS again. My own brief first-hand experience in New Orleans and southern MS:
I couldn't stand reading the pleas for more volunteers at the huge Gonzales, LA temp shelter, apparently being run by HSUS. I had read from Jeff's Dog Blog that Jeff had met with Wayne Pacelli of HSUS and Mr. Pacelli promised no more volunteers would be turned away, so I drove 1,000 miles down from VA to help. I got there Thursday night, Sept. 23rd, and spent the night with a distant cousin outside New Orleans. The next morning, I called several numbers and was referred to the on-site local no. for the Gonzales shelter. The woman who answered the phone, "Flo," told me sorry, nobody with out-of-state license plates would be allowed through the gate, due to concerns about liability in preparation for Hurricane Rita.
The mayor of New Orleans had just closed the city again, and Pasados Rescue in Raceland has a policy of requiring at least a 5 day commitment, so I decided to go to the La. Humane Society temp shelter outside Tylertown, MS, 90 miles north of New Orleans. I just showed up and they were happy to put me to work. Many rescuers had just left, taking dogs to foster with them, so there were only 53 dogs left, half of them pitbulls.
All the large, outside chain-link pens were fully covered with tarps until preparation for tropical storm weather expected (and received) from Hurricane Rita. I had to leave after feeding cats Saturday night, but they were planning to re-arrange the outdoor kennels and re-cover them with tarps the next morning. I spent Friday and all day Saturday helping feed dogs and cats, walk dogs, take down tarps over outdoor pens, pick up garbage, and clean dog and cat cages.
No hotel rooms being available, I slept in my car. It wasn't bad, because the air had cooled a little with the tropical storm edge of Hurricane Rita. Most people slept in tents. I had not brought a tent because I had read on the Internet that the fire ants would find you.
The La. H.S. must not have anything to do with the HSUS; they made it clear nothing mattered more than taking care of the pets. All these pets were just rescued from homes in New Orleans and staged temporarily there. They're focused on keeping these pets in La. so owners can reclaim them. The only exception was a great rescuer of pitbulls from MO, approved and arranged in advance, took the more aggressive pitbulls out Saturday evening and back to MO. Until then, half the dogs I saw there were pitbulls or pitbull mixes, many of them with the half-cut-off ears that mark them as fighting dogs. They were dog-aggressive, but not people aggressive (with a few exceptions). I really fell in love with some of them. La. HSUS had been forced to hire a security guard for the last week or 2 to keep strange men from stealing the pit bulls. There were also many Rotties, stately in comparison, but frequently very sick with severe diarrhea (not just rotties).
There was a small Corgi? mix ready to pop her pups but not feeling well and not producing milk and not dilating, so they took her to a vet clinic and did a c-section and all of her pups were deformed, probably from the toxic waters.
I recommend that any rescuers wanting to help La. pets by fostering dogs contact the parish dog pounds and forward their references and 501(c)3 status. They parish pounds will be happy to let you pull owner-surrendered pets.
fyi Linda Braun northern VA
Hattiesburg: Another perspective on conditions. 08:33 -0700 (PDT)
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 08:33:55 -0700 (PDT) From: Leann mailto:bluesmail@yahoo-dot-com Hattiesburg: Another perspective on conditions.
I received the same email on another list that I belong to but then fast on its heels came the one below.
I don't have firsthand knowledge of Hattiesburg as I haven't been there yet, but one of our teams was there Friday night for about 4 hours and said that the conditions they saw were more along the lines of this response than the original one. She said that the dogs are fed twice a day, by the way, that the tables were set up at 4pm for the evening meal when they got there and volunteers were preparing the food bowls at that time. She also said that the information for each kennel they saw was detailed with volunteer notes on when the dogs were walked, how much they ate, etc. She said that she didn't believe that this was staged as they were in the middle of preparations for the hurricane at the same time. The records that they brought back on the 12 animals they pulled seem to be complete, as well.
We are more than likely heading there this weekend, though, so I should be able to see for myself then.
Leann Lund Gulf Coast Shih Tzu Rescue, Inc. Tallahassee, FL
NEED YOUR PET RESCUED? This from Eric Rice. 05:28
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 05:28:03 -0000 From: "catlover" mailto:sn_yafet@yahoo-dot-com NEED YOUR PET RESCUED? This from Eric Rice.
Eric Rice asked me post that he and his team will be rescuing stranded animals all this week. Please call: 443-421-0000 with your information. "...thousands of people who called the much published HSUS 800 number to report a trapped pet. Many of these people probably think that HSUS, with all their money and support, got the list into hands of rescuers. They have not. Finally, people who were so amazed about this, took the list and started to get it data processed and put into simple mapping programs. I told them to do this two weeks ago and even offered to direct them to db companies who could help! Think about this. HSUS virtually promised on ads and internet marketing that they would try to rescue their pets. I hear this list is over 20k and could be much larger. These are leads for rescuers to go directly where there is a pet. Will we ever get it? Who knows at this point? But if you called them and think that your pet has been saved, think again. You'd be better off just calling local groups like us on the ground and giving us the information again."
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