Four-Legged Evacuees

I don't for a minute believe that animals are more important than people. But I do believe we have a responsibility for our pets when there is any possible way we can help them when they need it.

I heard a radio interview this morning with a fellow who is going back into NO to rescue pets, apparently many people left thinking it would only be a day or two and now many pets are left in houses without food and water. The organizations below are at least trying to do what is prudent for stranded pets.

If you wish to support animal-related relief efforts in the hurricane zone, visit the following Web sites for information on making a donation and volunteering:

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

• American Veterinary Medical Foundation

• Humane Society of the United States

• Katrina Found Pets

• American Humane Association

• LSU School of Veterinary Medicine

• Noah’s Wish

• Petfinder.com: Animal Welfare Disaster Resources

• American Kennel Club

Update: Think I may have made a Freudian slip - corrected. Some people cant' be trained not to P on ya!! NO matter how hard you try. ; )

Comments

[MoonShadow]

Thanks for these links for our furry freinds.

[!]

~Thanks for postng this Dan. Many do not really understand how much people love their pets. All you have to do is listen to the people in New Orleans and why many would not leave. Its very sad that people were put in a position to just abandon there pets and leave. Pet people have a special bond with their animals. Many just do not understand.
I hope I continue to hear happy stories about pet rescues and people being reunited.
I still wonder about snowball and the little boy.
If anyone has heard anything on the story please advise or post a link.

[galloway]

Not sure if anyone saw the picture of the surrey mules who were abandoned to roam the streets of New Orleans. I'm a good Texas girl and that just broke my heart. I forwarded the following link to a few equine rescue groups a couple of days ago...and found out yesterday they had retrieved the mules and moved them to LSU. They will ultimately place them in Texas...hopefully retired. I think they've been through enough and have earned it.

Not sure if it is okay to put a link...but here it is...from Foxnews.com photo essays.

http://www.foxnews.com/photo_essay/0,3927,592:8,00.html

[observer]

Well these are actually the worst victims of this terrible hurricane..They couldn't take there pet's to shelters and the pets couldnt open doors to get out of the houses.Not only that but this will be a huge disaster on the marine eco system...

[OzarkLady]

"Snowball to Reunite with Young La.Owner," article written by Anita Manning. Article was printed Wed., Sept. 7, 05, in USA TODAY, Page 14A, top left hand corner. "State Vet. officers have confirmed that Snowball is safe in a Louisiana shelter and his owner has ben located in Texas. The 2 are to be reunited soon, Conger said --" and everything is under control. I haven't had time to look it up online yet. I imagine they are reunited by now. If so, I would love to see a picture. What an inspiring story.
Posted by Ozark Lady.

[!]

OzarkLady, I read on this POST site that he "had not been found yet" and then there was another link on the same site that said he had. Many conflicting reports and TV stations everywhere are waiting to pounce on this story and no one has yet, so I do not think he has been . anyone??? read below..
--------------------------------------------
http://katrinafoundpets.com/

http://reneelynndurante.blogspot.com/

SNOWBALL - Farmgirl and others...please visit
http://katrinafoundpets.com/ This is the organization that is spearheading the search for Snowball (a story originally reported by the Associated Press and CBS TV.) You can also visit my blog http://reneelynndurante.blogspot.com/ to get more information about Snowball. I will update as soon as he/she is found.

God Bless.

Posted by: ReneeLD | Sep 8, 2005 4:26:41 PM

[MoscowGirl]

I am very glad to hear that "animals" and "pets" are now viewed as "family members" and hopefully if next disaster strikes, there will be provisions made for families and people with animals.

I've donated $10,000 USD to 4 different US Animal rescue groups working on saving "Katrina" animals. I am looking for a Fund to donate to that is imediately working on removing abandoned animals from disaster areas.

The news announced that "we need boats and vets". If someone can tell me which specific organizations are currently implmenting the physical removal of these animals, I would be most greatfull.

Please post a link or a name or telephone number of such legitimate organizaiton, if you know any.

I was always surprised why in so many places in USA animals are "excluded" and "not allowed", while in many other civilized countries pets are allowed into the same places (hotels, restaurants, bars, public places) without any harm to population.

Nobody in England, Germany or Italy dies of "dog" inside a hotel..... if the dog is clean and on a leash.

I wish in USA it was better conveyed that to some people, to many people, PETS ARE FAMILY MEMBERS.

[!]

Hi Moscow Girl.FOX NEWS HAD A MAN ON THAT HAS A PLACE IN UTAH AND HE IS IN NEW ORLEANS NOW RESCUEING AND NEEDS A LOT OF HELP. I will watch it again when it comes back on and ost the name. THANKS !! o)

[SeattleGirl]

Thanks soooooo much for posting this Dan! You rock!! And I realize that Seattle is a bit remote, but if there is anyone out there who needs to have a temp home for their pet please contact me!

[Ozark Lady]

Dear Exclamation Point,
I'm still seeking the truth on Snowball and appreciate RWV and Dan's total quest for truth.
This is from Dave the moderator at snowballschance.org.
"Woo-hoo!!!
This report from an SBC registered member, name snipped for privacy reasons, crossposted here as a favor to unregistered guests:

On-site info from Lamar-Dixon...Gonzales, LA

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

TO ALL:

I have just returned from the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales and learned the following:

1. Snowball was picked up by the owners and the young boy was with his family at the time of the transfer.

2. The HSUS volunteer who worked with me retrieved the information from a registration sheet on the dog. (There are two huge cardboard boxes of these "tracking sheets"...one for every pooch that is/has come through the facility.)

3. She would not allow me to read the paper myself; the family has requested that their name not be revealed re: the attention this story has already received. The father said they could not possibly deal with any media coverage.

4. The dog was signed in as "Snowball" based on his tag and was housed with a white poodle......the dogs live two-to-a-horse stall.......in separate dog cages.

5. I chose not to ask if the HSUS Command Post at Lamar had VERIFIED, CONFIRMED that the family was indeed the rightful owners. Based on the very competent, organized operation I witnessed, there is no doubt in my mind they are doing things the right way. The number of out-of-state staff is overwhelming and even at that, they are tired and you feel their level of stress. If the drive from Baton Rouge wasn't so significant, I would love to pitch-in and help them. I did sign-up to give foster care to a golden retriever once they get to that stage; according to the HSUS bylaws, a 56 day waiting period is in effect. However, there are actions being taken to amend that requirement re: the Hurricane Katrina situation."

Accordingly, Snowball was found at the Lamar-Dixon site in Gonzales, Louisiana.
There is verification on this from the American Humane Association, United Animals Nations, and the Louisiana Vet's Office.
Still, it seems to have fallen into the lands of secrets. Apparently, the family does not want money or publicity.
Thanks for answering and I will keep looking.
God Bless,
Ozark Lady

[moxiemom]

This is a post on snowballschance.org .....

I spoke with officials at the Lamar-Dixon Temporary Shelter in Gonzales, Louisiana (where the Louisiana SPCA and Humane Society are working right now) as well as the USDA and the Houston SPCA. I was told that the original information that Snowball had been found was, unfortunately, mistaken. They were still looking for Snowball as of Friday evening.
I am hoping to reach the Associated Press Reporter who first reported on Snowball from the Superdome. (Or the CBS TV crew).
Perhaps someone who witnessed this awful situation picked up Snowball and took the little dog to safety. Does anyone have email addresses for the AP reporters who were there?

[!]

http://www.snowballschance.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1&page=1&pp=20

Thanks for that link Ozark Lady.
---------------------------------------------

I still wonder if snowball was really found or if maybe he got killed or died and the story is just to heartbreaking for all the media to follow up on.

if anyone has any info to add please post it. Still wondering ~

[MoscowGirl]

Posted by: ! | Sep 9, 2005 11:04:34 PM

Hi Moscow Girl.FOX NEWS HAD A MAN ON THAT HAS A PLACE IN UTAH AND HE IS IN NEW ORLEANS NOW RESCUEING AND NEEDS A LOT OF HELP. I will watch it again when it comes back on and ost the name. THANKS !! o)
==========================================

Thank you! I saw that episode on the late evening repeat coverage. I caught the name of this man "Michael", and his last name started with "M" also.... I did not get the rest.

I am emailing to Fox.... but no reply yet. If someone caught the last name of this man, I'd like to know.

My "2 kopeeks" won't solve it all, but I do want to find him and contribute my "little". So if someone caught his name, I'd appreciate it... Otherwise I keep writing to Fox, ref. to hims as "that man Mickael M....". not getting anywhere....

[kim]

THIS IS AN URGENT CALL- SPREAD THE WORD

1000's of animals still left and dying in NO. They urgently need trucks and boats to rescue and transport animals. See katrinafoundpets.com for contact info. They only have two small boats to rescue thousands of animals still stranded on roof tops and in homes for almost two weeks now. They are dying. They need help. Please help save the lives of these innocent victims.

[Ron]

I want the little retriver that followed the rescue boat for blocks and they where looking for one dog on their list and could't find it so they took it.I want it please let me know how and if i can adopt it thanks

[ellewoods]

Humane Shelters everywhere are housing animals. Everyone should find out if their local shelter is doing so. Our shelter is keeping them free of charge to the owners who came before the storm and just brought in about another 100 that they do not know who the owners are with more coming. These animals will not be put up for adoption-at least until some time far in the future if they are not claimed. No one knows if these pets will be here for 2 weeks, 6 months or what.

So-please check with your local shelter. The ones keeping hurricane evacuees are in desparate need of supplies-cat food, dog food, cat litter, and crates. Many shelters are at max capacity so they are having to utilize the crates so those are very important.

Help out the 4 legged children!!

BTW, on one of the news channels last night, someone was on from AHS and SPCA. One of them said that Snowball had been found and was going to be reunited with the little boy. Has anyone heard anything more?

[Katrina Inquiry]

Does anyone have direct knowledge of HSUS activity at Lamar and in NO regarding Katrina rescue efforts and adoption of rescued dogs? The Louisiana State Attorney General has launched an investigation regarding the use of over $30 million HSUS raised during Katrina. Please contact that office directly if you donated money with the understanding that your donation was for Katrina rescue efforts, if you or your rescue group was denied access to assist in the rescue; if you are fostering or adopted an animal from Katrina through HSUS; and if you have any other first hand knowledge of HSUS activities during Katrina.
Susan H. Crawford
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection Section
(225) 326-6463

Your name will be kept confidential.