Dog Busters - Disaster Animal Rescue

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2010-03-04T18:14:00.000-08:00

Tank - Rottweiler in need...

2009-02-17T09:49:00.000-08:00

The month of February so far has been a real challenge for Pits And Rotts For Life Rescue, Inc. At the beginnning of the month we were at 28 dogs in rescue, which is duable. As of this morning, with all the emergencies coming in (the Stop Sign Babies, Shayla, Chavo-long story) we were at 32 dogs.

Then comes the call today. My boyfriend called me and said "uh, we have a problem here" I asked him what it was (so you understand, I live in a residential townhouse community). He said "there is a group of kids outside and they're not leaving till you get here, and they have a Rottweiler with them" I asked my BF what they wanted. He said "they found this rottie abused, neglected and hungry and they want to give him to you to take care of him" What was I supposed to do, tell him to tell the kids to go away? I told him to give them my card, with my number on it, and call me. They went to a neighbor somewhere around my way, and the neighbor called and said they have this rott that has been very neglected, when am I coming to pick it up. I told the man to take him to my vet and we'll take care of it.

Tank is at the vets office and yes, he is neglected, 40 lbs underweight, 6-7 yrs old and smells terrible. What am I supposed to do with this dog? I have NO ROOM at all, NO available fosters, NO funds for boarding/vetting, NO where to put him and NO one adopting now, especially a 6-7 yr old Rottie.

I have to make a decision quickly since he is at the vets office. They need to do the vaccines or he has to leave. I have NO where to take him to. All rescues are packed, and the ones I did talk to said they won't take him since he's older and their slow on adoptions right now.

CAN YOU HELP US SAVE TANKS LIFE????? Please help us to vaccinate, neuter and heartworm test him so he can stay at the vets office for a while and then HOPEFULLY, we'll find somewhere for him to go. As you'll see in the pics, Tank has a few other medical issues we will have to deal with, but right now we have to figure out where he can go. Thank you for any help you can give us towards saving Tank.
It is greatly appreciated by the humans and the dogs.

If you are able to help, please go to www.pitsandrottsforlife.petfinder.com and use any one of the paypal links. Or you can go to paypal.com and use pitsrotts4life@aol.com as our address

HE NEEDS SURGERY ON HIS EYES, BUT WE'LL DEAL WITH THAT LATER

HE IS 40 LBS UNDERWEIGHT (NOTHING WILL EVER COMPARE TO SHAYLA)

HE HAS A PATCH OF FUR MISSING FROM HIS LEG

HE HAS A LUMP THAT HAS BEEN PUNCTURED

Evacuating the Waveland, MS shelter

2008-09-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I apologize for not writing sooner. The Friday before the hurricane was the last day I had computer access with my ARF mailing list and even though I got back to Mass. Thursday I have been straight out.

On Friday, August 29th a group of folks from MS helped evacuate the entire Waveland Animal Shelter. With a donated horse trailer belonging to Kelly Gilbert and Martha Lewis of Flora, MS and arranged by Debbie Young and Lisa Martin, of the Jackson area we easily transported every dog and puppy to the evacuation center in Jackson, MS. Cindy Shaw, cat rescuer extraordinaire, pulled up the rear with a van filled with every cat and kitten. Earlier in the day Brenda Cromwell and one of her volunteers Debbie left Waveland with 25 animals in a passenger van and drove them to upstate NY. Sadly we have lost 5 puppies from that transport since they arrived. It appears distemper may be the cause but we are not sure. At least one of the puppies was very emaciated and weak when she was taken on the van and even with sub q fluids throughout the trip and persistent care when they arrived she did not make it. It never gets easy.

The evacuation center in Jackson was amazing. We met some great folks from the Red Cross, the MS Animal Rescue Team (MART) and evacuees from New Orleans and surrounding parishes and Debby Young arranged for a steady supply of local volunteers to help us with the animals. Traci and June were relentless in the care of the kids and Peg Preble flew in from Mass. to assist primarily with the cats and kittens. When we arrived at the evac ctr. we found a litter of 5 feral kittens so Cindy Shaw set a trap and by the next morning we had trapped every one of them. Today they are being socialized at ARK in Madison, MS and soon will find wonderful homes.

The final tally was 94 animals all together. They included Buddy who will fly to Mass this week and Babay who has a new home in NC. Sammy and Mama were taken into Kelly and Martha's home and Cat and Brownie are going to take the drive back to Canada with June and Traci. We have one dog recovering from a parvo outbreak and he is at Debby's vet in Canton, MS. So far so good.

Today many of our dogs, puppies, cats and kittens are being cared for at ARK in Madison, MS. Lisa and Kelly have been there every day even though they are not on the payroll. Truth be told there is no payroll because ARK opened their doors a month early when they knew the Waveland animals had nowhere to go. I don't knew what I would have done without ARK. And I don't know what we would have done without you….many of you sent donations and they are very much needed. We have vet bills to cover and spays and neuters to perform. Buddy and Babay need to fly to their new homes and tomorrow I will take Kit and Buddha Blue to Robin Carlin, my vet, in western Mass. where they will be adopted to good homes where they will be loved. We did a lot right this time…

My gratitude to my MS friends, Debby, Lisa, Kelly, Elizabeth and Martha. All of the folks at ARK - Marlo, Sherri and Stacey. And thanks so much to Lydia, the new director of the Waveland Animal Shelter and Babay and Rusty of Waveland, MS who took Brenda and I into their home. While making us feel comfortable and welcomed they were busy packing up their valuables….they didn't want to lose everything again…….and the Ferry family of Waveland once again sent a large donation, the family who lost 10 family homes as a result of Katrina - they could have so much more to worry about or focus on but they help me every time. They are my powers of examples…

I am blessed to have this community of all of you who have supported me for three years, for all of "the fours" who have filled my life with purpose and love and for the volunteers who show up every time to help us keep the kids safe….and a BIG thank you to Kris Garvey for putting us back in touch with PAWS Chicago. PAWS will be leaving for Waveland this week to empty the shelter once again. If, God forbid Ike hits the coast of MS the Waveland Animal Shelter will be empty….again….

Here's Babay and some of our puppies!

Chris
Founder, Animal Rescue Front
"Until there are none save one"

Craig Hill - Extraordinaire Dedicated Trapper

2008-08-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

Got this update from Craig...

Hey :)
I finally made it home last week. Here is a post I made on a reptile site I go to for my reptiles at home. Posted them an update cause a lot of them donated for me to go to Iowa. But hopefully the hurricane in the gulf weakens and we are not needed..

http://www.repticzone.com/forums/BeardedDragonCommunity/messages/1839594.html

Oakville, Iowa - Three weeks after

2008-07-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

This is what the town looked like 3 weeks after the flood. It is dry now they finally plugged the levee.
Photos sent from Craig Hill.

More from Craig... (see previous post..)

2008-07-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

Wanted to add at one time there was 60 cats and 36 dogs, but some where reunited or went off to rescues. Just the ones we couldn't place where handed over to HSUS and EARS at Cedar Rapids.

Update from Craig Hill, Trapper in Iowa

2008-07-16T09:23:00.000-07:00

I been trapping for residents since Best Friends has left. Mainly doing owner requests and having those whole can't care for there cats sign a release form surrendering them to me and rescue groups. I was helping Barb Bryant with the disaster shelter it was her first time running one. It as at the Lee County Fair Grounds, but we had to pack it and move it to her farm. Noah's Wish was kind to come down and set it up. They also did most of the animal care. It h as packed up and the remaining 4 cats and 12 dogs where placed at the Cedar Rapids Disaster Shelter in Cedar Rapids.

There are still a lot of house cats left in Oakville so I contacted Dr. Deb and
her group, Furkeep Animal Rescue. They can take those who are surrendered. So Paws and Noah’s Ark are two no-kill groups in the area can care for the cats I get, until I transport them. In the time I been trapping I’ve gotten 9 cats reunited with there owners, 12 surrendered to me, and 2 now that are in foster care. I also have one that was surrendered staying with me in the hotel room till I do the transport to Chicago. A friend there is taking her for her daughter. I plan on being here another 2 weeks. It was cool I bumped in to Trixie, I guess Rich sent down a feed and water team. If he was on the call with all the Iowa officials he would of know I was already there doing it. But Trixie is coming back tomorrow to help with the last efforts. But here are a few pics…

Direct funding for a friend going to IOWA for the animals.

2008-06-17T13:27:00.000-07:00

Craig Hill, a former Winn Dixie / ARNO / Best Friends volunteer, is going off to rescue animals again. After going completely, yes completely broke, (lets not rub in the details), after Katrina he is off to volunteer in Iowa. He is looking for any donations to support his cigarette habit and a rental car. His goal for a rental car is $1500, he has $263 right now. I gave him a little gentle harassing about the cigarettes, but he is right, a disaster is no time to quit. If anyone cares to donate and wants to know where it is going Craig is a good cause who will use every penny toward volunteering - with the exception of the cigarettes. Maybe you smokers out there can just send him a pack when they settle down. Craig will be joining up with Best Friends who is just arriving. Barb Davis, Ethan and Rich are there in Iowa now assessing the situation etc. Craig will be flying out Tuesday, thanks to a friend at NWA for a very inexpensive flight.

I personally vouch for Craig. Please consider donating your morning coffee funds, or the amount of a tank of gas to craigh123@comcast.net. Go to https://www.paypal.com/ and donate to that email address. Or if you are a wealthy individual who wants to sponsor him completely email me griffinsgallery@verizon.net and I will give you his phone number or help you make all the arrangements. Ok, I am dreaming, but who knows? Updates that I hear will appear here on www.dogbusters.blogspot.com

Iowa Flood Volunteers Needed

2008-06-15T18:06:00.000-07:00

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
Communicating during disasters to mobilize volunteers, supplies, and other
resources for animal victims. http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

RELIEF GLOBAL
6/12/08: IOWA FLOOD: Emergency Volunteers Needed
KINSHIP CIRCLE is working with Iowa Dept. of Agriculture Veterinary Response
Coordinator, Mark Shearer, and Iowa State Veterinarian David Schmitt. We
have been asked to coordinate out-of-state volunteers at key counties where
flooding has occurred or is anticipated. Anyone willing to deploy must be
flexible and realize we have no control over how floods proceed.

TO VOLUNTEER:
1. RESPOND TO: kinshipcircle@accessus.net -OR-
pawsitivedirections@yahoo.com (DO NOT SEND YOUR INFO TO BOTH)
YOUR NAME:
PHONE NUMBER (cell you’ll have with you):
FULL PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
BRIEF, COUPLE SENTENCES RE: YOUR ANIMAL DISASTER AID EXPERIENCE:
DATES YOU CAN BE IN IOWA NEXT WEEK:

2. YOU MUST CONTACT ON-GROUND ORGANIZER IN IOWA, LISTED BELOW, BEFORE SHOWING UP.
DO NOT CONTACT THEM UNTIL YOUR ARRIVAL DATE IS FIRM
They can answer questions about specific driving directions to staging area.

3. PRINT OUT ALL CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS IN THIS EMAIL.
Have them with you in Iowa and be prepared to “float” from site to site.
They are fairly close-by and emergencies are expected.

‘This is our version of Katrina,’ Iowa residents say. Cedar Rapids:
Firefighter Jeremy Wagner saves a cat from a flooded attic on 6/13/08.
http://www.newser.com/article/D91A1F880.html
At least 24,000 evacuations so far
83 of Iowa’s 99 counties are declared disaster zones

==================================================================
1. VOLUNTEER NOW: Johnson County Fairgrounds
==================================================================

CONTACT MISHA GOODMAN when your travel plans are firm: 319-621-3274
-- Staging area for evacuated Iowa City Shelter animals + flood rescues/drop-offs
-- Could need volunteers up to 3 WEEKS from today (6/14), depending upon floods.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
Johnson County Fairgrounds; 4265 Oakcrest Hill Road; Iowa City, Iowa 52246

VOLUNTEERS:
-- Indoor area to sleep + cooking facility at Johnson County Fairgrounds.
-- Recommended bring sleeping bags or pads (they might get cots).
-- Can bring a tent, but not mandatory.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS FROM CEDAR RAPIDS AIRPORT:
CONTACT MISHA GOODMAN to find alternate routes to road closures: 319-621-3274

COMING FROM NORTH
From CR airport, get on Hwy 380 south
380 just south of I-80 turns into Hwy 218
Exit on Riverside Drive (rt) and will be traveling north
Johnson County Fairgrounds is 1/4 mile on left side of road

COMING FROM WEST
Take I-80 to Hwy 218
Exit on Riverside Drive (rt) and will be traveling north
Johnson County Fairgrounds is 1/4 mile on left side of road

COMING FROM EAST
I-80 between Iowa City and Tipton is washed over

VOLUNTEERS WHO CAN BE IN IOWA WEEK OF JUNE 16:
CONTACT MISHA GOODMAN + REPORT TO FAIRGROUNDS: 319-621-3274

Cedar Rapids, Iowa: A rescue worker brings a dog to dry land after rescuing
him and his owner from their home 6/12/08. Getty Images

SUPPLY NEEDS AT THIS TIME:
Large, collapsible dog crates * Large wire dog crates
Small cat litter pans * Cat toys
Vaccine (dog and cat)
Ceramic bowls (prefer large rodent food bowls for cat food/water)
C/D cat food * I/D dog food
Leather gloves * Shampoo

SEND SUPPLIES TO:
DROP-OFF: Johnson County 4-H Fairgrounds, BARN #1
Contact Misha Goodman, if you intend to deliver supplies: 319-621-3274
MAIL: Johnson County Agricultural Association
4261 Oak Crest Hill Road SE; Iowa City, IA 52246
MARK PACKAGE: Iowa City Animal Shelter, Misha Goodman

SEND MONETARY DONATIONS TO:
DONATE ONLINE OR BY MAIL:
http://www.facf.org/support/
Friends of the Animal Center Foundation
(Support group for Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center)
PO Box 1345; Iowa City, Iowa 52244
ph: 319-887-6083; email: info@facf.org

==================================================================
2. VOUNTEER: Washington, Iowa Staging Area
==================================================================

GROUND CONTACT IS AMBER TALBOTT: 319-461-9708, 319-653-6713
-- DO NOT CONTACT HER YET. Bring her phone numbers with you to Iowa.
-- She is setting up a staging area at WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
-- ANTICIPATED: Overflow of animals from Columbus Junction (18 miles east
of Washington), where a levee broke.
-- ANTICIPATED: Animals from Oakville (44 miles east of Washington) and Fredonia.
-- Columbus Junction, Oakville and Fredonia have been evacuated. Latter two
towns are only accessible by boat and under National Guard protection. We
have conflicting reports that evacuees were ordered to release animals.

WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS IS 30 MILES SOUTH OF IOWA CITY (#1 in this alert):
-- Be prepared to MOVE from staging area in Johnson County to Washington County Fairgrounds.
-- Have a working cell phone with you.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS FOR VOLUNTEERS WHEN/IF STAGING AREA IS OFFICIAL:
PAWS & More Animal Shelter
1004 1/2 West Madison Street; Washington, Iowa 52353
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: http://www.pawsandmore.petfinder.com

VOLUNTEERS WHO CAN BE IN IOWA WEEK OF JUNE 16:
-- CONTACT MISHA GOODMAN + REPORT TO JOHNSON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS: 319-621-3274
-- BE ON STANDBY TO MOVE TO WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS:
AMBER TALBOTT, 319-461-9708

Brandon Smith carries his cats Fry and Bender to dry land from their flooded
home 6/11/08. Getty Images. Evacuations ordered in Columbus Junction,
Fredonia: http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/19944364.html

==================================================================
3. VOLUNTEER: Lee County Fairgrounds
==================================================================

PRE-STAGING AREA IN DONNELLSON, IOWA – WHERE RIVER IS EXPECTED TO CREST
-- THIS STAGING AREA IS NOT YET SET-UP. Iowa Ag Dept. officials are
assessing flood course and ANTICIPATE heavy flooding here.
-- Donnelson, Iowa is on the southern border, near Missouri.

-- IF ALREADY IN IOWA, you may check about needs at this potential staging area
by contacting Rich Crook: 435-689-1162
-- Please DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT call Rich on the ground unless you are
already in Iowa on standby to move to these expected emergency zones.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS FOR POTENIAL LEE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS STAGING AREA:
Hwy. 218, Lee County Fairgrounds
(North edge of Donnellson, Iowa, on Highway 218)
City: Fort Madison, Iowa
http://www.leecountyfairiowa.com

==================================================================
4. Possible Volunteers Needed Week Of June 23
==================================================================

KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE, EQUINE CENTER
-- Overflow staging area for CEDAR RAPIDS ANIMAL CONTROL
-- UAN/EARS and HSUS are already here. DO NOT NEED VOLUNTEERS WEEK OF 6/17.
** May need volunteers following WEEK OF JUNE 23. **
-- I am in touch with head coordinator there and will keep you posted.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS + ADDRESS FOR MONETARY DONATIONS:
Kirkwood Foundation
C/O Friends Of Cedar Rapids Shelters
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW; Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406

http://www.iowaequestrian.com/directions
From I-380, take Exit 13 and go East to Kirkwood Blvd. Then turn left and go
North until 76th Ave. and turn right.

==================================================================
5. NEWS: Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter Evacuated
==================================================================

Cats await transport from evacuated Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter..

ANIMAL SHELTER EVACUATED:
http://www.kcrg.com/younews/19883114.html
6/13/08: The evacuation of the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter began around
1:30pm Wednesday (6/11). Staff had been boated in for days previously by the
CR Fire Department to care for the animals... Volunteers were alerted and
streamed down the only road left to access the area laden with carriers. At
this time, cats were brought by boat to a raised piece of road where trucks
waited to take them the rest of the way through a channel of water crossing
the road. From there they were put in a stock trailer and transported to KCC
who had offered their beef cattle barn as a make-shift shelter.

Next came the small dogs. With 27 big dogs left to bring out, the fire
department decided that the water crossing the road was too deep for animal
control trucks to drive through safely. Hearts sank with the fear that
animals would be left behind, but...CRFD and CRAS staff new it was time to
get creative. The rest of the dogs were boated out through a neighboring
farm field that was now part of the river. It was slow going even with 3
boats operating non-stop as the larger dogs had to be brought out virtually
one by one so as not to cause an incident between two animals...

==================================================================
6. NEWS: Indiana Flood Dogs “Pour” Into Wisconsin
==================================================================

Indiana flood survivors arrive at Wisconsin Humane Society for baths, kisses and comfort.

WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY - DOGS FROM FLOODED AREAS IN INDIANA:
http://www.wihumane.org/news/default.aspx
Forty canine flood victims arrived this week at the Wisconsin Humane Society
from areas in Indiana. Due to heavy storms, Indiana shelters have been
inundated with victims displaced by the flooding. Some shelters are
surrounded by flooded streets that have become impassable, as well.

ADOPTIONS:
Like all the dogs at WHS, the puppies will be vaccinated, microchipped and
sterilized... As soon as they are ready, they will be featured on our
adoptable dogs web page: http://www.wihumane.org/animals/dogs.aspx

==================================================================
7. NEWS: Indiana/Help Morgan County Humane
==================================================================

UPDATE - 6/14/08, INDIANA FLOODS:
http://www.mchumanesoc.org/
Monetary donations are needed for veterinary costs, medication, and grooming
of animals that are displaced due to Indiana flooding.

DONATE TO MORGAN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY:
ONLINE: http://www.mchumanesoc.org
BY MAIL: Morgan County Humane Society
690 West Mitchell Ave.; Martinsville, IN 46151

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

Action Campaigns I Literature I Animal Disaster Aid Networking
info@kinshipcircle.org or kinshipcircle@accessus.net
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/

PLEASE DONATE TO KINSHIP CIRCLE (It’s tax-deductible):
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

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Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: kinshipcircle@accessus.net
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alert

Solider David Motari tosses Puppy

2008-03-05T05:21:00.000-08:00

3/4/08: The Soldier Who Tossed The Puppy
http://www.KinshipCircle.org

The Moron

His Accomplice

A Fatal Toss...

Marine Who Did It?

VIDEO:
http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/43462/9fb16ab3/us_soldaat_gooit_puppy.html

EMAIL kinshipcircle@accessus.net FOR WORD DOC OF A FORMATTED LETTER.
Easily modify letter and copy/paste it into an email or print out to fax or mail.

===========================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION. Sample letter follows.
===========================================================

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Brigadier General Robert E. Milstead, Jr.
Director, Marine Corps Public Affairs
Division of Public Affairs - Command Element
CMC (PA), Headquarters Marine Corps
3000 Marine Corps; Pentagon 4B548
Washington, DC 20350-3000
ph: 703-614-1492/4080/8010; fax: 703-697-5362
email: robert.milstead@usmc.mil

General Michael Hagee, 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps
ph: 703-614-1034; fax: 703-614-2358; email: comrel@hqmc.usmc.mil

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII
Colonel Mark A. Dungan, Commanding Officer
Richard A. Kirby GS12, Staff Secretary
Office of the Commanding Officer
Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Box 63002; MCBH Kaneohe Bay, HI 96863-3002
ph: DSN-457-8877, 808-257-8877
email: richard.a.kirby@usmc.mil

Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Public Affairs Office
c/o Community Relations Section
Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Box 63002; Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii 96863-3002
ph: 808-257-8840, 808-257-8875
email: MCBH.PAO.CR.FMB@usmc.mil

Military Police Department, Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Box 63062; Kaneohe Bay, HI 96863
Provost Marshal: 808-257-2103, ext 330
Provost Sergeant: 808-257-2103, ext 328
Criminal Investigation Division: 808-257-1305

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
PUBLIC CONTACT: ph: +1 703-428-0711 +1
U.S. Department of Defense ASK A QUESTION/SEND A COMMENT:
http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/questions.aspx

Dr. Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense
U.S. Department of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon; Washington, DC 20301-1000

Gordon R. England, Deputy Secretary of Defense
1010 Defense Pentagon; Washington, DC 20301-1010

===========================================================
EMAIL BLOCK: All emails found for this alert.
===========================================================

robert.milstead@usmc.mil, comrel@hqmc.usmc.mil, richard.a.kirby@usmc.mil,
MCBH.PAO.CR.FMB@usmc.mil

EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR SENIOR DEFENSE LEADERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
If you feel strongly about this issue, please take the time to print out
your letter to send by fax/mail to the contacts without email addresses.
GET FORMATTED LETTER, WORD DOC: kinshipcircle@accessus.net

The e-petition circulating about this is largely useless. There is no
government or military official who will seriously consider an Internet
petition with unverifiable signatures.

*Kinship Circle cannot guarantee validity of email addresses. During
campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses. Emails
from government or corporate websites may be incorrect.

===========================================================
SAMPLE LETTER -- This letter is prepared to inform you about the issue.
Try to shorten and personalize your letter before sending.
===========================================================

United States Defense Leaders and Marine Corps:

Thank you for addressing the Marines recently videotaped taunting a
defenseless puppy. I urge you to aggressively investigate this crime and
take prompt punitive action.

As you know, a man identified as David Motari dangles a black and white dog
by the scruff of the neck, cooing: "Cute little puppy." Another unnamed
soldier baby-talks: "Ah, so cute, so cute...little puppy." To the horror of
global Internet viewers, Motari then hurls the animal over a cliff into a
rocky gulch. The dog, who looks about 12 weeks old, squeals while flying
through the air. We hear a thud below, signifying the dog's certain death.

"That was mean Motari," the unknown Marine jokes. Motari shrugs and grins.

The question is not WHO the victim is, but WHAT is done to him or her.
Criminologists view the brutality of an act, regardless of the victim's
identity, as a precursor to future violence. Animal cruelty is a key trait
in the American Psychiatric Association's criterion for conduct disorders.
David Motari displays characteristics associated with sociopaths.

I respectfully ask the Military Police Department of Hawaii, where Motari is
stationed, to conduct a thorough probe. If Motari and other suspects are
apprehended, please advocate maximum penalties for aggravated cruelty and
intentional killing of a companion animal. Certainly, Motari and his
accomplice ought to undergo psychological counseling.

This is not the first video leak of soldiers tormenting animals in Iraq. I
hope this case prompts Defense Department officials to make regulatory
changes for animals in war zones. Specifically, I encourage the DOD to:
* Insert an anti-cruelty clause in the Universal Code of Military Justice.
* Utilize non-lethal vaccination to cope with rabies in war zones.
* Permit soldiers to bring vetted pets back to the U.S. with them.

The men in the video do not represent other brave men and women who serve
our country. This is all the more reason to pursue rigorous judicial action
against the few who sully America's moral repute.

Thank you for holding animal abusers accountable for their violent crimes.

Sincerely,

===========================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
===========================================================

* Puppy Torture Video & Related Comment Links
http://www.buzzfeed.com/link/Puppy_Torture_Video/david_motari_-_is_this_the_man_behind_the_video
* VIDEO: Soldier David Motari hurls puppy to his death
http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/43462/9fb16ab3/us_soldaat_gooit_puppy.html
* VIDEO: US Soldier throws puppy off cliff
http://digg.com/people/US_Soldier_throws_puppy_off_cliff_(video)?t=13323218
* Marine in animal cruelty probe
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23317978-5006003,00.html
* PETITION: Stand Against Puppy-Killing Soldiers
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/fight-puppy-killing-soldiers

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:
* American Soldier Shoots Yet Another Poor Dog In Iraq?
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/digest/2007_10.html#anchor6
* 1/19/07: Latest Casualty: Soldiers Torment Crippled Dog In Iraq
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter.asp?LetterID=1626&seriesfirst=true

Purpose of a Dog - from a 4 yr. old

2007-04-16T11:46:00.001-07:00

The Purpose of a Dog - from a 4 yr. old
How true...

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year old Irish
Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their
little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping
for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we
couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia
procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be
good for the four-year old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though
Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar
catch in my throat as Belker's family
surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last
time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few
minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept
Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about
the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned
me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life
like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The
four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they
don't have to stay as long."

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care,
and a DOG or Cat to LOVE along the way!

Fish Fry Benefit

2007-03-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY NIGHT FISH FRY FOR LIL RAY
FRIDAY MARCH 23RD ******** 5PM TILL 10PM
AT SLIM GOODIES DINER
3322 MAGAZINE STREET
ALL YOU CAN EAT AND DRINK
$20.00 FOR ADULTS $10.00 FOR KIDS
ALL PROCEDES BENIFINTING Gulf Coast ANIMAL SHELTERS

We are honoring the life of an animal lover and invite everyone to come and share in the joy he left us, and help raise money in his name for local animal shelters here in the city and gulf coast region. We will be serving fried catfish –crawfish – shrimp – potato salad – mixed green salad and all you can drink *soft drinks * draft beer and *margaritas.
There will be backyard activities and a raffle which includes prizes from*** Nacho Mama’s *** Sabi Jewelry *** Tomato Clothing Company ***Sip Wine Store ***Hemline Fashions *** Semolina’s***Poets Gallery ***Rocky’s Pizza ** The Bulldog ***Buffalo Exchange ***Salon Diversions *** Station 8801 ***GoGO Jewelry **New Orleans Music Exchange *** art work by Skip Bolen *** Stephen A. Richardson ***Studio Inferno Glass Art ***and more prizes are donated every day so get your tickets now the drawing will be pulled at 10pm winner need not be present.
For more information please call kappa at 909-4355 or email us at
kappahorn@yahoo.com

Tornado Hits Tylertown

2007-01-26T07:25:00.000-08:00

JANUARY 5, 2007

TORNADO HITS HUMANE SOCIETY SHELTER SITE!
ANIMALS AND WORKERS ESCAPE INJURY

As if coping with the aftermath of one disaster weren't enough, a tornado caused serious damage to the Humane Society of Louisiana's makeshift shelter site, in the early morning hours of January 5, 2007. The group had evacuated its animals from New Orleans to the property in August 2005.

"Luckily, none of our workers or animals were injured," said Animal Services Director, Johnna Harris, who was still assessing the damage at last report.

The group originally fled to the property to escape Katrina's wrath. They purchased the undeveloped lot and house as an emergency hurricane evacuation site, just months before the killer storm. After its shelter building in New Orleans was destroyed in the hurricane, HSL launched a massive, grassroots animal rescue effort from the property, then nicknamed "Camp Katrina." Since that time, they have since been struggling to keep their programs in operation.

The tornado hit the Tylertown compound at 2am, destroying and toppling outdoor kennels, dog play yards and one small portable building. Thousands of dollars worth of supplies and premium pet food were also ruined.

More than a dozen of the dogs affected were rescued during the aftermath of Katrina. One mother dog, who was recently abandoned with her puppies at the site, successfully protected her pups, as their kennel and the puppy play yards were destroyed around them. Miraculously, one pit bull, Houston, originally thought lost, was found alive, after his dog house was found completely shredded. The indoor cat housing area did not appear to have suffered major damage.

Tax deductible donations to help the organization can be made online at www.HumaneLA.org, by calling 1-888-6-HUMANE and/or by sending a check made payable to the Humane Society of Louisiana to PO Box 740321, New Orleans, LA 70174.

It is expected that recovery from the tornado alone will exceed tens of thousands of dollars, even if insurance fully compensates the agency for roof damage to its primary building. Outer buildings, fencing, kennels, dog houses and supplies will all need to be replaced. Animals will also need to be housed in paid boarding facilities, until initial repairs can be made, and there will be labor costs for clean-up and rebuilding. Before the tornado, building costs to help the agency recover post-Katrina had already been estimated to exceed $300,000.00.

Queen of the Damned

2007-01-25T06:11:00.000-08:00

**PLEASE CROSSPOST**

FROM AN EMAIL BY MELANIE MANNING (Humane Society of Louisiana):

Meet 'Queen Of The Damned' (http://snipurl.com/queenofthedamned). She's a 2-3 yr old brown pit mix and weighs only approximately 20 lbs. She will be kept by a local shelter for FIVE days (~Jan 28), and then will face euthanasia. She is a pit mix & heartworm positive and therefore deemed unadopable.

I have named her Queen of the Damned, after Anne Rice's novels, as she is one of the many Pitbulls that are the true Damned in our society. Their only future is death at the hand of cruelty and neglect or euthanasia. Our Queen was struggling to walk in freezing rain, and was picked up by a local animal control officer after he received a phone call.

She is emaciated, and the side of her face was swollen to the size of a softball due to an abscess from a bite. However, it broke open last night, and is now draining. Her teeth are broken and ground down, and she appears to have had many litters in her short life.

In spite of all of this, she is sweet and looks up with loving eyes, wanting to be saved. It was difficult to keep her from getting in to the lap of a fellow friend and rescuer, Bert Claverie.

It is with a very heavy and saddened heart that I write this email, as I am so sick of seeing the hell this breed endures all over the country. Along with the increase in crime, there has been an incredible increase in animal cruelty in New Orleans and the surrounding area. It is so prevalent here, that the shelters do not even report these cases, they just euthanize and move on.

Please contact Bert Claverie at 504-451-7143 or email: claverie@cox.net for more information.

We are praying for a rescue group that can take her, or donations to assist toward bailing her out of the shelter and getting her the medical attention she so badly needs.

Donations in the form of a check can be written to the Humane Society of Louisiana, a 504(c)3 non-profit organization, marked for Queen, and sent c/o Melanie Manning, P.O. Box 2017, Metairie, LA 70004. The Humane Society of Louisiana cannot take her at this time; however, they offered to assist with transport if needed.

Thank you, Melanie Manning

NOLA TNR details... and Money?

2007-01-01T06:37:00.000-08:00

Help Support the Upcoming Large-Scale Feline TNR Program for Greater New Orleans

If you are looking for a last-minute tax deduction and would like to help support the upcoming large-scale feline Trap-Neuter-Release program in the greater New Orleans area, you can donate to Best Friends Animal Society and earmark your donation for the "New Orleans TNR Program - attention Francis Battista":

To donate online:

https://www.bestfriends.org/donate/MembershipPrograms.cfm <-- I'm not sure if there is a place on the online form to specify where you want your donation to go, so just look for somewhere to include this info: "For New Orleans TNR Program - attention Francis Battista." If you can't find a place to include that information on the online form, then send an email to: nolacats@gmail.com and list your name, the dollar amount that you donated, and the date of your donation, and that you would like it to go to the "New Orleans TNR Program - attention Francis Battista." Keep a copy of your email for your records. I'll make sure they know the money is to be earmarked for the TNR Program.

To donate by mail or fax, print out this form and fax or mail your donation:

https://www.bestfriends.org/donate/faxForm.html <-- Please note there is no box on the form to specify where you want the donation to go, so please write on the form somewhere, AND on your check: "For New Orleans TNR Program - attention Francis Battista." Keep a copy of the form for your records.

If you haven't heard the details of the program yet, goals include:

Large-scale feline trap, spay/neuter, and release program for the greater New Orleans area, including Parishes of Orleans, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines.
10 full-time trappers, each trapping 10 cats/day x 5 days/week
Team goal of 100 cats/day, 500 cats/week
Total program goal of 8,000-10,000 cats over 4-month period
Program to run from end of January through May 2007.

This program is intended to help reduce the number of kittens that would otherwise be born this spring and subsequent breeding cycles, so that the animals and the local animal community are better able to sustain themselves under the existing, post-Katrina environment and circumstances.

Please help support the TNR Program - any and all monetary donations will help and are appreciated!

Thank you, and HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Trapping meeting tomorrow!

2006-12-12T07:41:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone:

Very exciting news!!!

You're invited to attend a very important meeting to announce and
discuss the FELINE TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE PROGRAM that you have probably
been hearing about. The official invitation, which was sent out by
Francis Battista of Best Friends Animal Society and Melissa Rubin of
the Humane Society of the United States, is included below. Details
of the meeting are below- note that the meeting is this Wednesday,
December 13th, at 6:30 pm.

PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY to allow time to park, sign-in, and say hello to
your friends and associates. The meeting will START PROMPTLY AT 6:30
pm.

Also, because not everyone is on email and this is very short notice,
please help us get the word out by calling as many people as you can
to invite them to the meeting. Ask them to call people too... We want
everyone to attend who wants to know about or participate in the
program. Please invite all local feeders, trappers, groups,
organizations, etc.

Please RSVP to me, whether you will or won't be able to attend the
meeting. And if you have any specific questions you would like us to
address, please let me know so we can answer as many questions as
possible before we get to the Question & Answer portion of the
meeting.

We look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday!!

Sincerely,
Kim Johnson

Best Friends TNR Program Coordinator

-----------------------------------

All,

I know that everyone in New Orleans who cares about the animals has
been breaking their back, their heart and their bank account to do
everything in their power to help the homeless and feral animals of
the region.

Despite everyone's tireless work, there is still a growing feral /
stray cat problem in the greater New Orleans area. You also probably
know that Best Friends has been looking at ways to help the local
community prevent the impending feral cat population surge that all
agree is coming sooner rather than later, through a sustained TNR
program.

I'm happy to say that the HSUS shares your concern and ours and will
be partnering with Best Friends to implement a robust but narrowly
focused TNR program that we hope to have in full swing by the end of
December if we can enlist the support of the local animal community.

In order to get the ball rolling as soon as possible, we are holding
a meeting this coming Wednesday evening at the Garden District Hotel
on St. Charles at Jackson to outline the plan and to get an idea of
who will be doing what and to identify known needs that will not be
addressed by this program and to discuss how those might be addressed
through other resources and efforts.

Please invite relevant groups and individuals who are involved in
feeding and TNR or who might have something to bring to the table...we
don't want anyone to feel left out!

Please ask folks to RSVP to NOLA Cats .

The Garden District Hotel
Wednesday December 13th
6:30pm – 9:00pm

We look forward to seeing you.

Francis Battista
Best Friends Animal Society

Melissa Rubin
Humane Society of The United States

St. Bernard's Parish after Katrina shooting dogs on the STREET - Indictment

2006-12-11T16:03:00.000-08:00

I sort of assume many of you reading my blog, know about members of the St. Bernard's Parish sheriff's department shooting peoples pets on the streets like sport, and shooting them in the schools after evacuating people. It has been one of the most horrific animal abuse stories having to do with Katrina. St. Bernard's Parish is right next to New Orleans, for those who don't know.

So there is some good news! They were indicted for the street shooting because it was caught on video, but they haven't been indicted for the school shooting yet. I recently recieved the following in an email:

GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS HANDED DOWN!

Pasado's Safe Haven is pleased to announce that a Grand Jury has indicted St. Bernard Sheriff's Officers in the street shootings of dogs in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

According to Mimi Hunley, Asst. State Attorney General, Louisiana:

" The Grand Jury in St. Bernard Parish on Wednesday indicted former Deputy Mike Minton and presently employed Deputy Chip England for aggravated cruelty to animals related to the street shootings after Katrina. This is a felony and was the most serious of all the crimes they could have indicted them for. AAG Julie Cullen and I handled the presentation. We are still working on the school shootings.

Mimi Hunley
Assistant Attorney General Criminal Division "

THANK YOU to Mimi Hunley and everyone at the Louisiana State Attorney General's Office and to ALL OF YOU who wrote and called and kept these cases alive!!!

As you know, Pasado's Safe Haven discovered 33 dogs and cats massacred in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in St. Bernard schools and provided investigators the cost of necropsies (animal autopsies) on all 33 animals (costing $7700) and shot DV videotape of the dead animals as part of an Louisiana State Attorney General investigation in the school shootings.

You can read the rest at PAsado's site
http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/KATRINA/DOGSHOOTING/HISTORY.htm

Ponderings

2006-12-05T09:26:00.000-08:00

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride; he sticks his head out the window?

Poem

2006-11-24T12:49:00.000-08:00

When God had made the earth and sky,
the flowers and the trees,
He then made all the animals
the fish, the birds and bees.

And when at last He'd finished
not one was quite the same.
He said I'll walk this world of mine
and give each one a name.

And so He traveled far and wide
and everywhere He went,
a little creature followed Him
until its strength was spent.

When all were named upon the earth
and in the sky and sea,
the little creature said "Dear Lord,
there's no name left for me."

Kindly the Father said to him,
"I've left you to the end.
I've turned my own name back to front
and called you DOG, my friend."

Author Unknown

Josh on Dogbusting...

2006-11-18T09:29:00.000-08:00

"First you and your team surround the house with debris and orange constuction fencing. Then you send a small person, like me, but maybe a little bigger, under the house with a Ketch pole." (Onesie courtesy of Dogbuster Cadi Schiffer)

People are still loooking for their four footed family members

2006-11-15T17:03:00.000-08:00

http://www.all-creatures.org/ak/lost-laddie-20060412.html

Laddie
KATRINA / MISSING COLLIE

Laddie has a Website. http://missingkatrinacollie.bravehost.com

If anyone has any information regarding “Laddie” please contact Laurie Johansson, Best Friends Hurricane Katrina Volunteer
phone 541-923-3722
fax 541-504-9714
email laughingdolphin@lycos.com
laughingdolphin@webformixair.com

If you could PLEASE POST PICTURE AND INFORMATION any where you think helpful.

Case #G257
8 year old intact male collie

May have injured leg during the storm, was last seen on 8/29/05 Kings Point subdivision in Slidell, La, was wearing a chain collar and silver Pontchartrain Vet Clinic tag, which may be lost or removed by now. Laddie is a much loved, gentle, good and mild manned pet.

Joshua Maxfield Laskowski - Born October 11, 2006 - 9:36 AM

2006-10-31T11:42:00.000-08:00

Joshua Maxfield Laskowski has arrived! As many of you know he was conceived down at Celebration Station in New Orleans, thus the reason I didn't stay for the month of February. Anyway, here is the story... My water broke at around 10:30 pm on October 9th. Then we went to the hospital the next day (the 10th), and they concurred that it broke but sent me off to walk around to hopefully fully start my labor naturally. After a day of auction previews, we came home and at around midnight the labor became more regular 3-5 minutes apart, and more painful, so we went in (the 11th). Then after nine hours a intense labor that was getting nowhere! I was not dialated, thus they gave me drugs to induce stronger labor. At this point I, who wasn't going to take any drug that would affect him in anyway, wanted the drugs! After taking them, labor got stronger and I finally dialated to 3-4 centimeters, but he hadn't dropped down. The pain was so intense I was shaking. Joe kept up with the encouraging words, but now the nurse and doctor wanted to talk to us. They wanted to do a C-section for his heart rate was dropping with each contraction. I was so out of it I didn't respond. I wanted to ask questions but just couldn't. Joe asked if he had time to get a cup of coffee. They said yes, but by the time he got back up they threw a gown and mask at him and had me rushing down the hallway to the operating room. I was then given a epidural. Joe was soon allowed in the room, and saw Josh come out. Apparently Josh had the cord wrapped around his neck. Joe went off with Josh while they stuffed me back together and sewed me back up. So I spent the next three nights recovering in the hospital. The worse part was just getting up and down off of the bed. My stomach, now missing the structure that was once inside it, was like jello, and the muscles had been toyed with having had a c-section. Today that is almost 100% better. Josh and I have learned how to breast feed. Yes, they said it wouldn't be easy, I didn't understand why, now I see he just doesn't always know where to latch on. I finally learned a few tricks and we have our system worked out.
So here is, weighing in at 7 lbs and 15 oz. 21" long. Born at 9:36 am on the 11th. I find the time interesting considering he was conceived around 9:30 am New Orleans time. Did he know? Josh is sporting the first piece of clothing we bought him before we left Celebration Station/New Orleans. I do believe he is the youngest person to ever crawl under a house to rescue dogs.

Man and his dog...

2006-09-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up."

The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the man. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

"This is Heaven," he answered.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind."

Best Friends - The BEST animal rescue organization.

2006-09-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

Best Friends put there money where there hearts were, and helped other people financially follow their hearts to help the animals! By far the best organization I saw that came down to help out in the Gulf region! Here is more about them.

Best Friends: The no-kill animal group grows steadily

By Matt Canham
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune

Dressed in white jeans and a purple cape, Michael Mountain spent years promoting his own brand of spirituality.
Now he leads one of Utah's largest nonprofit organizations: Best Friends Animal Society, which is spearheading an international effort to give every pet a home. He finally found his spiritual fulfillment in the redrock of Kanab.
Mountain was among a group of British intellectuals who shunned the establishment in the 1960s and bonded over a desire to seek the divine. Their search led them throughout Mexico and the United States.
Along the way, they created The Process church, controversial in its time, but also misunderstood, according to its members.
Mountain was one of the founders of The Process. He says the faith centered on kindness and the Golden Rule, but others said the group worshipped the devil and had connections to notorious killer Charles Manson.
The group later successfully sued a book publisher to clear its name.
But as the members grew older, they gave up their religious ministries for charitable works. Some moved to Arizona and began collecting the unwanted animals from the pound before they were killed.
The animals soon overwhelmed their property. In 1986, they created a pet sanctuary in what they named Angel Canyon in Kanab. The nation's biggest no-kill animal rescue group started small but has steadily grown.
They now own more than 3,000 acres in Kane County and their compound holds more than 1,600 animals. They also produce a magazine and run spay and neuter programs in Los Angeles and Atlanta.
Donations large and small - from animal lovers who are celebrities as well as those with modest means - feed new programs, which in turn attract more donors.
In 1995, the group raised $2.6 million, and almost every year that amount increased by a couple of million.
But 2005 was unlike anything they had ever seen before. Amid the human tragedy of Hurricane Katrina was an animal tragedy, too. Dogs treading water in rivers that were once streets. Cats starved in abandoned moldy homes. Best Friends sent in a team to rescue as many pets as possible.
As they braved the waters, the donations came flooding in. The result was the biggest one-year gain in the nonprofit's 22-year history.
"We put out an appeal to our supporters," said John Fripp, the animal society's treasurer.
And those supporters responded.
In 2005, Best Friends raised $32 million in donations, $11 million more than the year before. The society raised more than twice what other nonprofits such as Hogle Zoo, the Utah Symphony or United Way of Utah collect in a year.
Those supporters, 91 percent of whom are women, are once again sending cash in response to the group's current trip to Beirut to rescue 300 dogs and cats. Best Friends has raised $182,000 in the past few weeks.
Such disasters as Katrina and the Hezbollah-Israeli war feed into people's "latent desire to help," said Dave Jones, a fundraising consultant for nonprofits based in Salt Lake City. "When you see animals at risk, your heart goes out to them."
These cataclysms gave Best Friends a stage to present its mission and push its agenda and in the process sent a "remarkable" amount of money to the animal society, he said.
Such fundraising is expected, Jones said, just make sure the money goes where the organization said it would go.
Mountain insists: "It didn't go to anywhere else."
Best Friends had $3.5 million in leftover Katrina money at the end of 2005, according to Fripp. Best Friends spent the rest of the money caring for the animals they relocated to their Kanab compound.
The society still had a surplus, as it has for more than a decade. The money goes into a reserve account, which now tops $10 million, and Fripp hopes to create an endowment, although he says the organization probably needs more animal shelters on its Kanab property first.
Most of Best Friends' money comes from people who receive a fundraising letter or a quarterly newsletter. The average donation is $35. Nearly 300,000 people subscribe to Best Friends magazine for $25 a year.
Movie stars such as Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba and Hilary Swank show up at the annual "Lint Roller Party" in Los Angeles. This year's event took place on Thursday, with 700 people paying at least $125 to attend.
Francis Battista, who helped create Best Friends, now manages the Los Angeles programs and estimates the Lint Roller raised $230,000 this year.
Mountain says this money will help further Best Friends' mission, and he now is planning on reconnecting the organization to its spiritual beginnings. Best Friends is now reaching out to different congregations, hoping they will emphasize that helping animals is "Christian-like."
He calls it "restoring Eden" through showing kindness toward animals.
"Kindness, we consider to be one of the highest spiritual values."
mcanham@sltrib.com

Man dies Trying to Rescue Dog from Basin

2006-09-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

This just happened yesterday. I am not sure I would have done anything differently, though I don't know the environment they were in. I think this is a testimony about how much some people love their pets and would certainly risk their lives for them. Unfortunately this gentleman lost his...
-Rachel

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/02/AR2006090201279.html

Man Dies Trying to Rescue Dog From Basin

The Associated Press
Saturday, September 2, 2006; 10:50 PM

TELFORD, Pa. -- A man who tried to rescue his dog from a flooded retention basin was sucked into a drainage pipe Saturday and died, police said.

Thomas V. Chipley and his wife were walking their golden retriever in a neighborhood park when the dog jumped into the overflowing basin fed by two drainage streams, authorities said. The remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto had brought rain across the state.

The dog was drawn into the basin's outflow pipe, and Chipley went into the basin to try to rescue the animal but was also pulled into the pipe, police said.

His wife, whose name was not released, tried to pull him out but was unable to do so.

Emergency workers removed a manhole cover to gain access to the pipe, police said. Chipley was pulled out, but emergency room doctors were unable to revive him, Bucks County Coroner Dr. Joseph Campbell said.

Campbell ruled the death an accidental drowning. The victim's wife was also taken to the hospital for treatment.

The dog was found alive, although with scrapes and bruises, where the pipe empties into a stream, police said.

Bubbles- the last dog pulled out of a NOLA house alive...

2006-09-01T11:33:00.000-07:00

Please see this website for the full story about Bubbles, the last dog pulled out of a house in New Orleans alive . It was on October 20, 2005, 7 and 1/2 weeks after Katrina!

http://web.mac.com/collofthewild/iWeb/Bubble%27s%20New%20Home/Bubble%27s%20New%20Home%21.html

"Cheza" FOUND a home!

2006-08-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

“Cheza” needs a new home. She was picked up from underneath a house in mid-November off of the streets of New Orleans with her four littermates. (Photos of the rescue are available.) She was adopted out, but unfortunately the family who adopted her had housing problems and can no longer keep her, thus she is back with us. She is good with kids. Good with other dogs. Comes when called. She was/is house trained if you let her out enough. She is spayed, and is current on all her shots. I will also consider letting her out to a foster family, for I am 8 months pregnant, and well need to get focused on other things. Cheza is right around a year old now.
We also have a male, Elvis / TLC, who is also around a year old, from Waveland, MS who is finally all healthy, neutered, and current on shots, and looking for his forever home. See one of the previous posts... He is now free of ringworm. Adoption fee is $125. Please call or email with questions! - Rachel 610-409-0805

UPDATE - Cheza found a wonderful home Thursday 9/14/06. I have to say it feels like a perfect match!

Mangy dog wants lovin' !

2006-08-24T20:11:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody,

This email is from Deanna, not Anne. I just wanted to send you all an email showing you our latest rescue. This little girl was found living on a debris pile out in St. Bernard. Her bedding was a pile of pink fiberglass. A really nice FEMA employee called me yesterday & told me about her situation. They first spotted her a few days ago. Imagine a bunch of big, rough FEMA guys all running to their trucks to get any kind of food they had to feed her. They had been feeding her for 3 days, until she got close enough for them to pick her up. She was starving for food, but more than that, she was starving for attention. Once she realized the men were not going to hurt her, she instantly became friendly.

Isabella is around 4 months old, covered in mange. She even has demodex in her poop. (sorry to be graphic) It's painful for her to sit down, due to the swelling in her legs. She licked our hands and faces as the doctor did a skin scrape on her. It was all most of us could do to hold back the tears.

We happened to have Geralyn Pezanoski here, filming an update for the documentary she's working. She and her crew were getting ready to walk out when we got the call that the dog was coming in. Luckily, they were able to get some great footage of Isabella as she entered the clinic.

So, here we are, one year later. We haven't seen something this bad in quite a while, but this poor dog proves they are still out there.

Isabella will also be looking for a home once her recovery is in full swing. (Just putting a bug in everyones ear...)

Hope you all are well. I'll spring for drinks, should anyone want to visit New Orleans for the one year anniversary. Careful, not everybody at one time...

Deanna

NOTE: Deanna works at Southern Animal Foundation on Magazine St. in New Orleans. They have been working very very hard on the stray animal situation down there. THANK YOU!

CAN ANYONE DO AN ADOPTION DAY?

2006-08-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

TNR is in full swing at the Southern Animal Foundation, where I am a volunteer. Unfortunately, we are trapping lovable abandoned pets or adoptable kittens and puppies that we are forced to put back on the street.

I am desperately trying to organize adoption days in other cities with some of our pets. We are popping at the seams with kittens, cats, puppies and dogs. Because there are no fosters available and no shelter to house them we are forced to put them back on the street after they are dewormed, vaccinated and fixed. Animal control in local parishes are left with the task of killing randomly.

Might you consider doing an adoption day with New Orleans pets? I am offering our animals for free meaning they come with health certificates, spay/neuter, vaccinations, micro-chipped, etc. Any value put on them goes to the organization hosting the event. Press is the secret for having a great turnout. I will get as much press as possible in your city to promote the event. We adopted 31 cats at $100 a piece in 4 hours to approved homes in New Hampshire. WOW! Press was the key. Adoption days are a better option then adding to an already overcrowded shelter. The goal is to get animals out of shelters in to approved homes and place ours as well. Because we are working with every organization in the city any number of adoptable pets can be ready in a day. We will provide transports by plane or car anywhere.

We don't want to add to the problem. I feel the formula of big press to promote a major adoption day works beautifully. I appreciate your consideration.

Thank you for your time. Any suggestions, leads or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Cody Riess

504 430 4583

cody@codyriess.com

www.codyriess.com

www.creolecritters.com (coming soon)

Another Inside view of ARNO

2006-08-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

Because ARNO needs your help now more than ever, I am asking for support for this organization by way of volunteers still needed, financial contributions, donations of supplies, etc. and unfortunately, because of the unfounded allegations that are being stated far and wide, I find it necessary to reply to the allegations made regarding ARNO in order to justify my request for help for the organization. Please understand this, I am an independent rescuer/activist, etc.....I have worked on my own since the beginning but have chosen to advocate for ARNO for months now because I believe ARNO started out for a good cause and the people I do see at ARNO are still trying to continue with that cause.

1. I suspect that many of the individuals who are caring for animals in post-Katrina New Orleans are not "educated" in the care of animals, myself included. Any education I have is through self-education....listening learning, reading, etc., but nevertheless, no degree.

2. I visit the warehouse at least every other day if not more and I can attest to the fact that yes there are numerous cats and many dogs and they are all in fact caged and/or kenneled......ARNO is not a cage-less sanctuary.

3. It is hot at the facility; however, there are numerous donated fans placed in every area of the facility and as most of you now know, because of all the attention drawn to the heat, ARNO was the fortunate recipient of generously donated INDUSTRIAL cooling fans which are expected any day. I wish I had called attention to the heat myself so that ARNO might have benefited earlier for the sake of the animals it assists; however, I have personal knowledge and reviewed myself the ambient temperature of the hottest spot at the facility and am also aware that people in authority who must enforce heat/cold guidelines with "sheltered" animals have checked as well and because the facility was not shut down, I can only assume there was no infraction.

4. Volunteers are "vetting" ANY animal that requires it, which means that much like what goes on at my own home, a feline nostril is often suctioned, an abandoned kitten may be tube fed, Clavamox often saves the day (I am never without it), Droncit always cures the tapeworm as long as you followup with the second dose, Advantage does often cause an animal to foam at the mouth, Karo syrup will do in a pinch if no IV with fluids is available and ringworm will in fact challenge the most dedicated animal lover. As an individual who cares about the animals still on the street, I am thankful that ARNO, and any other grass roots organization which seeks to get more of those animals off the street, are in fact administering whatever attention is needed, medical and otherwise, to these innocent creatures who more often than not, are rescued in less than optimum health.

5. In the past 3-4 months, the random people I have seen at the ARNO facility is Jackie....the long-term resident volunteer, yes volunteer, who quit his life whereever it used to be (I am still not sure, but I know he is not local)........Jackie works animal care everyday, in fact, he is an expert at dog poop and works day and night to clean the kennels, walk the dogs if no volunteers are there to do so, and he does it with a smile......recently, his sleeping quarters were in fact upgraded from a tent in the rear yard to the smallest interior room. With long term volunteers having gone back to their lives (and rightfully so) I think ARNO realizes how much they do rely on Jackie and to offer him a small bit of comfort, a carpeted floor instead of white rocks, well it helps him out and the upside is that Jackie is now closer to the felines who do require ICU stay...they are indoors.

6. I'm not sure if 90 is the correct number, but ARNO does have a lot of cats.......more kittens than I would have guessed were out there, but thanks to Alley Cat Allies and the Feline Forum back in May, many of those litters were taken off the street. As you may or may not know, 68 of them found new homes, most in other states. More are scheduled to be transported out this month and because of the generous donations of those fans, ARNO will be able to allocate funds (which were donated for fans after attention was brought concerning the heat) to pay for fuel to assure that the transport does take place. Hopefully, with the new awareness that ARNO still needs help for specific missions, the remaining cats/kittens will be able to head to a forever home, instead of the temporary home in which they now reside, often in the heat, but with the ability to sleep and eat and avoid predators/demolition/construction/starvation, etc. that they use to face in the desolation called New Orleans. These cats did not come from other shelters, they came directly off the streets, the same streets that I continue to feed on daily and the same streets that I continue to count new heads on daily.

7. Although I don't know if 90 is the correct number of cats housed at ARNO, I can speak knowledgeably about 1 cat....I like to call him Oscar. Oscar is a grouch, hence his name and although I am not sure about which street Oscar used to live on,I can tell you from what he used to look like, it was a mean street. Oscar is a feral tomcat and for any of you who know ferals, you know that Oscar wasn't likely to make friends among ARNO volunteers. No surprise, Oscar would "thwack" his cage everytime someone walked by and I have been told that they would just hear the sound of his paw hitting the front of the cage.

Well, that's all I needed to hear....you see, although I have been accused of self-absorption, I really am absorbed in these animals and I love a challenge of a hardened feral.....I have never met one that didn't eventually become a different cat, with love, patience and understanding of the feral cat. I will have to take a picture of Oscar this evening when I visit and hopefully I will be able to find a picture of when he came in to ARNO.......Oscar loves to be brushed, Oscar loves to be scratched, but not just behind his ears, Oscar loves to have his belly scratched and in the past week I have been working to determine just what type of person truly deserves the love and companionship that Oscar has to give.....it won't be just anybody, it will have to be somebody who understands Oscar's background and that he is not one of those playful, zinging all the time cats.....no, Oscar needs a couch potato who is just like him. Unfortunately, Oscar will have to remain in his cage until ARNO can find him the right home and I am going to try to help them do that.

8. Ringworm and coccidia......where to start......during the Feline Frenzy, I was shocked at the chaos and was often questioned by non-volunteers and yes, I did not like the fact that so many kittens had both of these conditions, but, from my own experience, I know that many came into ARNO worse off. In fact, a very emaciated mama cat and her little babies, all who eventually contracted ringworm and poor Mama often required fluids......these were the little family that a feeder found taped in a box, sealed in that box, remember them? It broke my heart to see mama cat not eat, and I hated to watch one of the little siamese babies snuffle and try to breath after he, like many others, came down with upper respiratory illness.....but as I would watch Robin suction out each and every one of their noses, I knew that they had a better chance of a LIFETIME of happiness, if they could just get past this brief period of misery. I believe the remaining kittens of that litter are scheduled on the next transport and I often wonder what their lives would hold for them instead had they remained right where they were, in that box.

I can tell you that the cats I see now, have seen for weeks, at ARNO facility, are overall, healthy, happy, playful, loving cats, but, they are in fact in cages and ARNO needs fosters, ARNO needs adopters, good homes, and until that happens, they will remain cared for by people who may not hold a degree in animal care, people who may make the mistake of transmittal blunders (every day, every animal is another lesson learned.....I contracted ringworm years ago from my own cat because of my ignorance, but I won't ever again) and although I will have to get back to you on the specific number, and I will, the percentage of felines at ARNO who currently have ANY medical condition is low.....2 litters with ringworm that I am aware of and ironically, when I recently tried to locate a stringy toy to play with one of those kittens (she is a little feralish too) I couldn't find a single toy.....seems Robin had seen a well-meaning, but uninformed volunteer use one of those toys in the ringworm cage and than proceed to another......all the stringy type toys were tossed that day with another learning experience acquired and shared.....don't share the toys, they too can spread ringworm.

9. Any verbal or written agreement allegedly made to not accept another animal at the ARNO facility, whether in existence or not, would have resulted in my never volunteering at ARNO again........ARNO is not equipped to be a shelter and ARNO shouldn't take animals in, but the bottom line is that they have to when a feeder finds a feline family taped in a box, or when and individual shows up with a dog that is languishing in the back yard because the owner died and the owner's son won't feed it......you get my point? I took two kittens to ARNO myself, they were tied off underneath a house, a house that I feed at in a deserted, yes, still deserted area of New Orleans.....as much as I think I am more informed than the average person, I still have the same fears and concerns and thought that if I brought those babies to the animal shelter, they would eventually take their last breath filled with gas.....and I am not sorry I took them to ARNO.....they both stayed in a cage, in the exterior breezeway that is hot, and now they both are gone.....gone to a home, a new life, in another state, and they have a chance. And then there is Tonti, yes that poor mangy piece of filth, you know, the one I wrote about on my blog, "Puppies make you smile...unless they make you cry" well, her sibling succumbed early on from the distemper that is raised as an issue on this forum, and it was sad, very sad. But I am happy to say that when I see Tonti now, happy, bouncy, beautifully coated Tonti, it is because she comes to visit for the day, along with her new family, the triplet girls who volunteer at ARNO because they love animals.

10. Whatever allegations are being made concerning feuding between ARNO and any other humane organization, I won't comment upon....I don't know what issues are between any groups directors/boards, nor do I care, and what's more, one group does not acquire my respect, my willingness to help, my dedication to the animals involved, simply by "airing dirty laundry" in public.......I am the public, I am not ARNO nor any other group and no amount of discussion concerning feuding/etc. between the groups is going to make me abandon animals that I care about......if nothing else, it's only going to make me want to help those animals more. So, if in fact is it true that the leadership at ARNO is lacking, than I am inclined to stay the course for the animals' sakes.......they matter as much as the animals being helped by SAF or any other organization.......ARNO's "crimes" are not their crimes, and so please, let's keep the real issue at hand, the animals, the issue at hand

11. I will address the raised issue of ARNO owing obscene amounts of money" regarding vet care for rescued animals......I have no way of knowing if this is true or not, however, as far as I am concerned, this is good to know and I will do my best to get a letter out today to the HSUS, the ASPCA and any other major funding organizations so that quite possibly some funding can be allocated to ARNO so that they no longer have to operate without funds, and they no longer have to function without assistance from organizations which may or may not have received larger amounts of Katrina related funding than ARNO has.

12. Finally, and for the record, although the meeting took place two weekends ago and before the really nasty stuff started to get underway, I had the privilege of being at the ARNO facility to listen to a briefing regarding pet evacuations. The briefing/meeting, when I arrived late to the facility, was being run by two women, one of which was the Director of Humane Law Enforcement for the Louisiana SPCA, and someone who has fought animal cruelty for years. She is probably one of the most knowledgeable individuals in this state regarding dog fighting, you see, she was an instrumental factor in taking down Floyd Boudreaux, the famous godfather of dogfighting. I have myself on one occasion given information to this individual and, ironically regarding a dog who really was forced to sit in his feces day after day after day, and as I had expected, she and the LA/SPCA rose to the occasion and removed the dog from his horrible conditions. Although I have not spoken to her directly regarding her opinion of ARNO, I did notice that she took a look around that day while others enjoyed refreshments and again this is only an assumption, but I wonder.....if the highest ranking animal cruelty officer/investigator in this state, did not see fit to shut ARNO down for deplorable and cruel conditions, after being within the facility herself, what is the real issue here?

Thank you for your continued support of Animal Rescue New Orleans, Lise McComiskey

New Orleans, Louisiana

Judgements...

2006-07-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

I saw this on craigslist, and asked the author if I could post it. It is another case of owners fighting to get their dog back. Many local people know about the fight for a dog in Doylestown, this one again is local - Landsdale, PA.

Rescue groups, please read this.

Reply to: tokdl@yahoo.com
Date: 2006-07-29, 1:02PM CDT

Greeetings everyone... I am one of the very many who have lost, not my pet, but my mothers GSD. He was rescued by an unknown rescue group, I kind of think it may have been EARS, but not sure. My point is this... for quite some time now, I have seen and delt with the fact that a great deal (NOT ALL) rescuers see that most of the pets that were left behind, do not deserve to be reunited with their owners, in some instances that may be true, if the dog had extensive heart worm damage or existing illnesses, but other than that, I do not understand this. I for one adore my guys to no end... A GSD, Lab, and Golden mix, all of them came with me, including a heafty nap sack filled with everything from their medical records to Nutro treats to two 40lbs. bags of Beneful. The very sad part of the story was that as hard as I tryed, I was unable to take my mothers GSD, who I was just as close to as my own three (Now four, fostering a Beagle mix.) For some time I have been working with both my male and my mothers male to get along with each other in case such a problem like the storm we had arose, their had been a good bit of progress in getting them to work well with each other as one male was submissive. The fact was that it was to soon, and the males were very very agressive towards each other, especialy around two females. I was left with the disgusting choice to abandon Ragnar my mothers GSD at home... to the rescuers that feel that people here do not deserve their pets back... do you have any clue on earth how that feels? To HAVE to leave your guy behind to deal with such a fate? Its like leaving your brother behind. That was one of the most difficult things I had to do in quite a while... now that is only one situation, their were many reason why folks had to leave pets behind, others (after the storm) had to leave their pets behind because rescuers of the folks, could not take pets, thats just plain messed up, some situations I agree were unnecessary and they could have taken pets, but then again, quite a few are not as dedicated to animals as other, and for that very reason I want to thank each and every rescuer that helped and poured in countless hours into rescueing animals, God knows I wish I could have and would have done so with out hesitation. After hearing about the leves failing, I imeditaely put out multipul requests asking for aid for my mothers GSD, to EARS, Stelth, local SPCA, and every group that I could come across. Luckily, he was indeed rescued, and I am VERY greatful for that, I have since found him in PA. @ Pet Molly's who has since adopted him out and refuses to give him back, and I am now legaly trying to re unite him with his rightful pac. His profile was never publicly displayed so I could find him, until a rescurer was able to find him in a file that only she could acess. So my point is this... just because you have rescued many animals, I think it is unfair to instanly judge the family of that pet you have rescued, you do not or did not know the entire story for why you had to rescue that animal. You have decided to do somthing very very responsable and comendable, but that does not make you a god, I have done the same thing in quite a few cases, but nothing on the scale you guys have done. In my case, I left a great deal of food for my guy, as well as water, he had enough room to take care of him self for aprox. three days maybe more, the fact was, no one could predict the leves would fail, and the entire city would be submurged, I know I did't. Theirs very very little that I would not do for my guys, and I am NOT one to leave an animal behind, but the fact of the mater is, I was put in a situation that I had no choice but to so, I loaded my blazer almost to the bumper stops with things id need just for a few days, turns out I ended up on the road for eight, and yes I snuck my three large guys in hotel rooms and was asked to leave one because I had them. So I was uncomfortable for most of the time, but God knows id do it again and If I could have taken Ragnar and been a bit more uncofotable I would have. Im just saying that I think that the owners who are putting in a great effort to try and be reunited with their pets deserve them back with out the judgement and shame, their were so many diff. situations its unfair to judge anyone given the lack of information about that family YOU think does not deserve that pet back. But regardless of all that I have said, I for one am extremely greatful for each and every rescue group that showed up and put in the time effort and took on the BS from the local and not so local law enforcement because I know you got it, I did after the storm, because I did do my part, and am still feeding strays to this day.

(The Kennel refered to here is http://www.mollyscountrykennels.com/ in Lansdale, PA)

Animal Rescue New Orleans, still needs you!

2006-07-25T19:43:00.000-07:00

Take Five Minutes To Help Katrina Animals
SOURCE: Charlotte Bass Lilly and Cadi Schiffer, arno.info@yahoo.com
http://www.AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com

REPLY TO:
ARNO’s Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator, Meredith McLanahan
504-571-1900 or arno.info@yahoo.com

Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO, http://www.animalrescueneworleans.org) is
still desperate for donations and volunteers. You can help by giving just a
few minutes of your time, no matter where you live or how busy you are.

Please read the list below and do just one of the suggested tasks over the
next week. By doing so, you’ll help thousands of animals who still struggle
to survive on the streets of Orleans, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines Parishes.

TASKS FOR ANYONE, ANYWHERE:
1. Call local shelters and dog/cat rescue groups, tell them about ARNO, and
     ask them the following questions:
    a -    Are you a no-kill facility?
     b -    Do you have space to take in any Katrina animals? (recognizing that
             publicity about their arrival/availability is more likely to get their other
             animals adopted too)
     c -    Do you have a minimum or maximum number of animals you can accept?
     d -    Do you have preferences or restrictions on health, age, breed,
             personality of animals in your care?
     e -    Who should ARNO contact (phone/email) if they can arrange a transport
             to your area?

    If they answer YES to both a & b:
   Email the info (in point form) to: arno.info@yahoo.com
    Type SHELTER SPACE AVAILABLE in the subject line.

2. Sign-up for FREE CAT FOOD COUPONS at:
     http://content.dll1.com/Mars/Whiskas/kitten/entry.aspx
     http://www.nutroproducts.com/yourfamily
     http://www.freenclearstuff.com/pet.htm
     http://www.purina.ca/products/purinaone/default_ep.asp?page=getStarted (in Canada)
     ...and any other online coupon sites.

     Send coupons to:
    ARNO, c/o 1219 Coliseum St.; New Orleans, LA, 70130

3. Spread a chain letter among friends asking them to send just $5 (or
     more, if they can spare it) to:
     ARNO, c/o 1219 Coliseum St.; New Orleans, LA, 70130
     or ARNO’s PayPal account, accessible at http://www.animalrescueneworleans.org

4. Advertise ARNO’s ongoing need for VOLUNTEERS and DONATIONS by:
     Posting signs at local vet clinics, pet food stores, schools, grocery stores,
     community centers, etc. Use photos and info from ARNO’s website to create a
     compelling flyer.

5. Post signs or classified ads urging people to ADOPT or FOSTER Katrina
     animals through ARNO or 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com.

6. FOSTER A KATRINA ANIMAL YOURSELF.
    Information and ARNO’s online foster application form:
     http://www.animalrescueneworleans.org/fosterinfo.html

     Jennifer Rohrbach, ARNO’s Foster Coordinator:
     whippetdogs@yahoo.com or 703-626-2683

7. ADOPT A KATRINA ANIMAL YOURSELF.
     Information and ARNO’s online adoption application form:
     http://www.animalrescueneworleans.org/adoptions.html

     Brenda DuBourg, ARNO’s Adoption Coordinator:
     adoptfromarno@yahoo.com or 504-571-1900

     **You can also use http://www.1-800-save-a-pet.com to adopt a pet from a
     local shelter or rescue group. Every animal who leaves a shelter opens space
     for more animals (including Katrina victims) waiting to be rescued.

8. Buy a Walmart or Petco card for any denomination you can afford.
     Send cards to: ARNO, c/o 1219 Coliseum St.; New Orleans, LA, 70130
     Your generous purchase of cards lets ARNO buy food and supplies as needed onsite.

9. SPONSOR SPAY/NEUTER and VACCINATION of one rescued animal (approx. $100).

10. SPONSOR FOOD for 20 rescued cats or 10 rescued dogs for 1 month (approx. $200).

11. SPONSOR HEARTWORM TREATMENT for 1 dog (approx. $350).

12. Buy or sponsor the purchase of a wire cage or kennel for animals
      sheltered onsite (approx. $50-$150). *Shipping costs are high, so consider
      sending an earmarked gift card if you live outside Louisiana.

13. Order aluminum lasagna pans for use at feeding station ($0.31 each + shipping):
     http://www.wesellcoffee.com/page21.html
      Have pans sent to: ARNO’s warehouse: 271 Plauche St.; Jefferson, LA, 70123

14. Do mini-transports for ARNO: Move animals from a central drop-off
      location in your area (after they’ve been transported there from New
      Orleans) to their new forever home or another rescue group nearby. You
      wouldn’t be asked to drive more than a few hours roundtrip, but it would
      save ARNO from driving individual animals all over the country.

15. Encourage schools, church groups, community teams, gym members,
      co-workers, friends, and neigborhood kids to raise money for ARNO. Organize
      bake sales, car washes, walk-a-thons, raffles, jars in stores, and
      door-to-door collections, etc.

16. Join ARNO’s yahoo group:
      http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arno_volunteers/.

17. DONATE TO ARNO yourself via check or PayPal
      Online PayPal accessible via: http://www.animalrescueneworleans.org

18. Fly or drive to New Orleans and help care for rescued animals in ARNO’s
      shelter and/or leave food and water out for strays -- even if it’s only for
      a weekend.

19. Ask friends, family, co-workers, vets, students, church/synagogue
      members, gym buddies, etc. to do any or all of the above.

LOUISIANA RESIDENTS:
20. Volunteer for ARNO for just two hours per week.
      More time is always appreciated, but every little bit helps.
      CONTACT: ARNO’s Volunteer Coordinator, Robin Beaulieu for more info - 504-913-2328
      Or, signup to volunteer at: http://www.animalrescueneworleans.org/volunteer.html
      For example, you could:
      a -   Care for animals sheltered at ARNO’s warehouse (walking, feeding, cleaning, etc.)
      b -   Leave food and water out for animals still living in post-Katrina rubble.
      c -   Do onsite admin/email/data entry work for ARNO’s Rescue Coordinator.
      d -   Clean and tidy up ARNO’s warehouse site.
      e -   Transport animals to vet by 10 a.m., pick them up by 4:30 p.m., and
              then return them to ARNO’s shelter (easiest for people with cargo van,
              minivan, or big SUV).
      f -    Care for animals sheltered at ARNO’s warehouse (walking, feeding, cleaning, etc.)
      g -   Run errands in spare time (e.g., once weekly to Home Depot for
             cleaning supplies; once weekly to pickup donations from as far away as Baton
             Rouge).

21. Stay alert for stray animals, record their exact location, phone info to
      ARNO at 504-571-1900 ASAP. Tell us if if animals sighted look sick,
      emaciated, very young, and/or pregnant. It’s also important to note whether
      they’re in danger from neighbors, other animals in area, and/or the imminent
      demolition of their “home.” Take their photo and send it to: LeAnne G.
      (yepitsme770@yahoo.com) to post at http://www.zzcat.com/katrina/ARNO_maps

22. Buy an extra bag of cat food every time you go to the grocery store. Use
      it to feed strays on your block. Leave a big bowl of fresh water nearby. Put
      both food and water undercover, keep the site tidy, and make sure to get
      permission from any applicable property owners.

23. Ask friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, vets, students, church/synagogue
      members, gym buddies, etc. to do any or all of the above.


REPLY TO:
ARNO’s Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator, Meredith McLanahan
504-571-1900 or arno.info@yahoo.com

ELVIS - Love Me Tender! (He needs a home!)

2006-07-25T14:05:00.000-07:00

Labrador Retriever, Hound Mix

Size: Medium
Age: Young
Sex: Male

Notes: Approximately 7 months old. Elvis, was transported to us from Waveland, MS, where the Katrina devastated shelters are having high surrender rates, and low adoption rates. He needed a lot of TLC, when he came to us. He had a hernia, now repaired on his own! He had mange, now treated and cleared up. He has had his shots, and rabies shot, dewormed, and frontlined. He has also been neutered, but the vet place was much like a shelter so he was stressed and broke out with ringworm. He is NOW (8/20/06) done his treatment! He is papertrained, and 80% house broken. He is very affectionate. He likes to chew. He loves to swim! He likes to play but he also likes hang out with you and help pick up the tree that just fell down! $125 adoption fee to go to Animal Rescue Front. 610-409-0805 or email griffinsgallery@mac.com

FUZZY - Waveland, MS gal ADOPTED!!

2006-07-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

ADOPTED!!

Collie, Rottweiler, Labrador Retriever Mix

Size: Medium
Age: Baby
Sex: Female

Notes: Beautiful soft long hair. Aproximately 4 months old. Fuzzy was transported to us from Waveland, MS, where the Katrina devastated shelters and they are having high surrender rates, and low adoption rates. She is timid around strangers, and cuddly around her new friends. She doesn't like loud noises, so please don't inquire if your children are roudy. She has had her first set of shots, frontline, and been dewormed. We will require you spay her at the appropriate age. $125 adoption fee to go to Animal Rescue Front. 610-409-0805 or email griffinsgallery@mac.com

Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue - Photos

2006-07-23T16:47:00.000-07:00

I just took the Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Training offered up at UPENN's School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton campus, and wanted to share the photos I took to get strangers and friends interested in taking the course, and those who participated images to help jog their memories, and share with their friends. These images are in no way meant to be the course! Half of the time we spent in the classroom. There is a manuel/handout which has recently been developed into a book. Keep checking the TLAER about when and where it will be available.

I have put all the photos to a gallery, where you can see thumbnails! YEAH! Including the Animal Decon Day. That was the Decontamination course - which in summary was, this is such a new field all we know is dish soap (like Dawn) and water!

Check the gallery at: http://www.griffinsgallery.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1240

Dark Water Rising Video...

2006-07-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

THE TRAILER: http://darkwaterrising.com/trailer.html

My Review of Dark Water Rising - Rachel McKay Laskowski

This video is a shares basic coverage of the HSUS Lamar-Dixon site. It shares explicit coverage of the Winn-Dixie site, and some of the rescuers attitudes and opinions. There is GRAPHIC footage of animals who were left behind and didn’t make it, along with graphic disturbing footage of the St. Bernard Parish school shootings.

This film is in no way complete, but is an excellent glimpse of some of the work that was done in New Orleans. The filming appears to have ended in November. Volume Two should include more about the politics that was prohibiting groups and individuals from saving animals. More about the puppy explosion and continued efforts after November, especially ARNO & Best Friends work in January and February. There was no mention of Muttshack, and the locals who are still there today, or of the local shelter over population and low adoption rate that is current. No mention of the kitten explosion currently happening (April/June 2006) or really anything about the cats, and why cats weren’t really picked up, in the film at all.

I found it personally very interesting to see the comments made by a Winn-Dixie person saying something to the effect of, “Someone should do a survey of how many people lost their jobs because they were doing Animal Rescue.” Yes, but the survey should be broader than that, for many people got divorced, lost businesses, or had to sell major assets because their hearts wouldn’t allow them to leave, or kept calling them to return. I also found the personal follow-ups to be similar in the ARNO group I worked with, where it took many of us about a month of decompressing after our experience to function in the “real world” again. Further more many ARNO/Best Friends people are continuing and expanding their training, planning for the next disaster.

I would recommend anyone interested in the animal rescue efforts in New Orleans view this video, but with the caveat that they be aware, that this is only a glimpse into the whole Gulf animal rescue situation. There were other areas and other smaller groups working in the affected region. And if you are inspired, there are still volunteer opportunities today.

So if you hesitate spending $25, don’t hesitate. Instead of going out to dinner at that restaurant, boil some water and throw some spaghetti in the pot. Be thankful you have electricity and water to do that. Put the dogs out, for the barking on the video may disturb them, and don’t hug them too tightly when the video is over.

TO ORDER THE DVD: http://www.filmbaby.com/product_info.php?products_id=997

Walking the dog - HUMOR

2006-07-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

Walking the Dog
A little girl asked her Mom, "Mom, may I take the dog for a walk around the block?"
Mom replies, "No, because she is in heat."
"What's that mean?" asked the child.
"Go ask your father. I think he's in the garage."
The little girl goes to the garage and says, "Dad, may I take Belle for a walk around the block? I asked Mom, but she said the dog was in heat, and to come to you."
Dad said, "Bring Belle over here."
He took a rag, soaked it with gasoline, and scrubbed the dog's backside with it to disguise the scent, and said "OK, you can go now, but keep Belle on the leash and only go one time round the block.."
The little girl left and returned a few minutes later with no dog on the leash. Surprised, Dad asked, "Where's Belle?"
(YOU'RE GONNA LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!! )

The little girl said, "She ran out of gas about halfway down the block, so another dog is pushing her home

July thoughts...

2006-07-20T00:19:00.000-07:00

It is almost a year after Katrina first hit New Orleans. I never cried when I was down there. There was no time. I just focused on the task at hand. Now I see my photos, my friends photos, and videos, and I hurt deep in my heart. The thing that bites the most is that the devastation is still there today, July 20, 2006. Even though Best Friends pushed the local animal politicians and stayed until the end of February 2006, I know there are some lost souls still out there. My nightmares are about the ones that got away.

On the flipside of things. Animals will now be evacuated with people, and sheltered. The animal rescue community has grown stronger. Here are a few of the great people I worked with. This photo was taken about a month ago while we attended the HSUS conference.

Top two rows from left to right, Peter, Corolla, Brian, Joe, David, Carol, Colleen, Me - Rachel with Josh in the belly, Lynda, Barb (hiding), Al's Son

Down front, Al (holding award from Lousiana Humane Society), Sarah with Trixie.

RV needed!

2006-06-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

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

2006-06-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

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

Pennsylvania Low Cost Spay and Neuter Options

2006-06-20T16:57:00.000-07:00

For those in Pennsylvania...

Low cost spay and neuter clinics:

http://www.animalalliancepa.org/faqs_spay_sign_up.cfm

Vouchers:

http://www.thespayedclub.org

http://www.spayandsave.org

Other options: http://www.animalalliancepa.org/faqs_spay_options.cfm

West Virgina Desperate Situations need help NOW!

2006-06-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

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

2006-06-09T11:48:00.000-07:00

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

2006-06-05T15:26:00.000-07:00

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.

Louisiana State Animal Response Team - Report on Katrina

2006-05-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-05-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-05-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-05-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-05-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-05-24T16:36:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-05-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

…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!

2006-05-16T06:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-05-09T20:06:00.000-07:00

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?

2006-05-07T17:45:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-07T17:34:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-05-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

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).

People who do not Spay and Neuter...Where are their hearts?

2006-04-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

If you know anyone who owns a pet shop, or breeds dogs or cats, please send them this video.

http://www.brightlion.com/inhope.aspx

How could pet shop owners who do not spay and neuter, who get their animals from puppy farms, call themselves animal lovers? How can a person supports these shops, call themselves animal lovers? Ask them if they have ever seen an animal put to sleep because no one wants them?

I welcome comments here, from these people, for I truely don't understand their hearts. -Rachel

HELP... Spay/Neuter 1000 NOLA cats!

2006-04-18T22:34:00.000-07:00

Alley Cat Allies Presents (http://www.alleycat.org/)

The Feline Frenzy

A spay/neuter extravaganza for the stray/feral cats of the Greater New Orleans area!

May 8 – May 21, 2006

Volunteers needed to help reach the goal of 1000!

Volunteer roles include:

· Trapping team leaders (organize groups of trappers with assigned schedules)
· Trappers (trap cats, deliver to clinic, and return to original location – must have vehicle)
· Trap depot coordinators (oversee trap depot where traps and supplies will be signed-out to trappers)
· Volunteer leaders for clinic facilities (oversee volunteers at clinic, following clinic process)
· Assistants at clinic facilities (provide hands-on or admin assistance to clinic staff)

To sign up contact us at nolaalleycat@yahoo.com or 601-749-5084

(Please provide us your name, email address, phone number, area of interest, availability dates)

St. Bernard's Parish Pet Massacre - September 2005

2006-04-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

I saw a lot of things I will hopefully never again see in my life down in New Orelans, and the neighboring parishes. The most disgusting one was that the Sheriff Stephens of St. Bernard's parish, the parish neighboring just to the southeast of New Oreleans ordered his deupty's to shoot pets! I heard it again and again. Different stories with the some outcome in a few different schools. This was not and is not a rumor. I saw dead dogs that had been shot on the streets, and the massacre in the schools is well documented. This was in very early September, not packs of dogs turning feral in the months following! Not that that would be acceptable either. How would you feel if your local authorities shot your dog? - Rachel

For more on the St. Bernard Parish Massacre check out:

http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/KATRINA/DOGSHOOTING/REWARD.htm

Can't believe someone could be that cruel? Watch this video it is not too graphic but you will understand that they think they were being humane... where do they get their ethics?

http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/photography/2005/katrina_video/straydogs.html

But bring a box of tissues and don't let your four footed friend see this!

John Bozes, Senate Hearing Testimonial

Angel Girl’s Story...

From: Willow Lu, willowlu@gmail.com

Good afternoon Senators and citizens.

My name is John Bozes. I am a former resident of the now devastated St.
Bernard Parish, Louisiana and I am here to ask you to pass the Pet
Evacuation Bill so that when there is another disaster, our pets can travel
safely with us to designated shelters and not be left behind to perish
because of lack of proper emergency planning.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed Southeast Louisiana turning
St. Bernard Parish into a waterlogged marshland. A very large percentage of
our residents did not evacuate to shelters outside the parish because we did
not want to leave our pets behind and we were told we could not evacuate
with them.

To give you a brief background of my medical situation at the time, I had
just been released from the hospital and couldn't drive because of my
medical condition. The other occupant of my home, my elderly father, is no
longer licensed to drive. I had been disabled for three months and was
without the income to even fill my vehicle with gasoline, let alone charter
a vehicle to transport my family and pets. Obviously, public transportation
was not a pet-friendly option. Later I came to find that although some
generous gas companies were offering free fuel, this was not widely known
nor broadcast through the media. This was simply not a known alternative
that I was aware of. It seems that this was yet another flaw of the
emergency broadcast system.

My 2 and 1/2 year old black lab, Angel Girl, was a hero who saved the lives
of myself and my family. If she had not woken me from my sleep, my family
would've drowned. The water was over the roof when she led us out the door.

After the levee breach, my father, sister and my nephew's girlfriend were
rescued from the roof of our home in Violet, LA by boat thanks to brave St.
Bernard residents who took us to the school evacuation shelter at St.
Bernard High School. My brother-in-law and nephew stayed behind with four
dogs and eight birds.

That Tuesday night, my brother-in-law, Gene, and his son, Robert
Christopher, along with our family's four dogs: Angel Girl, Bullet, Daisy,
and Honey were transported by boat to PGT Beauregard Middle School. Gene saw
other dogs and cats at that school and thought that was where all the pets
were being safely kept until the water went down. The next day, Wednesday,
St. Bernard Sheriffs Office Deputies ordered everyone to leave the school.
We were forbidden from taking our pets with us. When we asked about our
pets, a St. Bernard Sheriffs Office Deputy assured us "your pets will be
rescued." To ensure their safety, I wrote a note on the wall of the school
pleading for Angel's safekeeping. I wrote "she is a good girl." Others wrote
similar messages, indicating our home addresses and contact information in
the hope that the Deputy's word would be kept and our pets would be
transported to animal rescue authorities.

One week after Hurricane Rita, my sister, Carol, her family, and I were in a
hotel after evacuating again due to Hurricane Rita. I received a phone call
from a dear friend that was searching for Angel advising me to watch the CNN
broadcast news that evening at 10:00 pm. We turned on the TV and witnessed
Anderson Cooper break the story entitled "Dog Killings at Three St. Bernard
Parish Schools." The first room the camera crew entered and filmed was room
203 at PGT Beauregard Middle School. What we observed was beyond
devastating. They camera followed as rescue teams opened the door, showing
the first dog, my sister's husky mix, Bullet. Bullet had not been rescued as
promised. Bullet was dead. In the next room, the camera showed my Angel Girl
and Honey, also shot to death.

The following Saturday, my sister Carol, her husband, Gene Hamm, and myself
drove back to St. Bernard parish for the first time following Katrina. Our
first stop was PGT Beauregard Middle School. When we arrived at the school
we went to the room where Gene was forced our lovable dogs. The sight was
beyond words, beyond understanding, beyond my worst nightmares. When I saw
my beloved Angel lying in a pool of her blood I knelt down beside her and
started crying. I asked out loud "Why did this happen and who did it?!" I
was kneeling in her blood and I was telling her I was sorry that I was
forced to leave her. Carol and Gene were with Bullet and were talking to
him. As we were getting ready to leave the school, I kissed Angel on her
forehead and told her that I was sorry I couldn't rescue her. I still have
nightmares about what happened and I picture this all too often in my head.
I still lay awake at night crying because Angel Girl was all I had.

This bill must be passed so that our pets can be rescued alongside their
human family members and not be sentenced to death unnecessarily by
unprepared law enforcement agents or people who do not like pets nor
understand the family bonds that keep us close to them. Also, the bill will
ensure that well-meaning rescuers will not misplace our pets in other states
where name tags and other important information have gone missing during the
chaos of emergency rescue situations.

Before I close, I would like to call attention to the three empty leashes
that I am carrying today. They represent my family's three dogs that were
killed in St. Bernard Parish. It is for the love of these dogs, for the love
of my family, that I am here today.

Thank for your time. I only hope that this Senate panel, in your wisdom,
will make sure that nobody has to go through what the pet owners of
Louisiana have gone through following a future natural disaster.

Help the Last dogs of Tylertown...

2006-04-17T21:23:00.000-07:00

We are searching for individuals or organizatians that may be able to take one or more of the remaining dogs at Tylertown or still in the hospitals from Hurricane Katrina.

Here is a list of what still needs placed. I can send a picture of any dog upon request.

We have nineteen dogs that are here, some since October that are available through our trainer program. They are all making great progress, some are now living inside and crate trained and are responding well to the extra attention. Some of these dogs have turned in to totally different dogs since being brought inside. Their names are Bo, Niblet, Diamond Jim, Clarence, Deputy, Alex, Man, Spark Plug, Meatball, Shamrock, Reebok, Sheriff, Ballsy, Obed, Vanna, Bunker, Allie, Bruno, Princess and Rascal. Some of these dogs with pictures are also listed on our website. Our program includes coming here and spending time with the dogs and help with expenses.

We also have an older dog that an owner just asked us to take in. It appears to be a border collie mix and is in need of eye surgery. His name is MJ and he is very friendly, but having a hard time trying to figure out why he is here and not in his home anymore. –a vet in Florida just volunteered to take this old guy.

We also have 25 dogs that were left over from Celebration Station….they are….

6-- seven week old puppies that have been in a foster home---I think we have these covered.

2 puppies that are now about 4 months old.

2 adult TVT dogs that just completed their treatments of Vincristine.

Two adult dogs at SAF, Elsie and Dixie they are very attached to each other.

An older cocker spaniel mix, named Dixie, that needs cage rest for at least 4 weeks she just had both rear knees done.

And 12 other very friendly adult dogs that were returned from a shelter that had a poor adoption rate and were unable to place them. We have 5 of these dogs living in a group run together, we have two more of the females living with Man and Heimi and we have a black shepherd mix living inside, three of the 12 dogs are probably under a year old.

If you can in any way help us with just one of these dogs it would be greatly appreciated. We can provide transportation.

We would love to send you pictures of the dogs upon request.

Sherry, Mary, John, McKenzie, Austin & Chuck.
Best Friends Animal Society
Tylertown, MS
601-876-4764

Details about the HSUS Animals in Disaster conference

2006-04-17T21:04:00.001-07:00

More details about the HSUS Animals in Disaster conference are here!

I have highlighted the workshops that I THINK I will be attending. Subject to change of course as I learn more about them, or the moderators! Some I was really split on which one to attend. My intersted is focused in getting Animal Rescue Front.net funded and operational as a training and response team(s) across the county.

http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/national-conference-on-animals-in-disaster-2006/ncad06_schedule.html

National Conference on Animals in Disaster 2006 Conference Schedule

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

8:30-10:00 GENERAL SESSION

Welcoming Remarks by Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO, The Humane

Society of the United States (HSUS)

Highlighted Speakers:

* George Foresman, Under Secretary for Preparedness, US Dept of

Homeland Security

* Bruce Baughman, Director, Alabama State Emergency Management

Agency and President, National Emergency Management Association

* Barbara Childs-Pair, Director, District of Columbia Emergency

Management Agency,

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. BREAKOUTS

Captive Wildlife in Disasters

* Moderator: Richard Farinato, Director, Black Beauty Ranch, The HSUS

* Dan Maloney, Curator, Audubon Zoo in New Orleans

* Brent Whittaker, DVM, Deputy Executive Director for Biological

Programs, National Aquarium in Baltimore

* Mark Lloyd DVM, Wildlife Conservation, Management, and Medicine

Federal Coordination: Where is the Leadership on Animal Issues?

* Moderator: Kevin Dennison, DVM, Colorado State Animal Response Team

* Chester Gipson, DVM, Deputy Administrator for Animal Care,

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA

* Kimothy L. Smith, DVM PhD, Chief Veterinarian, Chief Scientist,

Associate Medical Officer for Operations and Response, Office of the

Chief Medical Officer, Department of Homeland Security

Critical Information: Initial Assessment of Damage and Needs

* Moderator: Laura Bevan, Director, HSUS Southeast Regional Office

* James Watson, DVM, State Veterinarian, Mississippi Board of Animal Health

* Renee Poirrier, DVM, Acadian Veterinary Clinic, Lafayette, LA

12:00-1:30 p.m. LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

1:30-3:00 p.m. BREAKOUTS

Exercise Design: Helping Practice Make Perfect

* Robert Bohlmann, CEM, Director, York County (ME) Emergency

Management Agency

Mutual Aid: Is EMAC the Answer?

* Moderator: Don McGuire, Director, Charles County (MD) Department

of Emergency Services

* Leon Shaifer, Senior Emergency Management Assistance Compact

(EMAC) Advisor, National Emergency Management Association

Veterinary Medical Issues in Disaster

* Moderator: Eric Davis, DVM, Director, HSUS Rural Area Veterinary

Service (RAVS)

* Leo Egar, DVM, HSUS RAVS

* Karen Iovino, DVM, Blue Ridge Veterinary Associates, Deputy Team

Commander, VMAT-2

3:30-5:00 p.m. BREAKOUTS

Emergency Management Directors' Forum

* Moderator: Randy Covey, director, Disaster Services, The HSUS

* Robert Bohlmann, Director, York County (ME) Emergency Management Agency

* Barbara Childs-Pair, Director, District of Columbia Emergency

Management Agency

* Arthur Cleaves, Director, Maine Emergency Management Agency

* Dan McGowan, Administrator, Montana Disaster and Emergency

Services Division

* Donald McGuire, Director, Charles County (MD) Dept of Emergency Services

Organizing a National Veterinary Response

* Moderator: Eric Davis, DVM, Director, HSUS Rural Area Veterinary

Service (RAVS)

* Garry Goemann, DVM, Commander, VMAT-5

* Barry Kellogg, DVM, Deputy Commander, VMAT-1

* Cindy Lovern, DVM, Assistant Director, Scientific Activities,

American Veterinary Medical Association

* William Stokes, DVM, CAPT, U.S. Public Health Service, Chief

Veterinary Officer, USPHS, Director, National Toxicology Program

Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological

Methods, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH,

DHHS - Invited

Compassion Fatigue in Disaster Workers

* Robert Roop, Ph.D., The HSUS, Vice President for Human Resources

Thursday, June 1, 2006

8:30-10:00 a.m. BREAKOUTS

Animal Hoarding: Disasters in the Making

* Moderator: Dave Pauli, Director, HSUS Northern Rockies Regional Office

* James Bias, Executive Director, SPCA of Texas

* Tammy Hawley, Program Coordinator, HSUS Southwest Regional Office

State Level Planning and Response: What Katrina Taught Us

* Moderator: Joanne Bourbeau, Director, HSUS New England Regional Office

* Barbara Legatowicz, Training Coordinator, Massachusetts

Emergency Management Agency

* Paul Williams, DVM, Consequence Management Program Manager,

Georgia Emergency Management Agency

* Others

Resource Management: Got Stuff?

* Moderator: Steve Putnam, Vice President, Business Development, The HSUS

* A. J. Cady, Director, Animals in Crisis and Distress,

International Fund for Animal Welfare

* Barbara Fought, Petsmart Charities

* Rudy Frayre, UPS Professional Services Inc.

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. BREAKOUTS

Avian Influenza and Pandemic Preparedness

* Moderator: Michael Greger, MD, Director, Director of Public

Health and Animal Agriculture in the HSUS Farm Animal Welfare Division

* Tracy S. DuVernoy, DVM, US Department of Agriculture, Animal and

Plane Health Inspections Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services,

Emergency Management

* Patrice N. Klein, VMD, Staff Veterinarian/ Avian Disease

Specialist, USDA/APHIS/Veterinary Services, National Center for Animal

Health Programs

FEMA Support and Cooperation with Voluntary Organizations

* Moderator: Ande Miller, Executive Director, National Voluntary

Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD)

* Craig A Nemitz, CEM, Disaster Services Manager, America's Second Harvest

* Susan Jensen, Voluntary Agency Liaison, Federal Emergency

Management Agency, Region V

Large Animal Issues in Disasters

* Moderator: Rebecca Gimenez, Major, USAR and Primary Instructor,

Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue

* Allan Schwartz, Disaster Responder, HSUS Disaster Services Department

* Others

12:00-1:30 p.m. LUNCHEON

Keynote Speaker:

* W. Ron DeHaven, DVM, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health

Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture

1:30-3:00 p.m. BREAKOUTS

Animal Incident Management Teams

* Moderator: Venaye Reece, DVM, Area Emergency Coordinator, United

States Department of Agriculture

* Fred Bourgeois, DVM, USDA APHIS

* Greg Christy, DVM, Florida Department of Agriculture and

Consumer Services & ESF-17 Coordinator

Planning Disaster Funding for Animal Activities

* Alex Amparo, Director of Emergency Management, Volunteer

Florida, The Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Service

* George Haddow, Adjunct Professor, Institute for Crisis, Disaster

and Risk Management, George Washington University

* Joel Hersch, Executive Director, Pennsylvania State Animal Response Team

Media: A Call to Action?

* Moderator: Diane Webber, Director, HSUS Central States Regional Office

* Renee Bafalis, Media Consultant

* Others invited

3:30-5:00 p.m. BREAKOUTS

NIMS, Resource Typing and Target Capabilities Lists

* Moderator: John B. Copenhaver, President of the Board of

Trustees, Global Partnership for Preparedness

* Eric Sakach, Director, HSUS West Coast Regional Office

* Pat Malak, Office of State and Local Government Community

Preparedness, Department of Homeland Security

* Kyle Blackman, NIMS Integration Center

Pet Friendly Sheltering: When You MUST Take Them With You

* Moderator: Debra Parsons-Drake, Sheltering Manager, HSUS

Disaster Services Department

* Laura Bevan, Director, HSUS Southeast Regional Office

* Jill Lancon, Marion County (FL)

Coordinating Training for Animal Disaster Responders

* Moderator: Randy Covey, director, HSUS Disaster Services

* Kelly Harrington, Director, American Society for the Prevention

of Cruelty to Animals, New York State Disaster Response Services

* Kerri Burns, American Humane

* Kay Mayfield, Director, Emergency Animal Rescue Service, United

Animal Nations

6:00 PM ATTENDEE RECEPTION

Friday, June 2, 2006

8:30-10:00 a.m. BREAKOUTS

Local Initiatives in Animal Disaster Planning and Response

* Moderator: Peggy Keller, Chief of Animal Disease Prevention,

District of Columbia Department of Health

* Lynn Crabb, Associate, Mass Care, American Red Cross

* Susan Keyes, President, Surf City (CA) Animal Response Team

* Becky Rhoades, DVM, Executive Director, Kauai Humane Society

Legislative: Should There Be A Law?

* Moderator: Lauren Silverman, HSUS Government Affairs Department

* Others

Search and Rescue—Getting Federal Cooperation

* Moderator: Jeff Eyre, Director of Disaster Response, The HSUS

* Others

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. BREAKOUTS

International Disaster Response

* Moderator: Kelly O'Meara, Program Manager, Asia and Africa

Humane Society International

* Barbara Callahan, Director of Response Services, International

Bird Rescue Research Center, International Fund for Animal Welfare

* Sherry Grant, Humane Society International, Disaster

Coordinator/ HSI Asia Director

Volunteer Management

* Moderator: Faye Stone, Governor's Office of Volunteers and

Service, North Carolina

* Ben Curran, Voluntary Agency Coordinator, Recovery Division,

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security

* Others

Using Technology in Disaster Response

* Moderator: Beverly Madga, Director, Information Systems &

Technology, The HSUS

* Others

12:00-1:30 p.m. Lunch on Your Own

1:30-4:00 p.m. SPECIAL SESSION

LESSONS LEARNED FROM KATRINA

* Moderator: Randy Covey, Director, Disaster Services, The HSUS

* Representatives from major national organizations that responded

to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

4:00–5:00 p.m. CLOSING RECEPTION

Saturday, June 3, 2006

8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

National Incident Management System (NIMS) Workshop

Satisfies requirements for FEMA course, National Incident Management

System (NIMS): An Introduction (700)

(Separate registration; includes lunch)

Jack, Jake, Jezebelle, Niko, Sophia, Elsie & Dixie

2006-04-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

I just got this from Holly, who is still in New Orleans working down at SAF animals etc. Animal Rescue Front's next transport is full. Can any other group help Holly out? -Rachel

Hi everyone.

Okay, I have a few more pups needing adoption from my rescue life in New Orleans to update you on.

Jack, Jake and Jezebelle. They were recently rescued running in heavy traffic in New Orleans (old enough that they're roaming on their own). They are possible pit terrier/??? mixes and just absolutely gorgeous. They have great personalities and are incredibly calm for puppies. Jack has white in his face. Jake is basically solid golden. Jezebelle has beautiful auburn highlites and long white gloves. They've all been fixed, vaccinated (their first series of shots) and microchipped. They need to go on transport, to a foster home or to a forever home very soon as where they are at can no longer foster.

Additionally, I still have Niko (currently 29lbs) and Sophia (currently 25lbs) who will grow to be between 30-40lbs). They are going on four months old. I also have two incredibly personable young adult females (approx 1-2 years old), Dixie Lou and Elsie Mae , who need to be adopted together as they have bonded incredibly. They are as big as they should get (approx 35-40lbs). They each had a litter of pups and are now sharing time together as best friends. These two lovely ladies each battled distemper and survived without any bouts with apparent neurological issues so yeah!

I'm attaching photos of everyone. If you can post their pix or share with others...or maybe have a temporary foster situation, please let me know as soon as possible.

They will each be adopted at $65 (alter, shots, microchip).

Thanks so much.

Holly

hollyq24@yahoo.com

Sophia

Niko

Jake

Jack

Jezebelle

Elsie

Dixie

Animal Rescue, Post tramatic Stress workshop??

2006-04-12T07:06:00.000-07:00

Given the tremendous response to the letter I sent to fellow rescuers, I am considering creating a more formal forum for people to share the emotional and mental fallout that many are experiencing.

This would be an workshop/retreat of a sort- perhaps occurring over 1-2 evenings or 1 full day. The focus would be on the grief and rage still felt, issues of reintegrating to the world around us, ways to cope, ways to garner support, what to do now, how to get help, how to remain effective and so forth.

The purpose would be multi- fold:
-to provide a safe and contained forum to express feelings
-to offer a sense of closure
-to re-establish our connection to one another
-to re-energize for the work that is ahead and so important to all of us
-to create a memorial for the animals

Some presentations would be more academic in nature (e.g. a speaker or 2 who have published on grief and animals), while others would be meditative or have a healing component using art and journaling exercises as tools. There would also be opportunities to share feelings and coping strategies.

I am considering doing this in DC/Va area while the HSUS conference is taking place, as many of you will already be traveling to this event May 31-June 4, 2006). I myself will not be attending the HSUS conference but would work around the hours of it and its locale. You do not need to be attending the HSUS event to participate.

Please let me know if this would interest you and if you would be willing to cover costs amounting to somewhere between $65 and $95 per person (depending on amount attending, location, speakers, length of program, etc.).

By replying you are not committed to attend. I just need to get some feedback before embarking on such a project. Also, feel free to share thoughts on what would be useful to you and your fellow rescuers.

Please send feedback, questions, and suggestions to
piapia@adelphia.net

Important Note: This is not therapy and should not be considered as such. While some exercises would certainly be ‘therapeutic,’ they are not meant to replace actual therapy or the professional services of a psychologist, psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

I look forward to hearing from you.

In Kinship,
Pia

Pia Salk is a clinical psychologist and co-founded Animal Rescue New Orleans with Jane Garrison and David Meyer.

Some Comfort - Pia Salk

2006-04-08T06:43:00.000-07:00

An offering that might perhaps provide some comfort….

For me, much of the comfort I crave these days comes from my 2 ‘Katrina’ dogs- a term that has come to be like a brand name for the newest, chicest trend in animal welfare.

I am so full of love for these creatures, it is unimaginable. There is Luna, the feral one who was so traumatized upon her arrival at Lamar Dixon I had never seen such a site- her eyes filled with puss, deemed aggressive for snapping at the catchpole and essentially doomed because of her spirit to live. And there is Sweetie, the little skeleton pit bull my friend Megan and I had rescued from a porch in the Upper 9th ward. Upon her rescue, she crawled right passed the food we put out for her and into my lap. She was starving when we found her but craved human touch and comfort more than the food. She just sat still in my lap with her face pressed up against mine for the longest time. It was on a day that we were not supposed to bring animals back to LD because they were full and would only take criticals. This was critical in our book.

As for Luna, she has transformed me. The moment I set eyes on her a switch flipped and I silently conveyed to her that I had her covered. In the days at Lamar Dixon, I would often sneak off to sit with her and try to get her eating from my hand- my only real respite in the time spent there.

After I jumped through the bureaucratic hoops and got her cage tagged for adoption I felt relieved, only to I turn around one day and find she had been loaded on a transport to a public shelter in Iowa. I was livid and that was the first moment in my initial weeks there that I said, ‘no more, I can’t do it anymore.’ But, like so many of you, I found a way and kept on with the work. I frantically contacted the shelter in Iowa and was able to have her shipped to me in LA when I returned. I set her up in her own room where she would not leave her crate while I was around for over 3 months. She would eat out of my hand occasionally but that was it. If she heard a sudden noise she would literally try to climb the walls like a wild animal as if attempting to escape for her life. My vet and others confirmed that she was feral and they were dubious about her ability to become less fearful. I was torn about how best to care for her. I would fill the room with the smell of lavender, as it’s supposed to be calming. I bought a CD with calming music specifically for animals and I would sometimes nap on the floor by her crate to convey some sense that I would be vulnerable near her and she could trust me. I became a flower child momentarily.

There seemed to be little change as the time passed, but I then began to notice the subtle things- like her tail was now strait down and not between her legs. Her ears were different- they seemed to square off her little Labrador head and not be angled downward. And I’ll never forget seeing her sleep deeply for the first time- that really got me. I sobbed quietly as I witnessed her get what was likely the first restful, deep sleep she may have ever had. And to think she allowed herself to let go enough to do so in my presence.

So I became grateful for the little changes and I let her know that whatever she did was OK. A few months after having Luna, Sweetie, the pit bull was now joining us.
She was transported to me from my new friend Adrianne’s care. Adrianne had taken her from Lamar Dixon with a lot of other special needs pups. I couldn’t get her off of my mind so I called to adopt her. She was driven across country by the help of 2 people I had never met who answered the call and another friend who had wanted so to help but had not been able to go to N.O. herself. I feel much gratitude towards all of them!

When she arrived she was a playful bundle of love. She came complete with heartworm, home crafted clipped ears and what looked like the udders of a cow- the result of many litters. Sweetie and I would roll and play as Luna watched quietly from her crate- which I had now opened so it was only a ½ crate she would sit in. I watched her, wondering what she thought of this- and then it was almost as if the switch now flipped in her. Her tail began to wag for about a second at a time. I sent word out to all of my friends- alerting them to this news! I was ecstatic! The emails I had been sending were typically one liners- “Luna ate from my hand today,” “Luna took a nap in front of me.” Now they were, “Luna wagged her tail today!!!!!,” “Luna licked my hand,” “Luna jumped on to the couch with me!!!!” It was thrilling.

This was a dog who, likely never been touched by a human hand prior to Katrina and so traumatized by her capture, had decided to step outside of what she knew- to take a huge risk and to trust me. What a gift! And one that I thank her for each day. She taught me so much- patience- acceptance- true kinship. I had surrendered to her- deciding I would likely never really get to pet her or kiss her little black muzzle. I accepted that we would live together in kinship- not needing anything from each other. Just sharing space and an occasional glance. But as I accepted this, she gave me so much more- a miracle of sorts.

Now she runs and plays and rolls over so I can bury my face in her tummy. She licks my face and wags her whole body. We take naps on the couch either spooning each other or fully entwined with Sweetie, and all with our faces pressed up against each other. I look at these guys when they are sleeping and wonder what they went through- what they saw- how they felt- and I am thankful that they are here with me now- and safe. The love I feel for them is so very pure -and I share this with you all simply because I want to share something with you- something that might uplift you for a moment. Something that speaks to the kinship we need to cultivate with each other- a kinship born of pure love and respect- the kind of love that needs nothing in return.

It is one of you who rescued Luna. I may have met you, I may not have. It need not matter as we each play a roll in this collective. But I deeply thank you for the role you have chosen and I re-commit to mine.

In Kinship,
Pia

Thanks to Fellow Rescuers - Pia Salk

2006-04-08T06:40:00.001-07:00

A letter of thanks to my fellow rescuers….

It is March 31, 2006- 7 months and 2 days after hurricane Katrina hit. Just today I have spoken separately to 6 volunteers who I met down in Louisiana who have now come to be good friends. We chatted, exchanged emails about rescue workshops to attend and just shared that thing that we each need so to share right now- that which it seems no one other than those who witnessed the fallout from this awful tragedy can share. It’s hard to explain. One fellow rescuer stated that she had wished there had been some sort of exit process for volunteers to help them deal with the thoughts, feelings, images that they were now left with. I agreed and it has been something I have thought about many times- often thinking that, as a trained clinical psychologist who is supposed to know how to offer comfort in such a case, I should do something.

As I think of the clinical side of all this- that many among us are suffering from signs of Post Traumatic Stress symptoms. That many of us are likely to meet the criteria for diagnoses of Bereavement, Adjustment Disorder, or a situational Depression- I can’t help but hear- “blah blah blah”- I do not mean to make light or dismiss anything here- I am just potently aware that what I have studied in textbooks for years surrounds me and is real and felt and not a part of academia. It is part of life. It is part of myself and of the people I have come to know and love through this. And it is life itself. These symptoms, these feelings of despair- they are life itself. They are very real reactions to real events. And they need to be tended to as such. And while I absolutely encourage those among us whom are having prolonged difficulties functioning or feeling suicidal to seek professional help- to share these feelings with others- I also want to acknowledge that many of these feelings are to be expected. I, a psychologist myself, have cried many tears about this in my own therapists’ office and she has cried with me. Some might see this as strange or somehow unprofessional but I do not. I am quick to say that no one understands unless they were there. But there are many who do. What they share may not be an understanding of what we witnessed and the depth of the pain that has resulted from this- but they share an understanding of the injustice and a belief that these animals deserved so much more. They love their own animals and are thankful for what we did to help. While it is likely you will find more solace with those who also took direct action in this effort, try to remain open to the comfort offered by those offering it. And seek it out- personally, professionally- do not isolate your self from connection. Connection is what got us involved- whether it was connection to a friend who was going to the region, connection to your own animal- whatever it was, it was about connection and kinship. That is what motivated us to take action and it is that spirit that we must rekindle as we struggle now.

So, my friend’s words motivated me to write tonight. I feel a profound kinship with my fellow rescuers, one that has tears streaming down my face as I write to all of you- those who I have met and those who I have not. I feel a deep love and appreciation for each and every one of you. You, the person who took a stand for the animals- you, the person who took the time, made the sacrifice and by so doing defined who you are. Some of you helped from afar- reuniting animals, helping those on the ground navigate, sending out alerts and so much more. Others of you helped at Lamar Dixon, Winn Dixie, Tyler Town, Pasado, Waveland or the like- cleaning stalls, alerting vets to those who needed immediate care- sitting with and stroking a scared dog covered in mange with no concern for what you might catch. You were the eyes, ears and voice for the animals. Others of you were breaking down doors and fiercely searching for that stranded little creature who might now be too weak to call out. Others of you set traps and returned time and again to get every last puppy or the bonded mate of the creature you were sent to trap.

I have a quote on my ‘fridge that reads, “You are not truly alive until you have found something that you are willing to die for.” (Martin Luther King). Well, for so many of us this was that ‘something.’

You are my heroes- each and every one of you – and while I feel so alone in many ways- embedded in a world that does little to understand, help and honor our fellow creatures – a world that sees Katrina as the distant past- I also feel a kinship with all of you and I am so honored to have been a part of this effort with you.

We live in a constructed reality, where animals are considered below us in some silly hierarchical order and where deep feelings are often pathologized and dismissed. What we witnessed in the gulf coast was truly tragic. We arrived ready to help and get dirty but found little order or direction. This left us feeling even more helpless and confused. There was no formula, no real plan and what was most disturbing was that there was no real sense of urgency among those running the show. We looked for guidance but once we realized that we needed no ones permission to do what was right and urgently needed, we quickly mobilized and drew on both internal resources and each other to get to work.

Our adrenaline helped get us through. But now is a different story. There is no adrenaline driving us to get that injured kitten out from under a house, or that snarling pit out from the drainpipe of a canal. There are no ‘authorities’ we have to get past as we try to enter a restricted parish, or curfews we need to be concerned with as the day closes on a rescue we have been working on for hours. Now it is just each of us back home attending to our daily lives. And it is hard. I know for me the sadness and the rage is just below the surface and I carry it with me each day. I feel a sense of pride on some days and tremendous guilt that I did not do enough on others. It is an emotional roller coaster- but one on which I know I have many other co-travelers riding along in my roller car. I am plagued by images of certain animals that got away, that I left behind, that I pray were somehow saved. I will not recount any specifics here as we each have our own versions of this and need not add more to the mix.

But for all of this, regardless of how much time we spent there, or if we even got there at all because we were instead assisting from afar, it was hard and in some ways, it is now even harder to tolerate. We heard stories, we saw images, and we faced obstacles that we will never forget. For some this was more of the despair we have come to know regarding the worlds treatment of animals. For others this was new and an awakening of a sort. One woman recently said to me that she was never an ‘animal person’ but as she saw the heart wrenching images on TV, she had to go help- and that she has now found her calling. I am not surprised.

As we each try to reintegrate ourselves into our normal lives we face much despair. The despair comes in many forms- rage for what we saw, for how it was handled, for how it continues to be handled- rage at the people who left their animals or the people who forced them to do so- rage at the injustice of it all-that’s what gets me. And then we also feel deep sadness and compassion- compassion for the same people who had to leave their animals- imagining what it would be like- what we would do- and compassion for the animals who perished- the ones who suffered so- whose suffering we could see live or could only imagine given the signs left by their lifeless little bodies. Oh to turn back the clock is what we thought- How?! Why?! This cannot be! And the feelings are too much to bear.

There seems no consolation- nothing that we can convince ourselves of to make the pain go away. And I offer none here. In the years of academic training I have endured on this sort of matter, I can offer no remedy, no potion, no salve. It is something we must simply sit with and allow its due place in the space of our emotional lives. It is something that is now within us and has come to define each of us. And it will motivate us all the more then next time around. For many it is fueling efforts at reform, continued work at reunification, spurring ideas for new rescue groups that will help in the future. It is organic and real and living itself out in these ways. The only comfort I can attempt to offer or suggest comes in the form of kinship and in the form of action.

With regard to kinship, I’m thinking of that sort of Eastern Zen concept that as a Jew from NYC, I have little experience with, but I have come to discover that there is something to it. It is the feeling of kinship with others who share this plight. And kinship with the animals- the lovely creatures- some so fierce they evaded capture, others so weak they simply collapsed in our arms. And the ones with whom we share our homes and who live in our local communities-the ones who need us every day.

And as for action, my second suggestion for comfort -continue to take action in your daily lives. I know we are all tired and we must replenish ourselves and rest for sure. But action can play a role in this. The injustices we saw in the gulf coast and the actions we can take to oppose them are not limited to the fall of 2005 in that geographical region. They span the spectrum from rubbing the belly of the pound pup in our home, to writing letters on matters of injustice, to modeling a compassionate life style that others can draw inspiration from and replicate. For me personally I try to draw the connection for people between the social injustices enacted upon animals and those from which marginalized people have suffered. It is one and the same- all resulting from the misuse of power.

We were all a part of..well no.. we comprised, the largest animal rescue of all time and now it is us who need rescue. All that we knew before, the priorities of daily life evade our attention as we search for some comfort and a sense of where to file this massive experience. At times I get this strange sense that the animals who perished have our backs on this- that they are watching from afar and will assure that we will be all right. We must stay connected to them and to each other. And let this be the impetus to think outside of the box- to shake things up for the sake of the animals, for ourselves and for the future of social justice. As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of concerned committed citizens can change the world.” We are those concerned ‘citizens’ and we must applaud ourselves and each other.

I applaud you. I give you a standing ovation. You are my kind of people. The people who know what is right and what is important- the people who take action- who are not afraid to get dirty- physically or emotionally. You feel deeply- it is what defines you. You are extraordinary and deserve the comfort that you so crave. Take a moment to close your eyes and ‘summon’ the animals who passed on- those who perished in Katrina or those who shared your life in other ways and have now passed on. Connect with them as a collective force of compassion and love that is accessible to you- that is part of you- sounds hokey but I find this helpful. Find ways to access comfort and share those ways with others.

I have great love and appreciation for each and every one of you and am proud to have you as kin.

Sincerely,
Pia

(Pia Salk is Co-founder of Animal Rescue New Orleans but began her work in the gulf coast as one of the many volunteers who just got on a plane and showed up despite rumors that she was not needed or that she might not be allowed admission to Lamar Dixon)

Thanks to Fellow Rescuers

2006-04-08T06:40:00.000-07:00

Cyclone Larry, Cyclone Glenda, some to hit the NE US...

2006-04-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from Animal Disaster News - Eric Rice's new page with information about Cyclone Larry.
http://www.animaldisasternews.com/

"There are 200,000 people eating over cooking fires with people whose houses were not destroyed pitching in food. They have not heard from some of the areas yet. Mission Beach and other beaches in farther out area are reported to be leveled and look just like the beaches we saw after the Tsunami. The entire area affected is 400 miles. They also have little contact with the farming areas who she says all have farm dogs and cats and some livestock. These areas can't even be reached.

She is getting reports that people have their animals tied near homes that were destroyed. The military is pushing people to go to the shelters BUT they have no plans for animals. She has already had calls from people begging her to take animals so they can go to the shelter themselves. She doesn't at all think things are under control. She thinks that they are unprepared for animals that the outside world may never hear of animal problems in this. Her opinion is that it is going to snowball into a major problem and that very few of the people who need help with actually get it or even come forward."

Cyclone Glenda -
Please google for the most currnet information, for there isn't much out there yet. Other than it was as strong as Larry.

Major Hurricane Threat Seen for Northeast U.S., Experts Warn
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/03/0328_060328_hurricane.html

Animal Shelter Bill - Cross post, act and share!

2006-03-29T17:49:00.000-08:00

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

2006-03-26T12:22:00.000-08:00

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

2006-03-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

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?

2006-03-15T07:30:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-03-12T18:12:00.000-08:00

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

2006-03-12T18:00:00.000-08:00

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

2006-03-12T17:55:00.000-08:00

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

2006-03-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

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?

2006-03-05T17:48:00.000-08:00

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

2006-03-03T08:10:00.000-08:00

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!

Heatworm treatment for Hurricane Dogs

2006-02-28T15:14:00.000-08:00

Hurricane Heartworm treatment

http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/root/heartworm_detail.htm

VIDEO - St. Bernard Sereant shooting dogs

2006-02-28T15:05:00.001-08:00

VIDEO - Former St. Bernard Sergeant Mike Minton shooting dogs in the streets of post-Katrina New Orleans

http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/photography/2005/katrina_video/straydogs.html

WANTED - TAMMY & WILLIAM HANSON

2006-02-26T23:14:00.000-08:00

WANTED

Pet Hoarders, Tammy Hanson, 38, and her husband, William Hanson, 41, owners of Every Dog Needs A Home (EDNAH) in Gamaliel, Arkansas did not show for their court appears and appear to be on the run!

If you see them contact:

John Montgomery
Baxter County Sheriff
904 Hwy 62 S.W.
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-6222 or (870) 425-7551

Email : bcso@centurytel.net

http://www.baxtercountysheriff.com/

Photos of the EDNAH "Sancutary.

http://www.mhpets.com/hanson/

Articles about the Hansons....

http://www.inhumane.org/Alerts/EDNAH-Hanson%20Dogs%20need%20help.htm

http://www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060114/NEWS01/601140318/1002

http://www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060224/NEWS01/602240317&SearchID=73236768935765

http://www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060222/NEWS01/602220324&SearchID=73236769095676

http://www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060224/NEWS01/602240310&SearchID=73236769005545

Pet Photo Contest! Something Fun!

2006-02-24T06:48:00.000-08:00

Sumbit! Submit! Submit!

"Eve the cat was abandoned at a shelter as a five-month-old kitten. Now that she's a member of the Thompson family, she wanted to do something to help other animals who are waiting for their forever homes.

So, she and Vicki decided to do a fundraiser. For every photo that is entered in Eve's photo contest, Vicki will donate $1 to animal rescue. Half the proceeds will go to support the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, which gave Eve her second chance at life, and the other half will go to Best Friends Animal Society, the largest no-kill sanctuary in the United States."

See the webpage for full details and rules:

http://www.vickilewisthompson.com/evephotocontest.html

Foster expenses paid!

2006-02-23T17:40:00.000-08:00

http://network.bestfriends.org/News/1683.html

Best Friends Hurricane Relief
Can We Help You Help Them?

February 22, 2006 : 12:00 AM

Saving the Dogs of Hurricane Katrina

We’re now in the closing stages of the Best Friends rescue operation in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast.

SO FAR: About 4,000 rescued, hundreds reunited with their families, most of the rest in foster/adoption homes or in the care of humane groups around the country. This past weekend, we held a Best Friends Super Adoption in New Orleans, including homeless pets from humane groups and animal control shelters throughout the region. Over 100 dogs and cats were adopted into good homes.

STILL TO GO: There remain about 60 dogs who need special care. And we’re turning to you – the nation’s top trainers and rescue groups – for help.

Mostly, these are dogs who need help with social skills before they can be placed into the average family home. They are healthy and, in the right hands, good-natured. We will not allow them to be killed simply because there are too many of them and because people may be afraid of them. That would violate our basic no-kill philosophy.

So we’re asking any and all of you who have the appropriate expertise to join with us in saving them, working with them, and preparing them for good permanent homes.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: All of you who work with special needs dogs are the special forces of animal rescue. These dogs, who suffered most dreadfully in the wake of the hurricane, need your help most urgently.

(Frankly, for some of them, from what we’ve seen, the hurricane was even a blessing in disguise, in that it freed them from an already abusive situation.)

We know that caring for them and giving them the training they need will take time and expense, so here’s our proposal:

THE PLAN

1. Come down to the Best Friends rescue center at Tylertown, outside of New Orleans. Best Friends will pay for your travel and accommodation.

2. We’ll introduce you to the dogs, help you select one or more whom you feel you can work with, and send them back with you. For groups taking five or more dogs, we’ll provide the additional transport.

3. Once they’re in your care, we’ll provide $1,000 per dog upfront to cover any medical costs or other special care needs. After that, we’ll cover any continuing medical costs up until the time of their adoption.

4. We’ll also showcase the great work you’re doing – on the Best Friends website, by getting word out across the Internet and through local or national media wherever possible and appropriate. We want the world to know about the work you’re doing for these much maligned dogs.

We know that with good, patient care, these dogs can be saved. Many can be placed in good homes. And the idea of them being destroyed is just unimaginable – not after all they’ve been through and after all the work that heroic volunteers have put into rescuing and caring for them. So, if you are an experienced dog handler who knows that firm direction, love and kindness can turn a dog around, please go to the Adoption tab to help.

THE WASHINGTON PITS: One more thing. A couple of months ago, Best Friends was involved in another rescue situation when we were approached by the sheriff of Washington County, Utah, who had taken in 51 pit bulls and was looking for an alternative to destroying them. We couldn’t add these to the growing numbers here at the sanctuary and at our Gulf Coast rescue centers, but we were, and still are, able to help in other ways. Most of these dogs have already been placed into rescue or permanent homes, but 13 are still being boarded in Las Vegas and are at risk.

We are making the same offer for these remaining 13 dogs in need. For any qualified trainer or other expert or rescue group who can take in any of these dogs and give them the care they need, we’ll provide the same transport and funding for medical care, and we’ll work with you to showcase the great work you’re doing.

AND SPEAKING OF SHOWCASING . . .

There is, of course, the much bigger issue of pit bulls nationwide. More and more, these basically good-natured dogs are being subjected to breed discrimination that does nothing to get at the underlying problems of animal abuse and neglect.

These dogs are not the aggressors; they are the victims. And if, between us all, we show what can be done for a much-publicized collection of them, we’ll be playing a critical role in turning things around for these innocent creatures.

Please go to to the Adoptions Tab to help.

Celebration Station Trapper Update

2006-02-22T17:34:00.000-08:00

Barb is on her way home. She reports that Don and she and Carol, pulled 6 dogs out of the lower ninth ward, after I left. One being a huge German shepherd. The shepherd had mange really bad. She was about half of her normal weight. She should have been around 120 lbs and weighted around 60lbs. She was very heartworm positive. Don has named her "Chance" and may be adopting her.

Puxley and puxleys mom, Precious are on there way home to Nebraska with Barb. Precious had been adopted out, but apparently she urinated in the new family's house, so she was returned. Barb just had to take her when she heard this. If you were alone in the wild jungle of flooded New Orleans for five months, fending for yourself, and then for a litter of puppies, you have the right to take a little time getting used to the indoor life again. When Barb brought the two dogs in one carrier on the plane, Precious, weighted 11 lbs, unoffically. Officially Continental Airlines bent the rules a little and she turned up weighting 9-1/2 lbs. THANK YOU Continental! Luckily both Puxley and Precious, formerly named PeeWee, both turned up heartworm negative. Precious needs to gain a little weight though. Her hip and back bone is perturding, so I am sure Barb will fatten her up right away. Precious spent her last night at Celebration Station curled up, first on the bunk of Carol Guzy, and then cuddled the rest of the night with Barb.

For those of you who know some of the trappers: Corolla, I understand she is heading home today. Don may be working for St. Francis Sanctuary. Al & Zoey are down at the ARNO site, but may end up working for St. Francis Sanctuary also. David and Craig are still around, but probably leaving soon. Sarah has plans to leave at the end of the month.

Randy Wheat's New Orleans Animal Rescue Video

2006-02-22T13:43:00.000-08:00

Thank You, Randy Wheat of http://www.nopitbullban.com/ and http://www.cosanostrafilms.com/

for this wonderful touching video!

Click here to see the video!

NOLA Levee system

2006-02-22T09:29:00.000-08:00

CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW!

I found this great JPG of the Levee system at http://www.nola.com/hurricane/popup/nolalevees_jpg.html

American Society of Civil Engineers Progress Report

2006-02-22T08:50:00.001-08:00

Panel Satisfied with Progress of Corps' New Orleans Levee Performance Assesment

Organizational and System Issues Need 'Urgent Attention'

While expressing overall satisfaction with the work product and progress made to date by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' investigation, performed by the Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force (IPET), a report issued today by the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) External Review Panel (ERP) identifies four key areas that require urgent additional attention.

http://www.asce.org/files/pdf/ERPLetter.pdf

Transport coming NorthEast - Animal Rescue Front

2006-02-20T04:41:00.000-08:00

I am actively working with Animal Rescue Front in whatever way I can from my home. Right now I am working on updating the webpage, while Chris prepares to fly back down to Mississippi to arrange another transport out of the overcrowded animal Shelters there. My former Dogbuster, Kristen Johnson and her husband will be driving the vehicle north this coming weekend. Please check out animalrescuefront.net for details. On this transport I expect I may have a special delivery of three beagle puppies around 12 weeks old. These little guys will need homes. Email me if you have interest in any of them. (griffinsgallery@mac.com) Also check out my next post for another dog that needs a home before he can hitch a ride on the transport.

March 14-19th - What to Bring

2006-02-19T00:49:00.000-08:00

Walking to New Orleans, Vet March (with our four footed friends.)

Logistical Information

WHAT TO BRING TO THE MARCH AND RALLY

The Gulf Coast is still devastated. That's one reason we are marching: to draw the attention of this country to the crying needs of the region that are being neglected while our government wages a billion-dollar-a-week war. There will not be the great metropolitan technical life-support system to which we are accustomed. What exists there now is inadequate for the needs of those who live there.

One reason we are doing the march the way we are doing it -- self-sufficient and even a bit austere -- is because we are demonstrating that we can use the experiences, skills, and mental toughness we learned in the military community for the purpose of justice, not war. In some of our descriptions of this pilgrimmage we have called ourselves "a justice army marching into the heart of a great injustice." We mean that. Just as Malclom X served notice on the establishment with a disciplined display of collective unity in front of a police station holding a beaten brother, we are serving notice that we will stop this war and ensure justice in the Gulf Coast, no matter what.

In the same way that the Freedom Riders of the Civil Rights struggle set the example for the rest of the nation by making sacrifices and enduring hardships which boosted that struggle to a higher level of commitment, we have the opportunity to set that example now.

We will make arrangements for other-abled participants on a case-by-case basis, as well as children. No one will be left behind. But we ask that those who can participate with only the basic necessities for five days, do so. This applies to those who make the trip to New Orleans for the rally, too. Be prepared to "squat" and camp. Bring your own tents, and your own food and water. This will not be a hotel trip. Some home stays will be coordinated along the route.

In addition to bringing your own food when you have the ability (no one will go hungry), we encourge all to bring a 20-, 30-, or 4o-pound donation of non-perishable food to be handed out from a distribution point at the March 19th rally.

Here is a suggested packing list:

---Marchers---

Two bags, maximum. One kit bag or small suitcase, and one pack/rucksack (one day pack may be packed inside rucksack to carry small quantitites while walking)
Toiletries (avoid scented soaps and other manufactured fragrances -- they attract insects)

Small first aid kit (antiseptic, band-aides, moleskin, sewing needle [for blisters], Benadryl (over the counter, for allergies, itching, insomnia, nausea), and aspirin (or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, like Ibuprofen, for pain, inflammation or fever)

Six sets of non-cotton socks (Cotton holds sweat, causing blisters -- Nylon-wool blends, polypro, Thor-lo, and others are good -- Thin Polypro liners under thick outer socks are very good to prevent blisters -- also aluminum-based anti-perspirants applied to the feet and ankles every day one week prior and throughout the march will prevent sweating which causes blisters)

Six sets of comfortable clothes (weather from 55-90 degrees F)

Light jacket
Rain jacket or poncho
Boots
Sneakers
Shower shoes (flip-flops)
Lightweight, non-perishable food
Canteen or water bottle
Small sewing kit
Lighter or waterproof matches
Small pocket knife
Tent, or lean-to with mosquito bar
Ground mat or air mattress
Bivvy-sack, poncho liner, or light sleeping bag
5 small trash bags
Telephone and battery charger (we will set up a recharging console with the generator)
Extra glasses (if you wear them)
Sunglasses
Cap with bill or brim
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Nail clippers
20-feet of string or cord
Two cheap keychain carabiners
Small flashlight or headlamp
Toilet paper with plastic waterproof bag
Notebook and pencils (with waterproof bag)
Camera (optional)
Medical alert tags (if you have them)
Any medications you take (waterproofed)
Musical instruments, if you want to make music at night

---Rally-ers---

Same list, but with clothes for two-three days.

Katrina Dogs Marching - March 14-19th

2006-02-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

ARF - ARF - Are your ears burning? I have been talking about you. My name is Bert. I evacuated from New Orleans with nine other dogs and two wonderful humans in a small pickup truck. Please join me on March 14 -19th joining the Vet Gulf March, on a march from Mobile, AL to New Orleans, LA. For more details humans might need to know see, http://www.vetgulfmarch.org

Every dog has a story, please send me yours along with a photo if possible, and I will have my new mom post it on her website. Please register on the VetGulfMarch.org site and for the affiliated organization write, Animal Rescue Front.

Please also note if you are able to attend the march, and for what time period, so we can know what to expect. Thank you. Updated information will be posted on her blog at http://www.dogbusters.blogspot.com and at http://www.animalrescuefront.net

Please cross post, and please also email Rachel with any ideas you may have! griffinsgallery@mac.com

BERT

March 14-19th Survior March

2006-02-18T07:30:00.000-08:00

I just called Paul, and spoke to him about our four footed surviors! He was very positive about the idea, and wants to adopt one himself! This March is not exclusive, anyone can join in, unlike the email that is going around. But if you feel more comfortable, you certainly can adopt a Katrina Survior to go along! So I am going to spread the word to the doggie world, please help me do so and I will post more updates here about the plans for our four footed friends. -Rachel

Latest News

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=5881
February 16th, 2006 9:10 pm
WAR VETS AND STORM SURVIVORS PLAN EPIC MARCH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
C/o VFP * 216 South Meramec Ave. * St. Louis, MO * 63105 *
www.vetgulfmarch.org

WAR VETS AND STORM SURVIVORS PLAN EPIC MARCH

February 13, 2006 – Veterans For Peace, the turbulent new Iraq Veterans Against the War, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, and Gold Star Families for Peace – all national organizations demanding a US withdrawal from Iraq – will march with hurricane survivors, beginning March 14, 2006, from the historic Stone Street Baptist Church in Mobile for five days, through three states down coastal Highway 90, and arrive in New Orleans on March 19, the third anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. They are demanding not only an end to the Iraq war, but a large increase in resources to the Gulf Coast, with those resources being placed under “democratic control by the actual survivors, along with an unconditional ‘right of return’.”

“If we can build cities in the desert to wage war on foreigners, why can’t we rebuild the cities of the Gulf Coast for justice?” asks Paul Robinson, president of the Mobile, Alabama Chapter (#130) of Veterans For Peace. For months now, since Hurricane Katrina devastated the coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, Robinson has been heavily involved in relief and reconstruction efforts, with little response from the federal government. So Robinson put out a call for national antiwar organizations to come to the Gulf Coast to “make the connection between a $2 trillion war and the negligence of the same administration in addressing the needs of disaster victims.”

“Dr. King once said that every bomb dropped over Vietnam explodes in Harlem,” says Vivian Felts, director of the Mobile-based hurricane relief organization Saving Ourselves (SOS). “We are saying that every bomb released over Iraq is exploding from Mobile to New Orleans. And that’s where we will walk.”

On February 2, 2006, the Bush administration indicated it would ask Congress for an additional $120 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but only $18 billion for hurricane relief. This request came on the heels of a respected report from Columbia University economist Joseph E. Stiglitz (former chief economist of the World Bank) and Harvard lecturer Linda Bilmes that estimated the ultimate cost of the Iraq war would be in excess of $2 trillion. At the same time, all recent polls show that the majority of Americans now want the US to withdraw from Iraq.

The “Walkin’ to New Orleans” coalition that is planning the five-day march, which will be exclusively veterans, military families, and hurricane survivors, estimates that over 100 people will walk the entire march, with hundreds more from surrounding communities walking sections of it. They have even set up a web site explaining “the connection to spending on an illegal war and the destruction of social services and disaster relief at home,” at www.vetgulfmarch.org.

“There are two simultaneous crimes being committed here,” says Dave Cline, president of national Veterans For Peace, “and we’re going to highlight the single perpetrator.”

Contact: Paul Robinson, 251-604-1837 or Virginia Rodino, 443-996-5915.
###
C/o VFP * 216 South Meramec Ave. * St. Louis, MO * 63105 *
www.vetgulfmarch.org

As Best Friends shuts down...

2006-02-16T09:27:00.000-08:00

Rumor is that ARNO plans to continue trapping, but there is no place to take the dogs or cats. Shelters are full. Shelters in the Gulf region are forced to kill daily.
Are there any shelters out there who can care for and adopt out Katrina animals?

Waveland, Mississippi, Animal Shelter Under Investigation

2006-02-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?s=4445842

The Waveland Animal Shelter is under investigation. The advocacy group "In Defense of Animals" out of Grenada is looking into allegations of alleged animal abuse at the facility.

The group's chief investigator made a surprise visit to the Waveland Animal Shelter to investigate complaints that dogs and cats here are being neglected. The group says one dog with a head injury and another one with a serious hip injury have spent days at the Waveland Animal Shelter without medical care.

"How many days have these dogs and cats been here that need to go to the vet? Why didn't you have somebody take it to the vet before now?" asked Chief Investigator Doll Stanley.

The shelter director didn't have an answer.

"If it got tended to right away, then if there is an infection or something it wouldn't be as big of a problem. Do you mind if I take a look at them?" Stanley asked.

"Yes, but I want this shut off," Shelter Director Renee Lick said, pointing to our cameras. "And I want to call my supervisors cause you're getting the media involved."

Lick didn't want to be videotaped, ironically, because she says part of her job is to investigate animal cruelty cases in the community.

Doll Stanley also has concerns about clerical issues at the shelter.

"When you put them in a cage, do you not document right away that they came in that morning? When I first came, you had 36 animals and you guys thought there were 18. If somebody calls right now, you don't even know where these animals came from to tell the person. You know what I'm saying? It makes it difficult for reuniting, which is one of the purposes of the shelter," Stanley said.

Lick admits after the storm some of the paperwork was put on the back burner.

"Trying to get things straight, trying to get it back organized, trying to get the shelter back to running like we were before. Not making excuses, my personal life, trying to get my life straight, plus trying to work with this. Things are settling down to where we can get back organized and get back to the way we were."

In Defense of Animals launched its investigation after receiving nine letters from volunteers who worked at the shelter right after the storm.

"From what I gather from their letters, they were just appalled and felt like the staff was playing cards and smoking, leaving early and stuff," Stanley said.

"It's stopped, it's stopped. We've got work to do," Lick said.

Lick took her first step to get things back on track at the Waveland Animal Shelter by calling in a vet to care for the injured animals.

State laws give In Defense of Animals the authority to shutdown shelters not properly caring for animals. However, the investigator says she things the problems at the Waveland shelter can be corrected.

by Al Showers

An Animal Rescuer by Anonymous

2006-02-13T04:15:00.000-08:00

I am an Animal Rescuer
My job is to assist God's creatures
I was born with the drive to fulfill their needs
I take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures without planning or
selection
I have bought dog food with my last dime
I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand
I have hugged someone vicious and afraid
I have fallen in love a thousand times
And I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body too many times to count
I have animal friends and friends who have animal friends
I don't often use the word "pet"
I notice those lost at the road side
And my heart aches
I will hand raise a field mouse
And make friends with a vulture
I know of no creature unworthy of my time
I want to live forever if there aren't animals in Heaven
But I believe there are
Why would God make something so perfect and leave it behind
Some may think we are master of the animals
But the animals have mastered themselves
Something people still haven't learned
War and abuse make me hurt for the world
But a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind
We are a quiet but determined army
And we are making a difference every day
There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan
Nothing more rewarding than saving a life
No higher recognition than watching them thrive
There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play
who only days ago, was too weak to eat
By the love of those who I've been privileged to rescue
I have been rescued
I know what true unconditional love really is
for I've seen it shining in the eyes of so many
Grateful for so little
I am an Animal Rescuer
My work is never done
My home is never quiet
My wallet is always empty
But my heart is always full

Blessed, like many we have rescued!

2006-02-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

Some of you may have noticed that I have stopped posting stories. That is because I decided it was best that I leave New Orleans. There isn't much that would have made me leave early, but sometimes life surprises you. Celebration Station is slated to close down at the end of February, and trapping ending for Best Friends around the 15th, but one little thing did push me to go home early. It seems that my husbands visit in mid-January was a productive one, and I have been blessed, like many of the dogs my team has rescued, with motherhood.

Barb Davis and Carol Guzy are still down there, so I am trying to get updates from them. I understand there are people out there who are taking bolt cutters to our traps and taking sledge hammers to them. I can't imagine people so cruel. Maybe they are just uneducated in what we are doing. I am very disappointed the the group Common Ground out in the 9th ward. They have repeatedly been told that we are a no-kill group, rescuing dogs, giving them vet care and finding them homes, but still somehow dogs are continuing to be released from the traps set in that area. Of course no one has seen them do it, but when there are footprints leading up to the trap, and they are the only ones in the area, what is one to believe?

Hammond Shelter Pups - Thank you Charlie

2006-02-12T11:39:00.000-08:00

Can you imagine killing puppies because there is no room. These four guys were pulled from the shelter at Hammond, LA, just north west of Lake Ponchatrain, where many New Orleans residents have moved while they attempt to rebuild. Of course it is crowded and people can no longer take care of their pets, so they surrender them, and animals at Hammond unfortunately are put to sleep daily.

These four guys hitchhiked in my car up to New Jersey, where they are being cared for and put up for adoption at Roycefield Kennels, 329 Roycefield Rd. Hillsborough, NJ 08844 in conjunction with the rescue group the work with, Companion Animal Placement. http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/caphills.html Any donations to help these guys with vet bills and the other Katrina dogs and puppies they have can be sent to Companion Animal Placement, 329 Roycefield Rd. Hillsborough, NJ 08844.

If you can give them, or one of there other puppies or grown dogs they have, a home, please give them a call 908-218-1939.

504 Wallace - More on the story on the Kraft dog rescue

2006-02-12T09:30:00.001-08:00

The house the Kraft's dog choice to keep her puppies in was just a few doors down from her old home. We were told by neighbors that the owners were pulled out of the attic, and the husband had died. Where there is death there is rebirth. You can see from the photo of the house, the markings "2 attic" and you can see where they ripped the small dormer off the roof to get to them on 9-19. I will write my feelings about the date in another article.

The mother watch the house from afar, but unfortunately it began to get dark. Bill and Kris volunteered to stay all night and watch the house.

Bill and Kris after an all night stake out at the house they finally get her trapped in the house, so they wait and eat "breakfast" while we arrive to help.

It becomes ovbious why they needed help when you take a look at the room the small mother had run into. It was full of TV's and radios, once stacked up and now mixed around from the flood. We had to carefully move TV's not knowing where she was, or even if she was in there at all. It turned out she was. Bill ended up grabbing her when she darted and we got a pole on her. She was terrified. Whe bite a few gloved hands, but luckily she didn't get away.

Her pups...

And then there was Pucksley, who has been adopted by Barb. He/She was not snuggling with the others the night we staked out the place, so we took her in, and of course whe took us into her hearts. Puckley was named, for she was found on Ground Hog Day, which Stacy celebrates. Pucksley was also the one responsible for telling us where all her brothers and sisters were. When we first spotted mom, Pucksley was with her outside of the house. Mom ran off and I followed Pucksley hoping she would lead us to them. It was very tempting to just scoop her up, but we had heard from neighbors there were "pups" plural so I wanted to know where they were. First Pucksley tried to climb the stairs into the house, but without the help of mom, she didn't have much luck. Then she darted around the side under the house. Where later Stacey crawled in and rescued her.

Looking for Tracy & Randolf Craft

2006-02-03T09:01:00.000-08:00

We picked up this ma early this morning. Neighbors said she lived at 514 Wallace Dr. New Orleans, LA 70122
Residents names, Tracy A. Craft and Randolph Craft.

She is about 10-15 lbs, full grown, and just had 6 puppies who are now 8-10 weeks old.
Please find the owner! They have children who I bet would love to see their dogs again!

More later!