Animal Rescue Alerts 09-27-2005
From Katrina Help Info
Animal Rescue Resources > Alerts > 09-27-2005
Tuesday September 27, 2005
Almost 6,000 applications to FOSTER hurricane pets! 21:39
From: mailto:Five_State_Rescue@yahoogroups-dot-com On Behalf Of mailto:Bbruce777@aol-dot-com Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 9:39 PM Almost 6,000 applications to FOSTER hurricane pets!
On the web site http://www.katrinafoundpets.com/ - set up by Jean Jones of puppymillrescue - it says that through the web site that 5,960 applications to FOSTER have been received and are being set up in a database. There have been many people wanting to help and said they could help by fostering - either until owners were located or until adopted. The outpouring has been tremendous. I have never heard of any group having almost 6,000 applications to foster!
I was told that you must be a non-profit rescue organization to get access to the applications. It has been almost a month now - surely the database is ready. It is needed NOW.
Contact Jean Jones of puppymillrescue.com mailto:embereab@comcast-dot-net
HSUS: Management Of Animal Relief Efforts Shifting To Local Authorities 21:02
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 21:02:48 -0500 From: "Katie Walter" mailto:katie.walter@comcast-dot-net MANAGEMENT OF ANIMAL RELIEF EFFORTS SHIFTING TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES
The Humane Society of the United States to Continue Operations in Support Role
GONZALES, La. and WASHINGTON (Sept. 30, 2005) After one month in Louisiana and Mississippi and nearly 8,000 animals rescued as part of an unprecedented effort by several national and local organizations and more than 1,000 volunteers, The Humane Society of the United States is transitioning many of its animal relief operations in Louisiana back to the Louisiana SPCA beginning today.
Efforts to rescue, shelter and reunite the animals abandoned in New Orleans and surrounding parishes after Hurricane Katrina will continue after the 30th, which is the date established by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry to transition management of the rescue effort back to the local agencies.
With some residents now being allowed to return home, the Louisiana SPCA operation is expected to focus on feeding animals in anticipation that their owners may return to the city. If the animals are safe and healthy, they stand a chance of being reclaimed as the city is repopulated, sparing the animals the stress of capture and transportation. Animals in danger or in need of immediate medical treatment will continue to be accepted and treated at the temporary animal shelter at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La.
The HSUS is working with the Louisiana SPCA to establish an operation in New Orleans that will take in abandoned pets. The HSUS will continue to closely monitor the situation and assist the Louisiana SPCA with personnel, equipment and supplies so that rescue and feeding operations continue uninterrupted.
This shift represents a natural transition back to local authorities, said HSUS President & CEO Wayne Pacelle. The Humane Society of the United States has maintained an around-the-clock presence in Louisiana for a month. We've coordinated with other national organizations, the Louisiana SPCA, state and federal agencies, and individual volunteers and rescue groups to save the lives of thousands of animals who would have otherwise perished.
The need for volunteers will remain critical through mid-October, when Louisiana officials plan to end the animal relief effort at Lamar-Dixon. Anyone wishing to volunteer in caring for animals at the temporary shelter is urged to complete a volunteer sign-up form that is available at http://www.hsus.org/ .
I am so grateful to the thousands of people who traveled to Gonzales to rescue animals, volunteered to care for them, and supported our efforts financially, said Pacelle. The determination and dedication shown by so many people affected by the plight of the animals has led to many happy reunions with many more to come. It is rather remarkable that, at the two facilities we have been operating in Louisiana and Mississippi, approximately 8,000 animals have been rescued.
Local and national animal organizations are coordinating the transfer of pets to animal shelters around the country. Yesterday, 175 animals left Gonzales bound for more comfortable surroundings in animal shelters until they can be reunited with their families or put into foster care. Photos and other information on lost and found pets is being entered into http://www.petfinder.com/ for people to search for their pets.
The HSUS is grateful to the ASPCA, the American Humane Association, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, United Animal Nations, and a host of other national and local humane organizations for their cooperation and hard work during an extraordinarily challenging crisis. The HSUS also wishes to thank the Public Health Service (PHS) and the Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT) for their invaluable efforts at the two staging areas. PHS and VMAT veterinarians triaged animals, treated them, cared for them, and prepared them for transport.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing more than 9 million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country.
Media Contact: Rachel Querry, 301-258-8255, mailto:rquerry@hsus-dot-org
Just Back from New Orleans, organizing another trip 19:27
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 7:27 PM Just Back from New Orleans -- here is the latest -- organizing another trip -- all persons welcome for 3 day minimum
Our group of 6, 3 cars and a boat was the ONLY New York area non-major organization affiliated folks who went down to help keep alive the animals which survived the flood and the ensuing 3 weeks without food nor water. We just returned 48 hrs ago and HERE IS THE LATEST and the TRUTH.
Contrary to what many would like to believe (in order to satisfy their conscience) the great majority (as many as 90%) of animals which were left behind survived. It is estimated that 20-40,000 were left behind, which means there are tens of thousands of animals still alive and left with no food and water in the most unbearable heat. The city has been divided into 31 sectors and food and water teams have been dropping food and water for the past three weeks. I eventually became one of the logistics coordinators of the food and water operation for the HSUS.
As a result of our effort, the thousands of animals roaming the 150 square mile wasteland once known as New Orleans (looks like a Mad Max movie- as if it is Mars) have been temporarily kept alive. But the food and water must continue to be replenished or they will die a horrific death, similar to the agony of crucifixion. The next phase is to go door to door of the list of pet guardians who called from all around the country, notifying us of their address and how many animals they left locked in their homes. THESE ANIMALS HAVE NOT EVEN HAD A SINGLE FOOD AND WATER DROP BECAUSE THIS MASTER LIST JUST BECAME AVAILABLE FROM THE SOFTWARE COMPANY THREE DAYS AGO. There are thousands of addresses which must be visited...... and all we need is people to do it before the animals die in their homes.
Over 1000 to 2000 animals are currently being housed at a huge expo center 50 miles outside of NO, who need to be walked and cleaned. These animals are being relocated to humane societies all around the country so new animals can be taken in. Volunteers will be needed for weeks to come...until residents can move back into their neighborhoods and start caring for their animals.
I am ashamed to say that when I was interviewed by ABC news in New Orleans for a news report I expressed my utter disgust at North Eastern Americans' utter disregard for their southern brethren. When (not if) New York gets hit with another disaster, be it natural or by enemy, you will all know that it is payback for our selfish, uncaring, lifestyle.
All that is needed is to plan a weekend getaway. 3-4 days is all that is needed. THERE IS NO ONE WHO CANNOT TAKE OFF A WEEKEND AND ONE WEEKDAY..NO ONE ! CALL IN SICK FOR ONE DAY. Many (like me) are returning for a second and third trip.
I am organizing another trip the weekend of October 11th. I hope (for your sake and the animals' too) that YOU ALL WAKE UP AND REALIZE THAT THESE ANIMALS ARE RELYING ON YOU FOR MINIMUM FOOD AND WATER TO SURVIVE THE NEXT FEW WEEKS UNTIL THEIR OWNERS RETURN.
Anyone who purports to be an animal compassionate person who does not go down is a fraud. I, for one, will never forgive anyone who does not sacrifice a weekend in light of the enormity of this calamity. All we need is bodies to save tens of thousands of animals and the humane community in the New York Area is hiding. Once this is over, THOSE WHO DO NOT GO FOR AT LEAST 3 DAYS WILL BE HIDING THEIR FACE IN SHAME. May God forgive you because I certainly will not!
Garo
ABOUT COMPANION ANIMAL NETWORK ("CAN")
Garo Alexanian founded C.A.N. with the goal of ending the 100 year old policy of killing unwanted and lost dogs and cats in NY City. With C.A.N.'s political lobbying, litigation, and authoring of legislation which was introduced in both the State Assembly and State Senate, and its passage through committee, N.Y. City finally agreed to try to switch to "no-kill" animal control. The NY City Council acknowledged his successful efforts in Resolution 982. Since then New York has received over $20 million in grants as a result. Subsequently, Garo Alexanian served as Senior Assistant to former NY City Deputy Mayor Herb Rickman, who was at the time a senior advisor to mayoral candidate Rudy Giuliani. He also served as an informal advisor on animal control to Mayor Rudy Giuliani during his first term. Additional information at http://www.CompanionAnimalNetworkTV.org/ .
Arizona: willing to take in rescue pets/livestock 15:26
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 15:26:24 -0000 From: "lana jane leicht" mailto:lanlch@aol-dot-com AZ willing to take in rescue pets/livestock
I understand alot of livestock was affected by the last hurricane along with regular pets.
I cannot go down to the gulf myself, but I am willing to take in and care for any pet or livestock you can rescue. I own a horse property in Arizona, south of Gilbert.
I currently have many locally rescued animals, can make room for hurricane rescues. Glad to be able to help. Thanks!
Help needed on corner of Crowder and Haynes in New Orleans 15:11
From: mailto:mbell529@aol-dot-com Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 3:11 PM Help needed on corner of Crowder and Haynes in New Orleans
Hi,
I just heard from Sheryl Green, and she is begging for vets and vet techs to join her in New Orleans at the facility she is at now. It is not HSUS. Homeland Security has set up a place at the corner of Crowder and Haynes, near the levee. She is working with Mutt Shack. It is pandimonium there and they have many rescues that need help. She is asking everyone else to hold off on the calls to her cell phone until she gets back after october 2nd.
Vets and vet techs can call her for more information on how to get to her at 818- 921- 0019
Anyone else interested in what has been going on, can call her at home and she will pick up those messages when she can. She apologizes for people she had to hang up on because she is frantically trying to save lives and cannot take time out to verify the facts surrounding the refusal of HSUS to take the 13 rescued cats she brought to them in gonzales. She will talk about that later as will many other volunteers who have had problems with HSUS.
If you need to call her regarding that incident at her home. The number is 818- 716- 6416.
If the press is interested in what it going on there now, and want to get on site coverage, call her on her cell phone. If anyone knows how to reach Dr. Rich Mcclellen who is there, please contact him and tell him she needs his help.
Thanks. Michael Bell
SPCA Cincinnati 14:08
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 14:08:58 -0700 (PDT) From: oneatatime mailto:oneatatime00@yahoo-dot-com SPCA Cincinnati
Cincinnatti is doing a great job. They had all the animals on their own website w/in two days. I was quite able to trace an owner's dog from Petfinder, to Houston SPCA, to Cincinnati SPCA, over a week ago. The problem will be that their dogs are, for the most part already ON Petfinder. So if they do new listings, it will just be a second entry of the same dog. So, it will look like one dog is, for instance, in Houston; and another in, for instance, Cincinnati. They will be the same dog. Cinci had hoped to be able to update the original listings saying that the dog that was last at such-and-such, is now with them.; but that requires that a Password have been put in with the original entry; and that that Password would've come along with the dog. It's a mess; but not on the part of Cincinatti SPCA.
Marianne mailto:maresdz@aol-dot-com wrote: Based on a post I read yesterday, I sent the following e-mail to the SPCA in Cincinnati and just received the following response (it's positive):
MY E-MAIL TO THEM (see below for their response)
Original Message From: mailto:MARESDZ@aol-dot-com Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 8:29 PM To: info@spcacincinnati-dot-org Subject: petfinder.com ???
I heard a rumor than none of the Katrina dogs and cats you have are listed on petfinder.com. Can you please confirm or deny this for me so if it's not true, I can spread the word.
Thank you.
Marianne Smith Winston-Salem, NC
THEIR RESPONSE:
We are still trying to get them listed and I am not sure if they are by this morning or not. Whenever, I get a request or question I supply them with the link to our website.
http://www.spcacincinnati.org/
Thanks
HSUS revisited 13:32
From: Marty Williams mailto:mmwms@bellsouth-dot-net Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 1:32 PM Subject: HSUS
September 27, 2005 : 11:20 AM ET
Morning to everyone.
A few things I would like to clear up:
Gianna was quite right that animals were left at the Lake Charles shelter. I worked with a woman at the shelter all last week to get 150 animals out which we finally did mainly via an airlift on Friday. However other animals were left and as this is a shelter that gasses animals they have an uncertain fate even if they survived Rita.
The group working with Boone Pickens have finally just had enough of the HSUS red tape. It appears that Wayne Pacelle and his underlings are far more interested in appearing on CNN then they are in the animals. They have made things 'impossible' for the group and are just being as difficult as they can. The Pickens group secured the use of 30 aircraft for this week but Mr Pacelle continues to be obstructive. This morning they are going to airlift 100 animals out of Gonzales on a plane that would take 130 but oh no Mr Pacelle knows better. He is saying that there are only 700 animals in Gonzales - the truth is nearer 3 times that.
When all is said and done Mr Pacelle and the HSUS will be held accountable. As I write we are attempting to get word of this to the media. He will and needs to be exposed. I think it is quite clear from the first hand accounts on here and other boards what is actually going on. I for one wish I had never given them money.
Lastly if you for a minute doubt their intentions then I draw your attention to the fact that they appear to have deleted the posts giving Mr Pacelle's telephone number which someone kindly posted yesterday. I understand that the HSUS are 'all over' Nola and that the whole Nola board is controlled by them. Whoever posted those numbers yesterday then please post them again. I see no reason why Mr Pacelle is any less available than any other 'body' we can contact on this.
National Organization of Disaster Response for ANIMALS 11:26
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 11:26:37 -0400 From: "Linda" mailto:starlite@strato-dot-net National Organization of Disaster Response for ANIMALS (just an idea)
Hi,
Since there has never been a disaster such as this I think it is understandable that things are very disorganized when it comes to having a "Master List" of rescued animals.
It is time to organize a NATIONAL Animal Disaster Response Team. I am not a rescuer except for the personal animals I have rescued over the years, therefore am not a qualified rescuer that you might be.
If this group were created and involved members from even the smallest rescue groups, if anything like this happens again the coordinators would all be "On the same page".
I believe the organization could be Non Profit and get donations to help in the rescue operations. I don't think it should have ANYTHING to do with FEMA who are very disorganized in the first place. There are way too many laws and regulations already and Animal Rescue should have it's OWN set of rules and regulations to follow.
Included should be some rules regarding breaking into "abandoned" homes and other buildings to get the animals out immediately.
There also needs to be legislation that lets people get to a shelter that TAKES PETS in every state. No one should have to leave a "family member" to fend for themselves.
It would take a huge effort to set this up and would have to probably be set up by a lawyer.
I just feel that everyone is "in fighting" here and the animals are suffering.
How would we ever get all the different States to go along with this project? It could be something that States vote on in an election so the people decide if they want the organization to take over in a disaster.
All I know is, with a concerted effort, all rescue groups should band together to save the animals.
I know this is not an easy task to accomplish BUT it could be done. This organization should have THEIR OWN website where the organizers can work together, post lost and found messages, post pictures and should be available to everyone with pets if they need to find their animals.
Just a few thoughts I had on trying to get things to work better if it ever happens again.
It's the animals that count here, and they are worth the effort.
I also think that Sheriff who was shooting and running over dogs for no reason should be prosecuted for animal cruelty. The evidence is there. He had NO RIGHT to be killing these still healthy animals.
Linda mailto:starlite@strato-dot-net
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
People needed ASAP/S&R NOLA/LA/MS animals 11:25
Original Message From: mailto:SMRCHLD@aol-dot-com Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 11:25 AM ARR: People needed ASAP/S&R NOLA animals, support in surrounding areas LA/MS
ARR: Animal Relief Resource http://www.animalreliefresource.org/
PLEASE CROSSPOST WIDELY
RESPOND TO: mailto:FLDRDoxieKids@aol-dot-com or mailto:animalreliefresource@gmail-dot-com
I know there is a lot of conflicting information spreading around the net about the need for people to go into the Katrina/Rita affected areas to help. Animal Relief Resource is in contact and coordinating with a number of legitimate small rescue groups as well as local humane groups already in and actively legally rescuing and they are asking us for help. Unlike some of the well known larger organizations, they desperately need volunteers on the ground. So we are reaching out to the rescue community at large, knowing that there are so many of you who want to do something to actively participate, but don't know exactly how to go about effectively volunteering to areas where you won't be turned away.
There is a tremendous need right now for volunteers to search and rescue remaining animals in New Orleans who are still stuck in their homes or roaming free. These animals have very little time left. This will be going out in the boats and/or slogging through the mud, walking, in the heat and the muck to save as many of the animals as possible who've managed to make it this far; they don't have much time left. It'll be cleaning the crud off the animals, getting them to shelters, medical care, and the first decent meal they've had since this disaster began. Bring your hip-waders.
There is also a need in surrounding southern LA parishes and Mississippi in various shelters for people to do the grunt work: walking, feeding, reassuring the animals, cleaning cages. It's not glamorous. You'll have to go in with your own transportation and prepared to be totally self-sufficient -- food, water, I don't know about gas yet but we're hearing that isn't a problem. If you can go for a day or two, that'll be a great help. If you can stay longer, that'll be tremendous. If you can rotate in and out on a fairly regular basis for as long as you can stand it, you might be nominated for sainthood. If you have friends/family/co-workers you can bring with you that would be fantastic, for however long you can stay.
We need hard workers, not afraid to get down and dirty, whose love for animals makes it all worthwhile. We need people who can function well under terribly adverse conditions and who can do so effectively, without ego.
Animal Relief Resource has been working behind the scenes, without publicity, since Katrina hit; not many of you will have heard of us. I can provide bona fides on what organizations we're coordinating with and more specific information for anyone who responds to this plea.
This is an attempt to get needed people very quickly into places where they're being desperately called for. Ultimately, quality of willingness to work is more important than large quantities of people. Please crosspost this widely, across the country.
The needs are going to be ongoing for quite some time to come. When the glory of the search is over and the big groups have left, the local groups will need continuing support: people, materials, money. Many will have to rebuild and/or repair. Many will not have people interested in adopting, so they'll have animals that need help or homes. And since they won't have many adoptions, they'll have no income to support their animal rescue efforts. If you can't help until October or November, that's great. The need will be there and it won't go away for a long time.
Anyone wishing to volunteer please respond to FLDRDoxiekids @ aol.com or animalreliefresource @ gmail.com (remove spaces). I will answer your questions, I'll enter you and your information into a database for this that will go to ARR, which will then match volunteers with locations and groups needing help. You'll need to get all the recommended shots before you go in; we don't want anyone getting sick while there.
If you've been stymied in previous efforts to help, if you've been wishing you could directly participate in saving/helping the animals...this is your time...something the animals are almost out of.
If you know anyone who is a vet and/or vet tech and can go down to help in the coming weeks, also please let us know as we have groups, especially in South Mississippi, who will need ongoing vet support as they won't have money for regular vet care.
PLEASE CROSSPOST WIDELY.
RESPOND TO mailto:FLDRDoxieKids@aol-dot-com mailto:animalreliefresource@gmail-dot-com ATTN: Nancy/Tally Nancy Champion Tallahassee, FL Animal Relief Resource Florida Dachshund Rescue, Inc. http://www.fldr.org/ LCHS BBAWC Florida Dog Rescue http://www.abledogs.net/
Ways to improve the animal relief effort 11:14
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 11:14:29 -0400 From: "MaryAnn" mailto:mgibson3@columbus.rr-dot-com the truth about the need per me
Some people have asked, so here goes, what someone trained, not an expert, but with some training in Disaster and Search and Rescue sees as the way to improve the animal relief effort.
I'm not reinventing the wheel. The tire is flat, it needs help.
I'm glad I went down to an independent shelter as it gave me more of a chance to interact with people from other organizations. Many of which have wonderful caring volunteers that don't have a clue about what's essential to know on a disaster site.
Therefore my goal is to find the animal relief people so I can let them know that there is an easier way, they don't have to reinvent wheels either. I plan to offer them classes so they can make the choice to learn to work with in the system that's already in place on SAR missions and in the disaster area. No one has to wonder around in the dark, wishing there were a better way, because there is.
I also saw that almost no one knows how to be "self sustaining" for a day, let alone a week. They have no basic survival skills on a disaster site. That is dangerous to rescuers and those rescued alike.
I come from Search and Rescue where the military based Incident Command structure is used. It's used because it works. It would stop an awful lot of the in- fighting, and disorganization going on now.
I can set up seminars taught by experts, to teach IC and other things. That what will help them get along with the military, FEMA, and the government so they're not seen as "animal nuts" and hopefully can, someday, deploy immediately along with human rescuers.
I can arrange SAR TECH II classes through the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) These will address many issues, and be recognized with great credibility in the field. (Such as FEMA, military, and other rescue organizations.)
If another group wants to pick up on this I would be thrilled, bring on the experts, lets work together. But let's do it in a way that will work in the real world; in this case the world of disaster relief.
If I can get to the point where I can help create trained teams, operating independently through out the country, than I'll feel I've done some real good in my life.
If I can help form teams that the military, government, and FEMA will allow to deploy along with the human rescuers then I can die knowing I made a difference.
For anyone doubting: I'm leaving to go back to New Orleans at dawn. Since I just got home on last Monday, and my Dad died two hours later and I had to plan Dad's funeral alone; I've barely had time to see straight. I think that's pretty good. And considering the fact that my middle class income can not afford the thousands of dollars I've spent already, and that I've received a total of $97 dollars in cash donations, (that all went for supplies to take down) I think I'm doing darn good.
My agenda is to help make Animal Relief work in the real world. It's up to the Animal Relief Groups and individuals whether or not they want to take that help.
Right now I'm busy, and this letter has taken too much time already.
MaryAnn Gibson and the dream of National Disaster Animal Relief
MuttShacks's Evacuated Katrina animals 10:38
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 10:38:08 -0700 (PDT) From: "karenp.nyc" mailto:tikkalalee@yahoo-dot-com MuttShacks's Evacuated Katrina animals
MuttShack's Evacuated Katrina Animals Moved To Higher Ground with Hurricane Rita's New Wave of Devastation
(PRWEB) September 27, 2005 -- Late last night, about one hundred and fifty animals, rescued within the last twelve hours were hastily evacuated from the Lake Castle School the ad-hoc command center of the MuttShack Animal Rescue Foundation. Some left in trailers, others in the back of cars or in trucks. Despite the evacuation, many more animals continue to arrive, brought in by dedicated rescuers and other rescue organizations.
MuttShack Animal Rescuers have been going from house to house to find animals abandoned there since Katrina and bringing them to their triage center in the flood ravaged Lake Castle School formerly occupied by the Ohio National Guard. Classrooms, filled with layers of mud, mouldy books and fallen ceiling boards are being used as an ad hoc emergency rescue and treatment center. The gymnasium serves as makeshift kennel where rows and rows of crates line the walls, holding the frail and devastated animals. The owners of the facility generously opened their doors and their hearts to the National Guard and now to MuttShack's volunteers.
Rescuers who at first found it easy to identify homes with animals are finding fewer animals barking or responding to their calls. Dogs, cats and birds are either too weak to make any sound or are lying dead or dying in their homes.
Thousands have died from lack of food and water and others died trying to escape. Rescuers report dead animals lying in cages, locked in rooms and tied up on balconies. Some died trying to escape through broken windows and died in pools of their own blood. One died on his own front porch while waiting obediently for his family to return – never a thought of placing a single paw print beyond the porch. He was well trained, ironically too well trained - even to leave to find food.
The rescuers are overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the task. Thousands of animals trapped have to be found by small independent non-profit rescue organizations working with little to no resources. Rescuers have been camping in tents, sleeping in cars and on the ground. Their rescue vehicles are their own cars or trucks and trailers driven thousands of miles across the country to New Orleans. Others have been price-gouged by car rental companies for small mini-vans that hold one or two crates at best.
There is no running water, electricity or food. The stores are boarded up or have been looted. Muttshack volunteers and rescuers arrive with only what they can carry, everything they will need to survive - water, food, sleeping bags, bolt-cutters, leashes, dog food and energy bars.
Their hopes of owners returning home finally after 21 days to aid in the rescue of their pets was shattered yesterday with the announcement once more that owners cannot return to their homes – now due to the flood waters that have escaped the levys - still in utter disrepair from the storm surges of Katrina.
Rescuers persist their rescues amidst intermittent squalls, those overwhelmed by the horror of rescue work are taking care of the emaciated dogs. Shelter workers give what comfort they can, cleaning animals black with thick floodwater sludge, while others assume the endless tasks of cleaning cages, feeding, watering and walking amidst whispered promises that they are now safe.
Run-off water from the roof is collected to help wash dogs, and crates but the water levels on the levy are rising. Every levy dog-walk confirms that the water is getting higher. The pressure on the levy from Rita, even miles away could be enough to cause a breach and flood the school.
With more reports that water is flooding vital access roads, MuttShack Volunteers moved the remaining animals to higher ground in the adjacent St. Charles parish, where they were boarded in a barn. They will return to continue rescue efforts as soon as the Hurricane Rita has crested.Many animals have been sheltered ‘in house’. Rescuers leave food and water to animals too shy to come out, or too hard to catch. Bags of food have been left on street corners where animals are spotted. Rescued animals are shipped to neighboring Gonzales, Tylertown, or any accredited Shelter that may house them, and place them in foster care. Owners looking for their dogs can look on Petfinder.com.
MuttShack Animal Rescue and Foster is a non-profit 501(c)3, and in desperate need of support to provide veterinary care and supplies for their triage center. Please donate at: https://www.registrationfactory.com/v3/?EventUUID=B47421FD
Lamar Dixon update from a voluteer 09:53 ET
16524 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=56897). Lamar Dixon update from a voluteer. by janaforpets, 9/27/05 9:53 ET
Posted on BF. I have just returned home after being at Lamar Dixon. I can tell you from personal experience and with great heartache, that things are not right there. On the day of Sept 22, we where told to go into New Orleans and do only food and water drops. We were instructed (no ordered) not to bring any animal back with us unless it was absolutely in critical condition. I don't know how we volunteers could decide that since none of us had the experience to evaluate whether an animal was critical or not. To me it was critical to get each and every one out.
HSUS went so far as to assign each team a password for the day and threaten that if we brought back too many healthy animals we would not be allowed to go out in the field again. My question was, "how could we leave any animal in the wake of another hurricane?" The answer was that there were too many animals already at Lamar Dixon and the healthier ones on the street had a better chance of surviving the hurricane where they were as oppossed to being in this overcrowed shelter. That night, I watched as hundreds of animals were shipped out of lemar dixon....going to where....I don't know. All I know is that there was now plenty of room for any animals that would have been brought in from NO on that day. I will live the rest of my with the of pain of knowing that I had to leave at least 11 dogs and approx. 15 cats to face another deadly hurricane. I have cried every day since for those animals and wonder if they made it through Rita alive. How can any humane org live animals to die?
I know of at least two teams that called in from the field to ask if they could bring what that thought was a critical animal back with them only to be told no. I saw one cat that day that was nothing but skin covering his poor little bones. He looked me in the eye and all I could see was the pain and sorrow he was feeling. We also came across a big white pit bull that had a little buddy with him. The big dog was, like the cat, nothing but skin and bones. The puppy was not nearly so thin. When I got out of my car to get some food and water for these two, the pit bull jumped into the drivers seat. When we tried to get him out he started growling at us.....not because he was vicious, but because he just wanted to be rescued. We finally got him out of the car and left these two with food and water. Also some pets and hugs. No growling from the pit bull now. As we drove around the corner the pit bull followed us a little way as if to say "aren't you taking me?". I would have taken them all with me except that my partner that day was too scared not to follow HSUS rules. Thanks to HSUS I will live with the pain of leaving these precious creatures in harms way for the rest of my live. I only hope the food and water I left sustained them long enough for someone else to rescue them.
The next day was all devoted to securing the facility for the arrival of Rita. It was total chaos. At no time did I see anyone in a blue HSUS shirt in any one of the barns. The only time we saw Wayne Pacelle was when he would come out to give us a briefing. Everything was done by volunteers. Each barn was appointed a manager (volunteer) who would promptly disappear. Our particular manager appointed team leaders (volunteers) for each end of an aisle in the barn. If you had a problem, issue, question, etc for the barn manager you needed to go through your team leader. Problem was, the team leaders soon disappeared as well. So these lowly volunteers that had been given a little power all to soon learned how to avoid the hard, dirty work. No leadership from the blue shirts, no leadership from those they had appointed. That left the rest of us doing the best we could. And, of course, there were those volunteers that knew more and better than the rest of us and had to make sure they voiced their opinion to every other volunteer.
All of this caused so much stress on the people that it was soon conveyed onto the animals. I know that HSUS has done good things in the past and that they were working under extreme conditions here, but their management must work at doing things a better way. Under no circumstances should an animal be left in harms way and there MUST leadership at their shelters. I am currently looking for a way to get back out there.....and this time I will rescue any animal I see. Even if I have to drive it 2000 miles back to California. Some how.....some way.
Fundraising Shop UPDATE 09:27 ET
16517 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=56861). Fundraising Shop UPDATE by Andelina, 9/27/05 9:27 ET
Last week I set up the KatrinaPetsNeedHelp.com Donation Shop ( http://shop.katrinapetsneedhelp.com/ ), with 100% of the profits being donated to Pasado's Safe Haven.
Well, yesterday I met another NOLA poster, Roadchild, who has her own professional online shop, and she is also donating profits to Pasado's. (I'd post the link here but I'm afraid the post will be deleted!) So we thought, hey, let's just join forces!
What we'll be doing is literally combining our designs -- using Roadchild's animal graphic designs with the typographic design I'm using on my products (the Gandhi quote). Once those designs are created they will be uploaded onto my online shop, because Roadchild's shop is a commercial shop, whereas mine is solely for charitable fundraising purposes.
We're also looking into possible putting together an online auction on eBay, again to raise money for Pasado's. We've got some details to work out for that first, but we'll keep you posted.
In the meantime, check out my online donation shop and PASS IT ON!
http://shop.katrinapetsneedhelp.com/
Volunteer at LSU 11:48 ET
16552 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=57025). BUMP: Volunteer at LSU by sheltiecorgi, 9/27/05 11:48 ET
I spent all last week volunteering at LSU. Some people may be under the impression that the LSU animal shelter is not really in need of more volunteers. Not true. I promised other volunteers who are hard at work there that I would pass along the information when I got home that volunteers are still very much needed at LSU. There are some very dedicated people working there on a regular basis, but each day they still heavily rely on good volunteers. Many but not all of these animals have identified owners. It is not known if some of them will be able to go back to live with their owners or will be put up for adoption. They have information posted about their application process for adoption. Mainly they have a morning shift from 8-12 and evening from 5-8, but when there aren't enough people the work can't all get done in those time frames. If you are only available in the afternoon and don't mind working they could find something useful for you to do. Some days are better than others, and they are kind of at the mercy of how many volunteers show up each day.
The vets, vet students, and techs are responsible for certain animals in triage, quarantine, exotics, and others with medical or aggression problems. Many other animals are monitored daily but volunteers take on the responsibility for their daily care.
There are three main areas for volunteers. Usually you will see Cherie or Charmain to sign up to volunteer and you can ask them where most help is needed that day. 1) Cats in the cat hallway (around the outside of the arena). There are many cats that need good care twice a day. In the cat area look for Colin or Sally or Lisa (a.m. only). Valerie from Metairie is often there in the evenings. On the days I was there the evening seemed to have less volunteers than morning, but both needed help. 2) Small dog arena. I didn't work there because they seemed to have more volunteers than other areas but they always need people. They turn the lights out between noon and 5 to give the dogs some quiet/rest time. So they have two shifts in that area. 3) The barn area is where the big dogs (and some farm animals) are housed, and they especially need people in the mornings who can help with feeding and watering and cleaning stalls for big dogs. If you are comfortable with big dogs and don't mind getting dusty/dirty, definitely see if the barn can use your help. Joe is a good person to talk to in the barn. Most of the work in the barn is the morning shift but in late afternoon they begin to go around again and check water and clean and do other things as needed.
The shelter has posted that they will only accept new animals until October 1 and are planning to close October 15. If those dates remain firm despite Rita, there is still a lot of time left to help with those animals. I really encourage you if you are on the fence about volunteering to go to a shelter and see what you can do. You must be willing to follow directions and wear comfortable, cool work clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting dirty.
LSU does NOT need more supplies except you may want to bring a bundle of newspaper with you if you have some.
I (from PA) worked side by side with folks from Kansas, Missouri, Virginia, Ohio, California, Arizona, and Connecticut in addition to people from Baton Rouge and New Orleans. I was impressed by all of them.
For security reasons you need to present your driver's license or picture ID when you check in and wear a name badge and arm band at all times. It is also important to sanitize and wash your hands frequently. You can park behind the building, so parking is not an issue.
Most of the animals in the general population are very nice and easy to work with. Some are darn adorable. Others are shy and scared. Only volunteer for barn if you are energetic and feel comfortable with big dogs. But I did it for three days and was fine. Usually in both cats and big dogs two people worked a section together and the teamwork made things go faster.
Lamar Dixon has until Oct 1st to move 12:42 ET
16573 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=57092). Lamar Dixon has until Oct 1st to move by wlfary, 9/27/05 12:42 ET
The owners of the Lamar Dixon Equestrian Center have given the HSUS until Oct 1 to find a new location. At this point the HSUS is scheduled to stop intake of animals on Sept 30. The HSUS is working with the Louisiana SPCA in securing a new site near New Orleans to set up operations. The HSUS is doing its best to convince the owners of Lamar Dixon Center to let them stay a while longer until another facility can be found. If anyone has contact info for the owners of Lamar Dixon,please send them a hardy thank you and beg them to let the rescue operations continue to be based at their facility for a while longer. I got this info from the HSUS site this morning in a message from the top guy dispelling rumors.
16573.1.1 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=57121). LD contact info by Suli, 9/27/05 13:08 ET Re: Lamar Dixon has until Oct 1st to move by wlfary, 9/27/05 this info is off the website lilliesmom posted... Flo Magee Director of Public Relations and Event Manager Office (225) 621-1703 Fax (225) 647-8804 mailto:fmagee@lamardixonexpocenter-dot-com
Help needed: Vermillion and Cameron Parish 9/26 9:30PM ET
16580 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=57115). NEED HELP-Project Starfish by allgodscreat, 9/27/05 13:02 ET The following was posted last night on the website http://www.projectstarfish.org
UPDATE FROM LOUISIANA Monday, 9/26 9:30PM ET We have heard from our contacts on the ground in Louisiana that there are two areas that need help immediately. Cameron Parish and Vermillion Parish and some of the surrounding areas are flooded and need rescuers and volunteers. If you are in that area or know anyone who is, please call Laura immediately at 209-628-0940.
KARS Video 15:49
From: mailto:nicole.roberts@novartis-dot-com Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 3:49 PM Video you must watch
Hi All;
The last couple of weeks I have been involved with KARS...Katrina Animal Relief Shelter......It's an organization that went to places where the hurricane hit and picked up the animals that were left behind....they brought them here to Ocala, where they were vaccinated, dewormed, tested, etc. Then they were moved to a shelter that has been turned into a disaster relief shelter for animals....when the animals first came to Ocala, we worked on them at vet clinic that is a client of mine....the below link will show you a video of how that day went, and maybe make you shed a couple tears....I'm in the video, I'm wearing our ugly maroon Novartis scrubs.....
The link is actually under Katrina Animal Relief Shelter on this website.....enjoy (Click where it says "Large file").
Nicole Roberts Territory Manager North Central Florida Novartis Animal Health
Eric Rice's Credibility 15:42 ET
16649 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=57403) Eric Rice's Credibility -- READ THIS! by Boole, 9/27/05 15:42 ET
I just got off the phone with Eric Rice, who, as many of you know, is helping to rescue animals in South Mississippi and New Orleans. I would like to set the record straight with those who have placed unsubstantiated and extremely hurtful posts on this forum musing aloud about his credibility. I've known Eric for 8 years. He is a good person who feels very deeply about human (and animal) suffering. After the Tsunami in Asia, he helped coordinate his company's contributions to the relief effort, and tried to find ways for employees to volunteer. Eric did not give up three weeks of his vacation time from work, and the comfort of his home, two dogs and fiancée in Baltimore to go sleep in a tent, and sweat and work hard in filth to try to help save hungry, abandoned pets and reunite them with their owners in order to con the world of a few dollars.
Yes, there are scam artists out there. Yes, everyone should be highly circumspect before giving money to anyone claiming to help people or pets. Yes, it's very hard to ascertain if someone is legit or not. I totally agree. However, Eric began a blog as a way for his FRIENDS and FAMILY to contribute to the effort, not the whole world. He also started the blog so friends of friends could gain comfort that he is legit and hear what's going on. He did not anticipate the blog snowballing to the point where he was receiving 200 calls a day from supporters, from people looking for their pets, and others. If you don't feel 100% comfortable contributing, then DON'T! He will provide a full accounting of all monies expended upon his return. And, if ANYONE who put money into his paypal account wants it back, he will gladly return it to you. Next week he will go through his paypal account and email everyone who contributed to ask if they want their contribution back. He's already spent thousands of his own money to get there and help. He has not had access to a computer since he's been there, or he would have responded to some of the posts sooner. He is calling in his reports by phone and we transcribe them to his blog.
He is enduring miserable conditions, and the psychological toll of seeing all the destruction, despair, dead bodies $ pets, while trying to keep his head up. And, he is helping! There are tons of people who can tell you he helped them find their pet or kept it alive. Applaud the guy for doing something bold and direct to try to help out! If you have doubts, then call the Humane Society of South Mississippi (HSSM.org) and ask about him! Somebody called and told him his integrity is being impugned in this forum and it's crushing him. He's already dealing with a lot emotionally everyday -- and now there are people questioning his character based on nothing.
Some of your charges are accurate. Eric may not have launched his effort in an organized fashion. But he is not trying to mount a George Clooney-sized Tsunami relief type fund to take in millions. He is just one guy helping out. I also agree that when he criticizes the efforts of other organizations it accomplishes little except to alienate some people. I told him there's nothing to be gained from this. He's just very frustrated, which I think is natural.
He also mentioned some volunteers who have appeared are disappointed there isn't some big organized outfit in place. There's simply a gathering point daily, and he, and the handful of others who show up, receive a list of homes to search for pets. They visit the houses where they know there are pets to feed them. They leave the pets there because the owners may return home, but they feed and care for them daily. Then, they spend their day searching homes on the list they're given looking for pets. This is not a huge operation with thousands of pets found and placed in some central structure. This is caring for a few dozen pets daily -- and finding and helping a few dozen others. It's not changing the world, but his efforts are saving pets and giving some owners a huge emotional lift when they find their pet. The police, National Guard and other groups routinely bring them animals too.
There are a lot of callous and despicable people out there who exploit tragedies for their own ends. But it is a sad commentary that this reality has made us so cynical and skeptical that we take pot shots at the do-gooders. PLEASE don't bash Eric and deflate the spirits of a person who is doing something extraordinary to try to help save animals!! Stop. We should all be down there trying to help. As a former Peace Corps Volunteer myself (Senegal, 1990-1992), I wish I could help directly as well -- and I admire the hell out of what Eric is doing! Eric is a good person with a huge heart. I don't think his company (120 employees)would put a link on its homepage to his blog if he were a scammer. The guy was breaking down on the phone over having to defend himself. He has helped to rescue scores of animals.
Thanks. Kent -
Note from Wayne Pacelle rebutting Eric Rice 13:10 ET
16583 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=57123). Note from Wayne P rebutting Eric Rice by sfattorney, 9/27/05 13:10 ET
Apparently, something Eric posted has gotten to HSUS. This response from Wayne Pacelle does not appear to be on HSUS website yet but was emailed to me today.
9-27-05 I appreciate the opportunity to respond to some of the comments in Eric’s blog. We’re prepared to meet any criticism that’s offered in a rational manner. I’ve been at Gonzales for two weeks, side by side with dozens of HSUS staff members deployed in Louisiana (with equivalent numbers of staff active in Mississippi and also now working in western Louisiana and east Texas). Let me first acknowledge that the impact of this disaster exceeded our capacity to respond. We are not embarrassed to say this. We have trained hundreds of people who deployed to Mississippi and Louisiana through our Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) program, but we did not have the capacity to respond toa disaster of this magnitude.
I would say our greatest shortcoming was our communications and database management. We stumbled on this, and it did hurt our effort. That said, we have thrown everything we could at the disaster and our people are working around the clock. We are learning some lessons the hard way, but we’ve never had to respond to a crisis of this order. I will mention that our staff -- who work in our regional offices, government affairs, companion animals, investigations, and many other sections -- put aside their regular duties and deployed to help, whether in the field or organizing at our headquarters office, and every one of these people is passionate about the cause and got involved in our response with a tremendous sense of responsibility and purpose. I’m proud of what we have done.
I want to reply to some of Eric’s allegations and criticisms.
- 1) We may have stopped the flow of volunteers.
- Fact: We have maintained our call for volunteers consistently for weeks. This was briefly interrupted by Rita, since the Lamar Dixon facility manager and the police instructed us very specifically to evacuate most of our people. We deployed only emergency personnel during the storm, and we also suspended rescue during the period when we were under the storm warning. We have been critical of people who did not prepare for the hurricane, and we felt it would not be proper and right for us to send people into a storm. That was our decision, and we’d make it again. We had 1,000 animals at the shelter to protect, and we focused our efforts on that task. The only other hindrance to our call for volunteers was the hostility of the Lamar Dixon management, and their constant hectoring that we had too many people at the site and that if we didn’t turn things around, they’d lock the gates. Even in the face of that threat, we’ve been calling hundreds of people every day and urging deployment. We’ve contacted humane societies and animal control staff and asked them to respond.
- 2) “It’s almost impossible to be a rescuer with HSUS.�
- Fact: This is really a wild exaggeration. Everybody who comes to the briefing at 5:30 a.m. can get out into the field if they agree to play by the rules and can function normally. We are sending teams out every morning, and we have called in animal control personnel from around the country who are core participants with the rescue operation. Of course, we’d like to have highly skilled people for certain elements of the effort, but we’ve tried to absorb all kinds of volunteers into the effort, and we’ll continue to do so.
- 3) “They (HSUS) will only take critical animals.�
- Fact: In very specific areas, where people are allowed to return to evacuated areas of New Orleans, we are advising that rescuers only take the critical animals.Healthy looking animals can be fed, and the feeding documented, so we can get back to them in a week’s time. This will allow us to focus on the animals that must be rescued in areas where residents are not coming back any time soon. Of the thousands of animals taken to the Gonzales facility, only a small portion have been critical, refuting in flesh and blood the claim that we’ve restricted the rescue only to animals in critical condition.
- 4) “HSUS is looking to wind down the Gonzales operation.�
- Fact: There is a measure of truth to this, but it’s not by choice. The property managers want us out of there, and they have waged a campaign of harassment to drive us out. What’s more, we operate under the incident command structure of the State Veterinarian’s Office and meet with the state team every day. They have asked us to cease intake of animals by September 30th. We are beseeching them to let us continue for a longer period, and we are cautiously optimistic we’ll persuade them to extend our rescue operations through Lamar Dixon.
CONTINUED...
16583.1 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=57125). Part 2 of Pacelle Response to Eric DB by sfattorney, 9/27/05 13:12 ET Re: Note from Wayne P rebutting Eric Rice by sfattorney, 9/27/05
In addition, we are working with the Louisiana SPCA to ready their new operations site. On Saturday, October 1, we expect that facility to be operational in Algiers (which is within New Orleans). Some days ago I spoke to Eric about getting a staging area near New Orleans, so presumably he’ll be happy about this.
- 5) petfinder.com and 1-800-Humane-1
- Fact: Petfinder is not “a way of acting like they have a plan for these animals.� It’s the software that was available when this disaster hit. We all wish that there was something better out there, ready for immediate use, but there wasn’t. As crucial as the data management challenge was from the beginning, it was only one of a dozen serious and urgent problems we faced.
- Working with others, The HSUS tried hard to improve this existing software to make available a comprehensive, user-friendly database that would achieve multiple goals:
- that all animals rescued be identified according to the location from which they were retrieved;
- that their immediate location, condition, treatment and other factors critical to their immediate and long-term care be recorded;
- that their movements from the temporary emergency shelter at Lamar Dixon to locations around the country be tracked;
- and, most critically, that they can be reunited with their owners as promptly as possible.
- The reality of the situation is that no single database or software system that could accomplish all of these goals existed prior to August 29, and the process of developing, testing, improving and utilizing such a system has been compressed into a short time frame in the midst of an emergency. That process continues right now, involving not only The HSUS, but also the ASPCA, Petfinder.com, and others.
- We expect that petfinder.com will be much more user-friendly for the public within days. In the absence of an existing database system sufficient to meet all of the competing demands, the HSUS and all other animal organizations involved in the animal search, rescue, care and treatment effort did rely on paper forms. That was often -- and in some cases continues to be -- the most practical and efficient way to record information on the large numbers of animals treated.
- Information from more than a thousand intake forms has since been uploaded to the petfinder.com database, by a corps of HSUS staffers working around the clock. Information about the transfer of animals to other shelters, again recorded in paper form because of the exigencies of the situation, are in the process of being included in Petfinder.
- HSUS staff and volunteers are double-checking the location of animals transported to other agencies and the national organizations are actively encouraging receiving shelters and agencies nationwide to promptly and accurately update Petfinder with information about animals in their temporary care. The process is not perfect; everyone at The HSUS wishes it was. However, suggestions that it should be perfect are simply unrealistic and reflect a poor understanding of the complexities and demands involved. Nonetheless, we believe the system is improving, has already assisted owners to reunite with their pets, and will continue to do so.
- With regard to people who called the HSUS's number (or that of other animal protection organizations) for help in rescuing their pets, all of the information provided by each caller was recorded and the information transmitted to rescue teams in the field. We certainly wish that we had the resources or even the physical ability to respond to each request immediately upon receiving the call. For reasons that are apparent to anyone viewing the situation on the ground in an objective fashion, that has not been possible -- although efforts are continuing to reach every address where an animal was reported to have been left behind or is otherwise in need. All rescue teams involved did and continue to work to rescue the greatest number of animals possible. I am not personally aware of any individual who was told by The HSUS that their animals had been rescued but later found that was not true. Our policy has been, since the inception of our emergency call center, whether the call was handled by HSUS staff, volunteers or contractors, to candidly advise callers that neither The HSUS nor any other organization is in a position to guarantee the rescue of their pets and that they should explore all other options to accomplish that goal.
CONTINUED...
16583.2 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=57127). Part III by sfattorney, 9/27/05 13:12 ET Re: Note from Wayne P rebutting Eric Rice by sfattorney, 9/27/05
- 6) “HSUS has taken on a strategy that we feel will allow thousands of animals to starve in their houses.�
- There's no single strategy that should be at work in a disaster like this. In some cases, we are proceeding with a straight rescue plan: get into a house, capture the animals, and transport them back to our staging area so they can receive medical care and shelter. In other cases, especially in areas where residents are scheduled to return and where the animals look healthy, we are feeding and watering and keeping the animals in place. There, they can survive, and not be subjected to the stress of capture and transport. We then make note of the feeding and revisit the site and feed the animals again or pick them up, depending upon an assessment of their condition. The idea of feeding and watering also was more attractive when our staging area was nearly full of animals, and we had to make a judgment on which animals to bring back. But we won’t let any animal starve to death or subsist indefinitely without rescue or the return of somebody to a given house. Going forward, we’ll revisit every one of those situations, and we’ll bring out more animals as necessary.
- 6) “I hear this list is over 20k and could be much larger.�
- Fact: The list of rescue requests has not topped 5,000. There were duplications eliminated when we got to work on the database and that’s my best estimate for what we received. But from the day our people hit the ground, there were other lists in circulation, and we lost no time in acting to save animals identified for rescue. Every truck coming back from New Orleans to Gonzales was full of animals, and the job was getting done.
Here’s the bottom line:
- 1) We will get through every address for a trapped animal provided by any group active in relief and rescue efforts.
- 2) We have already been involved in the rescue of more than 7,000 animals. There have been nearly 500 reunions of animals with the families that love them.
- 3) We have transported thousands of animals to local humane societies and other safe areas, including to a major prison in Louisiana, where the animals are getting exceptional care.
- 4) We are committed to helping to rebuild the shelters throughout the Gulf States region.
- 5) We will learn every lesson from this disaster and be stronger and better the next time a response is required.
- 6) We have worked with members of Congress to initiate legislation to mandate that government authorities incorporate animals into their disaster plans, and we will press this case until we get a positive outcome. No non-profit organization should be saddled with the responsibility to save all of the animals in a disaster. It’s just too big a job. We don’t tell or expect the Red Cross to go out and save all of the people, but to help the government in its efforts. The same should apply for animals, who are threatened by the millions when a disaster strikes in a large area.
Wayne Pacelle President & CEO The Humane Society of the United States 2100 L Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20037 (202) 452-1100 Fax (301) 258-3077 mailto:wpacelle@hsus-dot-org
United Animal Nation Update 8:06 ET
16502 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=56817). UAN Update by Lessa4, 9/27/05 8:06 ET From United Animal Nation:
"MONROE, LOUISIANA: Last week we erected a new temporary shelter in Monroe and almost immediately received 134 dogs from the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, the main staging area for animals being rescued from New Orleans. Volunteers worked hard to prepare for the dogs' arrival and get them settled into their new home, and it paid off the very next evening when they reunited a yellow Lab with his owner, who had seen him on a local news broadcast. Over the weekend EARS volunteers spent grueling hours preparing for and suffering through Hurricane Rita’s torrential rains and wind. And thank goodness they did as the storm was not kind. In fact, ten volunteers bravely used their own bodies to hold a massive door from being ripped off by the winds on Saturday. Now that Rita has passed, we expect more animals to arrive from Lamar-Dixon and we anticipate deploying more volunteers to help care for them.
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI: EARS is winding down operations of the pet-friendly shelter that was initially opened prior to Hurricane Katrina. A team of EARS volunteers has been caring for animals belonging to evacuees and animals rescued from points south for the past three weeks. Volunteers are helping owners with pets in the shelter find foster matches and boarding options. The Jackson area also suffered the force of Rita this weekend, when frequent tornado warnings sent all volunteers to the safest portions of the building. The shelter was sandbagged and animals moved into the center of the facility in advance of the storm.
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS: EARS Southeast Regional Director Raquel Aluisy arrived on Friday to assist the Texas Animal Control Association with an emergency animal shelter at the Expo Center, where more than 500 animals were evacuated in advance of the storm. Many people are picking up their animals as they return home, but it is possible a staging area in this portion of the state will continue to be needed as assessments are completed and rescues get underway. EARS volunteers are being mobilized now to assist with this shelter.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: Our efforts from HQ have been focused on coordination, reconstruction and reunion efforts...
COORDINATION - UAN is coordinating our response efforts with other national organizations providing animal disaster relief and facilitating daily conference calls and in-field meetings among these organizations. We're in touch with federal and state authorities in an effort to ensure much-needed assistance gets to the animals in need as quickly as possible.
RECONSTRUCTION - UAN has pledged $100,000 to the Katrina shelter reconstruction fund established by the ASPCA and HSUS. Over the weekend UAN pledged an additional $75,000 to help the Louisiana SPCA rebuild. We hope to offer a total of $250,000 to shelter reconstruction efforts in the Gulf region.
REUNION - We receive hundreds of calls and e-mails each day from people who want to volunteer or support our relief efforts in some way. We are committed to reuniting as many families with their pets as possible. The last thing any of these hurricane victims need is the trauma of losing their companions. "
HSUS and other groups 08:15
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 08:15:05 -0000 From: "summerelic2000" mailto:summerelic2000@yahoo-dot-com HSUS and other groups
My experience with HSUS and other groups has been about what everyone else's has been like.
Project Halo is another confused and unorganized group. I dropped a lot of supplies to the shelter in Gulfport. Spoke with the vet and a lot of nice people there. But to my surprise, they didn't want volunteers and were not releasing animals, except to their NC homes. My questions of who to contact and this didn't seem fair to the animals when there were tons of homes willing to absorb the cost of fostering and possibly adopting all across the US, this seemed ridiculous. No one there could give me the name of a superior in the organization or why this was being handled this way.
I spoke with Dianne Webber of HSUS after seeing Hattiesburg. They refused our help in volunteering. I told them the skills I had, but said I didn't expect them to believe it, I could only prove it. Pet owners had to give such detailed descriptions of their pets, that some of them just sat and cried. They just wanted to find their loved pet. They were not allowed to walk through, which I understand for safety for the animals. But if they are photographing, then place some photos in front of the owner and let them pick out their pet. Then see how the pet reacts. Many things could be done, but I am not there as they are so it is hard to judge things. I spoke with Diane Webber last night, and she clearly told me they were not running the shelter in Gonzalez. That was a rumor and that Pasado's Safe Haven was running that shelter. She did tell me that if you are a non profit org. you can go to the kill shelters and rescue the dogs that are up for euthanization. That is what Project Halo is doing.
I am curious to see what is going on in Texas with the pet and livestock rescue efforts and if these pets will ever get back to their owners at all.
As soon as I can get definite answers from some superior with a faxed, signed document, I will be going back. But not until then. I have two rescue horses here now, from this area and one is not doing well at all. She requires 24 hour care and more than likely she will be euthanized before the end of the week. She has lymphoma and has foundered. So needless to say, until she meets the good Lord, I will be with her until the end. It amazes me at the sign of illness, people will discard an animal with no regard to how they feel and the security they get from being in their own homes or pastures. But I will continue to do what I can to make her comfortable and ease her pain.
I have a phone number for a Laura Bevan. She is the supervisor at Hattiesburg now. Diane told me the supervisors take two week rotations for HSUS and if anyone would like to call her to volunteer, I would be more than happy to give you the number privately.
DeRidder, LA: Our Rescues 12:53
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 12:53:49 -0000 From: "Melissa" mailto:momof3monstrs@yahoo-dot-com Our Rescues
West Louisiana Humane Society, has many Dogs in their kennels...for the one's looking for a JRT, we have two there.....Houston ASPCA was suppose to come pick up a good number of the up yesterday, but i'm not sure yet today if they did, there is no power where the animals are.. but they are safe.. and have food and water... the JRT is solid white.... such a beauty! wish i had room for it!
Also, there is a SHELTIE there, i know there are RESCUES for these types of breeds... she is so mild mannered, gorgeous, looks to have been mistreated, very timid.
contact info Mz. Rita Humane Society of West Louisiana P.O. Box 1751 DeRidder, LA 70634 Phone: (337) 462-3321
I will see if these dogs are still there today! and post later on it!
Katrina dog stories 06:18
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 06:18:34 -0000 From: "litlover32" mailto:neworlanes@earthlink-dot-net Katrina dog stories
I'm a New Orleans evacuee and a writer for The Bark, a magazine for dog lovers. Are you or do you know a dog owner who was personally and dramatically affected by Hurricane Katrina? If so, please email me at mailto:neworlanes@earthlink-dot-net
Thanks, Julia Lane New Orleans, LA (temporarily in Chicago area) mailto:neworlanes@earthlink-dot-net
LA State Vet Wants Rescues to Stop, Need Calls 03:55
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 03:55:45 -0000 From: "becknforan" mailto:becknforan@yahoo-dot-com LA State Vet Wants Rescues to Stop, Need Calls
Louisiana State Vet wants pet rescues to stop on 9/30 (this Friday!)
Animals are still being found alive by rescuers. We must urge the State Vet not to prevent rescues!
See info on this situation at the HSUS site, link below and key exerpts below that.
Please call/fax/email the State Vet and the Governor of Lousiana and politely but firmly insist there can be no deadline and that every house must be checked for living animals before rescue operations can end. Contact info below.
Excerpts from HSUS site:
- Q: We've heard that The HSUS has stopped animal rescues, or is planning to stop rescues on September 30. Is either true?
- A: No. There was a brief pause in direct rescue efforts over the September 23-25 weekend because of Hurricane Rita's approach. We dropped down to emergency staff levels, secured more than six 18-wheel rigs for possible evacuation, and hunkered down at the Lamar-Dixon emergency facility in Gonzales, making sure the 700 animals there were afe. Direct rescue resumed as soon as the tropical storm winds and sheets of rain receded. We don't plan to stop animal rescues until every single one of the addresses—on every single list that's out there—has been visited.
- Q: If Lamar-Dixon ceases operations, where will you move the animals?
- A: The property managers at Lamar-Dixon want us out of there for their own private reasons, and they have waged a campaign of harassment to drive us out. What's more, we operate under the incident command structure of the Louisiana State Veterinarian's Office, and we meet with the state team every day. They have asked us to cease intake of animals by September 30. We are beseeching them to let us continue for a longer period, and we are cautiously optimistic that we'll persuade them to extend our rescue operations at Lamar-Dixon. But we are also working with the Louisiana SPCA to open a new site in New Orleans that can take rescued animals. This operation will be under the Louisiana SPCA's control, but we'll work hand-in-hand with the people there to get it fully equipped and operational.
LA STATE VET NOW MR MAXWEL LEA 225-925-3980 FAX 225-925-4103 EMAIL mailto:mlea@ldaf.state.la-dot-us
GOVERNOR BLANCO 866-310-7617 (225) 342-0991 (225) 342-7015 (225) 925-1938 (225) 925-7339 FAX 225-237-5655 FAX 225-342-7099 TO EMAIL USE THIS LINK http://www.gov.state.la.us/govemail.asp
Brackish Water --Wanting Sugestions From Vets 03:43
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 03:43:02 -0000 From: "wwm61etxy" mailto:drjolyn37@aol-dot-com CNN.--Brackish Water --Wanting Sugestions From Vets
Anderson Cooper was on with Gen Honoroe about the cows being sick with no feed and drinking brackish (salt) water . They wanted ideas. They can use feeders used with liquid feed. Has a top and a roller that animals lick. Dilute the liquid feed to hydrate them . After the cattle find them they can be refilled with water. A Pallet could have one with liquid feed on it also. Does anyone have the right e-mail for the General or the USDA Vet in Cameron Parrish?
a retired large animal vet
River Road Animal Rescue Update 1:10 ET
16429 (http://www.nola.com/forums/animals/index.ssf?artid=56411). River Road Animal Rescue Update by angeldelta, 9/27/05 1:10 ET
Please search River Road Animal Rescue for back story. Several angels from Texas and Miss. are bringing feed to the 50 horses of Belle Chasse on Tues and Sat. The LSU vet school will hopefully deliver hay tomorrow, and the San Diego Humane Society is also seeing what they can do to help.
- Jessica Villers 504.415.4123 cel 504.391.3001 office 7am-3pm NOLA time
- Dave Williams 504.439.6361 cel (still having trouble with his cel)
- Donette Sartin 540.952.9213 cel 504.392.9812
Some people have expressed interest in helping in this area of Belle Chasse/Algiers. Please contact Donette or Jessica if you want to help with dogs, horses, tarps on roofs or any other relief efforts in this area. There are many worthy relief efforts out there and I applaud any of you that are wanting to go in and help. Please contact me if you can't get thru to them, I may be able to get messages thru.
Thanx Everyone! Meredythe 310.415.0054 mailto:angelofthedelta@hotmail-dot-com mailto:angelofthedelta@yahoo-dot-com http://www.angelofthedelta.org/
Back story http://www.polimom.com/node/188 http://thinknola.com/blog/pets/?p=20
PETA letter to Wayne Pacelle, HSUS
http://www.helpinganimals.com/pdfs/WayneHSUSltr.pdf
September 27, 2005 Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO The Humane Society of the United States 2100 L St. N.W. Washington, DC 20037
Dear Wayne,
We were disturbed to read the following statement, attributed to you, on HSUS.org this morning: “We are strongly discouraging rescuers from picking up highly aggressive animals, since they will probably be euthanized. We are also discouraging people from trapping feral cats, since these animals cannot be adopted through the system in place at Gonzales.�
While we are delighted that homes can be found for many of Hurricane Katrina’s animal victims and have helped in that process, those on the front lines may need a reminder that euthanasia means mercy killing, putting animals out of their misery, and protecting animals from fates worse than death and from painful, traumatic deaths.
It is no service to animals for a humane organization to abandon to starvation, dehydration, death by shotgun, and so on those who are unsocialized and who are biting out of fear or who may have been abused in a variety of ways, including by being trained to fight. Locking these animals out of the Lamar-Dixon center and leaving them to reproduce and be cruelly disposed of is unacceptable by any humane standard.
On behalf of everyone at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which has never—and never will—abdicate the responsibility of euthanizing animals when it is the kindest option available to them, we urge The Humane Society of the United States to take the high road by doing what is right for these animals. We appeal to you not to abandon these animals to die horrible deaths but to instead—despite what the public relations fallout might be from those who do not understand the cruelty involved in turning away from the problem—step up to the plate and advocate a peaceful, painless release for them if there is no room at Lamar-Dixon and there are no adoption prospects.
Sincerely, Ingrid E. Newkirk http://www.peta.org/
Other Animal Rescue Pages
- Animal Rescue Resources
Animal Rescue Resources > Alerts > 09-27-2005
