HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

Thank you to WolfDog who got the word out about the need for drivers in NOLA.  I really appreciate you taking the time to spread the word.

While things seemed to have been well organized in New Orleans, I have received two urgent pleas for help from rescuers in Mississippi and other parts of Louisiana:

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LongBeach Rescue is right on the Mississippi coast, a stone’s throw from Biloxi.   There is no vet office currently in operation in town.   Everyone has closed up.   Right before the storm, no dog food was on the shelves, it was all bought up.   With stifling humidity, no air conditioning, and the mosquitos sure to be a bumper crop, Denise fears for the safety of the dogs and cats in her care, particular the seniors and special needs dogs.     She has an immediate need for donations of heartworm preventative, flea and tick medicine, and any sort of dewormer.  There are several dogs also that need to be quickly moved before Ike hits, as it is projected with a chance of hitting the Gulf.    I will update with photos.

There are 4 puppies left out of this litter.   One did not survive.   Please leave a comment and I can put you in touch if you can help.

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Raven’s Wood Animal Sanctuary is in Tangipahoa parish near Roseland, Louisiana, and it has been hard hit.   The generator is damaged, mail service has been suspended due to safety, and they have a kennel full of dogs.  The generator also powers their well, so they are really in dire straits.

Leila is in need of getting some dogs  out to other rescues immediately.  Many dogs have already been spayed or neutered and are up to date on vaccinations.

“Our dogs are some of the most forgotten ones in south Louisiana–the large mixed breeds, the litters of puppies dumped on the roadside, elderly dogs with no place to go”

If you can help, please call Leila.
Their website is:
http://members.petfinder.com/~LA131/index.htm 

It is 1:30 A.M. EST on the eastern side of the gulf, thirty minutes after midnight in New Orleans.  Here is the latest item to cross my desk from Kat5 rescue.   Drivers and other volunteers are needed on the scene  in New Orleans.  Also, if you can get to the shore of Mississippi please also respond.  I personally know folks that are trying to evacuate, but may have difficulty getting their pets and foster pets out with them. Stay tuned for further updates. Help if you can. Spread the word.

August  29, 2008

As predictions stand now Hurricane Gustav is due to hit the area of New Orleans late Monday. The track changes frequently so plans will change accordingly.

Volunteers are needed for immediate dispatch to New Orleans in Jefferson Parish to aid with pet evacuations and man checkpoints. Please plan to be self sufficient. Some cots are available but others will need to stay in their cars overnight. Help is needed all day Saturday and you will likely be moving out on Sunday as the storm approaches.

Help will be needed again after the storm.

Updates will be sent out. Please email if you are available to help in

NOLA (New Orleans) after Tuesaday of next week. (This day could change).

If you can get to NOLA by tomorrow morning please contact KAT 5:

972-898-3300
kat5animalrescue@yahoo.com

Places are also needed to evacuate to for about 200 dogs and cats from Jefferson Parish. This number changes by the hour. Please send out to all rescues. Muttshack is providing transport. Please contact KAT 5 if you are a rescue able to take in animals evacuated.

Donations are welcome for gas, supplies, etc. One hundred percent of donations will go to help the animals and rescues assisting them. We are a 501c3 non-profit. For donation information please go to: kat5.org

Thank you to all for what you have done for the animals in the past after Katrina and now. Please crosspos

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Dear Friends,
As I wrote a short time ago, there are emergency drivers needed  to save dogs and cats in Lousiana.   The shelters are euthanizing the whole population in anticipation of the storm.   Local Disaster Relief Services has put out a plea for:

- Any trucker in the Gulf Coast who has a refrigerated truck (a.k.a reefers) to report immediately.  Daily rates will be paid, but of course your satisfaction in making a difference will be the bonus. (Or vice versa).

- Other volunteer drivers

Over 160 souls at one shelter alone will be thankful for your effort.

If these adoptable cats and dogs do not get a ride out, they will be euthanized to make room.  Please help get them to a safe destination where they can be reunited with their familes (as some are recent strays) or just get a second chance.

AT LEASE 20 TRUCKS ARE NEEDED!

If you can do this, please call now:

Susan at Kat5 Rescue: 972-898-3300 (in Louisiana)

I also have numbers of another rescue that put out a request:

MuttShack Rescue:
Brian 318-820-9607
David 516-492-6787
or Alicia 516-282-6849

Stay Tuned for More Updates

Tropical Storm/Hurricane Gustav is headed to the Gulf, followed, perhaps by Hanna. It is too early to tell what Hanna’s course will be, in truth. No matter, it definitely brings up the subject of preparedness. There are individuals from my church who still go every month to help rebuild homes in Alabama from Katrina. They break during July and August because the humidity is too oppressive to work in for most people, but they come several weekends a month the rest of the year. What is sad, is that many groups have pulled out and volunteer bunkhouses have closed, not due to lack of need, but lack of interest.

This time, the storm does not seem as it is going to be as strong, but still, it begs the question: How do you prepare?

The true heartache, in the animal world, is before the storm. Hundreds of dogs and cats will be euthanized now to make room for others that will surely come in during and after the storm. There will be regular strays, dogs that are owned by someone coming to the shelter for temporary refuge, as well as displaced pets, whose owners cannot find them. There are people that are preparing “just in case,” but I urge you now. If you are in one of those lowlying areas, you have tomorrow to continue to prepare. If you have been thinking about a pet, and live high and dry/have a reasonable means to stay safe or get to safety, please adopt tomorrow.

That dog won’t be held extra time under any special storm consideration as they weren’t a victim of it.

There are other things you can do to help.

If you are in a storm area:

1) Make sure your dog/cat is microchipped so if the worst happens, they can be reunited with you. Include a contact number of someone not living with you, someone who is high and dry in another state or location. Get them on board and let them know what to say if someone should call about your dog/cat so they can get your pet to safety even if you can’t be reached.
2) Open your home to a friend or family member’s pet if you are a little more secure, high/dry, and/or have an easy way to get out with all pets.
3) Keep your pet’s id tags and collar on at all times. You wouldn’t know how many people think “I want my dog to relax at home and not have to wear that collar.”
4) Buy a portable carrier for small animals and exotic pets.
5) Have at least a week’s worth of food (more for exotic, special needs, or sensitive pets. If the worst happens, for a few days or in emergency a healthy dog could survive sharing the meat and veggies from your sandwich to ward of starvation, but an exotic or sensitive pet may die.)
6) Have an evacuation plan, and be aware of storm shelters that take families with pets just in case.
7) Don’t wait til the last minute.

If you are not in a storm area:

1) Call your relatives in a storm area reminding them that their pet is welcome at your home. People often do unusual things in stressful situations. They may assume that their four legged friend has nowhere to go, or may not consider the pet as a family member as much as you do. It is a good reminder3)
2) Foster - even if temporarily. The more spots in foster homes it has, the more rescues can save or take in temporarily.

3) Volunteer to Drive
SHELTER EVACUATIONS ARE TAKING PLACE NOW! MORE INFORMATION SHORTLY!