Louisiana State Animal Response Team - Report on Katrina

Louisiana State Animal Response Team
LVMA-SART http://lsart.evetsites.net/
8550 United Plaza Blvd, Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809 United States
Phone : (225)928-5862, Alt : (225)578-9587, 1-800-524-2996
Contact: Dr. Renee Poirrier, rpoirrier@bellsouth.net

========================================================

Source: http://lsart.evetsites.net/site/view/62426_History.pml

The skeleton structure of Louisiana SART was just coming into place
under the guidance of the Louisiana State Veterinarians' Office when
Hurricane Katrina put it to the test.

Dr. Renee Poirrier was Director, and along with Assistant State
Veterinarian, Dr. Martha Littlefield, managed Rescue Shelters,
Evacuation Shelters, oversaw credentialed rescue operations and
continues to work on Recovery in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita.

Dr. Littlefield's report on the Response to the Hurricanes of 2005.


======================================================

Louisiana's Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

The Louisiana's role in animal disaster preparedness & response began
in 2002 when the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association Board of
Directors agreed to create the State Animal Response Team (SART) and
make it part of the State's Emergency Support Function (ESF) #11
(Agriculture). The lead agency for ESF #11 (Agriculture) is the
Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF). The primary
task for LVMA-SART at that time was to set up pre-storm evacuation
shelters in the northern part of the state in order to provide a place
for people to take their (small animal) pets when they evacuate. These
shelters would open in conjunction with Red Cross human shelters as
assigned by the (human) Shelter Task Force. Evacuees would be
responsible for taking care of their own animals. Large animals were
considered in the response plan, but planning for their protection was
in a more general, owner-owned manner. In response to Hurricanes Ivan
and Dennis (and others), evacuation shelters were set up in
Alexandria, Monroe & Shreveport. After Dennis (2005), the LVMA- SART
was tasked with planning shelters in Lafayette & Baton Rouge.

Our involvement in Hurricane Katrina began with opening the pre-storm
evacuation shelters in Monroe, Shreveport, & Alexandria. These
shelters were managed by LVMA District Representative Dr. James
Rundell (Monroe), LVMA District Representative Dr. Gary Dupree, LVMA
member, Dr. Susan Bradley (Shreveport), and LVMA District
Representative Dr. David McGraw (Alexandria). Other preparations were
begun around the state. The LaSPCA (the animal control agency for
Orleans Parish), in response to the threat posed by Katrina, evacuated
their shelter animals to Houston. Dr. Martha Littlefield, Assistant
State Veterinarian (ASV) with the LDAF (Bob Odom, Commissioner)
pre-positioned VMAT & national humane groups in out of state locations
(but on call) to assist with rescue shelters. Evacuation shelters were
shelters where owners could take and care for their animals. Rescue
shelters were shelters set up to recover and receive animals after the
storm. These animals were to have no owners with them. They were to be
housed in the rescue shelter until their owners could reclaim them or
until an animal could be sent to a longer-term facility.

Katrina slammed ashore devastating the state. The first responders
were the local veterinarians who responded with great care and much
responsibility. There are too many to list, but they were essential to
this relief effort. The ability to be self sufficient for at least 3
days needs to be considered and understood. The calvary, whether state
or federal, takes time to mobilize. In a statewide disaster or
emergency, according to ESF #11, the State Veterinarian (Dr. Mack Lea)
& the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services Area Veterinarian-in-Charge
(AVIC) (Dr. Joel Goldman) are responsible for all animals in disaster.
They were the area co-commanders for the Incident Command (IC) for
both the Katrina and Rita disasters using the mandatory incident
command system (ICS) structure. For those unfamiliar with ICS, you are
encouraged to go on line and learn about how all emergencies are now
mandated to be handled. Many people don't realize that while rescue is
important and feels good, there are other aspects that happened during
a disaster and need to be done. Central command leadership including
coordination with State, Federal and Volunteer groups is important.

Red Cross opened human shelters in Baton Rouge & Lafayette. The LVMA
opened animal shelters in Baton Rouge & Lafayette. LVMA member Dr.
Paula Drone was in charge of the Baton Rouge Shelter located at the
Parker Coliseum on the LSU campus. Dr. David Orgeron (LVMA District
Representative) was in charge of the Lafayette shelter at Blackham
Coliseum. Dr. Sonya Brouillette also set up a shelter in St. Helena
Parish. They were LVMA evacuation shelters where the second wave of
human evacuees could bring their pets with them.

The LVMA SART Director Dr. Renee Poirrier was called to Baton Rouge to
assist with the establishment of a rescue shelter in Gonzales at the
Lamar Dixon Equine Center. In Louisiana's state plan for animal
response in disasters, local animal control officers are responsible
for small animal rescue until their resources cannot be met. La-SPCA
is a humane organization contracted to provide animal control services
for Orleans Parish and, by agreement with adjoining parishes provide
the local animal control officers who are responsible for small animal
rescues in parishes around the Orleans area. State resources
originally aimed at helping the local animal control officers carry
out their mission. However, when their facility was destroyed, they
were unable to take calls from citizens. Phone banks were set up at
LDAF Office of Health Services and Baton Rouge's Cajun Clicker
Computer Group helped manage the tremendous amount of data collected.

Dr. Littlefield contacted Dr. Rebecca Adcock (LVMA District
Representative) to establish a central hotline to take calls. Dr.
Adcock also set up and updated the LSU website, the official website
for animal relief efforts. Large animal, especially equine calls began
coming in and Dr. Adcock asked Dr. Becky McConnico and Dr. Rusty Moore
to field these calls & the Equine Hotline was born. Technically,
animal control officers are responsible for horses in their areas;
however, they were overwhelmed with the small animal response.

Arrangements were made to have monetary donations sent to the Walter
J. Ernst Foundation (the foundation associated with the LVMA) and
supply donations sent to LDAF with Commissioner Odom's approval and
support.

State Veterinarian Dr. Mack Lea and LVMA-SART Director Dr. Renee'
Poirrier devised a large animal response group consisting of USDA
veterinarians & LVMA equine veterinarians. Dr. Shannon Gonsoulin (LVMA
member at large) & Dr. Sonny Corley (LVMA member) were tasked with
organizing 5 LVMA equine veterinarians per day for 2 weeks to extract
horses from the affected areas. In less than 36 hours, a list was
compiled to cover a period of 4 weeks. The first 67 horses extracted
were by Dr. Fred Bourgeois, LVMA member and Federal veterinarian, his
team of Animal Health Technicians and other State and Federal
Veterinarians. As the number of horse calls increased, Dr. McConnico &
Dr. Rustin Moore mapped out the location of the calls. LVMA equine
vets went to each location, removed the horses, and with the help of
Dominic's Stockyard trailers, as well as volunteers with trailers,
took the horses to Lamar Dixon. Bonnie Clark, president of the
Louisiana Equine Council, was tasked by Dr. Littlefield to run the
equine shelter at Lamar Dixon. Dr. Denny French, LVMA member, and his
LSU students provided veterinary care for the horses. Flooding and the
storm surge removed many of the livestock to the Gulf of Mexico. Large
animal disposal was coordinated by the USDA's Natural Resources
Conservation Services (NRCS).

LaSPCA had pre-storm agreements with the Humane Society of the United
States (HSUS) to partner and manage the Lamar Dixon small animal
shelter. Other national humane groups were tasked to help relieve
various shelters around the state. The SART Director Dr. Poirrier and
Dr. Littlefield chose American Humane Association (AHA) for Lafayette,
and the Emergency Animal Response Services/United Animal Nations
(EARS/UAN) for Monroe. Shreveport & Baton Rouge did not need outside
help at that time. Prior to the storm, Slidell Animal Control had
contracted and practiced emergency response exercises with Noah's Wish.

VMAT commander Dr. Kellogg arrived to accept responsibility for
surveying areas of the state for damage and to report back to the IC.
Intake at Lamar Dixon was handled by VMAT Veterinarians. They were
tasked to staff Lamar Dixon 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Every
animal extracted from the Orleans area was to be decontaminated and
triaged on entry. If any needed intense medical care, they were to be
sent to LSU SVM. As more and more animals were rescued, the daily area
command meetings at the LDAF building centered on the need to export
animals out of the state because it was determined that there were not
enough resources in the State to care for the extracted animals. A
subcommittee, headed by the executive director of humane shelter
managers, decided to ship small animals to approved brick and mortar
shelters across the country. The LVMA-SART director participated in
the meeting and helped devise export protocols for animals leaving the
state. Each animal shipped out of the Lamar Dixon Shelter was to be
microchipped, vaccinated, dewormed and treated for external parasites
by United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Veterinarians, VMAT or
US Army 248th Medical Detachment Veterinarians.

There was no need to ship horses out of state, because of the
diligence of Bonnie Clark and the fact that each horse was permanently
identified with a microchip, brand or tattoo and ownership verified.
Equine shelter protocols were determined by Dr. French. Each horse was
vaccinated, triaged, and tested for EIA. One success has been that
microchipping interest has picked up nationwide because of the success
with Bonnie's equine program and the microchipping of the small
animals. Statistics on the large animal rescue included 382 animals,
264 horses, 3 pigs and 15 goats. Lamar Dixon handled a daily average
of 157 horses. Five horses were evacuated to Lamar Dixon, but
veterinarians and other rescuers recovered 359 animals. Lamar Dixon
was used as a large animal handling facility for 56 days.

Dr. Bill Stokes, the USPHS veterinarian in charge of Lamar Dixon at
the time, asked that the LVMA provide as many veterinarians as
possible for a weekend to check New Orleans addresses for animals left
behind. The SART director contacted the LVMA District Representatives
and in three days, 30 LVMA veterinarians agreed to meet in New Orleans
to make a push to check as many addresses as possible.

While the media focused on the dogs and cats, many other types of
animals (and cell lines) were rescued by state and federal
veterinarians and animal health technicians. Retrieval and transport
of these animals and cells during the initial days post-hurricane were
dangerous, hot and long and the efforts of these people were overlooked.

Just as intake from New Orleans decreased and export at Lamar Dixon
was gearing up, Hurricane Rita appeared in the gulf. As Rita neared
shore, preparations were begun again.

Animal control officers from Lake Charles evacuated their facility in
order to convert it to a rescue shelter for small animals. The
Sugarena was designated as a large animal shelter by Dr. Gonsoulin.
Lamar Dixon and Parker Coliseum were made as secure as possible. The
human shelter at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette was evacuated to
Shreveport and the animals in the LVMA Blackham Coliseum Shelter,
following their owners, were evacuated to Shreveport as well.

Rita slammed ashore devastating Louisiana. Lake Charles Animal Control
was paired with the American Humane Association. Since flooding in
Lake Charles was minimal and quickly receded, animals were not
extracted from homes but fed in-place. Two weeks went by before any
healthy animals were picked up in Lake Charles, giving owners time to
return and take care of their pets. Injured or ill pets were picked up
and triaged and sent to local veterinary hospitals. Severely affected
animals were sent to LSU SVM.

The equine hotline was once again set up to take calls. Most of the
horses, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs at Sugarena were transported
there by their owners.

An estimated 20,000 cattle were lost from Hurricane Rita (total loss
was 35-40,000 head). After the storm, there was a race against time to
remove as many cattle by horseback as possible out of the area and off
of the salt water contaminated pastures. USDA AHPIS personnel working
with LDAF and the Louisiana National Guard dropped feed and water to
stranded animals and assisted with the round up (food and water drops
were made to animals on levees during Katrina). The LVMA-SART provided
vaccine to local veterinarian Dr. Clyde Prejean who vaccinated and
treated the cattle. Other large animal veterinarians in the area were
a tremendous help in this endeavor. The Cattleman's Association and
LSU AgCenter personnel coordinated food and hay deliveries. Others
participated also.

Small animal evacuation shelters were again set up in Abbeville,
Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Monroe.

SOME OF OUR LESSONS LEARNED

We have emphasized to veterinarians the following things: "The most
important thing anyone can do to help in times of disaster is have a
personal disaster plan in place to take care of your family. The next
step is to have disaster plan for your business. Make sure your
business interruption insurance covers you until your business
reopens. Make sure you have up to date replacement value on your
equipment. What will happen to the animals in your care if a disaster
strikes your area? Last but by no means least, join the State Animal
Response Team!"

The LVMA was an integral part of the Katrina/Rita animal relief
effort, but one must not focus on just one group. The foresight of the
LVMA Board of Directors to agree to form the LVMA- State Animal
Response Team was a tremendous asset. The cooperation of the major
humane groups, especially in pre-staging and coordinating with Dr.
Littlefield, was a learning experience for the groups. Learning to
play together in the same sandbox was major step toward a coordinated
animal rescue and evacuation shelter response. Computer systems could
have come in earlier; records could have been kept better. The
volunteers needed to be better controlled and managed. Credentialing
all the players would have helped. Tighter perimeter fencing and
security would have helped control many aspects of the rescue
including the "shoppers". Working more closely with State Police and
Parish Sheriffs would have cleaned up some of the rogue
"just-got-to-rescue" groups. Exit strategies for these groups should
have been set up at the beginning of the incident. Ownership issues
during disasters need to be legislatively set. Donations need to be
better managed. In short, everything could have been done better, but
we did the best we could.

The LVMA's pre-storm evacuation shelters are a model for other states
preparing their disaster plans. The challenge becomes to build on this
foundation. To do this the La-SART will need more volunteers. We have
asked for a bank of interested veterinarians, veterinary technicians &
lay people to train for and be prepared to respond to the needs of
animals & their people in disasters – any type of disaster. Incident
Command System 100 and 200 training would be the minimum level for the
volunteers credentialed, while the upper level command would need
additional ICS training. Louisiana is moving from a state that
prepares for animals in hurricanes to a state that has an "all
animals–all disasters plan". Following after action meetings with the
LDAF & USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, the LVMA-SART has decided that
each LVMA district should have a large & small animal veterinarian
responsible for coordinating relief efforts for animals in their
district as well as veterinarians & veterinary technicians from across
the state who would be willing to respond to disasters in any part of
the state. We have emphasized that training can be done on line but we
have plans are in the works for state training meetings. The Board of
Veterinary Medicine has been made aware that veterinarians need
continuing education credits for courses taken in the preparation for
emergencies, and we continue to stress the need for CE credits and
recognition for this important segment of veterinary medicine. Cross
state line cooperation between the licensing boards will be essential
to keep the animals within the proper state. Pre-staging storage
containers with items that can be used quickly to set up a shelter are
being pre-positioned in regions around the state.

It is hoped that veterinarians remember to make plans ahead of time
for their family and clinic. Animals can be moved, equipment can be
replaced, but during the time of a disaster, having a plan and being
calm, self sufficient and willing to help makes the disaster, if it
could be, a little better.


Amazing animation of the flooding--when and where
**FLASH FLOOD /katrina/graphics/continuous.swf

Adoption Agreement

FYI - If you are interested in adopting here is a copy of my adoption agreement... We do ask for a $125 transportation/adoption fee.

COMPANION ANIMAL ADOPTION AGREEMENT


CURRENT GUARDIAN INFORMATION:
Name: Rachel McKay Laskowski 

Address: 

325 Level Rd.
City: 

 Collegeville, State: PA 

Zip Code: 

19426
Phone Number:

 610-409-0805
References Checked: Y/N 

Homecheck Completed: Y/N

INFORMATION ABOUT ADOPTED ANIMAL:
Cat/Dog/Other
: DOG
If other, specify: 

M/F 

Date of Birth: 

 Color: 


Other description:


ADOPTER'S AGREEMENT
0. (If animal is not spayed/neutered at time of adoption) I agree that I will have the animal spayed/neutered at the appropriate time. _________ (initial)

0. I agree that the animal is being adopted for myself and will not be sold, adopted, or given to another party. _________ (initial)

0. I agree that the animal will not be allowed outdoors without proper supervision. When taking my cat/dog outdoors, they will be on a secure harness and wear proper ID. _________ (initial)

0. (If adopting a cat) I agree that I will not declaw the cat or allow the cat to roam unsupervised at any time. _________ (initial)

0. (If adopting a dog) I agree that this dog is to be a companion animal, not a guard dog. The dog will live inside my home, not outdoors. _________ (initial)

0. I agree to care for the animal in a humane manner and be a responsible animal guardian. This includes supplying adequate food, water, shelter, attention, and medical care. _________ (initial)

0. I agree that if at any point I can not keep the animal, I will return him/her to the original guardian without requesting a fee. _________ (initial)

0. I understand and agree that the current guardian makes no guarantees about the animal's temperament and is not responsible for future damages or injuries caused by the animal. _________ (initial)

0. I give the current guardian the right to inspect my home or call my home at any reasonable time, without notice, to assure that the animal is being properly treated and cared for. _________ (initial)

0. I agree to keep the animal's former guardian informed of my current home address and phone number. _________ (initial)


I agree that all statements I have made on this form are true. If it is found that any statements I have made on this form are not true the adopted animal can be confiscated.
Name:


Address:


City:

 State:

 Zip Code:


Phone Number:


Driver's License Number:


License Plate:




Attached are the Mississippi papers with vaccination information. We have done our best to check out these dogs for various diseases. You are notified that many diseases and virus (Distemper, Kennel Cough, Parvo etc.) are going around the southern shelters. I agree that I will immediately her to my vet and have her tested if she/he show signs of any problems._____________(initial)



 Adoption/Transport Fee: $125
Checks should be made out to Animal Rescue Front
For more information about Animal Rescue Front check out
http://www.animalrescuefront.net

Adopter's Signature: 

 Date:



Current Guardian's Signature: 

 Date:

"TLC" - Waveland, MS Katrina Puppy needs a HOME!

Permission to link to this site! Click on the images for a little larger view.
"TLC" needs a home! He is about 4 months old. He is black with a white chest. Labrador hound mix. He has his first set of shots. Rabies and spaying to be scheduled tomorrow! He appears to have mange, though was tested in MS, and was negative. We will be testing again.

Day 1 in Foster Care - This fellow will stand off from the rest and sit in his chair. He seems to be the older, wiser one of the bunch. Calm and relaxed, but loving and licking when you come to him.

Day 3 in Foster Care - TLC is being treated for mange. He whispered to me his secret past life today. I was singing "Love me Tender" to him, and he confessed that he was Elvis in a past life. This dog is so tender and sweet! We also found oout from the vet that he has his adult teeth. Thus he is probably a bit older than we thought... a little older than 4 months. He also looks a lot like a whippet.

Friday June 9, 2006 - TLC is now waiting for his blood count to go up so that he may be able to be neutered, and also have a hernia operation. This is planned in a week or two.

"Lover" - Waveland, MS Katrina Puppy - ADOPTED!

Permission to link to this site! Click on the images for a little larger view.
"Lover" needs a home! She is about 4 months old. Short hair. Catahoula hound and black lab mix. She has her first set of shots. Rabies and spaying to be scheduled tomorrow! Missing some little patches of hair, we will also have her checked for mange.

Day 1 in Foster Care - The most demanding of the bunch for attention! (She is also the oldest & biggest.) She will lick you until you are completely clean!

Day 2 in Foster Care - Vet check up day! And "Lover" gets ADOPTED! at our vet office!

"Whiteheart" - Waveland, MS Katrina Puppy ADOPTED!

Permission to link to this site! Click on the images for a little larger view.
"Whiteheart" needs a home! He is about 16 weeks old. All black except for a tiny white spot on his heart. Black lab mix. He has her first set of shots. Rabies and spaying to be scheduled tomorrow!

Day 1 in Foster Care - Loving and sweet, though he won't let others push him around.

ADOPTED!!

"Blacky" - Waveland, MS Katrina Puppy - ADOPTED!

Permission to link to this site! Click on the images for a little larger view.
"Blacky" needs a home! He is about 10-16 weeks old. Long hair. He is pure black. Labrador mix. He has his first set of shots. Rabies and spaying to be scheduled tomorrow!

Day 1 in Foster Care - Inquisitive. Thoughtful. Super sweet. He will stand off from the rest and sit and watch.
Day 2 in Foster Care - Vet visit!
Day 3 - ADOPTED!

"Everything" - Waveland, MS Katrina Puppy - ADOPTED!

Permission to link to this site! Click on the images for a little larger view.
"Everything" needs a home! He is about 10-16 weeks old. Short hair. I don't know what to call him? A German Shepherd, hound, lab? Brother to "Fuzzy", he has his first set of shots. Rabies and spaying to be scheduled tomorrow!

Day 1 in Foster Care - The first one to try to sneak out the door as you leave. Very affectionate!
June 9, 2006 - Everything was one of the first dogs we put on hold, while the people got time to come over, but the husband got sick, and alas he is still available! "Everything" is wonderful. He needs someone to love him, for now all his brothers and sisters are gone. TLC is still with us, and is his companion, but with three dogs of our own, he needs a forever home!
July 2, 2006 Everything found his forever home!

"Fuzzy" - Waveland, MS Katrina Puppy - ADOPTED!

Permission to link to this site! Click on the images for a little larger view.
"Fuzzy" needs a home! She is about 10-16 weeks old. Long hair. I don't know what to call her? A German Shepherd, collie, rottweiler, lab? She has her first set of shots. Rabies and spaying to be scheduled tomorrow!

Day 1 in Foster Care - Appears to be the shy one of the six. Alone she is fine.

EMERGENCY ANIMAL SHELTERING TRAINING - Manchester, NH

…about the training...
Emergency Animal Sheltering is intended to prepare volunteers to serve at emergency shelters for pets and animals evacuated or displaced from their homes because of a disaster. Types of shelters covered include pet-friendly shelters (people with their pets), alternate animal shelters (for the pets of displaced people), and evacuated animal shelters (where an existing animal shelter must be moved). Information covered in this course is also useful for dealing with any large-scale animal sheltering operation, regardless of why it may be needed.

The training includes one and a half days of classroom instruction combined with several tabletop exercises that will give students an opportunity to practice new skills using mock scenarios. Topics in this course include an introduction to disasters & emergency management, community planning, types of emergency shelters for animals, meeting animals’ needs, logistics, human resources, worker health & safety, administrative issues, legal issues, media/public relations, and closing the shelter.

Registration begins at 8:30 am on Saturday. Class runs from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm on Saturday and 8:00 am until 12:00 noon on Sunday. Please bring a 3-ring binder (at least 1.5”) for course materials.
           
…certification…
Certificates of completion will be sent to those attending both days. Completion of this training does not constitute membership in The HSUS National Disaster Animal Response Team (NDART), but applications will be available.  We also recommend the following online courses available through FEMA: Animals in Disaster, Modules A & B (IS 10 & 11) and Introduction to the Incident Command System (IS 100). For more information, visit the following website: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is22.asp.

…who should attend…
animal shelter staff
animal control officers
veterinarians
emergency management planners
emergency responders
volunteers     
                                          

…location & directions… The Greater Manchester Chapter
American Red Cross Carriage House                                          1800 Elm St.
Manchester, NH
603-624-4307

From I-293 (Everett Tpk), take Exit 6 (Amoskeag Bridge). Bear right and go over the bridge, straight through one light. At second light, take a left onto Elm St. The Chapter is on your left, on the corner of Elm and North St. Take a left onto North St., and into the first driveway on your right for parking. The Carriage House is behind the main building.

…registration…
The registration fee of $40 includes 1½ days of instruction, as well as written materials and meals (continental breakfast on both days and vegetarian lunch on Saturday). Class size is limited to 100 and a minimum of 35 registrants will be required to conduct the course. Registration must be received by Friday, June 16th.     

…primary instructors...
Joanne Bourbeau is the director of the HSUS New England Regional Office in Jacksonville, Vermont, and serves as an advisor to statewide planning efforts in every New England state.  Joanne has responded to a variety of major natural disasters including the 1997 Red River floods (ND), Hurricane Isabel (NC), Hurricane Ivan (FL), and most recently Hurricane Katrina (LA), during which she provided logistical support for the Lamar-Dixon temporary shelter in Gonzales, Louisiana.

Linda Huebner is regional program manager for the HSUS New England Regional Office. Linda has served on HSUS sheltering teams in two large-scale animal hoarding cases in Montana and Arkansas. She serves on the executive committee of the State of Massachusetts Animal Response Team (SMART) and currently heads SMART’s sheltering sub-committee.

Lora dePlante is a founding member of the Southern NH Disaster Animal Response Team. Lora was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Town of New Ipswich in February 2003 for writing the New Ipswich Animal Disaster Plan. She served as a member of one of the HSUS Disaster Animal Response Teams responding to Hurricane Katrina in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and currently serves as the American Red Cross representative to all NH State ESF-16 (Animal Health) committees.

…for more information…
Contact Abigail Tefft at 802-368-2790 or atefft@hsus.org.

HSUS EMERGENCY ANIMAL SHELTERING TRAINING (EAS)
Registration Form
Registration must be received by 6/16/06

Name

Job Title

Organization/Agency

Address

City                            State              Zip

Work Phone

Home Phone

Email Address
 
Please complete this form, include your payment of $40, and mail to the HSUS New England Regional Office, P.O. Box 619, Jacksonville, VT 05342.  Checks should be made payable to “HSUS Disaster Services.”

Have you ever responded to a disaster?  If so, were animals involved?

 

 

What most interests you about this training?

 

EMERGENCY ANIMAL SHELTERING TRAINING
June 24-25, 2006
American Red Cross
 Manchester, NH

presented by

co-sponsored by
Southern NH Disaster Animal Response Team (SNHDART)
And
The Greater Manchester Chapter,
American Red Cross

Animals in NH are going to Shelters too!

I just happen to be in NH, and checking out the news online, for there is no cable or TV reception where I am staying, and it has been raining for day. The Governor has just asked Bush for a disaster declaration for the state. One of the online videos brought tears to my eyes for they are doing things right. Granted it is not on the scale needed when Katrina hit, but it seems the country is getting the idea that we need animal shelter too!

I am so proud of NH and the NH Red Cross! They set up an animal shelter and allowed people to evacuate with their animals! Go to the below link and click on http://www.wmur.com/weather/9219803/detail.html#

They specifically mention that two people were not going to leave without their animals in this video!

Video: Many Evacuated In Hooksett

Mangy Pups need your help!

I just got this plea from my fellow Dogbuster, Kristen in CT.... Help?

As you may have already heard, Jeff did an emergency mini transport last weekend of 16 pups out of Waveland, with a straight drive through to Connecticut. 7 pups and a momma and poppa have sarcoptic mange and were scheduled to be euthanized if not removed and fostered. Well, the 7 pups, momma and poppa are now at our home (in a kennel set up in our garage!) being treated and nursed back to health. The mom is in really bad shape, but we are hopeful all will make it through with flying colors. They are being treated for the mange, worms, malnourishment and heartworm (mom & dad) - other ailments still to be determined!. Once they are non-contagious and well we need to find them foster and adoptive homes, as this current responsibility is extremely overwhelming for us! Needless to say, the "Jeff and Kris" transports are on hold until these dogs are placed.



Please let me know if you guys have any leads or suggestions for foster/adoption for these guys. They are Walker Heeler Hounds with what looks like a Collie mix. They are beautiful. Mom and Dad are at least 6 or older, and the pups are about 3-4 months. There are five girls and two boys. Both mom and dad are on the smaller side (45ish) pounds, so the pups shouldn't get too much larger than that. I will send pictures when they look better. And yes, we will travel to deliver these guys to any potential takers! I should even be able to get them spayed/neutered and microchiped prior. Larry, if you find anyone willing to take one or more, we could do a swap out if you still have dogs that need to be brought to Pet Pals in CT.



Any and all leads/help/suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!!



Kris

krisjohnson@snet.net

Remember Puxley?

Remember one of the last dogs my team rescued? Check out the Feb. 4 entry. This was Puxley, named after Puxatony Phil for they were rescued on or near ground hogs day.... then...



Here is an updated version...!!!!



Puxley Madison now lives in Nebraska with Barb's daughter. I am told she can sit, lay down, shake, and is 90% house trained. What a lucky dog! Thank you Best Friends for being there and organizing the volunteers that wouldn't quit until 95% of the dogs were rescued!

Certification needed for Next disaster in Louisiana

ONLINE ARTICLE on the BEST FRIENDS site

http://network.bestfriends.org/News/PostDetail.aspx?np=3397&g=3e4461c0-52d8-4523-a058-0c744df72a60

Planning For The Next Disaster in Louisiana...
April 30, 2006 : 12:00 AM
State announces more restrictions on rescuers the next time around,
including credentialing and ban on out-of-state vets.

by Claire Davis

When disaster next strikes the animals of Louisiana the state is going to
require that all rescuers be certified in advance by the state, and
out-of-state veterinarians are not going to be allowed to assist.

These decisions were announced at a meeting Saturday night between a small
group of dedicated rescuers and Dr. Renee Poirrier, DVM, the head of
Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association's State Animal Response Team
(SART).

The group came together in a plush downtown hotel to discuss what they can
do to get pets - and their people - out of danger the next time a hurricane
strikes.

Poirrier's main focus during the session was to urge local shelters and
rescues, as well as national groups, to develop memorandums of understanding
with Louisiana parishes.

Having disaster plan approved ahead of time can greatly improve the ability
to respond, she said, noting that Noah's Wish had done just that in Slidell
last year, and that it worked out quite well.

But Poirrier said the most important element of disaster preparedness is
individual responsibility. The first thing is to tell (residents) they have
to have a plan," she said. "For the most part, we're going to expect people
to take care of themselves."

She said that although the state is planning shelters for the next disaster,
including shelters for pets, they are not going to announce these plans to
the public. The state fears that announcing shelters in advance would
encourage people to rely on the state, instead of making their own
preparations to stay with relatives or friends, or in pet-friendly hotels.

State shelters should only be a last resort for those people most in need,
Poirrier said. She estimated about 7,000 people will need such help,
including people who are disabled or don't have transportation.

Russ Mead, an attorney with Best Friends Animal Society, challenged Poirrier
on that figure - suggesting that it is too low - and also took issue with
several other elements of her presentation.

Mead asked whether or not the new plan would allow out-of-state
veterinarians will be permitted to practice in Louisiana in the next
emergency.

Poirrier's response was quick and to the point: "Out-of-state vets will
never be allowed in again," she said. She said laws require that practicing
veterinarians have a Louisiana license. "The board's charge is to see that
the people of Louisiana are well-served by their veterinarian."

Mead challenged the wisdom of that decision, noting that in the days and
weeks after Katrina, Best Friends could have offered $10,000 a week and
still wouldn't have found any in-state veterinarians able to help the group.

Several members of the audience seconded Mead's comments: "How many more
thousands of animals would have died if (outside groups and vets) hadn't
been let in?" asked one woman.

Poirrier said the only solution was for veterinarians to get a Louisiana
license in advance - a proposal Mead said was impractical for organizations
like Best Friends which operates in a number of states.
Similar dissatisfaction was voiced by the audience when Poirrier indicated
that Louisiana is now working on a new process that will require all animal
rescuers to be certified before they enter a disaster zone. Volunteers who
did not get certification from the state would be asked to leave.

Required training includes taking the ICS 100 and 200 courses, as well as
the NIMS 700 and 800 courses, she said. Amanda St. John, of Muttshack animal
rescue, told the audience that the courses are readily available on-line.
"You need to just go ahead and do it," Poirrier said. "It's not going to
kill you."

Mead questioned Poirrier on whether someone who had taken only two of the
courses, but had 20 years of experience in the field, would be allowed to
rescue. "They will throw you out," was the response.
At one point, Best Friends earned a small ovation from the crowd as several
in the audience proclaimed the organization's assistance in the disaster to
have been invaluable.

That outburst came after Mead proclaimed that "I can build a temporary
shelter in 48 hours." At that point, Poirrier said the state would be glad
to pair with Best Friends on shelters beyond the I-10 safety ring in
Lafayette and Shreveport. Further discussions on that proposal were planned.

In the end, Poirrier again urged the groups to quickly develop memos of
understanding with local parishes. It is the next, most logical step in
being better prepared, she said. "I wish I had all the answers, but I
don't," she concluded.

Article by Claire Davis

http://network.bestfriends.org/News/PostDetail.aspx?np=3397&g=3e4461c0-52d8-4523-a058-0c744df72a60

PUPPIES!

Another litter of pups in need of wonderful homes. This litter lost their mom when she was struck and killed by a car only shy of a week after giving birth. They've been cared for day-in-day-out by a wonderful couple living just outside of New Orleans but the pups are growing and are ready to find their forever homes. You can see their pix at http://web.mac.com/david.mullen/iWeb/Site/Puppies.html (Bucky and Rosie have been adopted by a great couple, so really, only 6 remain up for adoption)

They received their first set of shots today (so they will need their next two series in the coming months, in addition to being microchipped, spayed/neutered). They weigh in between 4lbs - 6lbs (aged 6 weeks). The pups are under the care/guardianship of Southern Animal Foundation, so transport and adoption fees/etc...will need to be discussed directly with them at: animallover@southernanimalfoundation.org or 504-671-8235 (ask for Anne).