RV needed!

Summer is most definitely here in Virginia but soon I'll be heading back south (more south) to Mississippi and hoping maybe someone out there can help us.

I'll be working with a humane society transplanted to Mississippi after losing their Louisiana facility in the storm. We are desperately looking for some too-good-to-be-true deals on RV's and/or trailers (remember...non-profit shelter so can't be spending $100K on one of those super dooper mobile mansions) that staff can live in with their own animal companions so they can care for the animals on site as well as those who may arrive should southeastern Louisiana need to evacuate.

If you know of anyone who is selling theirs or maybe a great dealership who would be willing to sell to a non-prof animal society at COST (now that would be a blessing), please let me know ASAP (seriously...we need these like yesterday but will definitely need by end of next week or as close to it as possible!)!!! Willing to drive anywhere in the country to get them if the deal is good enough!

Interested in:
- RV's and/or Trailers (pull-behind or goose-necks)
- Cost: looking at spending between $7K+/- (trailer) to possibly$20K+/_ (RV) - really will depend on quality/space
- Length: between 25' to 35'
- Ammenities: kitchen area would be a perk, bathroom, at least one to two beds, generator included (if a trailer)

You can call me 757-641-4527 or email me directly: hollyq24@yahoo.com with as much information as possible.

Thank you everyone!!
Holly Quaglia

New Orleans Flooding Animation Map

Just got this from Cadi ...

If you haven't already seen graphics of how the levee breaks & storm surges pounded NOLA, you should really check out http://www.nola.com/katrina/graphics/flashflood.swf - it explains a lot about the patterns of destruction & survival that we all saw around town (and it's pretty scary to watch). You can also get a good idea of standing water depths at http://www.nola.com/katrina/graphics/depths.swf or even more exact block-by-block estimates at http://mapper.cctechnol.com/floodmap.php (personally, I was rather alarmed to realise that my two refugee cats came from areas with >10ft of water!)

Anyways, I hope you're all doing well and that you've enjoyed the first few days of summer.

Miss you, C

And Brian Added...
hay guys,
these maps are great, but I think the water level map is deceptive in that it shows where the water settled at. I was in a house just off Tupelo north of Miro in 17North that has a water line on the sheet rock at my eye level ON THE 2ND FLOOR. The map "only" shows only about 12 feet. We were in the house when the owner showed up, and he said it was the third surge (Rita?) that was the worst.
Take care, and I still hope to some how pull off my summer trip. Burning up my truck engine has been a blow, but a friend donated several cases of MREs so we will have dinner every nite in December (I can't pull down from my 401(k) till January !!!) Hope to see you all at Corolla's training class.
Brian

West Virgina Desperate Situations need help NOW!

2 Urgent Hoarding Situations in Rural West Virginia

+ Mason County Shelter at over 200 dogs and now outside

after shelter burnt down

6/16/06

Updates at

www.ericsdogblog.com

www.vvsahs.org

http://wellminded.com/rescue/rescue.html

Your chance to support “Wild, Wonderful West Virginia”

and 3 URGENT CASES TOTALING 350 DOGS AND 100 CATS.

Pics below and attached.

Please donate via Pay Pal at donate@vvsahs.org

Or by credit card using pay pal at www.vvsahs.org Click “Donate”

************************

By Check made to: VVSA: Write: “West Virginia” on your check.

VVSA, PO Box 100, Bridgewater, VT 05034. VVSA is an incorporated humane society with 501 ©(3) status for your tax purposes.

Please email Sue the amount that is being sent so she can plan transports.

Primary Contact: Sue Skaskiw, 802-672-5302, cell: 802-952-8181.

Skaskiw@vermontel.net (prefers email)

VT Volunteer Services for Animals Humane Society

www.vvsahs.org www.vvsahs.org

THERE ARE 3 SERIOUS ALERTS IN WEST VIRGINIA RIGHT NOW AND FUNDS AND RESOURCES WILL FIRST BE USED ON ALERT #1 BELOW. ANY LEFTOVER FUNDS AND RESOURCES WILL GO TO HELP THESE OTHER ALERTS WHICH CAN BE FOUND BELOW, OVER 350 DOGS TOTAL IN THESE CASES. First alert is the one we were first informed of a 100 dog/40 cat hoarding case in Roane County that is the first one being handled. Then the Mason County Shelter that was destroyed by fire now has over 200 dogs at the local fairgrounds and just 3 part time volunteers. A third hoarding case in Hampshire County, WV has 40 dogs

plus cats. (all described below) That is 350 dogs that are in situations outside “normal” animal welfare issues and a state in crisis. We will start with this first case in Roane County and then see if anything can be done with the others as resources line up for the first hoarding case which is being worked on. Maybe if enough people “act” we can share resources etc and save many more of these dogs and cats. THIS IS NOT A STATE WITH LOTS OF RESCUES AND RESOURCES; HELP IS NEEDED IN THE FORM OF DONATIONS, TRANSPORTS AND RECEIVING SHELTERS AND RESCUES.

Alert # 1: Urgent Hoarding Situation in Rural West Virginia

Approximately 95 dogs and 40 cats

County with few resources for handling a case this size.

(Please be sure to see the all the way below pictures

to see how urgent this hoarding case is)

Roane County, WV

Put together by Eric Rice: ericrice3@comcast.net ericrice3@comcast.net

Updates at www.ericsdogblog.com www.ericsdogblog.com

More pictures and updates at: Click here

Primary Contact: Sue Skaskiw, 802-672-5302, cell: 802-952-8181.

Skaskiw@vermontel.net (prefers email)

VT Volunteer Services for Animals Humane Society

www.vvsahs.org

1/3 of the dogs are in this barn, tethered.

A rescuer in West Virginia has gotten in over her head and local authorities have

had to step in. She is cooperating and wants the dogs to good no kill facilities

who will be kind enough to update her on the dogs as they are adopted. This is a hard thing for her to do as she loves each of these dog and feeds the dogs before herself. However, she knows things have gotten to a point that she needs help.

She is scared to death that any of her dogs will have to be put down and

we have told her that we won’t let her down for her cooperation.

She spends every dime of her money on them and feeds them before herself.

Approximately 95 dogs and 40 cats. Most dogs have been tethered for some time and others are in a very, very dirty barn. The farm is not sanitary with rats and

snakes in the high grass. THEY NEED TO GET MOVED TO RESCUES NOW and the cost of transport is becoming a huge problem.

Sheriff and Local Animal Control are very cooperative and seeking YOUR help.

This is a rural location with high euthanasia rates as it is, so they need help moving these dogs. They need to know that support is on the way and that light

is at the end of the tunnel. The goal is not to euthanize any of these animals,

nor the ones currently being held in their town facility but we all know how things can spin out of control with this many animals to care for an deal with…

Sue Skaskiw and others from Vermont are familiar with the rescuer as she used to

live in Vermont. They are trying to coordinate efforts to help this situation. However, TRANSPORT is becoming a big issue and it is going to cost money. We are also trying to get spay and neuter done locally at a good cost. Everyone knows

what it costs to try to deal with 100 dogs and 40 cats and we need help.

Please note that one of the biggest problems is funding for relocation. At least $10,000+ needs raised to get these animals to receiving shelters in Colorado, Vermont, Maine and others. (Or transport donated) and get vetting done.

DONATIONS URGENT FOR TRANSPORTS AND VET CARE

Please donate via Pay Pal at donate@vvsahs.org

Or by credit card using pay pal at www.vvsahs.org Click “Donate”

************************

By Check made to: VVSA: Write: “West Virginia” on your check.

VVSA, PO Box 100, Bridgewater, VT 05034. VVSA is an incorporated humane society with 501 ©(3) status for your tax purposes.

Please email Sue the amount that is being sent so she can plan transports.

SHELTERS, FOSTERS, RESCUES, TRANSPORT WALKERS ARE STILL DESPERATLY NEEDED FOR ALL 3 SITUATIONS IN WV.

Can your group help walk dogs (transport walkers) on stops on the way to the North East or Colorado? Can you receive animals? Pick up and transport animals? Meet a larger transport vehicle and deliver a smaller number of animals from that transport to another NO KILL shelter or rescue? The animals will be coming up to the North East, Colorado, and New Jersey.

Sue Skaskiw, 802-672-5302, cell: 802-952-8181.

Skaskiw@vermontel.net (prefers email)

VT Volunteer Services for Animals Humane Society

See Pictures Below (this is but a few of the near 100 dogs plus cats)

“This is Helen’s Pole Barn. This is the building she was wanting to move into. I think she has a hand pump in this building and this is where she gets her water.

The sadness in these dogs eyes wanted to make you cry.” Sandy Bush – Roane County Animal Shelter Director

See...

http://www.ericsdogblog.com/

for photos

SEE THE SECOND AND 3RD ALERTS FOR WEST VIRGINIA IN THE COMMENTS. 2 MORE DESPERATE SITUATIONS. CLICK COMMENTS.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP, ERIC

Kitten explosion in New Orleans

So the puppy explosion happened in January, now the Kitten explosion is happening in New Orleans. If you are a humane or rescue group that can take in and foster/adopt out any number of kittens please email me and I will put you in touch with people in the organizations desperately need help!
-Rachel griffinsgallery@mac.com

NOAA PREDICTS VERY ACTIVE 2006 NORTH ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON

NOAA PREDICTS VERY ACTIVE 2006 NORTH ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON
Residents in Hurricane Prone Areas Urged to Make Preparations

May 22, 2006 — NOAA today announced to America and its neighbors throughout the north Atlantic region that a very active hurricane season is looming, and encouraged individuals to make preparations to better protect their lives and livelihoods. May 21-27 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

During a news conference at the NOAA National Hurricane Center, Deputy Secretary of Commerce David A. Sampson noted, "Preparation is the key message that President Bush wants to convey during National Hurricane Preparedness Week. The impact from these storms extends well beyond coastal areas so it is vital that residents in hurricane prone areas get ready in advance of the hurricane season."

"For the 2006 north Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA is predicting 13 to 16 named storms, with eight to 10 becoming hurricanes, of which four to six could become 'major' hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher," added retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

On average, the north Atlantic hurricane season produces 11 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes. In 2005, the Atlantic hurricane season contained a record 28 storms, including 15 hurricanes. Seven of these hurricanes were considered "major," of which a record four hit the United States. "Although NOAA is not forecasting a repeat of last year's season, the potential for hurricanes striking the U.S. is high," added Lautenbacher.

Warmer ocean water combined with lower wind shear, weaker easterly trade winds, and a more favorable wind pattern in the mid-levels of the atmosphere are the factors that collectively will favor the development of storms in greater numbers and to greater intensity. Warm water is the energy source for storms while favorable wind patterns limit the wind shear that can tear apart a storm's building cloud structure.

This confluence of conditions in the ocean and atmosphere is strongly related to a climate pattern known as the multi-decadal signal, which has been in place since 1995. Since then, nine of the last 11 hurricane seasons have been above normal, with only two below-normal seasons during the El Niño years of 1997 and 2002.