As of now, three weeks after Katrina hit, there are still hundreds of stranded and abandoned pets that are starving to death in their homes. A dedicated group of volunteers is doing their best to feed and water these animals and 2,000 others until better shelter arrangements can be made.
Ideally, they are asking for volunteers, not money. If you can possibly be of assistance, see contact information below.
PLEASE COME NOW!!!!!!!!! we are DESPERATE for reliable people to assist in feeding and watering animals trapped in homes. We have thousands of animals still trapped WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER AFTER 3 WEEKS! We do not have enough rescuers to save them. Volunteers are stressed and overworked and heading home. We need as many people as are able to come down immediately with tents and sleeping bags. If you have a van, SUV, ryder truck, ETC. you're expecially needed since you can ferry in supplies. Report to barn 5 when you arrive or go to the 6am meeting to be deployed with a rescue team. Just come, no need to respond to this email. THANK YOU!!!!!! PLEASE CROSS POST
There is an urgent need for volunteers to come for three day shifts in Louisiana to help starving dog and cat victims of hurricane Katrina. HSUS and other organizations need people to staff what is now the nations largest animal shelter. Which is in truth, nothing more than a makeshift facility with over 2,000 animals.
We also need people to go into the city and feed and rescue thousands of starving animals. Volunteers need only report to:
La Mar Dixon Center Command Center
9039 S. Saint Landry Road
Gonzales, LA Anytime - Day or Night
Be prepared for a chaotic situation. Bring a tent, sleeping bag or be prepared to sleep in your car. There is also an air conditioned area with cots. People that are physically fit and can enter New Orleans must bring sturdy shoes, long pants, sun visor or hat, crow bar and a utility knife. If you can just commit to a three day shift you will save more animals than we can express. Please come now! Just do it.
This request is coming from: David Meyer Executive Director 1-800-save-a-pet.com Acting Feed & Rescue Commander HSUS at La Mar Dixon
Wow! That was fast, Dan. Bless your heart for spreading the word. I know so many people want to help, and the Humane Society needs everyone they can get. It will take quite awhile to make arrangements for the animals to have somewhere to go, and in the interim, they desperately need food and water until they can be taken out of there.
Shelters all over the area are and will be in need of supplies and foster parents in the coming weeks also. Here is a link to the ASPCA in southern CA looking for foster homes:
http://www.spcala.com/hurricanekatrina_animals1.html
Thank you again, Dan, for bringing this need to the attention of your readers. You've made a difference.
Posted by: Jane | Friday, September 23, 2005 at 07:47 PM
Considering the evacuation of New Orleans because of Rita, it would be wise to contact the #800 number if your plans were to help in New Orleans proper. I have no idea when rescuers will be allowed back into the city. Hopefully, it won't be long.
Posted by: Jane | Friday, September 23, 2005 at 07:59 PM
I have forwarded the info to my brother adn law that is connected with many animals lovers. I hope some of them can maybe help.
Thanks for posting that. Its very very sad to even think about.
Posted by: ! | Friday, September 23, 2005 at 08:11 PM
Also, for those who cannot get down to Gonzales, please check out ttp://www.petfinder.com/disaster/ - it lists all sorts of ways for those wanting to, to provide help, such as fostering, volunteering, money donations, etc.
Posted by: gayle | Friday, September 23, 2005 at 08:27 PM
sorry, messed up that link. it's:
http://www.petfinder.com/disaster/
Posted by: gayle | Friday, September 23, 2005 at 08:28 PM
I would have been one of those pet owners in NO that wouldn't have evacuated without my pets. I wouldn't have been able to leave them and live with my conscience for the rest of my life. My pets (although dogs and cats) are family members.
Posted by: MarlboroGal | Friday, September 23, 2005 at 09:10 PM
I wish I were closer to NO as the thought of these animals missing their family, starving and suffering alone makes me very sad.
Thanks for getting the word out so that those nearby can help where I cannot.
Posted by: frenchymom | Friday, September 23, 2005 at 10:37 PM
Thank you Dan for mentioning this.........
This is a very serious situation for pets, as they have no idea what is happening...and no means of survival without their owners.
Posted by: Muirnin | Saturday, September 24, 2005 at 12:38 AM