Animal Rescue Alerts 09-22-2005
From Katrina Help Info
Animal Rescue Resources > Alerts > 09-22-2005
Thursday September 22, 2005
KATRINA 9/22: Latest Volunteer Update 04:18
From: Kinship Circle mailto:info@kinshipcircle-dot-org Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 4:18 AM To: Kinship Circle KATRINA 9/22: Latest Volunteer Update Importance: High
If you receive this twice, we apologize. Kindly delete duplicate messages.
9/22/05 Katrina: Latest Volunteer Update
Like you, we are waiting to see what havoc Hurricane Rita will wreak in animal emergencies AND limited access for rescuers. We have decided to issue this alert anyway. As of today, 9/22, we have no reports of animal rescue units shutting down. However, this situation may quickly change.
IN THIS ALERT: 1.) Lamar-Dixon in Gonzales Wants You 2.) Rabbit Rescue Group Needed 3.) Katrina / Rita: Haven for Horses 4.) MuttShack M.A.S.H. Unit ? New Orleans 5.) Independent Effort: Plaquemines Parish 6.) Help In Hattiesburg, Mississippi 7.) Help in Waveland, Mississippi 8.) Volunteers Wanted at LSU Center 9.) St. John Parish Animal Shelter 10.) Staging Area in Dothan, Alabama 11.) Winn-Dixie Staging Area in New Orleans 12.) Supplies: Centralized Drop/Distribution Site 13.) Personal Supplies List
PLEASE SEND THE FOLLOWING TO mailto:info@kinshipcircle-dot-org :
(If you have already sent this, DO NOT SEND AGAIN) Your full name Name of organization (if applicable) Full street address Cell phone, land phone Email Brief description of what you can provide
DUE TO THE VOLUME OF VOLUNTEER INQUIRIES, PLEASE:
- Type ?KATRINA VOLUNTEER? in the subject line of emails.
- Read alerts carefully and contact people listed under a specific effort.
- Before traveling, print out Kinship Circle?s most recent alert so phone numbers and driving directions are with you.
- We cannot answer requests about where to donate money or find a specific animal to foster/adopt at this time.
- For directions to a volunteer site: http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp
Thanks, Brenda Shoss Kinship Circle/ARF Grassroots Effort
1.) LAMAR-DIXON IN GONZALES WANTS YOU LOCATION:
9039 St. Landry Ave.; Gonzales, LA 70737; 225-621-1700
- This location is vehicle accessible.
DIRECTIONS:
- FROM THE WEST: Take I-10 East to Exit 177 * At bottom of ramp take a right Go through traffic light and take second left into the Lamar Dixon Equestrian Center Ask for the volunteer registration area
- FROM THE EAST: Take I-10 West to Exit 177 * At bottom of ramp take a left Go through traffic light and take second left into the Lamar Dixon Equestrian Center. Ask for the volunteer registration area
VOLUNTEER NEEDS/SITUATION:
Comments from Jane Garrison (edited for length), a veteran rescuer directing the food/water program from the Gonzales shelter, should dispel your fears about this primary staging area for New Orleans animals. We support DawnWatch's excellent presentation and urge you to heed Jane's words: FROM DAWNWATCH, mailto:news@dawnwatch-dot-com
1.) FROM JANE GARRISON
If you want to help please go to the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzeles, LA (one hour outside of New Orleans). You can either fly into New Orleans or Baton Rouge. There is no one available to pick you up so rent a van or car... My cell coverage down here is horrible but you may call me for EMERGENCIES ONLY at 843-343-8887. Please help...time is running out!
2.) FROM JANE GARRISON:
- I have been at the hurricane scene in New Orleans for over two weeks. In this time I have organized search and rescue teams and food and water teams (for the animals on the streets). I have personally pulled hundreds of animals from roof tops, attics and houses... I got a dog off a roof a few days ago who should have weighed 90 pounds but was down to 40 pounds from being stuck on that roof with no food and water. These animals want to live and are showing us this everyday.
- Here is the problem. We still have 3,000 addresses of homes where animals are trapped. These are addresses where people have called either HSUS or LASPCA and asked for us to rescue their animals. I know that there are thousands of other homes where animals are trapped that no one called about... CONSIDER THIS: Amazingly we are finding that half of the homes we get into have animals still alive. With a MINIMUM of 3,000 addresses that is at least 1500 animals who are waiting behind closed doors for a loving hand to rescue them. With the current teams we have now we can only get into approximately 300 homes each day. The animals will NEVER be alive if we continue at this rate. I am begging everyone of you to get to New Orleans to help. It does not take a "certified disaster rescuer" to break into a house and at last provide fresh food and water (to sustain that animal until someone qualified can get them out). We only have a week at most to save some of these desperate animals. Please do your part...we are all the animals have. JaneGarrison@comcast.net (END OF JANE'S NOTE)
- SHOW UP: Food/water volunteers should report to Jane Garrison outside the volunteer food tent by barns 1 and 2. There is a 6am briefing every morning...
- EMAIL HSUS & THEN SHOW UP: To follow HSUS?s suggestion of self-deployment: Send email to Disaster@hsus.org, with a subject line of: Re: PLEASE HELP US HELP THE ANIMALS IN LOUISIANA
2.) RABBIT RESCUE GROUP NEEDED
CONTACT: Shaun Palmisano 985-783-5010, 985-785-9136
LOCATION: St. Charles Animal Shelter 13830 River Road; Luling, LA 70070 Lee Ann Matherne, Shelter Director: 504-559-4779
VOLUNTEER NEEDS/SITUATION:
- One of our volunteers called us, while onsite at this shelter. This is legitimate, as of 9/21/05. At least 7, possibly more, rabbits need rescue from a qualified rabbit rescue group able to handle their special needs. Please contact Shaun Palmisano right away if you can help.
3.) KATRINA / RITA: HAVEN FOR HORSES
CONTACT: Debra Barlow 318-286-3116 * hopefulhaven@yahoo.com
LOCATION: Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue Organization Shreveport, Louisiana
SITUATION:
- Red Alert!! Room for evacuees with horses fleeing Rita. Available by cell phone for next two days. Arenas and foster homes available. If evacuees have an RV or living quarters in their horse trailer, they will be able to stay with their horses. VOLUNTEERS: Cross-post and refer evacuees with horses.
4.) MUTTSHACK M.A.S.H. UNIT ? NEW ORLEANS
CONTACT: Volunteer Coordinator Sharon Gorski 586-727-9815, possecop@msn.com volunteers@muttshack.org
LOCATION: Lake Castle School 8400 Hayne Blvd.; New Orleans, LA
VOLUNTEER NEEDS/SITUATION:
- MuttShack has established a haven for immediate triage and temporary shelter. A waystation for rescued animals, this animal M.A.S.H. unit provides emergency veterinary care and shelter, with the ultimate goal of reuniting companion animals with their families. Need veterinarians, vet techs, rescuers and shelter workers.
SUPPLY NEEDS (9/21/05): Veterinary/medical supplies Needs fluctuate. Check with Sharon Gorski (586-727-9815)
5.) INDEPENDENT EFFORT: PLAQUEMINES PARISH
CONTACT: Cris Stevens/Terri Kelley: 219-608-4112, 219-326-8887 Sarah Stevens: 219-608-1735, sarah@mixedupmutts.org
LOCATION (where volunteers meet to leave for rescue missions): Lansas Kennels C/O Kendra (if mailing supplies) 23015 Kilgore Street; Mandeville, LA 70471
PLEASE WEAR DARK BLUE T-SHIRT to appear as a unified rescue unit. Organizers wear RED CAPS OR VISORS.
MANDATORY: Wear well-treaded, high boots. Up to 4 inches of oil covers the ground in some places.
VOLUNTEER NEEDS/SITUATION:
- Volunteers convene at Lansas Kennels in Mandeville, LA to scout and establish aid in other storm areas. Currently, we send rescue units into Plaquemines Parish, where there has been no organized rescue.
IMPORTANT: If you arrive at the kennels in Mandeville and rescuers are not there, they are out on a mission. You may help with Katrina dogs at the kennels or travel to another site and check back at Mandeville later.
PLAQUEMINE ANIMAL SHELTER RESCUE UPDATE:
- We had gained authorization from the New Mexico National Guard for rescue units to enter Plaquemines Parish. Volunteer rescue units work under the auspices of Dr. Habert, the parish veterinarian originally established at the Belle Chase Animal Shelter. Dr. Habert has since moved to a Senior Center to accommodate more animals.
THE PLAN:
- 3 teams of 4-5 rescuers enter Plaquemines Parish daily.
- A separate team of baiters accompanies them.
- NO ANIMALS MAY LEAVE PLAQUEMINES PARISH.
- All animals are treated. Dr. Habert*s crew wants to reunite them with guardians.
THE (temporary) PROBLEM:
- On 9/20 evacuations were ordered due to Hurricane Rita. The Plaquemines Parish president denied rescue teams entry, despite our established relationship with the parish vet. Still, rescuers managed to return for a night mission. We are working on smoothing this transition. Please check in with us, especially if en route to the Lamar-Dixon Shelter in Gonzales. Mandeville is only an hour away from Gonzales.
SUPPLY NEEDS (9/21/05):
- Needs fluctuate. Check with Cris/Terri (219-608-4112) or Sarah (219-608-1735).
6.) HELP IN HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI
CONTACT: Sarah-Jayne Brown: 954-712-9900, mailto:oceanpromotion@msn-dot-com
LOCATION: Forrest County Multi Purpose Center 952 Sullivan Drive; Hattiesburg MS 39401
VOLUNTEER NEEDS/SITUATION:
- 1000 dogs harbored in Hattiesburg Multicultural Center. Only 6-7 dog-walking volunteers. Urgently needed: People to walk dogs, water and feed. They are 112 cots for volunteers to sleep in. Towels are needed.
Volunteers may show up at the center. Say you are part of the Gaultier Group with Carol Childs. The powers that be may say that they have moved. Just ask where they are. Carol Childs is with the National Humane Society.
DIRECTIONS:
- I-10 to I49 just before Hattiesburg, see Forest Multicultural Center.
7.) HELP IN WAVELAND, MISSISSIPPI
VOLUNTEER NEEDS/SITUATION:
- HSUS has an animal rescue unit established in Waveland. Volunteers are needed. Bring any documentation you have, i.e., your organization's nonprofit status; DART or any other animal disaster relief training; veterinarian/vet tech or animal control credentials; animal rescue/shelter experience, etc.
ROUGH DIRECTIONS (Bring a map!): Take Route 90 to Route 603. Follow signs along Route 603 to Waveland; you will see the town. Continue through several stop lights. You'll see a blue tarp with a sign, on your left, that reads: "Animal Shelter." Turn left at sign. Follow road until it ends. Turn left. Follow signs to Animal Shelter.
8.) VOLUNTEERS WANTED AT LSU CENTER
CONTACT:
Email volunteer coordinator Sharon Ricciardo, mailto:lsupetvol@gmail-dot-com : Complete name / Contact information / Skills / Availability Put "volunteer" in subject line
LOCATION:
Hurricane Katrina Emergency Animal Shelter LSU AgCenter's John M. Parker Coliseum School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University Skip Bertman Drive; Baton Rouge, LA 7080
VOLUNTEER NEEDS/SITUATION:
Looking for volunteers to walk dogs, care, feed, work reception desk, etc. The facility is starting shift work from now till mid-October. Volunteers need to be self sufficient (food/housing/transportation), adults, and preferably experienced with animals.
9.) ST. JOHN PARISH ANIMAL SHELTER
MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Sharon Gorski: 586-727-9815, mailto:possecop@msn-dot-com
LOCATION/CONTACT:
124 Water Plant Rd; LaPlace, LA 70068 Linda Allen, Shelter Director: no email/cell phone available shelter phone: 985-651-7387 alternate contact/rescue volunteer Dina Becnel: 985-210-9422
SUPPLY NEEDS (9/21/05):
St. John Parish Animal Shelter to stockpile supplies for St. Bernard Parish. any flea treatment (KC: NOT HARTZ! It kills cats and dogs), toys, treats, and medical/vet supplies (i.e., vaccines, strongid-T, albon, nutri-cal)
10.) STAGING AREA IN DOTHAN, ALABAMA
CONTACT:
Maria Church, Director of Staging Area Operations home: 334-793-3943; cell: 334-685-0522 staging area: 334-615-4620 mailto:mamaloveslabs@netzero-dot-com
Rescue coalition formed by SAVE-A-PET, at the Dothan Animal Shelter, the Wiregrass Humane Society, and the Southeast Alabama Kennel Club
NOTE: Coalition supported and funded in part by the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs and the American Kennel Club
VOLUNTEER NEEDS/SITUATION:
Pet Care, Veterinary Care, Grooming, Transportation, Clerical, Laundry, Warehousing, and Volunteer Support, Foster Homes, and Donations.
SUPPLY NEEDS (9/17/05):
Tents, Cat/Dog Food, Generators, Cat/Dog Treats, Heavy Duty Extension Cords, Cat/Dog Toys, Temporary Lighting, Kitty Litter, Wading Pools, Large Garbage Cans & Liners, Crates, Adjustable Dog Collars, Heavy Duty Hoses with Nozzles, Filing Cabinet, Leashes, Office Supplies, Foldup Tables & Chairs, Hand Sanitizer, Laptop, Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, Water Gallon Containers, Spray Bottles, Laundry Soap, Paper Towels, Bleach Towels, Toilet Paper
11.) WINN-DIXIE STAGING AREA IN NEW ORLEANS
CONTACT: Shannon Martin: 706-769-7701
LOCATION:
4600 Chef Menteur Hwy staging area at N. Louisa Street
VOLUNTEER NEEDS/SITUATION:
Volunteers needed. Many dry areas, but bring rubber boots. Need rescue groups to get dogs off porches, etc.
SUPPLY NEEDS (9/13/05):
Crates, Boats (inflatables needed to hold full crates on the water), Trucks, SUVs, Sticks with loops to get reluctant dogs
DIRECTIONS TO WINN-DIXIE STAGING AREA:
Take I-12 E (from Hammond) towards N.O. and I-10. Around Covington, LA, take US Hwy 190 South, which to N. Causeway Blvd. and the bridge over Lake Ponchatrain into N.O. Be sure to stay on Causeway Blvd. to go over bridge! You will be in Metarie once over the bridge.
Stay on S. Causeway Blvd. all the way to Jefferson Hwy, 90 E. (You'll cross over Veterans Blvd.) Stay on Jeff Highway east to N.O.. until it turns into S. Claiborne Ave. Take a right on Monticello Ave, which turns into (dead ends) at Oak St. Go left on Oak. Bear right on Leake Ave. (You will be paralleling the Mississippi river) Stay on Leake for 10 or so blocks and then take a left onto St. Charles Ave. Continue past Tulane on your left, Audubon Park on your right. Cross over Napoleon and Louisiana Aves. Stay on St. Charles until you dead end. Follow signs to reach I-10 E. (i.e. go left at the end of St. Charles) Take I-10 E to Louisa St. N (the 2nd exit). Go left on Louisa. Go through several red lights to Chef Menteur Hwy and go right. Immediately see Winn-Dixie on right in the first block.
12.) SUPPLIES: CENTRALIZED DROP/DISTRIBUTION SITE
If you are bringing supplies with you, one option is is to utilize our centralized drop/distribution point in Mobile, Alabama. Supplies move in and out of this site, with items sent where they are needed. This supply option is organized by Grassroots Effort for Animals of the Storm, Kinship Circle and Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF).
We will never have too many supplies. We will continue to distribute items to overtaxed shelters long after initial rescue effort ends.
CONTACT:
Grassroots Effort for Animals of the Storm Julia Fischer / home: 251-645-8605; cell: 251-455-9377; mailto:ggnu@bellsouth-dot-net Sarah-Jayne Brown / 954-712-9900; mailto:oceanpromotion@msn-dot-com
CALL BEFOREHAND TO TELL:
- DAY/TIME YOU'LL ARRIVE.
- WHAT YOU'RE BRINGING.
- SOMEONE WILL NEED TO MEET YOU AT THE STORAGE SITE.
Alternate Storage
- 5809 Larue Steiner Road; Theodore, Al 36582 (In Mobile off of I-10) West off 65 onto I-10 take exit 15A. Circle under interstate and stay on this road (Hwy 90). Turn right at second stop light and this is Larue Steiner Road. Travel about 3 miles down this road and it will be on this street. 52, 54, 55 are the units we have at this moment.
13.) PERSONAL SUPPLIES LIST
LOGISTICS & SELF-CARE: Be willing to move around. Bring a tent or vehicle you are prepared to sleep in. Travel self-sufficient. Carry a cell phone to network with others in the area.
1.) Bring any documentation you have, i.e., your animal organization's nonprofit status; DART or any other animal disaster relief training; veterinarian/vet tech or animal control; animal rescue/shelter experience credentials; animal transport, etc.
2.) Have magnetic signs printed at Kinkos or another copy store for both sides of your vehicle. Suggestions for text on sign: ANIMAL RESCUE - ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF Use bold, dark lettering and display from your vehicle at all times.
WHAT TO BRING: current Hepatitis vaccinations current Tetanus shot pepper spray hand sanitizer insect repellent sunscreen first aid kits thick "bite-proof" work gloves sturdy, waterproof (rubber) work boots/shoes change of shoes hip-waders (if possible) long sleeve shirts (for coverage, but lightweight) long pants (for coverage, but lightweight) extra socks belt (to hang gears/supplies from) mouth coverings (surgical masks, bandannas) eye protection (sunglasses) flashlights D batteries containers full of gasoline cash waterproof walkie talkies toilet paper pillow and blanket water, Gateraid other personal-care items
SHELTER: Bring a tent or trailer/RV type vehicle to live in. air mattress or cot
Brenda Shoss, Kinship Circle 314-863-9445 314-795-2646
"We feel relief to the bone when we get an IV line in," says Rita, one of the rescuers. "You can see the color come back to their gums, their eyes - it's like bringing them back to life." Pasado
GRASSROOTS EFFORT
FOR ANIMALS OF THE STORM
KINSHIP CIRCLE 7380 Kingsbury Blvd.; Saint Louis, MO 63130 Katrina relief contact Brenda Shoss: (desk) 314-863-9445; (cell) 314-795-2646 http://www.kinshipcircle.org/
ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION (ARF) 771 Holcombe Ave.; Mobile, Alabama 36605 Katrina relief contact Julia Fischer: (cell) 251-455-9377; (home) 251-645-8605 http://www.animalrescuemobile.org/
Austin needs dog crates 09:45
Subject: Austin needs dog crates http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/news/2005/rita_dogcrates.htm Dog crates sought for Hurricane Rita evacuees For immediate release Sept.22, 2005 9:45 a.m.
The City of Austin Town Lake Animal Center is requesting donations of dog crates for Hurricane Rita evacuees arriving in Austin.
Medium, large and extra large dog crates are needed immediately and can be taken to the Town Lake Animal Center at 1156 W. Cesar Chavez St. or to the Austin Humane Society, 124 W. Anderson Lane.
Crates can also be loaned. They should be clearly marked with owner name and contact information.
I tried to go to the web page to look for a phone number....could not open - said maybe busy server.
Anyway, if someone can get through to them - tell them to phone this toll free number (but probably on open during business hours) 800-254-8726 and ask for Frank or Ladonna. They said there is a vendor in DALLAS that has supply of crates yet. Maybe someone can check the Dallas phone book and locate this manufacturer?
Billie Sue
Houston SPCA ALERT for Animal Owners 08:23 -0700 (PDT)
Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 08:23:52 -0700 (PDT) From: staoaquatt <staoaquatt@yahoo.com> Houston SPCA ALERT for Animal Owners
Please crosspost!
I just got off of the phone with the Houston SPCA. They have several bits of information they would like to get out to folks who live in and around Houston.
- First and foremost, if you are evacuating (and you should be) TAKE YOUR PETS! There is a shortage of kennels and crates in the Houston area right now, and the SPCA is out. Nevertheless, they suggest cutting large breathing holes in a box or a big Rubbermaid container if it comes down to that, but TAKE YOUR PETS WITH YOU.
- The Houston SPCA (contrary to rumor) is NOT boarding pets for Hurricane Rita. In fact, they have evacuated their animals.
- The following hotels take pets: Motel 6 (800-466-8356), La Quinta (1-866-725-1661), Comfort Inn (1-877-424-6423), some Marriotts, some Hiltons.
- The following Texas shelters are offering space or fostering for the animals of people evacuating because of Hurrican Rita:
- Humane Society/SPCA of Bear County (San Antonio) (210) 226-7461. I personally confirmed that they are taking Hurricane Rita animals..
- SPCA of Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth) (972) 562-7297 ext. 123 http://www.spca.org/ (yes, that really is their URL!) Has literally hundreds of foster homes available for hurricane pets. I personally confirmed this information with their media director.
- Austin Humane Society (512) 646-7387 for the hurricane hotline and (512) 837-7985 main shelter. I could not get an answer at either number after 5 pm but they are on the Houston SPCA list.
PLEASE heed their advice and take your pets!! The resources are not available to pull off another New Orleans rescue. Houston's back-up shelter, by agreement, for hurricane evacuation is: the Louisiana SPCA in New Orleans...need I say more.....others have stepped in to take their shelter pets, but they really need for Houston residents to be responsible and not contribute to another hurricane pet crisis.
Linda Gorsuch Co-moderator mailto:hurricanepets@yahoogroups-dot-com
Extremely Urgent! 400 Cats And Dogs - Transport Needed Texas City To Houston 15:31 -0500
Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 15:31:20 -0500 Extremely Urgent! 400 Cats And Dogs - Transport Needed Texas City To Houston
If you can help, please contact them directly (but also let Linda Mercer know - mailto:wishstar@sbcglobal-dot-net or 888 303-9454 -toll free)! If you can transport a few or take many, please do help if you can!!
The Houston SPCA has agreed to take the Whiskerville Animal Sanctuary animals. Now the critical issue is transport. Whiskerville is located in Texas City, which is on the Texas coast but not actually on Galveston Island. All city and county government has been shut down.
They desperately need help from outside their community to get the animals moved to the Houston SPCA. If any of you are near enough and have the time and a vehicle to help, it would be appreciated. Better yet, if you have contacts in the Houston area who can arrange more formal transport, please help. The police WILL let people in to Texas City, at least through today. We have many people willing to donate money, and if we need to pay for arranged transport that will come in handy, but what is really needed right now is actual transport. There are almost 400 animals (300 cats and almost 100 dogs) at Whiskerville.
The number at Whiskerville is 409-682-5584. Please only call if you have an actual offer of help as they need to keep the line open, and it is a cell phone number so it costs them!
Linda Pollack Mercer, M.D. President & Rescue Coordinator CFA Purebred Rescue, Inc., http://cfapurebredrescue.org/
Galveston - 300 cats need rescuing 15:29 -0700 (PDT)
Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 15:29:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Baron's Mom mailto:yep3cats1dog@yahoo-dot-com Galveston - 300 cats need rescuing
Has there been a Rita Yahoo group set up? I wasn't sure where to post this to try and get the info across and maybe someone can do something. I wish I was closer to Texas.
Udate on the 300 cats in Texas City, minutes from Galveston:
Whiskerville http://www.whiskerville.org/ the wonderful cat shelter in Texas City says: It is now too late to move these 300 cats 7 dogs, we have looked and talked with many folks, including people who could possibly, send cargo aircraft to Houston, but the Airport roads are grid-locked. 1. The roads are grid-locked to Houston Airport, no reefer Truck available in Texas City to get them to the airport either. We will help them after the storm, they will need us all then. Whiskerville's phone number is 409-948-1112.
Leslie Rowen
Hurricane Rita and more volunteers will be needed 15:37
Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 15:37:08 -0000 From: "Laura Bergerol" mailto:sisterphotos@yahoo-dot-com Hurricane Rita and more volunteers will be needed
Hi to all:
I just got a phone call from Humane Society US asking me to go and volunteer to help with the animals with them in Galveston, TX and Hattiesburg, MS. They will be sending me more information of who to contact etc, but they are expecting to be needing lots of help for the next couple of weeks. Rita is on the warpath, and it sounds like and they are anticipating the worst.
I leave tomorrow from Northern California with the Milo Foundation ( http://www.milofoundation.com/ ). We are driving to Mandeville, Louisiana, which is just across from New Orleans (St. Tammany's Parish). I will be gone for at least two weeks. As I leave, Rita has set her sights on the beleaguered coasts of Louisiana and Texas...I truly hope that it changes direction or loses strength, but we go no matter what. We will help wherever we are needed and may stop in Galveston to help the Humane Society on our way.
I will take my cameras and post photos and info about my trip on my website: http://www.animalsmiles.com/ . I will post photos and info as I can find wireless signals to use.
Think really good thoughts for us! My best to all the others that have been helping save the animals!
Laura
St. John Parish: Send Frontline or Advantage 11:46
From: Sherrie & Dana Woodbury mailto:pugdude@ix.netcom-dot-com Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 11:46 AM Send a pack of Frontline or Advantage to animals in St. John Parish
Courtesy of the Kinship Circle:
St. John Parish, St. Charles and Denham Spring Animal Shelters are in desperate need of Frontline and Advantage, as well as other medications, listed below. Ask your vet to donate some product or purchase a box or two of the flea control products.\ yourself and have them shipped to the address below.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/ has both Advantage and Frontline in stock.
http://www.jefferspet.com/ has only Advantage in stock.
Shipping Address ST. JOHN PARISH ANIMAL SHELTER MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Sharon Gorski: 586-727-9815, mailto:possecop@msn-dot-com
LOCATION/CONTACT: 124 Water Plant Rd; LaPlace, LA 70068 Linda Allen, Shelter Director: no email/cell phone available shelter phone: 985-651-7387 alternate contact/rescue volunteer Dina Becnel: 985-210-9422
SUPPLY NEEDS (9/21/05):
St. John Parish Animal Shelter to stockpile supplies for St. Bernard Parish. any flea treatment (KC: NOT HARTZ! It kills cats and dogs), toys, treats, and medical/vet supplies (i.e., vaccines, strongid-T, albon, nutri-cal)
MEDICATIONS NEEDED:
Amoxi liquid and capsules Cephalexin capsules 250 mg, 500 mg Ceflex 50mg, 100mg Lasix 20mg tab, 100 ct Depomedrol Injectable Clavamox 125 mg SMP TMZ tablets(it might be smz tmp) Predinsone 5mg, 10 mg, 20 mg (1000 ct/ea) Atarax 25 mg, 50mg Rimadyl 25mg, 75mg, 100mg Proin chewable Neopolybac Neopolybac with hydrocortisone Panacure Albon Interceptor flea prevention and heartworm prevention
URGENT ! Wydell will move if we can find a vehicle!!!! 11:42 -0400
Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 11:42:05 -0400 From: "Jean at Puppymillrescue" mailto:embereab@comcast-dot-net URGENT ! Wydell will move if we can find a vehicle!!!!
- Please crosspost
Whiskerville Animal 1112 6th Street North Texas City TX http://www.whiskerville.org/ MAP of her location
Whiskerville, MAP http://www.whiskerville.org/ MAP of her location, I spoke with Wydell an hour ago, she called me and she is getting nervous and has changed her mind about leaving ........she has heard that the Houston SPCA will take them in ( If) they can get their. She has 300 cats and 7 dogs to move.
I know this lady will not move without ALL of them. Whiskerville Animal 1112 6th Street North Texas City TX, They will need Two 18ft Air conditioned vehicles, or 1 30ft Truck with AC. We will pay for the truck!...... please start looking and calling on your own to help them ONLY email us if you have found a truck to go get them out.
Whiskerville Animal Sanctuary needs transport help with 400 animals to Houston 08:41 -0700 (PDT)
Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 08:41:14 -0700 (PDT) From: staoaquatt mailto:staoaquatt@yahoo-dot-com Whiskerville Animal Sanctuary needs transport help with 400 animals to Houston
On Sep 22, 2005, at 10:56 AM, Linda Gorsuch wrote:
The Houston SPCA has agreed to take the Whiskerville Animal Sanctuary animals. Now the critical issue is transport. Whiskerville is located in Texas City, which is on the Texas coast but not actually on Galveston Island. All city and county government has been shut down. They desperately need help from outside their community to get the animals moved to the Houston SPCA. If any of you are near enough and have the time and a vehicle to help, it would be appreciated. Better yet, if you have contacts in the Houston area who can arrange more formal transport, please help. The police WILL let people in to Texas City, at least through today. We have many people willing to donate money, and if we need to pay for arranged transport that will come in handy, but what is really needed right now is actual transport. There are almost 400 animals (300 cats and almost 100 dogs) at Whiskerville.
The number at Whiskerville is 409-682-5584. Please only call if you have an actual offer of help as they need to keep the line open, and it is a cell phone number so it costs them!
Volunteer at Katrina facility urges HSUS to change rescue site policies ASAP
Source: http://www.animalliberationfront.com/News/2005_9/HSUSvsVolunteers.htm
September 22, 2005
Volunteer at Katrina facility urges HSUS to change rescue site policies ASAP
Laura, a long-time animal advocate, wrote the below, about her experiences rescuing Katrina animal victims in Mississippi.
From: Laura mailto:celeryhead@verizon-dot-net
I was a volunteer rescuer, at the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Katrina rescue site, between 9/13/05 and 9/17/05. I was accompanied by a veterinarian. This rescue site was run by HSUS. There was an HSUS banner hanging across the main barn, where all the supplies were kept. HSUS crew wore blue shirts, labeled HSUS. Volunteers wore yellow shirts. I state this to clarify which organization's workers made the decisions that I believe caused suffering and death to the animals at the site. Whether the decisions were made by individual workers at this site, or were policies set at the national level, I do not know, but the national office of HSUS must address these matters immediately.
I returned home, in tears, not just because of the suffering and death caused to the animals by the hurricane and by the people who abandoned them, but also because of the policies of HSUS, which ran the rescue site at which I volunteered. There were dozens of wonderful and caring folks, who had traveled from all over the country, ready and willing to work hard and cry hard. More importantly, they came with the ability to take animals back home with them, having previously arranged for these dogs and cats to go directly into either foster homes, permanent homes, or to veterinarians' offices for treatment.
Arriving after 17 hours of travel (from Virginia), one of the first things I was told was that there had been vets, techs, and rescuers there, previously, who had "walked" off with dogs and cats when they were scheduled to leave. I soon found out why. I was assigned to work in one of the rows, in one of the barns, in which some of the dogs were being housed. I was assigned to care for 100 dogs with one other volunteer, Terry. One of us walked the dogs, while the other cleaned the cages and put fresh food and water in the cages. I thought this system was simple, made sense, and we were anxious to begin. We were, however, required to attend a 1 1/2 hour meeting, in the morning, to discuss such questions (depending on who the barn manager for the day was) as whether to walk or feed the dogs first.
Terry and I left the meeting and started taking care of the dogs assigned to us. Many of the dogs were laying in their feces and urine. As Terry has problems walking, we decided that she would clean the cages and I would walk the dogs. When I came back from the walks, we used a hose to try to clean and cool off the dogs. Unfortunately, we had to return them to their cages. We were a good team and worked efficiently until we got chastised by HSUS staff for walking the dogs in the morning. HSUS insisted that the dogs be fed first, even if they were standing in urine that was burning their open sores. I was also told by HSUS that they did not care if the dogs were walked only once per day.
Most of these dogs were large dogs, confined in very small crates. With only one walk per day, the dogs were forced to lay in urine and feces for up to 24 hours. The cages were too small to permit them to move away from their waste. One skinny dog had urine burns on his legs. Most of the dogs ate very little, due to the extreme heat. The HSUS feeding policy, therefore, did not maximize eating and weight gain for these emaciated animals.
When I inquired why HSUS wanted the feeding done this way, I found out it was nothing more then "an old shelter trick" that makes it easier to keep the cages cleaner, but makes it more uncomfortable for the animals. I refused to do this and kept doing things as I had been. I was yelled at and yelled at, but I just ignored them.
Other volunteers from other barns left to go home because of the additional stress of being yelled at. Everyday I saw more and more people crying, both from great sadness for these babies, but also greatly due to the fact that HSUS was preventing groups from removing animals.
One woman whom I met, came with a group from Orlando Florida, with 4 large horse trailers and the ability to take 100 animals with them. They filled out all the required paperwork, as many, many groups did. The person who was supposed to be processing this paperwork was never around. We were told that HSUS was going through these applications between 12am and 4am, but I saw no applications getting approved. Each day the pile of applications was larger. No one received approval to take animals, so rescuers went home without the animals whose lives they had committed to saving.
Just the small group of folks I had met had the ability to remove 250 dogs and cats. People were literally on their hands and knees begging HSUS to PLEASE, PLEASE let them remove some of the animals, especially the ones who were old, weak, and sick.
Rescuers were crying, crying, crying, while hugging and kissing these precious babies. A Saint Bernard mix was labeled "VICIOUS, WILL BITE," though he never seemed to move much or come out of the cage. My rescue partner, Terry, opened his cage and we both sat down with him. He seemed very confused, at which point, we realized that he was BLIND and could not walk well.
He was not vicious and not a biter - he was extremely frightened. Terry and I worked on gaining his trust and he came out of his cage. He could not walk well, and neither could Terry; they were a match made in heaven. This handsome boy was the only dog Terry could walk and they looked like they had been together, forever. He was her dog and she wanted to take him home. The vet with whom I had traveled from home deemed his paperwork a medical priority, due to his age, blindness, and lameness and she said that he must be released to a home. Terry was so excited to take her new boy home.
- HSUS denied Terry's adoption application. I found Terry collapsed on the ground, holding onto this dog. Her arms were around him and he was wet from her tears. I dropped on the ground with her and we cried together, holding this precious boy. Terry had to leave the next morning without him.
A rescuer in his mid-twenties, Brandon, was working in the same barn (but one row over) as I was. He showed me a cage holding 2 little girl beagle babies who came in together. The little girls were sleeping with their legs all entwined; it was adorable. Brandon said that he was going to request these little girls and he thought his chances were good. His father was a veterinarian and they lived on 12 acres.
- HSUS denied Brandon's adoption application. I next saw him with the 2 little angels in his lap and he was crying. I sat with him and we cried together.
I met a group of volunteers from Richmond VA. One of the group, Randy, had been given $25,000 to donate to HSUS, by an elderly neighbor who had recently lost his little Bichon. The elderly man had only asked Randy that if there was a small white dog available, that he bring this dog home to him. I told Randy that there was a little white dog in stall #1 - possibly a Maltese. The little dog was happy and had a great disposition She needed only a good bath and grooming (and, of course, a home). She seemed perfect. The little dog had hope in her eyes and wanted to go home with Randy.
- HSUS kept the money and the dog.
HSUS insisted that the dogs be reunited with their owners, rather then going to safe and loving homes. All of the dogs were micro-chipped as they came in, and there were representatives from Petfinder present, taking photos of these micro chipped dogs to put on their site. Everyone wanting to adopt/foster an animal was willing to sign a form, agreeing to foster and hold all dogs 30 days from the day they left, and should the owner come forward, relinquish the dogs. The dogs were easily traceable through their microchips, but HSUS would not let volunteers or rescue groups leave with dogs.
During this time, and at this rescue site, HSUS was making a movie about reuniting owners with their dogs - one or two reuniting incidents had occurred. A misting tent had been set up to provide a cool, comfortable environment for HSUS staff involved in making this movie. The only ones using the tent were HSUS staff (who were not doing the hands-on grunt work the volunteers were doing). This tent was not for the volunteers, many of whom were passing out from the heat, nor was it for the dogs, who were dying from the heat. One dog's temperature soared to 107. The tent was to keep the HSUS folks cool and clean.
I (smelly and sweaty) took one of the overheated, stitched up, intact, male pit bulls, Scarface, into the mist tent, to demonstrate "the real part" of what was going on down there. HSUS staff looked like they would faint at the site of me. I gave them a puzzled look and asked, "Isn't this really what you should be filming?" Scarface and I were asked to leave - but not before Scarface lifted his leg and urinated all over one of the tent's nice chairs - chairs off-limits to the volunteers, who might have gotten them dirty. There was no place for the volunteers to sit, should we have 5 minutes to do so.
There was a cube of hay, approximately 2' x 4' foot in size, on which we all alternated sitting. Anyone coming to this site to claim their animals needed to be able to thoroughly describe them - some mark or a word or anything that only they would know. HSUS let a group of people in that did not even know the dogs' NAMES. These folks came down my lane and pointed to male and female Chihuahuas and said, "Oh there they are!" The dogs did not even react to these people; the dogs reacted more positively to the volunteers (who saw these people lurking around the dogs, a lot). The women said the female Chihuaha's name was "Sassy ...no maybe Mandy." I told her (to be frank, I told her rudely) to leave. I reported them to the staff, but they had taken pictures. I believe that they gave the photos to another person who later came back to claim the dogs. Fortunately, the dogs were not given to this person.
Almost none of the dogs were spayed or neutered. These 2 dogs looked like breeding machines. All of the male pit bulls were intact and many were covered in scars; some had wounds that had been stitched or stapled together.
We were told BY HSUS that they were not accepting any more donations of cat or dog food, as they had too much. I noticed that a lot of the food was prescription food from veterinarian's offices, such as I/D, A/D, etc. HSUS, however, fed the dogs (almost all of whom had either vomiting and/or diarrhea) the cheapest food available. I spoke to my vet friend and she said to give all the dogs the I/D, as they needed high quality food. I again got into trouble with HSUS. I was told that that this was special diet food. I told them that that was why I was using it on these dogs, suffering from diarrhea and vomiting. I told them that the veterinarian with me had recommended this. The HSUS representative said that since the vet was not an HSUS vet, her (the vet's) recommendations did not matter. I asked why, since they had so much extra food, they were not feeding the dogs the good food? Her response was a sneer.
I continued to feed the dogs the better food. I also noticed that in the supply barn there were thousands of new pet beds, blankets, and rope chews, however no dogs had a bed, a blanket, a towel, a toy or chewie in their cages. Once again, I inquired. I was told that the dogs pee on the beds and blankets and the dogs chew up the toys, and that there is no place to wash the bedding. I replied that the dirty bedding could be discarded, as there was such a large supply on hand. Wouldn't it be nice to at least give them a night or two of comfort? I received another sneer.
I took some of the beds and gave them to the dogs in my area. If nothing else, one night of sleeping in comfort might have helped them feel better. I still have no idea what HSUS planned to do with this stuff if they did not intend for it to go to the animals. I also took rope toys and gave them to all of the pit bulls and the baby German Shepard brothers who needed to chew - something small to help with the solitude.
The site that this area was in was also home to the refugees. It is an unsecured area and we had to be guarded by the National Guard. We were surrounded by gangs of men who were constantly trying to get a look at the pitbulls. There were gangs of men wandering around, looking at these specific dogs. Most of the pit bulls had had their ears cut, a sure sign that they are used in fighting. Pit bulls were stolen the night before our arrival. My assigned area had approximately 25 pitbulls. HSUS told me that if I saw anyone who did not belong there to escort them out. I caught 3 men using their cell phones to transmit pictures of some of the pitbulls. I could not get them to leave. I found a National Guardsman and he got them out. Due to the danger these men posed to the dogs, the pitbulls needed to be kept in the barn, with the stalls chained shut, preventing air circulation for the dogs.
The dogs did not even have a fan. These dogs were dangerously overheated. The refugees stole bedding, and anything that was not tied down, from the volunteers. HSUS was already giving the refugees toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc., which has been donated/purchased for the animals. Due to the presence of the refugees, the women rescuers were told to never go to the bathroom, or anywhere else, alone. Someone was assaulted the night before we arrived. There were armed National Guards stationed both outside the port-o-potties and the showers. I needed an escort, at night, to use the toilet.
When some of the volunteers passed out from the heat, and were taken to the tents to lay down a bit, they had guards stationed near by. Every morning between 4am and 4:30am, a group of HSUS workers got up and left the tent. Although, I did not witness and cannot verify this, I was told that they got up to remove any dead dogs and cats who had died during the night. I CAN verify that, indeed, when we started out for the day, there were empty cages. When I inquired about the empty cages, I was told that they probably moved some of the dogs here or there. I walked around, but never again saw any of the dogs missing from my area. The only good thing was that since I was with a vet, we were able to take 2 small dogs, who were in urgent need of medical care, out of there. The vet had labeled 4 dogs in need of urgent care, but when HSUS looked at the 4, they said no to 2 of them.
We were able to leave with an 18 year old Yorkie who had no teeth, was not neutered, had a hernia, mange, and fleas - but was so sweet. The other little baby was depressed and not eating. HSUS dismissed our concerns about this latter dog, by saying that all of the dogs were depressed and not eating. This little baby NEVER ate or drank, threw up constantly, and had bloody diarrhea. On the trip home, she sat in my lap, received lots of kisses and hugs, and I sang songs to her. We needed to stop many times, as her vomiting and diarrhea became more severe in the car. We gave her fluids, and other meds, trying desperately to keep her alive until we could get her back to the veterinary hospital in Virginia. She made it through Sunday and Monday, at the veterinary hospital. My sweet little angel baby, whom I named Katie, and planned to adopt, died on Tuesday.
She could not fight the Parvo raging in her due to so much prior stress. Her little body could not fight it. I sat with this precious baby and looked into her soulful brown eyes - her light had gone out. I will never forget her, ever, and have yet to stop crying. Had she been left there, her death would have been agony. I think that what I will remember the most, and what will always remain imprinted in my mind, is the sparkle in the dogs' eyes that, as each day came and went, died out a little more each day.
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Animal Rescue Resources > Alerts > 09-22-2005
