Animal Shelter Bill - Cross post, act and share!

3/29/06--Critical State Pet Evacuation Bill
KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN
http://www.kinshipcircle.org

SOURCE OF INFORMATION
Shannon Moore, shann_moore@yahoo.com

SENATE BILL NO. 607 BY SENATOR FONTENOT
http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=375498

Bill Maps a Pet Evacuation Route
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-pets26mar26,1,7592180.story

EVERYONE:
You may email ALL LOUISIANA STATE SENATORS by copying the email block below
into the Bcc (blind copy) line of your email. Enter your own email address
in the To line and hit Send.  

ACTIVISTS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES:
To ensure your comments are not blocked, please send your email to someone
in the U.S.A. to forward on your behalf.

LOUISIANA RESIDENTS:
In addition to writing all Louisiana Senators, please ask your elected
Senators who represent the district you live in to support SB 607, The Pet
Evacuation Bill.

TO SEND LETTERS BY FAX OR POSTAL MAIL:
Please see complete contact information for every LA State Senator,
following sample letter.

==============================================================
SAMPLE LETTER & EMAIL BLOCK
*Personalizing your comments adds impact
FULL CONTACT INFO (street addresses, fax/phone) follows sample letter
==============================================================

adleyr@legis.state.la.us, amedeej@legis.state.la.us,
websen@legis.state.la.us, barhamr@legis.state.la.us,
boassow@legis.state.la.us, lasen15@legis.state.la.us,
cainj@legis.state.la.us, websen@legis.state.la.us,
smithcheek@legis.state.la.us, websen@legis.state.la.us,
dardennej@legis.state.la.us, websen@legis.state.la.us,
lasen20@legis.state.la.us, ellingtn@legis.state.la.us,
fieldsc@legis.state.la.us, fontenoc@legis.state.la.us,
gautreauxn@legis.state.la.us, lasen21@legis.state.la.us,
heitmeierf@legis.state.la.us, hinesd@legis.state.la.us,
hollisk@legis.state.la.us, jacksonl@legis.state.la.us,
websen@legis.state.la.us, kostelka@legis.state.la.us,
lentini@legis.state.la.us, malonem@legis.state.la.us,
lasen17@legis.state.la.us, lasen29@legis.state.la.us,
lasen23@legis.state.la.us, lasen27@legis.state.la.us,
murraye@legis.state.la.us, websen@legis.state.la.us,
quinnj@legis.state.la.us, romeroc@legis.state.la.us,
schedlet@legis.state.la.us, websen@legis.state.la.us,
smithmi@legis.state.la.us, theunisg@legis.state.la.us,
websen@legis.state.la.us

Dear Senator,

In a single week last September, rescuers airlifted thousands of New Orleans
residents stranded in flooded homes. Among them, Denise Okojo clung to her
Labrador retriever in the shadows of their swamped apartment. When a rescue
team arrived, Okojo was ordered to leave Molly, her seeing-eye service dog,
behind. The blind woman said goodbye to her "eyes" and sole companion.

Laura K. Maloney, executive director of the Louisiana Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, claims animal protection volunteers
recovered about 16,000 animals in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Most ended
up in shelters around the U.S. Only 3,000 were reunited with their
guardians. Okojo was one of the fortunate evacuees. At Lake Charles Memorial
Hospital, she relayed her story to a kindhearted nurse who alerted ASPCA
disaster relief workers. After smashing through a window, a rescue squad
found Molly trembling in an upstairs bedroom.

A disaster preparedness plan without provisions for animals is a bad plan.
In America, animals live in over half of all households. Cats inhabit 3 of
every 10 homes, according to Humane Society of the U.S. figures. In New
Orleans alone, 50,000 to 70,000 dogs were pre-Katrina family members.

Yet Louisiana disaster victims were forced to choose between survival and
their pets. Unforgivable images are etched into our nation's conscience: A
white dog is ripped from a boy's arms as he boards a bus. A bewildered
yellow Lab watches his family disappear in a helicopter. An elderly woman
cannot receive medical care unless she deserts her cats. A man swims and
walks for miles with his dog, only to learn he must abandon his loyal
friend.

An emergency plan with no animal component is out of touch with
constituents. In fact, Katrina "stragglers" cited pets as the foremost
reason for staying in flooded areas. The human death toll might have been
lower if a strategy to accommodate animals had been in place.

You have the opportunity to ensure this never happens again. I respectfully
ask for your full support of Senator Fontenot's Senate Bill No. 607 (SB-607)
Pet Evacuation Bill. SB-607 requires state and parish homeland security and
emergency preparedness agencies "to consult with experts in the fields of
animal sheltering, veterinary medicine, public health and safety, and other
professional and technical personnel deemed appropriate to formulate
emergency operation plans for the humane evacuation, transport, and
temporary sheltering of service animals and household pets in times of
emergency or disaster."

"I felt we were derelict in our duties to the citizens of Louisiana, because
we didn't make arrangements for pets," Senator Fontenot told reporters. "I
don't think we recognize that pet-human bond that was there, and a lot of
people refused to evacuate because they weren't going to leave their pets
behind."

Long after the last humans had evacuated, thousands of emaciated and
dehydrated pets roamed empty New Orleans parishes. Seven months beyond the
storm, animal advocates continue to rescue and rehabilitate displaced pets.
Please stand behind SB-607, which instructs government to consult with
animal welfare organizations to fully implement protocols on rescue/shelter
of animals during a disaster. I am counting on you to cosponsor the critical
Pet Evacuation Bill.

Thank you,

===========================================
COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION
http://senate.legis.state.la.us/Senators/Default.asp
===========================================

CENTRAL FAX NUMBER, when the Legislature is in session. Faxes are placed
directly into each senator's mailbox: 225-342-0617

CENTRAL PHONE NUMBER, when the Legislature is in session: 225-342-2040

LOUSIANA STATE SENATE MEMBERS        
Senator Robert Adley
611 Jessie Jones Drive; Benton, LA 71006
ph: 225-342-2040, 318-965-1755; fax: 318-965-1757
email: adleyr@legis.state.la.us

Senator "Jody" Amedee
2109 S. Burnside Ave., Suite A; Gonzales, LA 70737
ph: 225-644-1526; fax: 225-644-7392
email: amedeej@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Diana E. Bajoie
Post Office Box 15168; New Orleans, LA 70175
ph: 225-342-0752, 504-568-7760; fax: 504-896-1301
email: websen@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Robert J. Barham
Post Office Box 249; Oak Ridge, LA 71264
ph: 225-342-2040, 318-244-5582; fax: 318-244-5015
email: barhamr@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Walter J. Boasso
100 Intermodal Drive; Chalmette, LA 70043
ph: 225-342-2040, 504-270-9258; fax: 504-277-0113
email: boassow@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Sharon Weston Broome
P. O. Box 52783; Baton Rouge, LA 70892  
ph: 225-359-9352; fax: 225-359-9353
email: lasen15@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator James David Cain
Post Office Box 640; Dry Creek, LA 70637
ph: 225-342-2040, 337-328-7266; fax: 337-491-2027
email: cainj@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Joel T. Chaisson
P.O. Box 1255; Destrehan, LA 70047
ph: 225-342-2040, 985-764-9911; fax: 985-764-9686
email: websen@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Sherri Smith Cheek
9973 Mansfield Road; Keithville, LA 71047
ph: 318-687-4820; fax: 318-687-4077
email: smithcheek@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Donald R. "Don" Cravins
Vice Chairman, Judiciary B Committee
200 West Pine Street; Lafayette, LA 70501
ph: 225-342-2114, 337-234-9695; fax: 337-234-7019
email: websen@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Jay Dardenne, Judiciary B Committee Member
Post Office Box 94183; Baton Rouge, LA 70804
ph: 225-342-9788; fax: 225-383-3733
email: dardennej@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Ann Duplessis
6600 Plaza Drive, Suite 211A; New Orleans, LA 70127
ph: 504-243-7795; fax: 504-246-7689
email: websen@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Reggie P. Dupre
P. O. Box 3893; Houma, LA 70361-2016
ph: 985-876-9902; fax: 985-873-2016
email: lasen20@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Noble E. Ellington, Judiciary B Committee Member
4272 Front Street; Winnsboro, LA 71295  
ph: 318-435-7313; fax: 318-435-9885
email: ellingtn@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Cleo Fields
Post Office Box 94183; Baton Rouge, LA 70804  
ph: 225-342-9793; fax: 225-219-4354
email: fieldsc@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Heulette "Clo" Fontenot
Author of SB 607, Pet Evacuation Bill
P.O. Box 1238; Livingston, LA 70754
ph: 225-686-0108; fax: 225-686-2161
email: fontenoc@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator "Nick" Gautreaux
209 E. St. Victor Street; Abbeville, LA 70510
ph: 337-740-NICK (6425), 1-866-740-NICK (6425)
fax: 337-740-6400; email: gautreauxn@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator D. A. "Butch" Gautreaux
1103 Eighth Street; Morgan City, LA 70380  
ph: 800-562-3204; fax: 985-380-2447
email: lasen21@legis.state.la.us

Senator Francis C. Heitmeier
3709 General DeGaulle; New Orleans, LA 70114
ph: 504-361-6014; fax: 504-361-9794
email: heitmeierf@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Donald E. Hines
Post Office Box 262; Bunkie, LA 71322
ph: 318-346-4619; fax: 318-346-2301
email: hinesd@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Ken Hollis, Judiciary B Committee Member
2800 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Suite 365; Metairie, LA 70002
ph: 225-342-8325, 504-828-9300; fax: 504-828-9355
email: hollisk@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Lydia P. Jackson
610 Texas Street, Suite 201; Shreveport, LA 71101
ph: 318-676-7029; fax: 318-676-7034
email: jacksonl@legis.state.la.us

Senator Charles D. "C.D." Jones, Judiciary B Committee Member
141 Desiard Street, Suite 315; Monroe, LA 71201
ph: 225-342-2366, 318-362-5469;
fax: 318-325-2647; email: websen@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Robert W. "Bob" Kostelka
Post Office Box 2122; Monroe, LA 71207
ph: 800-508-5572; fax: 318-329-9150
email: kostelka@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Arthur J. "Art" Lentini
6620 Riverside Drive, Suite 312; Metairie, LA 70003
ph: 504-780-8700; fax: 504-465-3463
email: lentini@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Max T. Malone
610 Marshall Street, Suite 722; Shreveport, LA 71101
ph: 318-676-5733; fax: 318-676-5734
email: malonem@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Robert "Rob" Marionneaux
Chairman, Judiciary B Committee
P.O. Box 577; Livonia, LA 70755-0577
ph: 225-637-3623; fax: 225-637-3124
email: lasen17@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Joe McPherson
880 Robinson Bridge Road; Woodworth, LA 71485
ph: 318-484-2211; fax: 318-445-2872
email: lasen29@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Michael J. "Mike" Michot
P.O. Box 80372; Lafayette, LA 70598  
ph: 337-262-1332; fax: 337-237-1185
email: lasen23@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Willie L. Mount
P.O. Box 3004; Lake Charles, LA 70602  
ph: 337-491-2016; fax: 337-433-8080
email: lasen27@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Edwin R. Murray
1540 N. Broad St.; New Orleans, LA 70119
ph: 504-945-0042; fax: 504-942-5968
email: murraye@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Ben Nevers
724 Avenue F; Bogalusa, LA 70427
ph: 985-732-6863, 1-800-881-2749; fax: 985-732-6860
email: websen@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Julie Quinn
3330 North Causeway Boulevard, Suite 438; Metairie, LA 70002
ph: 504-219-4640; fax: 504-219-4639  
email: quinnj@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Craig F. Romero
300 Iberia Street, Suite B-150; New Iberia, LA 70560
ph: 337-364-8006; fax: 337-364-7355
email: romeroc@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator John T. "Tom" Schedler
3840 Highway 22, Suite 200; Mandeville, LA 70471
ph: 225-342-2040, 985-727-7949, 1-800-836-9581
fax: 985-727-9904; email: schedlet@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Derrick Shepherd
2009 Ames Boulevard; Marrero, LA 70072
ph: 504-371-0263; fax: 504-371-0265
email: websen@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Kenneth M. "Mike" Smith
Post Office Box 1381; Winnfield, LA 71483
ph: 225-342-0637, 318-628-3075; fax: 318-628-5286
email: smithmi@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator Gerald J. Theunissen
Post Office Box 287; Jennings, LA 70546
ph: 337-824-0376; fax: 337-824-4780
email: theunisg@legis.state.la.us
  
Senator J. Chris Ullo
2150 Westbank Expressway, Suite 705; Harvey, LA 70058
ph: 504-361-6690; fax: 504-361-6691
email: websen@legis.state.la.us

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Upcoming Transport - April 6-7th

Help evacuate some of the four footed friends trapped in MS! We need to find homes for them before they are transported. The tranport will go through VA, DE, PA, NJ, NY, CT and RI. If you are intersted in a dog or cat please email Kristen Johnson at krisjohnson@snet.net

 

Cats at large around Lakeview, New Orleans, LA

Please look at http://www.flickr.com/photos/yepitsme770/sets/72057594070227997/ for photos of cats roaming in NOLA. Taken recently. Please send to anyone you know who is missing pets in the Lakeview Area. These are from a local feeder who will gladly catch any of these for their owners if requested.

Forced to evacuate without your pet or service animal?

Senator Fontenot (District 13, Louisiana) is searching for Louisiana
evacuees who were stopped from evacuating from Katrina with their
pets, in order to enlist their help with testifying in support of
upcoming emergency pet evacuation legislation.

The bill is to be introduced on 3/27/06. It will be pre-filed this
Friday (3/17/06).

Cathy Wells is the staff member from Sen. Fontenot's office who is
collecting statements of affected parties.

Cathy Wells
Email: wellsc@legis.state.la.us
Phone: 225-342-1126

We need people that were separated from their service animals and those that were NOT allowed to evacuate with their pets to contact their state senator and state representative and ask them to co-author this bill. The author wants to know the facts of those who were not allowed to evacuate with their animals, especially service animals. We also need these same people to testify when the bill is heard in both the senate and house committees.

On Friday evening or Saturday morning you should be able to find the bill on our site."
The bill will introduced on 3/27. It will be pre-filed this Friday.

You can access it from: www.legis.state.la.us

Look under Fontenot and 2006 Regular Session.

Puppy Wuppy, 10-12 weeks, spayed, has her shots and microchipped.

This little girl's sister died on the transport last night. We knew her sister was sick, for she had had a high fever, but had hopes for her because the only other option for her was that the shelter she was coming from was going to put her down otherwise. The transporters stopped in Richmond, VA at an emergency vet to have this one out, and the other dogs on the transport checked out. She got a clean bill of health, but they put her on antibiotics, just in case.
She is very active. Her bowel movements are "good looking." She is alert and curious. Typical puppy!
This puppy is currently on "HOLD".
3/29/06 Update - She is still on hold. "Spring" named for her bounce and spirit, came down with Kennel cough pretty bad. She now has pneunomia, and being treated with a sulpa anitbiotic and being hydrated daily. I believe she is doing better, but not out of the woods at all yet.

Female Black Lab, 1 year old, fixed. - ADOPTED

This little girl will not sit for a photo. I finally gave her a bone to settle her in one spot and she was very happy. She is eager to be around people and is interested in food, so she will be trainable with some patience. She is spayed and has had her shots. She is friendly with other dogs.
She is currently AVAILABLE!
UPDATE - Ok, she was really super hyper after the long car ride (24 hours + from Mississippi), but has calmed a bit. I have found out that she does know how to sit, and lay down on command. She is super bright, just in that one year old stage where she has a lot of energy. She is good with other dogs. She is good with puppies! She enjoys laying around outside. If you have a fenced in yard where she can run and can spend 20 minutes a day showing her things you would like he to learn, she will please you!
UPDATE 2- She is possible a pure Labrador. She likes the water! She did not hesitate to jump in when I took her down to the creek, which is the size of a river. It was a little cold for her though!

UPDATE 3- ADOPTED,3/29/06, and they even have a swimming pool for her to swim in! What a life. Thank you Kristen, of Primrose Lane Farm in Spring City, PA for your help adopting her and going the extra mile to see if she was heartworm positive, which she was not.

Male Border Collie, Fixed 2-3 years old

The Border Collie is a total sweet heart. He did just poop in the house, but he is now constantly wanting to go out. He may have pooped from the long trip and just couldn't hold it. He goes to the door a lot, which makes me think he was/is house trained. He knows sit, and will give you his paw. He reacts sharply to "no" or "bad dog". He is very patient with the other dog that is a total hyper girl. He is fixed and he did have his shots.
This dog is currently on "HOLD".
UPDATE - This dog has been ADOPTED! 3/14/06

Never Again - My personal story and feelings. -Rachel

Never Again.

Never Again. Famous words for when someone realizes that they made a terrible mistake. Words that are spoken from the soul, making a promise to all those that hear or read them, that they will do everything in their power to make sure that what transpired will never happen again.

I watched CNN, and heard the government say, “Don’t self dispatch.” First it was 911. I did nothing, and went on with my life. The second time I heard the words was Hurricane Katrina. My heart told me I had to do something. I spent days searching and finally took the Red Cross spontaneous volunteer training, expecting to be dispatched immediately. That was not the case. I found another group (Good-Works PAC) going down south, and so I ended up in Tylertown, MS volunteering with the Red Cross distributing bulk supplies and debit cards. My path then lead me to Gonzales, LA where the Humane Society of the United States had rented a facility to aid in the rescue of the animals forced to be abandon in the houses and streets of New Orleans. There I found my hearts calling.

I spent two weeks in September working at this temporary animal shelter. Most of us were forced to temporarily evacuate for a day while Hurricane Rita hit, but then I hit the streets of New Orleans searching houses for animals owners requested us to rescue. Then it was time for me to leave, but after a week a home I knew I had to return again. I returned for a two weeks tour in October, then two weeks in November. December pulled me away to address a family illness, graduation, and my husbands Christmas birthday. Every time I went down things changed. More people returned. The type of rescue needed was different. I heard more accounts from the people of their plights, and what they heard and saw when and after the levees burst.

Yes, people were raped in the Superdome and Convention Center. Yes, the sheriff of St. Bernard’s Parish ordered the shooting of the pets that were evacuated to schools and shooting the dogs on the streets. Police were beating people when they refused to leave their animals, giving the no choice. People hid from the National Guard because they knew they would have to leave their four footed family behind if they were found. Many people reported hearing some sort of explosion right before the levee burst flooding the 9th ward. Whether this was the barge that was left in the canal, hitting the levee, or an intentional explosion, I doubt we will ever know. Two of my friends found human bodies in late September. The area affected by the devastation was so vast the searches were cursory. The corpses of dogs and cats were common.

I spent all of January down rescuing dogs. A large part of the rescues my team worked on at that time were mother and puppies. The religious philosophy of the majority of people in New Orleans was not to alter what god had given the animals. It may have also been complimented by the cost and complication of spay and neutering them. New Orleans had approximately 26,000 animals roaming the streets before Hurricane Katrina hit them. Pit bull fighting was not uncommon. Litters of puppies were left on the side of the road for Pit Bull trainers to take and use a bait dogs. The attitude of the LASPCA during the aftermath of Katrina is that they had everything under control. That opinion does not reflect my own experience.

I had also planned to stay to help during the month of February, but a surprise visit from my husband in mid-January, blessed me with child, and I decided that it would be best I go home to attend to my new situation. About a week before I left I was confronted by a gentleman asking, “Why are you helping the animals, what about the people? Where were you when the people were trapped in the Superdome?” I had no quick retort for his anger, stress and frustration. I did not tell him my story. I know I am better suited to help the animals that had no choices during this disaster. They cannot speak, feed or defend themselves against the humans. I had seen the post-traumatic stress before in the other evacuees. I had also seen volunteers burn out in a week from the unique and sad situations that we dealing with. Even if I gave this man an explanation as to why I was not there when the people were trapped at the Superdome, Convention Center, and in the attics and roofs of their homes, I doubt he could have heard me.

Today I know I will listen to my heart, and Never Again will I listen to external voices that say, “Don’t self dispatch.” What would have happened if I took my canoe and my car down? The military can organize, while the civilians act, and the job would be done. I could do little, but one drop can fill a glass when followed by another. So I ask you to think about what I am saying here. Listen to your heart. Next time it may be you on the other side of the water and few will know what is really happening.

-Rachel McKay Laskowski February 14, 2006.

Any one have room for German Shepherds?

The Human Society of Southern Mississippi is looking for homes for these three German Shepherds. The two in the one photograph are both male, about 10 months old. I am not sure of the sex of the third one. If anyone can take in these dogs and give them a loving home, please email me at griffinsgallery@mac.com There is also a Great Dane available, and I will get a list of some other dogs there. The transport that these four footed friends can catch a ride on will be leaving Saturday. They will be driving along to CT. If you are anywhere along this route and can meet them at any hour, please email. I can also hold them for a day or so, outside of Philadelphia, in Collegeville, PA for you. They will only be heading north, if you can take them in! Otherwise their fate is unknown...

UPDATE - The black dog is still available. The Great Dane was adopted. The single female shepherd found it's owner, and the other shepherd got adopted. It sounds like I will be getting a 5 years old beagle, a 2 years old yellow lab, and a tall border collie instead.... but you never know until the dogs are on the truck on Saturday!

National Conference on Animals in Disaster 2006

National Conference on Animals in Disaster 2006

Learning from Katrina—A Commitment to the Future

The Humane Society of the United States
National Conference on Animals in Disaster (NCAD) 2006
Hilton Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia
May 31 to June 3, 2006

Register Now:

•Click here to register online, or for a printable registration form to register by fax or mail.

Jump to information on:

Featured Speakers
Registration Costs
Early Registration
Team Registration
Sponsorship Information
Hotel Reservations
More about the Conference

Please check this page, www.hsus.org/NCAD06, frequently for updates.

A "must attend" event! The National Conference on Animals in Disaster 2006—May 31 to June 3 in Arlington, Virginia (just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.).

Building on experience to develop solutions in these critical areas:

• You have to leave NOW! How will mass evacuations and sheltering of people and animals be handled next time?
• Who's in charge here? Who will assume leadership for the animal issues?
• There ought to be a law! Can animal disaster planning be legislated?
• Can anybody hear me? Use of communication and other technology - how to get a jump on the learning curve and make response more effective and safe.
• Donation management: Procuring and managing useful resources for those who need it.
• Is there a Vet in the house? How should veterinary response be organized for disasters?
• Mental health support: How can we forget what we saw? What do we do with our uplifting and upsetting experiences?
• Logistical support for responders
• Dealing with unusual animal populations: Or, how did a dolphin get in my swimming pool?
• And much more!

The HSUS's fourth biennial National Conference on Animals in Disaster (NCAD) will be open to everyone and dedicated to the lessons of Katrina and Rita, as well as those of other recent events. We will roll up our sleeves to secure the improvements made in the disaster planning and response process, and to recreate and reinvigorate approaches currently in process that will help in future preparedness and response efforts.

Featured Speakers

Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO, The Humane Society of the United States

George W. Foresman, Under Secretary for Preparedness, US Department of Homeland Security

Barbara Childs-Pair, Director, District of Columbia Emergency management Agency

Bruce Baughman, Director, Alabama Emergency Management Agency and President, National Emergency Management Association

And more!
Don’t miss this opportunity to speak with leaders in the animal disaster response and planning community. Come and get to know other emergency response and animal care and control professionals from around the country. Renew your friendships with people you met “in the field.” Register now!

At this year's National Conference on Animals in Disaster, we will present more than 50 hours of valuable seminars and workshops that will appeal to emergency managers and responders, animal care and control professionals, and animal disaster volunteers of all levels and experience.

On Saturday, June 3, we present an all-day certification workshop (separate registration) on the National Incident Management System (NIMS). We are applying for NIMS certification through the FEMA Emergency Management Institute. In addition to the standard NIMS requirements, the workshop will include a discussion of the special issues of animal disaster response within NIMS, as well as how the Resource Management System applies to animal disaster response.

Visit this page, www.hsus.org/NCAD06, frequently to learn more about the issues, speakers, and other events, as this information becomes available.

We hope to see you in May.

Registration Costs

Registration for the conference (Wednesday, May 31, through Friday, June 2) is $179. Early-bird registration (paid in full by April 15) is $159.
Daily registration is $59 for Wednesday, May 31 and Friday, June 2, and $79 for Thursday, June 1 (includes luncheon and reception).
The NIMS workshop on Saturday, June 3 is $99 (includes lunch).
(Note: These registration fees are the same as in 2004.)

Click here for online registration and for a printable registration form to mail or fax to us.

Register Early and Save

Register by April 15, 2006, and pay the reduced fee of $159 for the conference. Your registration must be postmarked or received via fax by midnight April 15, 2006, to qualify. After that, you will be charged the regular registration fees. (See online registration for amounts).

Save with Team Registration

Local "Team" Registration: To promote post-conference collaboration in your community, we are offering a special discount of 15% on the total registration for teams of four or more people from your community. To qualify, register and pay together by mail or fax (with check or credit card). In the team packet, each team member must submit a separate registration form (for name badges, etc.). Contact 301-258-3063 or e-mail us for more information. (Please put "Team Registration" in the subject line.)


Companies and Organizations

If your company or organization would like to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please e-mail us for information. Please put "Sponsorship" in the subject line.

Note: Organizations wishing to hold their meetings in conjunction with our conference are welcome to contact us for coordination. Contact us now. (Please put "In Conjunction With" or "ICW" in the subject line.)

Hotel Reservations - Hilton Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia

To reserve your hotel room with a toll-free telephone call:

Take advantage of the special hotel rate at the Hilton Crystal City by calling 1-800-695-7551 by May 8, and mention The Humane Society of the United States to receive the discounted room rate of $109 (single or double occupancy, or $119 triple or quad.

To reserve your hotel room online:

Receive the discounted room rate of $109 (single or double occupancy, or $119 triple or quad), by going to www.hilton.com and entering "22202" in the "city" field. Then enter your arrival and departure dates and room preferences and click "Find It." The Hilton Crystal City will be the first on the list. Click on "View Rates." Double check your dates and preferences and enter the Group/Convention code "AID" (for "Animals in Disaster"). Our negotiated rates will appear, and you can select your room type and continue on with your reservation.

All reservations must be guaranteed and accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card.

Remember: The deadline for these rates is May 8, 2006, but room availability is limited, so make your reservations early. The group rates are applicable from May 26 through June 4, 2006, subject to space availability.

A Time to Expand Collaboration, Communication, and Cooperation for More Effective Response

Collaboration among disaster workers has never been more active. Katrina and Rita created greater mutual appreciation and respect that will endure for years. There is nothing that cements a friendship and a good working relationship like working side-by-side in the disaster zone. Leaders and worker-bees alike have learned by direct experience who to count on, and the NCAD 2006 will ensure that people have the opportunity to renew and nurture working relationships developed under the hot Gulf Coast sun.

Also, we have worked with many people at all levels of government, nonprofit and voluntary organizations, and the private/corporate sector whom we need to meet with again to capture good practices developed on the fly and strengthen relationships developed on the front lines.

In this catastrophe, relief efforts of all kinds suffered from a lack of cohesive planning, insufficient training, and critical resources hung up “in the system” or incorrectly used or not available. Some longstanding relationships collapsed under the crushing demands of the moment. These procedures and relationships need to be repaired and made more robust not only to prepare for the next catastrophic event, but also to prepare communities across the country for the “everyday” disasters that disrupt lives and families year-round.

NCAD 2006…be there. We need you.

Visit this page, www.hsus.org/NCAD06, frequently for more information about the conference program, speakers, and other events as these details become available.

Again, thank you for your support. See you in May!