Katrina survivors distraught over pets

[Dark Knight]

(AP) As Valerie Bennett was evacuated from a New Orleans hospital, rescuers told her there was no room in the boat for her dogs.

She pleaded. "I offered him my wedding ring and my mom's wedding ring," the 34-year-old nurse recalled Saturday.

They wouldn't budge. She and her husband could bring only one item, and they already had a plastic tub containing the medicines her husband, a liver transplant recipient, needed to survive.

Such emotional scenes were repeated perhaps thousands of times along the Gulf Coast last week as pet owners were forced to abandon their animals in the midst of evacuation.

In one example reported last week by The Associated Press, a police officer took a dog from one little boy waiting to get on a bus in New Orleans. "Snowball! Snowball!" the boy cried until he vomited. The policeman told a reporter he didn't know what would happen to the dog.

The fate of pets is a huge but underappreciated cause of anguish for storm survivors, said Richard Garfield, professor of international clinical nursing at New York's Columbia University.

"People in shelters are worried about 'Did Fluffy get out?'" he said. "It's very distressing for people, wondering if their pets are isolated or starving."

Valerie Bennett left her dogs with an anesthesiologist who was taking care of about 30 staff members' pets on the roof of the hospital, Lindy Boggs Medical Center.

"He said he'd stay there as long as he possibly could," Valerie Bennett recalled, speaking from her husband's bedside at Atlanta's Emory University Hospital.

The Bennetts had four animals, including their two beloved dogs — Lorne's English springer spaniel, Oreo, and Valerie's miniature dachshund, Lady.

They moved to Slidell, La., in July when Valerie took a job at an organ transplant institute connected to Lindy Boggs. Lorne, a former paramedic, is disabled since undergoing a liver transplant in 2001.

On Saturday, as Hurricane Katrina approached, both went to the hospital to help and took all four animals with them.

Patients were evacuated starting Monday by rescue workers using small boats to traverse the floodwaters surrounding the hospital. On Wednesday night, the Bennetts were told they had to go, too.

They fed their guinea pig and left it in its cage in a patient room. They couldn't refill its empty water bottle because the hospital's plumbing failed Sunday, they said. They poured food on the floor for the cat, but again no water.



"I just hope that they forgive me," Valerie Bennett cried.

They handed the dogs to the anesthesiologist. Valerie got his last name but no cell phone number. "I wasn't thinking," she said.

But on Saturday afternoon, Valerie Bennett said she saw a posting on a Web site called petfinder.com that said the anesthesiologist was still at Lindy Boggs caring for the animals.

___

On the Net: http://www.petfinder.com

[Mabel]

This just breaks my heart. So much loss and heartache.

[Casshew]

This is so sad :( but the humane society will get in there when they can and start rescuing & housing abandoned pets.

[concernedperson]

The pain goes on and on.

[poco]

I would be a basket case if I had to leave my dog behind. I really don't think I could do it!

[Casshew]

I would be a basket case if I had to leave my dog behind. I really don't think I could do it!
Me too, I love my three cats - I wouldn't want to leave them behind. I bet thats why a lot of people refused to leave. Pets are part of the family and they would not leave them.

[PrayersForMaura]

this completely breaks my heart. i don't understand why, when people lose everything and manage to save their pets that they can't bring them with them.

no water given to the pets??

man, this is killing me.
I am in the process of adopting a pet from NO through the humane society as a foster parent... i wish i could take them all but i can't.

there are good people in the nation who will help the animals, too.
i know the humane society will be there as soon as they can and i will try my hardest not to blame them for not getting there soon enough.

man, this hurts :(

i feel so sorry for all of these people.

[Mabel]

I would be a basket case if I had to leave my dog behind. I really don't think I could do it!
It would be horrible. My cats are my babies. They look to me to keep them fed, sheltered, and happy. I just can't imagine walking away to leave them in such awful conditions. If I couldn't take them and knew that they'd die a slow lingering death, I hope I'd have the courage to be merciful.

[PrayersForMaura]

I would be a basket case if I had to leave my dog behind. I really don't think I could do it!
i agree... i could not do it. no way.
my pets are my life, literally. i plan my trips and work around them as often as i can.

[tybee204]

I love my chihuahuas but Im having a harder time wrapping my head around how mothers are going to survive leaving their dead babies in the Superdome. I cant grasp the animal tragedy quite yet as I am so absorbed in the human tragedy.

[Dark Knight]

I love my chihuahuas but Im having a harder time wrapping my head around how mothers are going to survive leaving their dead babies in the Superdome. I cant grasp the animal tragedy quite yet as I am so absorbed in the human tragedy.
For many people, their pets are family members with fur. It would hurt nearly as much as losing a child. But I know some people don't understand that.

[tybee204]

I know DK, its just all so hard to absorb.

[bulletgirl2002]

I love my dog too and it would be awful to leave him behind. I wouldn't if there were any way possible to take him. But people are more important. And I am thinking that it is a space issue.

[Details]

I completely understand both sides here - I can't imagine leaving my cats home to die slowly - I'd go on short rations to give them food and water.

But when there isn't enough food and water and space on evacuation buses for all the people, the people must come first, you can't give water to a cat that could save a child. Still, it's a horrible choice that has to be made.

[SieSie]

Another sad part to this awful tragedy. I know I could never just leave my dog behind. I rescued her from the middle of a busy highway, there's no way I'd leave her to drown or dehydrate & starve to death. I understand why some stayed behind and hoped to just hold out. So very sad.

[Dark Knight]

I know DK, its just all so hard to absorb.
I know. I'm limiting my intake of it to avoid going crazy like I am seeing others around me becoming. It's easier to digest in moderation, if only a little. I donated, which made me feel like I at least helped out, and I tell others who feel helpless to try and do the same, even a few bucks. I gave to both human and animal charities. Plus the offering of prayers, of course, for everything suffering.

[Linda7NJ]

Another sad part to this awful tragedy. I know I could never just leave my dog behind. I rescued her from the middle of a busy highway, there's no way I'd leave her to drown or dehydrate & starve to death. I understand why some stayed behind and hoped to just hold out. So very sad.
I can't imagine leaving my beloved dogs behind, but I also can't imagine staying with my young son because I couldn't take my dog.

[Beyond Belief]

I can't imagine leaving my beloved dogs behind, but I also can't imagine staying with my young son because I couldn't take my dog. I understand the animal attachment too. We drove to NC last year rather than go to a shelter so we could take the dog during hurricane Frances. Something about being a Jersey girl, I guess.

[Gabby]

My dogs would sit in my lap... I would NOT leave them.. they are the only things in this world that love a person unconditionally.... they stay... I stay.. simple as that.

[Dark Knight]

My dogs would sit in my lap... I would NOT leave them.. they are the only things in this world that love a person unconditionally.... they stay... I stay.. simple as that.
Yup, your siggy has always summed up my opinion exactly.

[Gabby]

Yup, your siggy has always summed up my opinion exactly.


:blowkiss: :blowkiss: :blowkiss: :blowkiss: thanks for understanding Knight

[tipper]

http://www.hsus.org/


Donate to the Humane Society's Rescue work.

[Cypros]

No way I would leave my cat behind. No way. I would carry him out rather than leave him behind.

I am sure that the pets are a big reason why many people stayed behind.

[SimonSays]

My husband and I just talked about this tonight, and discussed what we would have done had we been residents of NO.... (we have 5 indoor cats) ~ and we came to the quick conclusion that we would not have evacuated had we not been able to bring our cats, they're our babies, our children, and there is just no way I could bring myself to leave them to starve, dehydrate or drown. I know that fellow pet lovers will understand this.... pets are very much part of the family. I would die with them before leaving them to die alone in a flooded home. I am so teary right now just thinking about these unfortunate people who were forced to make that heartwrenching decision. :(

[Sassygerl]

I heard Houston has 600 pets rescued in their shelters.....where they found the room I have no idea. I am going to check it out though and would love to take in a couple and reunite them someday with their family. I can't imagine the psychological effects of everything going on and then having to leave your pet. I just don't think we could do it....we'd rather walk and hope to heck someone would drop us food/water while we're walking!!!!! Our pets are family.......as they are to many.

[2luvmy]

Hey Sassy, I saw a short news clip where a center near the astrodome and the other place was opening up. They are taking the animals of the evacuees. They have kennels and carriers set up, with plenty of donated food and water for the animals. It is staffed with volunteers and vets, however it is the responsibility of the owners to come and feed and walk the animals.

We have 3 dogs and two cats. I really just could't leave them and I am sure my kids wouldn't allow me to. My thought was that I would ask for food rationings and water and just start walking also hoping that one of the renegade buses etc. would pick me up.

[Sassygerl]

Hey Sassy, I saw a short news clip where a center near the astrodome and the other place was opening up. They are taking the animals of the evacuees. They have kennels and carriers set up, with plenty of donated food and water for the animals. It is staffed with volunteers and vets, however it is the responsibility of the owners to come and feed and walk the animals.

We have 3 dogs and two cats. I really just could't leave them and I am sure my kids wouldn't allow me to. My thought was that I would ask for food rationings and water and just start walking also hoping that one of the renegade buses etc. would pick me up.

I have no doubt the volunteers and vets would feed the animals if the owners don't show up (hopefully)! I am so sad over this whole situation, but was brought to tears the other night seeing a pic of a dog sitting on the steps to a house that was surrounded by water. I questioned myself why in the heck this upset me so much when there are people dying. The dog was so symbolic. He was a symbol of hopelessness at the time. There he sat, all alone, so loyal and no chance of rescue. Who knows if his owner was dead in the house....but there he waited.

[2luvmy]

I am sure they would feed the animals, I think the woman was indicating that the evacuees would be free to come and feed and walk their animals.

Was it the brown dog sitting on the roof? I saw that one. Sad!!! I just can't imagine I just couldn't handle leaving my doggies. They cry when I leave them in the car to run into the gas station.

[CuriousAnne]

My dogs would sit in my lap... I would NOT leave them.. they are the only things in this world that love a person unconditionally.... they stay... I stay.. simple as that.

i wouldn't leave my dog either. she's my child - plain and simple.

[kahskye]

My pets are also my kids and there's no way I could ever leave them behind. My mind can't erase the black lab mix I saw on a roof. The owners were being rescued and lifted up by the helicopter and the dog was there wagging his tail thinking he'd be going too. Then the helicopter lifted off leaving the dog behind, and I cried.

[kgeaux]

There are rescue efforts going on now to get pets out. Volunteers in boats are going up and down and rescuing cats, dogs, anything they can find. Lafayette has taken some in. Those with tags have a chance to be reunited with owners. Someone needs to start a website and post pictures of rescued pets to up the chances of reunions. Our local evacuees are being taken to the public libraries when they need to use the internet, since there is free access there.

I would never leave my pet either. We'd be together, hopefully evacuated, but I would never leave Ninja behind. He is a part of my family.

[Ntegrity]

I'm interested in fostering some small dogs (2 or 3). My male dachshund has a "child" in New Orleans that I've been worried about. Does anyone know the best way to get on a list to foster?

[SieSie]

Does anyone have any information on where we can go to "adopt-a-pet", even if it's temporary until the owners can get housing and back on their feet? I could take in one dog and would gladly do so. I mean, I know there are sites like petfinder and things, but does the Humane Society or anything have a specific site set up for adoption of animals from the hurricane? TIA.

[Linda7NJ]

My pets are also my kids and there's no way I could ever leave them behind. My mind can't erase the black lab mix I saw on a roof. The owners were being rescued and lifted up by the helicopter and the dog was there wagging his tail thinking he'd be going too. Then the helicopter lifted off leaving the dog behind, and I cried.
I saw that and cried too! The owner was a big chubby guy, crying like a baby over his dog. My heart broke for them both.

[Ntegrity]

For anyone willing to foster dogs, cats, or other animals, you can sign up here:
www.1-800-save-a-pet.com/

[Buzzm1]

We can only hope that all of the pets will be rescued and taken care of. It is so very sad that the people were forced to leave without their pets. I think, rather than leave my pets, I would rather stay, and take my chances, at least until I could leave with them. Leaving a pet like that must be like having your heart ripped out, leaving a giant permanent hole in you.

Hopefully, as some have mentioned, this will turn into a crusade to save all of the pets, and care for them, and feed them, until such time when the owners can provide a home for them again. That would certainly help those families emotionally after this huge loss they have all suffered.

[Mygirlsadie]

This just breaks my heart. So much loss and heartache.
Awww this is so sad to me. My Sadie (German Shepherd) wouldnt know what to do without me. She thinks I'm her mother. I don't know how I could live with myself if I had to leave her behind the thought brings tears to my eyes.

[kahskye]

I'm interested in fostering some small dogs (2 or 3). My male dachshund has a "child" in New Orleans that I've been worried about. Does anyone know the best way to get on a list to foster?
I don't know where in Florida you are, but the Animal Hospital of Panama City Beach is asking for foster parents. Many people evacuated over here and more are coming. Alot of the hotels still don't allow pets and their owners have been told about the Animal Hospital. The hospital is expecting to receive many dogs/cats in the coming weeks. If you wish to be put on the list to foster a pet, you can call them at 850-233-7091.

[Ntegrity]

I'm in Ft. Walton Beach. We were barely affected by Katrina, so why is Panama City a problem since they're even farther away? :confused:

[kahskye]

I'm in Ft. Walton Beach. We were barely affected by Katrina, so why is Panama City a problem since they're even farther away? :confused:
Panama City Beach IN NOT a problem, hardly any damage from the hurricane. I was stating that the Animal Hospital is fostering animals here for the hurricane victims. Many victims evacuated over here and now have no place to return to. Many brought their pets w/ them and are looking for temporary homes for them while they get situated. The Animal Hospital of Panama City Beach is setting up a foster care program for these victim's pets. The owner of the hospital also owns a clinic in Mary Ester and may be offering to foster pets there as well.

[Cypros]

For anyone willing to foster dogs, cats, or other animals, you can sign up here:
www.1-800-save-a-pet.com/

I just signed up. I must admit that I am a little bit nervous as my cat is very happy being an only child and I am nervous about introducing an unknown character into my home, but I just can't sit back and fret and complain without doing something (besides donating money of course). We all have to sacrifice right now. I signed up for a cat, bird, reptile or small rodent-type animal. I hope Cairo and I will make a good match for a needy pet.

[Ntegrity]

Panama City Beach IN NOT a problem, hardly any damage from the hurricane. I was stating that the Animal Hospital is fostering animals here for the hurricane victims. Many victims evacuated over here and now have no place to return to. Many brought their pets w/ them and are looking for temporary homes for them while they get situated. The Animal Hospital of Panama City Beach is setting up a foster care program for these victim's pets. The owner of the hospital also owns a clinic in Mary Ester and may be offering to foster pets there as well.
Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification!!

[PrayersForMaura]

Does anyone have any information on where we can go to "adopt-a-pet", even if it's temporary until the owners can get housing and back on their feet? I could take in one dog and would gladly do so. I mean, I know there are sites like petfinder and things, but does the Humane Society or anything have a specific site set up for adoption of animals from the hurricane? TIA.
yeah, my boyfriend and i are doing it through the humane society.
Your humane society should have that option.
I will find a link in a moment.

big hearts you all have. my dogs are sitting right here by me. i cry just thinking about those animals out there with nowhere to go :(

[Ntegrity]

I just signed up. I must admit that I am a little bit nervous as my cat is very happy being an only child and I am nervous about introducing an unknown character into my home, but I just can't sit back and fret and complain without doing something (besides donating money of course).
I feel the same way. I have three dogs and a cat already but if I were in that situation, I'd appreciate someone taking care of my pets until I could get settled. It would ease my mind tremendously. I wish I could take a whole houseful but DH would have a fit, LOL.

[PrayersForMaura]

Emergency Foster Homes Needed
Cats, dogs, horses and farm animals displaced by Hurricane Katrina need temporary homes

The Humane Society of Missouri has received numerous calls from people who have fled the Hurricane Katrina disaster area and have arrived in St. Louis needing temporary boarding for their pets. To aid these storm victims, we have set up an Emergency Foster Animal Clearinghouse to help match persons with animals needing boarding with persons who have available space.

If you are willing to help people with pets, horses or farm animals in need and have facilities to provide for them, please sign up as a foster home via our web site (http://member.hsmo.org/site/R?i=IA62xMS5W1ZfNvRb5KcwCA..). We will contact you as we have requests for the service you are able to provide.

Thank you very much for your generosity in this time of great need. Please forward this email (http://member.hsmo.org/site/R?i=-uGmXtQOrXSyEiDxgAhLHw..) to others who might be interested in providing foster animal care.

If you would like to donate to help support the eight-person Humane Society of Missouri Disaster Response Team currently rescuing animals in the hurricane stricken area, please call 314-951-1542 or make a contribution (http://member.hsmo.org/site/R?i=o21HukgRG_VTGmSwMGzIXQ..) on our secure website. Read more>> (http://member.hsmo.org/site/R?i=f7XyLkAx83ZE1ePtphyhgw..)

PLEASE NOTE: Because this is an emergency situation, the Humane Society of Missouri is acting merely as a clearinghouse and makes no guarantee about the health or suitability of animals or suitability of foster homes.


http://member.hsmo.org/site/PixelServer?j=Y8YJTi-JkpYB48W5dmsF6w..

[Sassygerl]

On Fox they've been doing rescues and I heard them say "there's one man left on the roof with his dog". I thought maybe I need to switch the channel. To my surprise the dog was loaded in the basket......so sweet. What happens next I don't know, but it warmed my heart to see them rescue the dog off the roof!

[Olivia77]

Thank you for posting this thread Dark Knight. I have a difficult time thinking about this subject and talking about it. I have signed up as a volunteer to go down there in several weeks for animal rescue, but not sure if I will be called. I have read so many terrible stories about the pets, that right now I have nightmares everynight. Ever since I read the story about Snowball several days back, I can't stop thinking about it.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/04/katrina.pets.ap/index.html

[PrayersForMaura]

Thank you for posting this thread Dark Knight. I have a difficult time thinking about this subject and talking about it. I have signed up as a volunteer to go down there in several weeks for animal rescue, but not sure if I will be called. I have read so many terrible stories about the pets, that right now I have nightmares everynight. Ever since I read the story about Snowball several days back, I can't stop thinking about it.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/04/katrina.pets.ap/index.html
oh my goodness that one tears me up. i cannot stop crying. :(

[LDC]

If I could afford to transport a pet to foster until the owners were in a better situation I would in a heart beat..I just cant afford the cost to fly one out to CA.

[Ntegrity]

Bumping for the pets who need help. If you can provide a foster home to a displaced animal, it would ease the minds of their owners so much. They're dealing with so much pain already. :(

[Marstan]

On Fox they've been doing rescues and I heard them say "there's one man left on the roof with his dog". I thought maybe I need to switch the channel. To my surprise the dog was loaded in the basket......so sweet. What happens next I don't know, but it warmed my heart to see them rescue the dog off the roof!
I saw that too and missed seeing if they dog was taken too. I am so happy for that lil pooch and for the owners too. I was surprised to see the water was still so darned deep. Thanks for the news.

[lorann]

I just e mailed the Mo. site and offered to foster two dogs. My much loved dog died died right before the new year. I had made up my mind, no more - too heart breaking when they are no longer here. I am not sure how any animals would get from there to here, but I have so much love for animals and am willing to foster two that hopefully will be reunited with their owners at some point. I have a wonderful vet who will probably give them a good check up at little or no cost to me. As soon as I contacted the site, they emailed me back acknowledging they received my application. I should have asked if they are not already spayed or neutered, if that was an option I could take care of myself. If I hear from them, I will be sure and ask. I am willing to send pictures to the owners, communicate with them - not sure if that is allowed? If I grow to love them and the owners want them back, it would be a little sad but more heartwarming than sad.

[PrayersForMaura]

I just e mailed the Mo. site and offered to foster two dogs. My much loved dog died died right before the new year. I had made up my mind, no more - too heart breaking when they are no longer here. I am not sure how any animals would get from there to here, but I have so much love for animals and am willing to foster two that hopefully will be reunited with their owners at some point. I have a wonderful vet who will probably give them a good check up at little or no cost to me. As soon as I contacted the site, they emailed me back acknowledging they received my application. I should have asked if they are not already spayed or neutered, if that was an option I could take care of myself. If I hear from them, I will be sure and ask. I am willing to send pictures to the owners, communicate with them - not sure if that is allowed? If I grow to love them and the owners want them back, it would be a little sad but more heartwarming than sad.
Bless your heart, you are a wonderful, big-hearted person :blowkiss:

[SieSie]

http://tinypic.com/dea0ck.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dea0k7.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dea0sg.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dea3cn.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dea1s3.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dea0xx.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dea1dx.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dea1k4.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dea36d.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dea3o7.jpg

[PrayersForMaura]

Oh, sie sie, thanks for posting those photos. It is so nice to see animals getting saved too. I can't help it, I love animals. They are so kind to people ... more forgiving to people than most humans I know. :(

The top picture bugs me though. I hope that poor dog got saved.
I am worried about him/her.

[BirdieBoo]

What about that poor little dogger by that yellow house? did someone save him too?

[DEPUTYDAWG]

My friends have room to keep a horse, if you hear of anyone needing a stall.

[Ntegrity]

Horses, dogs, cats, birds and many others animals need temporary housing. You can sign up to provide a foster home at www.1-800-save-a-pet.com.

[SieSie]

Horses, dogs, cats, birds and many others animals need temporary housing. You can sign up to provide a foster home at www.1-800-save-a-pet.com.

Thanks for the link, Ntegrity! :blowkiss:

If I could find the two dogs at the top of this picture, I'd love to foster them.
http://tinypic.com/dea0k7.jpg

[kahskye]

What about that poor little dogger by that yellow house? did someone save him too?
I hope so, now all I'm going to do is think about him sitting there. Hopefully whoever took the picture also rescued him. I'd love to hear an update on him if anyone knows.

[lorann]

Bless your heart, you are a wonderful, big-hearted person :blowkiss:

:blushing: Thanks, big-hearted perhaps but wonderful? No, I just had a big discussion with my son, had my dog still been alive, he would have known where I would have been had I not been able to drive out of danger - on the roof with the dog, or looting the stores for dog food.

There are many dogs in my own city that need to find homes - but these dogs have a chance to get back to their people. I just hope the society takes pictures and keep track of who has what pet so they can be reunited.

Sis sie, thanks for the pics.

[Cypros]

I love seeing the pictures of doggies and kitties getting rescued. It makes my heart lift -- and I needed some lifting!

[Cypros]

I just saw an interview with Christiane Amanpour on CNN. She was talking about all of the people who are refusing to leave -- mamy of them because they will not leave their pets behind. The officials are saying that staying is almost a sure death because of the poisons in the water. Someone said that any animals there now that have been drinking the water are going to die because of what is in the water.

I hope that they are prepared for all of the people and animals that ARE coming out for treatment of poisoning, dysentary (sp?) etc.

[Dark Knight]

Someone just told me they heard on the nightly news that they are changing their policy and allowing people to take their pets since so many refuse to leave without them. I say, it's about dang time!

[SieSie]

Someone just told me they heard on the nightly news that they are changing their policy and allowing people to take their pets since so many refuse to leave without them. I say, it's about dang time!
:clap: :clap: I'm so glad to hear that they're going to change their policy and allow the people to take their pets. I, too, would never just leave my dog behind.

[Cypros]

I keep on seeking out my cat and giving him BIG HUGS and KISSES for all the animals that are dying in NO.

[Sassygerl]

Someone just told me they heard on the nightly news that they are changing their policy and allowing people to take their pets since so many refuse to leave without them. I say, it's about dang time!

This is such great news! I registered to foster a small dog but haven't heard anything. Has anyone who signed up gotten a call??? We have a bunch of animals, but I thought what was one more? To see a child or a family months or a year from now reunited would be so awesome!!!

My husband and I drove around this morning and saw many with the wristbands wandering the streets.....while I wanted so much to talk to them we drove on. I figured they've been through enough and are probably exhausted!

[kgeaux]

Someone just told me they heard on the nightly news that they are changing their policy and allowing people to take their pets since so many refuse to leave without them. I say, it's about dang time!


This is wonderful news. I know I could not leave my loyal pet behind. I wouldn't be able to breathe thinking about his confusion and sadness at being abandoned.

We need to change the policy for next time. No one should be left behind to die because we won't let them take their pets.

[concernedperson]

This is wonderful news. I know I could not leave my loyal pet behind. I wouldn't be able to breathe thinking about his confusion and sadness at being abandoned.

We need to change the policy for next time. No one should be left behind to die because we won't let them take their pets.

With that being said you do realize that many people feel the same way and that was their reason for not leaving. I just don't want people being unduly condemned about personal responsibility when they thought this was their personal responsibility.

I am all about the people first but I am not without their loves whether they be pets or not.

[Olivia77]

The latest on CNN is that some physicians group is criticizing the fact that people can't take their pets saying it further traumatizes them. Well, DUH! I, like many of the wonderful WS'ers on this thread would never leave my pets behind. Of COURSE it would traumatize people further.

I'm happy that everyone is finally cleared to go in and do animal rescue. I hope many people can be reunited with their pets.

[NK57]

OK I just signed up too at 1-800-save-a-pet. I wonder how far they would place a pet. I'm in NY and would drive part of the way to transport. I wonder if I'll hear from them.

Nancy

[concernedperson]

I feel my posts are lost in oblivion. I am a first hand Louisianian,I love my lost state. I am having a hard time dealing. I know that the contras will be jumping my butt.But if anyone loves the state where they come from and know that the ridiculed will be put over the coals they will understand. It is going to be rough and rougher. Something has to survive. I just want you to know that I am a survivor and I won't abandon my state even with its shortcomings. I will stick with it and fight and I don't want anyone to ever experience the pain that this has caused.

[Gabby]

Someone just told me they heard on the nightly news that they are changing their policy and allowing people to take their pets since so many refuse to leave without them. I say, it's about dang time!


to the elderly, that pet is their cause for living most of the time... I wouldn't leave my dogs and I am far from elderly.

[Olivia77]

I feel my posts are lost in oblivion. I am a first hand Louisianian,I love my lost state. I am having a hard time dealing. I know that the contras will be jumping my butt.But if anyone loves the state where they come from and know that the ridiculed will be put over the coals they will understand. It is going to be rough and rougher. Something has to survive. I just want you to know that I am a survivor and I won't abandon my state even with its shortcomings. I will stick with it and fight and I don't want anyone to ever experience the pain that this has caused.

concernedperson,

Your posts are not lost in oblivion. I won't begin to try to tell you that I know how you feel but my heart aches for you and your beloved state. I know I am having a hard time dealing, I can't imagine how you are holding up. Louisiana has a very special place in my heart and I know someday I will return, and so will you. I'm going to share a picture with you from our last trip to New Orleans, April 24, 2005 when I got engaged at Le Pavillon - the trip was the most magical one of my life. My fiance took this picture at the cathedral in Jackson Square. This photo with the candles burning brightly brings me hope in this dark time.

http://www.geocities.com/princessoliviac/candles.JPG

Olivia

[concernedperson]

concernedperson,

Your posts are not lost in oblivion. I won't begin to try to tell you that I know how you feel but my heart aches for you and your beloved state. I know I am having a hard time dealing, I can't imagine how you are holding up. Louisiana has a very special place in my heart and I know someday I will return, and so will you. I'm going to share a picture with you from our last trip to New Orleans, April 24, 2005 when I got engaged at Le Pavillon - the trip was the most magical one of my life. My fiance took this picture at the cathedral in Jackson Square. This photo with the candles burning brightly brings me hope in this dark time.

http://www.geocities.com/princessoliviac/candles.JPG

Olivia
Thank you so much from the bottem of my heart. I needed to hear from someone who understands.My grief is so bad I never thought it. I always thought that I could navigate. I am not doing so good I have to hear from Kgeaux and others right now.Why now? I can't believe I am falling so apart.

[Shadow205]

My dogs would sit in my lap... I would NOT leave them.. they are the only things in this world that love a person unconditionally.... they stay... I stay.. simple as that.
Yep, I'm with you on this one Gabby. I guess that I would be sittin on a roof but ya know what, my dog would be sitting right there beside me. He never leaves my side and I know that I could never leave him.

[PrayersForMaura]

Concernedperson...

The UnitedStates is 50 states ....
I couldn't stand losing even one, much less the one in which I live!

We're one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all... pets included :o

[concernedperson]

Concernedperson...

The UnitedStates is 50 states ....
I couldn't stand losing even one, much less the one in which I live!

We're one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all... pets included :o

Thank you. I am so glad you understand even though I don't live there, but my heart is always there. Very painful,obviously ,you understand.Please help the people of Louisiana and make their journey to a better place and without precedence or prejudice, just make it a home.

[CuriousAnne]

I keep on seeking out my cat and giving him BIG HUGS and KISSES for all the animals that are dying in NO.

me too cypros! i can't stand it. it's heartwrenching - these animals had no choices and depended on their owners to make the right decisions to save their lives. i'm so glad they are finally being rescued.

[kgeaux]

Thank you so much from the bottem of my heart. I needed to hear from someone who understands.My grief is so bad I never thought it. I always thought that I could navigate. I am not doing so good I have to hear from Kgeaux and others right now.Why now? I can't believe I am falling so apart.


You sweet thing, your posts are never lost! You are one that puts their heart and soul into action. You reach out to others and encourage us to do the same. I got up this morning and ran to the computer to see if you've heard from your daughter. I've thought about her and her humanitarian trip all night. She must have inherited that great heart from you, that wanting to reach out. I have prayed for her safe return.

Don't fall apart on us! If this was a wrestling match (and in many ways it is!) New Orleans is down but not out. The people of this state are going to survive. We are going to rebuild. You should see how many people from Lafayette hooked their boats up to the backs of their trucks and got down to N.O. and rescued people! They didn't bring their photographers LOL, but they went. We had people going down there whose main purpose was to follow other boats around--they just had tiny boats not suitable for rescuing large groups of people--but they picked up pets that otherwise would have been left behind.

I know your grief. There is no other place on earth like New Orleans. And much of what happened was so preventable. But I am praying that we will LEARN from this. We have to learn. I wish we could turn back the clock and get everyone out of those low-lying areas before the levees broke, but we can't, all we can do is make sure we never ever allow this situation to occur again.

I love you, concerned. I am praying for you and your family. In a way, I think it is almost tougher for you, because you are so far away. I have the outlet of getting out and doing something hands on to help relieve my grief and frustration, and it is harder to do that from a distance.

I hope when you make your trip here you will contact me. I would love to meet you in real life!

[concernedperson]

You sweet thing, your posts are never lost! You are one that puts their heart and soul into action. You reach out to others and encourage us to do the same. I got up this morning and ran to the computer to see if you've heard from your daughter. I've thought about her and her humanitarian trip all night. She must have inherited that great heart from you, that wanting to reach out. I have prayed for her safe return.

Don't fall apart on us! If this was a wrestling match (and in many ways it is!) New Orleans is down but not out. The people of this state are going to survive. We are going to rebuild. You should see how many people from Lafayette hooked their boats up to the backs of their trucks and got down to N.O. and rescued people! They didn't bring their photographers LOL, but they went. We had people going down there whose main purpose was to follow other boats around--they just had tiny boats not suitable for rescuing large groups of people--but they picked up pets that otherwise would have been left behind.

I know your grief. There is no other place on earth like New Orleans. And much of what happened was so preventable. But I am praying that we will LEARN from this. We have to learn. I wish we could turn back the clock and get everyone out of those low-lying areas before the levees broke, but we can't, all we can do is make sure we never ever allow this situation to occur again.

I love you, concerned. I am praying for you and your family. In a way, I think it is almost tougher for you, because you are so far away. I have the outlet of getting out and doing something hands on to help relieve my grief and frustration, and it is harder to do that from a distance.

I hope when you make your trip here you will contact me. I would love to meet you in real life!

Thanks for your sweet thoughts. My daughter must still be in Louisiana or Mississippi because her cell phone has been giving me the all circuits are busy thing. I called my own cell and it is not happening in Atlanta. Will let you know when I hear from her.

[SieSie]

Another man was floating on a tire, and actually swimming in the water. He refused to come on board, saying that he didn't have to and that he wouldn't, because he had two dogs that he simply wasn't going to leave.

He kept saying, "I am responsible for them. It's as simple as that. I'm not coming on board."
Source: CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/05/scene.blog/index.html)

[kgeaux]

Source: CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/05/scene.blog/index.html)


The National Guard has run into this problem so many times. They are now rescuing pets, although they can't promise the pet owners that shelters will take the pets in.....most places are making pets be housed separately.

[Seeker]

http://www.usef.org/relief/index.php
http://www.aqha.com/hurricanerelief
http://www.hsus.org/
http://ga4.org/uan/events/ears_katrina_convergent/details.tcl

I have room for more horses...am signed up already.

[SieSie]

<snip>
....He’s just reclaimed Sebastian, a large black cocker spaniel with red markings above his brown eyes, from his temporary shelter at the Houston SPCA. “Sebastian Moret,” Moret Williams specifies, emphasizing the dog’s second name, the one that defines the animal as part of his family. “I got no children. This here’s my baby.”

Moret Williams and Sebastian left New Orleans together. Sebastian floated on an air mattress at his owner’s side as Moret Williams waded through polluted, neck-deep floodwater, pulling the mattress along with him. Man and beast managed to reach an elevated portion of Interstate 10, but the helicopters that were taking evacuees to buses weren’t allowing pets on board.

“There was no way I was leaving without him,” Moret Williams says, and so he did what so many have had to do in the past week: He improvised. He put Sebastian in a large black trash bag and begged him not to make noise.

Amazingly, the dog obeyed, though he did squirm at one point—a point that could have ruined the whole plan. “He bumped against the pilot,” Moret Williams says, a small smile creeping onto his face. “The pilot just goes, ‘I didn’t see nothing.’ ”

The pet owner’s black bag operation was secret enough to get the pair a one-way ticket to Houston on a bus that also didn’t accept animals. Sebastian made the whole trip with his nose sticking out the top of the bag.

<snip>

....the majority of the animals who’ve arrived with the victims were stowaways, brought out of the city by hook or by crook by owners unwilling to leave them behind. The two ferrets arrived in the oversized pockets of a young girl. A parakeet was concealed in a makeup case. Chihuahuas and kittens came in women’s purses.

Then there was Lola. Earlier this week, Boller was helping with pet intake at the Astrodome in the middle of the night when the lovebird arrived. The young woman who brought the bird obviously hadn’t slept for days, and she mentioned having come from the Superdome. All she and her little boy had with them was a small plastic bag of personal items, and Lola—although the bird was not immediately apparent to Boller’s eyes. The woman told him, “I’ve got something for you,” and then pressed her breasts together slightly and rolled her shoulders in a way that might have seemed suggestive in another context. Lola the lovebird popped up out of her cleavage, having spent most of the bus trip tucked inside her owner’s bra.

More at link: Humane Society of the U.S. (http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/recent_activities_and_information/refusing_to_leave_them_behind_evacuees_smuggled_th eir_pets_out_with_them.html)

[concernedperson]

Thanks for your sweet thoughts. My daughter must still be in Louisiana or Mississippi because her cell phone has been giving me the all circuits are busy thing. I called my own cell and it is not happening in Atlanta. Will let you know when I hear from her.

She just got through to me and she is fine. They found 2 homes in Point Coupee parish for this group, 22 people, 9 dogs,4 cats and 1 bird. They have unloaded the Uhaul and her car that they towed ( a little transmission problem but OK to drive). She will be leaving Baton Rouge shortly....then her phone cut off. I feel better.

[13th Juror]

I posted this response to NewMom2003 on the thread "Sad Story of a boy & his dog" but just saw this thread and thought it may be appropriate (& helpful) to post here. I apologize for the duplicate posting - but I'm so hoping to find info on this woman & her companion dog, "Tinky".

If you have any info - please post. Thanks! :)

13th Juror






I do also, but I'm afraid I would be one of those people who refused to leave their pets. I pray that I am never faced with a tragedy like this, but if I were, I would do everything I could to get my pets to safety. They are my babies and I couldn't leave them behind.

There was a woman shown on Fox last night who wanted to evacuate, but wouldn't because she couldn't take her dog with her. I completely understood where she was coming from.

I remember in the early 90's, there was a hurricane brewing in the gulf that looked like it was headed our way. We immediately made plans to go further west towards San Antonio and booked hotel rooms that would allow you to bring your pets. Fortunately, that hurricane fizzled out, but living on the gulf coast, you always think about hurricanes.

My prayers go out to this little boy and Snowball. On top of everything else he's been through, his heart is breaking for his beloved pet.

So many heartbreaking stories with this horrible tragedy. :(




Hi NewMom and all,

I feel exactly the same way you all do. I'm praying Snowball and his "little guy" owner are reunited - and asap.

The reports & horrific visuals of ALL the abandoned, stranded & starving animals are stressing me to the point of near insanity. (O.K. - *Insanity* may be a slight exaggeration - but it's damn close.) I can handle almost anything better than the needless suffering of helpless animals. (No, it does not mean I don't care about human life & suffering - I most certainly do.)

God Bless "Jean Jones" (in Ft. Lauderdale, FL) of PuppyMillRescue.Com (http://www.PuppyMillRescue.com) and now "KatrinaFoundPets.Com (http://www.KatrinaFoundPets.com) for going the extra mile in her attempts to reunite Snowball with his human family.

NewMom2003, the devastated woman, you referenced above, that was hoping to be evacuated with her dog "Tinky" and who had spent days assisted others in making it safely to the I-10 bridge area - was denied rescue for her beloved dog by the National Guard. She stated that she just could not leave Tinky behind.

David Lee Miller was reporting for FOX News. The woman's name is Lewanda Poley - and "Tinky" (a female) appears to be a Chow mix.

I have made numerous calls attempting to locate Lewanda & Tinky. If anyone hears anything more regarding either of them through the news media - PLEASE post here on WS.

I have 3 extra bedrooms here, a guest house & a large fenced "dog friendly" yard in a safe neighborhood. Witnessing the anguish & devastation on this woman's face just broke my heart. I would never leave my pets either - they go where I go. Anyway, I would gladly drive to the New Orleans area to bring them here to my home in Central FL. We experienced Charley, Frances & Jeanne last hurricane season - but as bad as they were here - none of them could hold a candle to Katrina's catastrophic devastation.

So - please if anyone hears anything further about Lewanda & Tinky - please post it. I'll keep trying through FOX, humane animal organizations & the various relief agencies - and will check here at WS often. Thanks so much. :)

13th Juror

[WISCer]

I feel my posts are lost in oblivion. I am a first hand Louisianian,I love my lost state. I am having a hard time dealing. I know that the contras will be jumping my butt.But if anyone loves the state where they come from and know that the ridiculed will be put over the coals they will understand. It is going to be rough and rougher. Something has to survive. I just want you to know that I am a survivor and I won't abandon my state even with its shortcomings. I will stick with it and fight and I don't want anyone to ever experience the pain that this has caused.



As a fellow Louisianian, I feel the same way.

[PrayersForMaura]

This story is tearing me up!!!!

Swimming to survive

In Mississippi, many pets were either left to fend for themselves in the powerful winds or trapped in flooding cages as owners fled. Others survived, only to die after days without food and water.

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/.element/img/1.0/story/start_quote.gifWe had dogs that swam the entire time ... and survived.http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/.element/img/1.0/story/end_quote.gif
-- Julie Parks, Gulfport humane society





Seventeen dogs and six cats died at the Humane Society of South Mississippi shelter in Gulfport. About 125 survived, many of them dog-paddling for hours until the mix of mud and sewage receded.

The national Humane Society chapter came in Friday and retrieved the survivors, trucking them to shelters further north, said Julie Parks, the assistant director of the Gulfport facility.

"We had dogs that swam the entire time in 4 feet of water and survived," said Parks. "Even cats were in about 8 to 9 inches of water in the upper cages and they swam and survived, too. Just like everybody else, they're survivors."

Reuniting Snowball and his owner will require work, patience and luck.

More: http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/06/katrina.pets.ap/index.html


I can't stop trembling.
To think of those poor dogs and cats that they described in stairwells fending for themselves with no food and water and some of them dying...
I have compassion for people, believe me I do ... but animals really tug at my heart strings too.
I am so sad.

[Olivia77]

This story is tearing me up!!!!

Swimming to survive

In Mississippi, many pets were either left to fend for themselves in the powerful winds or trapped in flooding cages as owners fled. Others survived, only to die after days without food and water.

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/.element/img/1.0/story/start_quote.gifWe had dogs that swam the entire time ... and survived.http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/.element/img/1.0/story/end_quote.gif
-- Julie Parks, Gulfport humane society





Seventeen dogs and six cats died at the Humane Society of South Mississippi shelter in Gulfport. About 125 survived, many of them dog-paddling for hours until the mix of mud and sewage receded.

The national Humane Society chapter came in Friday and retrieved the survivors, trucking them to shelters further north, said Julie Parks, the assistant director of the Gulfport facility.

"We had dogs that swam the entire time in 4 feet of water and survived," said Parks. "Even cats were in about 8 to 9 inches of water in the upper cages and they swam and survived, too. Just like everybody else, they're survivors."

Reuniting Snowball and his owner will require work, patience and luck.

More: http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/06/katrina.pets.ap/index.html


I can't stop trembling.
To think of those poor dogs and cats that they described in stairwells fending for themselves with no food and water and some of them dying...
I have compassion for people, believe me I do ... but animals really tug at my heart strings too.
I am so sad.
I am right there with you PFM. I'm nauseous when I read these stories, saw this one this morning and it hurt...

[kgeaux]

She just got through to me and she is fine. They found 2 homes in Point Coupee parish for this group, 22 people, 9 dogs,4 cats and 1 bird. They have unloaded the Uhaul and her car that they towed ( a little transmission problem but OK to drive). She will be leaving Baton Rouge shortly....then her phone cut off. I feel better.


Whoo Hoo! I'm doing the happy dance now and I bet you are too! What a girl you've got!!

[SieSie]

*Please PLEASE to Cross Post!*

Hi, my name is Ruby Smith, volunteer with the Humane Society of West Louisiana! We are fielding HUNDREDS of calls from people effected by Hurricane Katrina because we are the closest Humane Society with a working telephone! (appx 4 hours west of New Orleans in Rosepine, LA) We are doing all we can but have one big problem. SPACE! We are taking as many strays from the area as possible but are having hard time finding room for the family owned pets that are having to be given up! These are people who have NO choice but to give up their beloved pets due to this catastrophe. We are looking for help from Breed Specific Rescues to find homes for these babies!

If you know anyone involved in rescues, or any other rescue group
or person who is willing to help out please contact the Humane Society of West Louisiana! It is feasible that we will be getting more and more calls from owners who are having to make the choice of surrendering their pets but we just do not have the room for them! Thank you So much and please, continue to pray for the victims of Katrina, both human and pets!

Humane Society of West Louisiana
Ask for Rita
337-462-3321
mzzritapuppylady@aol.com

*Please PLEASE to Cross Post!*

I found this at Petfinder.com's message board (http://www.petfinder.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=73610&sid=9b386c1fd478be99f09c56eab0a7a780)


ETA: This picture just tears me up!
http://tinypic.com/dfy6j7.jpg

[Olivia77]

http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/NEWS/NEWS.htm

UPDATE: 4:03pm PST Authorities have informed our rescue team that they have three days to rescue all dogs before they start shooting them. They believe that dogs are eating dead bodies to stay alive and need to eliminate them. We are outraged. Animal rescue groups were not allowed into the water until last Tuesday. To give us just another 72 hours to get a job, of biblical proportions done, is ludicrous. We are doing our best to beg for more time. We would ask you to call or write to someone but frankly, the lines of communications are so poor, we have no clue where you can begin. Because our team is on the ground, they have direct contact with law enforcement. If we have to, we'll work 'under the radar' to get the job done.

[Ntegrity]

UPDATE: 4:03pm PST Authorities have informed our rescue team that they have three days to rescue all dogs before they start shooting them.
If there was any possible way, I'd head over there to help. This is just killing me!!!! Unfortunately, I'm overwhelmed at work and will probably have to work some this weekend. There's no way I can walk off the job to do this. I hope they get the word out so that people will know what's happening.

[Liz]

http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/NEWS/NEWS.htm

UPDATE: 4:03pm PST Authorities have informed our rescue team that they have three days to rescue all dogs before they start shooting them. They believe that dogs are eating dead bodies to stay alive and need to eliminate them. We are outraged. Animal rescue groups were not allowed into the water until last Tuesday. To give us just another 72 hours to get a job, of biblical proportions done, is ludicrous. We are doing our best to beg for more time. We would ask you to call or write to someone but frankly, the lines of communications are so poor, we have no clue where you can begin. Because our team is on the ground, they have direct contact with law enforcement. If we have to, we'll work 'under the radar' to get the job done.


Bless the hearts of these Pasado Rescuers! Praying these pets are spared from being shot! What an awful thought!

[mysteriew]

New Mexico rescuers slipped into a dark, reeking nightmare Friday to save three companions dear to one Hurricane Katrina victim: frightened Chihuahuas named Estelle, Pretty Face and Long Legs.
Michael Trupiano, administrative head of cardiology at New Orleans' Lindy Boggs Medical Center, said he was among the hospital staffers stranded at the hospital last week when deadly floodwaters rose up around it. Realizing the flood's threat, he had taken his dogs to work with him.
He made it out after four days, but he had to leave the dogs behind when his life-saving helicopter ride finally came.
Fearing mayhem from the hundreds of other people who had waited to be evacuated from the top of a nearby levee, hospital staffers were instructed to dress in hospital gowns to look like patients when they were rescued.
http://www.abqjournal.com/fjet/388919nm09-10-05.htm?splashtop

[less0305]

The footage on Fox just a little while ago showed rescuers going house to house now and breaking in the doors to look for the deceased inside homes. They come out and mark a zero if there are no dead. The guy spray painting put 0 for dead and then "1 - DK9" Fox commentators speculated that meant no dead persons, 1 dead dog inside. How sad.

[SieSie]

If there was any possible way, I'd head over there to help. This is just killing me!!!! Unfortunately, I'm overwhelmed at work and will probably have to work some this weekend. There's no way I can walk off the job to do this. I hope they get the word out so that people will know what's happening.

I HAVE the time to donate (homemaker) and would love to go somewhere to help the animals that have been rescued (feeding, walking, comforting, etc...), but I don't have the resources or know-how to get to whereever I would need to go to help. I also have major social-anxiety and the thought of leaving home for a few weeks without DH and my furbaby just terrifies me.

So I figured I could help in a different way, and adopt a dog from the area. Even if it wasn't one directly affected by Katrina, I know that my adoption would open up one more space for another animal that needs shelter. Well, I found a beautiful mixed puppy, and DH agreed we could get her - but I can't get ahold of them.
http://tinypic.com/dm79d1.jpg
Isn't she precious? I can't stand it, I need to cuddle up to that beautiful little face, and my girl, Chance, needs a sister!!
http://tinypic.com/dm75oi.jpg

Her current name is Monique and she's at the Pearl River County SPCA (http://www.prcspca.org/) in Picayune, MS. I've tried calling for the past 3 days and the phone is always busy, so I'm assuming they don't even have phone service yet. I emailed them 3 days ago and have not had a reply yet.

I've got the info needed, but no way to get there to see if I can adopt her, or if she's even still available. If anyone out there is close to this area, can you check on her for me?

Pearl River County SPCA
1700 Palestine Road
Picayune, MS

It seems that the Webshots Community is hosting the photos, here's Monique's page (http://community.webshots.com/photo/94382233/428505217uVpWoA), and here's the link to page 3 (http://community.webshots.com/album/94382233RYsjiy/2) where I found her.

I can afford the food, vet bills, spaying (in a few months), leashes and collars, etc... but right now I don't have the money to buy an indoor kennel (training). Maybe someone here knows someone who has an extra one they no longer need and they could donate it to me? We used one for the first few months we had our dog, but we no longer have it as she doesn't need it any longer. Also, I don't have the money to fly her here - can we try to figure out a transportation chain from state to state to get her from MS to MI? Does anyone know if any airlines are donating flights for adopted dogs? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

By the way, it doesn't say what type of mix she is, but I'm guessing at least part Boxer, what do you all think?

I wish I could do more. My heart just breaks for all the helpless animals who can't possibly comprehend what's happening to them.

[Ntegrity]

SieSie :blowkiss: Bless you for doing your part. I think Monique is adorabe and she looks alot like Chance. I have an acquaintance in Picayune (very active in showing dogs) but I don't know if she has phone service yet. I'll try to reach her and see if she can check on Monique for you.

Edited to add: I just tried and phone service is still down.

[mic730]

I love animals and own too many!
If the story is true about starting to put these dogs down in 3 days I think there is some compassion in that. I would hope that police would continue to allow rescues to occur at the same time. These dogs are starving with no fresh water. I wish that if that has become the fianl solution it would be done by vets and not bullets. I can't imgaine any of the national guard or the police want to do that.
For some reason the animals suffering really gets to me.

[SieSie]

SieSie :blowkiss: Bless you for doing your part. I think Monique is adorabe and she looks alot like Chance. I have an acquaintance in Picayune (very active in showing dogs) but I don't know if she has phone service yet. I'll try to reach her and see if she can check on Monique for you.

Edited to add: I just tried and phone service is still down.
Oh thanks so much for trying, Ntegrity! Please continue to do so, I really want to do SOMETHING to help!! :blowkiss:

P.S. Chance is so anxious to be a big sister!!! We've been trying to think of names for her. Here are some of our choices so far:
Missy (for Mississippi), Gypsy, Hope, Faith, Blue (I feel so blue for all the animals!). I think I need more name suggestions - anyone got any ideas?? :waitasec:

[mic730]

I just found this link from the Chicago Tirbune. There are pictures of dogs at the link. If you click the picture on the left side it will open a slideshow of pet pictures from the area.
WARNING: graphic and upsetting and inspired me to send more money.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0509100056sep10,1,6901925.story?page=1&ctrack=1&cset=true&coll=chi-news-hed

[Sassygerl]

I HAVE the time to donate (homemaker) and would love to go somewhere to help the animals that have been rescued (feeding, walking, comforting, etc...), but I don't have the resources or know-how to get to whereever I would need to go to help. I also have major social-anxiety and the thought of leaving home for a few weeks without DH and my furbaby just terrifies me.

So I figured I could help in a different way, and adopt a dog from the area. Even if it wasn't one directly affected by Katrina, I know that my adoption would open up one more space for another animal that needs shelter. Well, I found a beautiful mixed puppy, and DH agreed we could get her - but I can't get ahold of them.
http://tinypic.com/dm79d1.jpg
Isn't she precious? I can't stand it, I need to cuddle up to that beautiful little face, and my girl, Chance, needs a sister!!
http://tinypic.com/dm75oi.jpg

Her current name is Monique and she's at the Pearl River County SPCA (http://www.prcspca.org/) in Picayune, MS. I've tried calling for the past 3 days and the phone is always busy, so I'm assuming they don't even have phone service yet. I emailed them 3 days ago and have not had a reply yet.

I've got the info needed, but no way to get there to see if I can adopt her, or if she's even still available. If anyone out there is close to this area, can you check on her for me?

Pearl River County SPCA
1700 Palestine Road
Picayune, MS

It seems that the Webshots Community is hosting the photos, here's Monique's page (http://community.webshots.com/photo/94382233/428505217uVpWoA), and here's the link to page 3 (http://community.webshots.com/album/94382233RYsjiy/2) where I found her.

I can afford the food, vet bills, spaying (in a few months), leashes and collars, etc... but right now I don't have the money to buy an indoor kennel (training). Maybe someone here knows someone who has an extra one they no longer need and they could donate it to me? We used one for the first few months we had our dog, but we no longer have it as she doesn't need it any longer. Also, I don't have the money to fly her here - can we try to figure out a transportation chain from state to state to get her from MS to MI? Does anyone know if any airlines are donating flights for adopted dogs? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

By the way, it doesn't say what type of mix she is, but I'm guessing at least part Boxer, what do you all think?

I wish I could do more. My heart just breaks for all the helpless animals who can't possibly comprehend what's happening to them.

She's adorable...definitely has a lot of boxer in her!!!!!!! Keep us posted....are you able to just go down there and see if she's still there? Bet she'll go quick with that sweet little face!

[SieSie]

I just found this link from the Chicago Tirbune. There are pictures of dogs at the link. If you click the picture on the left side it will open a slideshow of pet pictures from the area.
WARNING: graphic and upsetting and inspired me to send more money.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0509100056sep10,1,6901925.story?page=1&ctrack=1&cset=true&coll=chi-news-hed

:( :( :( Bawling over here. :( :( :(

[SieSie]

She's adorable...definitely has a lot of boxer in her!!!!!!! Keep us posted....are you able to just go down there and see if she's still there? Bet she'll go quick with that sweet little face!
Unfortunately, even though I have the time (no job to worry about getting time off), that also means I don't have the funds to drive myself down there. Someone told me it would probably be about a 24 hour drive from Michigan, but I haven't checked that out yet.

[mic730]

Unfortunately, even though I have the time (no job to worry about getting time off), that also means I don't have the funds to drive myself down there. Someone told me it would probably be about a 24 hour drive from Michigan, but I haven't checked that out yet.

Can the pet railroad help you out?
I am in VA and don't think I could help from your area to mine.
I got these links from another board...don't know if they work.



http://www.pro-pet-transports.com/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RescueTransport/messages/5501?viscount=100

http://www.felinerescue.net/RESCUES_BY_LOCATION/Texas.htm

http://www.felinerescue.net/RESCUES_BY_LOCATION/Colorado.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/biz2/rescuetransport/tx.html

[13th Juror]

"Pet Rescue Resources"


Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) (http://www.hsus.org)

1 800 HUMANE 1 (1 800 - 486-2631)


"American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" (ASPCA) (http://www.aspca.org)

1 - 866 - 275-3923


"Louisana Branch - ASPCA" (http://www.la.spca.org)



13th Juror

[13th Juror]

Sie Sie - Bless your heart! :blowkiss:

I am in Central Florida. If I were anywhere along the route from Mississippi to Michigan - I would gladly pick up a several hundred mile leg of the trip. There is (or was) a successful rescue site on Yahoo that I belonged to several years ago that did exactly as you suggested.

Where in Michigan are you - and how far is it from there to Picayune, Ms.?

Potential volunteer drivers would need to know what the route would be before they could offer assistance. Once you receive confirmation that your chosen pup is still available, please let us know. I might have some friends along the way that could help.

Have you checked the cost for an airline flight?

Monique looks like a wonderful companion for Chance! :D

13th Juror :)

[SieSie]

Thanks for the replies, gang! I will check out some of those links tomorrow. I am running so late, I have to get ready for a birthday party yet!! I've been busy taking the photos I've found of pets and trying to make a slideshow. I finally found a program that works (Animation Shop), but I couldn't figure out the transitions, so it's not very fancy. It's definitely heartbreaking, though. If you want to check it out, it's HERE (http://mywebpages.comcast.net/abbybr/ALC/HKPets.html).

Gotta go for now, I'll check back later and give updates as I get them.

[Buzzm1]

Saw a rescue of a woman, who brazenly said she wasn't leaving without the 21 dogs she was caring for; yes, that's right, 21 dogs. After a lot of hemming and hawing, and pushing and shoving, they finally agreed, and found transportation for the lady and her 21 dogs. Three cheers for that lady for standing up for what she believed in.

[tipper]

Saw a rescue of a woman, who brazenly said she wasn't leaving without the 21 dogs she was caring for; yes, that's right, 21 dogs. After a lot of hemming and hawing, and pushing and shoving, they finally agreed, and found transportation for the lady and her 21 dogs. Three cheers for that lady for standing up for what she believed in.Well yes and no. It would depend on what kind of care those 21 dogs had been getting. A number of people take in more animals than they can adequately care for thinking they are doing well by the them when in fact they would be better in a shelter that tries to find them an individual home. When my parents retired they opened a spay and neuter clinic for indigent owners and they have serious concerns with "pet hoarders" because of the lack of care they see.

But I agree she deserves cheers for insisting the dogs get rescued too.

[mjak]

I have been thinking about the pet issue for two days now. I thought I must be nuts because I can not imagine leaving my cats. They are my family. I don't know how I could walk out in the middle of a disaster and leave my girls to fend for themselves. I know human life has to come first but I just don't know how I could do it.

mjak

[Pepper]

I have been thinking about the pet issue for two days now. I thought I must be nuts because I can not imagine leaving my cats. They are my family. I don't know how I could walk out in the middle of a disaster and leave my girls to fend for themselves. I know human life has to come first but I just don't know how I could do it.

mjak
I understand. I couldn't do it either, and neither could my husband. Dusty is our child, and we've only had her 8 months. My hubby was a former "cat hater" who didn't want a pet of any kind, and now he says they wouldn't be pulling him off the roof either without Dusty in his arms!

I know that if I left her behind, I would have nightmares for the rest of my life.

[SieSie]

Sie Sie - Bless your heart! :blowkiss:

I am in Central Florida. If I were anywhere along the route from Mississippi to Michigan - I would gladly pick up a several hundred mile leg of the trip. There is (or was) a successful rescue site on Yahoo that I belonged to several years ago that did exactly as you suggested.

Where in Michigan are you - and how far is it from there to Picayune, Ms.?

Potential volunteer drivers would need to know what the route would be before they could offer assistance. Once you receive confirmation that your chosen pup is still available, please let us know. I might have some friends along the way that could help.

Have you checked the cost for an airline flight?

Monique looks like a wonderful companion for Chance! :D

13th Juror :)


Ok, I checked into the Pro Pets Transport (http://www.pro-pet-transports.com/) and it would cost $370.00 (that includes rental carrier of $20) to ship the dog from MS to MI. :(

According to Expedia.com, it’s about a 17 hour drive from where I live in Michigan to Picayune, MS. I don't have anyone to go with me and I'm not good at driving at night, besides not having the gas money or hotel money - so that's not an option, either. :(

[mic730]

Ok, I checked into the Pro Pets Transport (http://www.pro-pet-transports.com/) and it would cost $370.00 (that includes rental carrier of $20) to ship the dog from MS to MI. :(

According to Expedia.com, it’s about a 17 hour drive from where I live in Michigan to Picayune, MS. I don't have anyone to go with me and I'm not good at driving at night, besides not having the gas money or hotel money - so that's not an option, either. :(

Go the yahoo link for pet rescues. They have a pet railroad you can post to and see who can drive legs of the trip. It's free from what I can tell as part of helping is incurring the cost of gas.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rescu...01?viscount=100

[SieSie]

Go the yahoo link for pet rescues. They have a pet railroad you can post to and see who can drive legs of the trip. It's free from what I can tell as part of helping is incurring the cost of gas.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rescu...01?viscount=100

Thanks, mic! I joined this group and just posted about a different dog, as well. I really need to know if the following dog, since it's apparently being rescued in the photo, has been reunited with family or if it needs a home.
http://tinypic.com/dmfsao.jpg
When I saw this picture, it reminded me of how skinny Chance was when we found her, and she looks just like her, too - my heart is breaking.

I worry about posting there for the legs of the journey, because that seems like it would take a long time to organize. These dogs need help now, especially this latest one I just found - it's heartbreaking to see her ribs like that!! If I can find this dog and it still needs a home, I think I'm going to ask my parents to loan me the money to use the professional services of Pet Pro Transport.

Thanks to anyone who can help me find out about the brown dog in the above photo!

ETA: I emailed the Humane Society of the U.S. at disaster@hsus.org (mailto:disaster@hsus.org)

I also found this at the Yahoo Group for Katrina Pet Rescue Info (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Katrina-Pet-Rescue-info/)
CROSSPOST WIDELY AND INTERNATIONALLY!!
The Louisiana state vet is NOT allowing any animals to leave the
state for the 15 DAY quarantine!! They have also closed the main
facilities to any more animals being brought in. there are over 2000
animals in there!! NO MORE IN, NO MORE OUT.
More at link: Message #3400 (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Katrina-Pet-Rescue-info/message/3400)

[cynder]

They are still bringing pets into TX from LA so I don't think there is a quarantine anywhere but the state sponsored shelters. Many of the rescue groups are handling their own shelter and transportation needs themselves and are not involved with the state at all. Cats and dogs from, Katrina have been arriving in Dallas for days now and many many animals have been adopted from local shelters to make room for the new arrivals from Katrina.
Most animals from Katrina will have a quarantine period - no matter where they are housed. None of the Katrina animals have been made available for adoption yet. Some animals are "foster only" meaning their owners will come and get them as soon as they have housing set up. As for unclaimed animals they will have vaccines and have spay/neuter surgery (if not done already) before they become adoptable. My shelter friends tell me that it will be weeks yet before Katrina pets are in the adoption process but they are doing a booming adoption business already because people know it helps the Katrina victims - every space that opens in a shelter is one new slot for a hurricane cat or dog. We are thinking of taking a cat or kitten ourselves - Texas is facing a HUGE influx of Katrina animals in the next weeks. I also donated to our local no-kill shelter (OPERATION KINDNESS) as they took many of the pets from the New Orleans no-kill shelter (it was destroyed). THOSE animals are already here - some ready for adoption due to their known histories and medical/vaccination status.
More coming in every day.

[PrayersForMaura]

Another animal organization needing adopters and financial aid:

www.strayrescue.org (http://www.strayrescue.org)

[PrayersForMaura]

I want this dog!!!!


http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-09/19349611.jpg

I saw the photo was copyrighted by the AP.
I want to find this dog

[kgeaux]

I want this dog!!!!


http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-09/19349611.jpg

I saw the photo was copyrighted by the AP.
I want to find this dog

What a cutie! My heart continues to ache over a pit that was swimming desperately toward a rescue boat as they were pulling away---I hope he's OK.

[PrayersForMaura]

What a cutie! My heart continues to ache over a pit that was swimming desperately toward a rescue boat as they were pulling away---I hope he's OK.
oh no, they didn't stop to get him?? :(

[kgeaux]

oh no, they didn't stop to get him?? :(

Nope. Unless they stopped after the camera quit filming. But I think they left him.

[PrayersForMaura]

Nope. Unless they stopped after the camera quit filming. But I think they left him.
how sad ... that makes me feel ill :sick:

[Dark Knight]

Rescued Dogs Airlifted From Gulf Coast

By BRIAN SKOLOFF, Associated Press Writer


The first major airlift of dogs from the hurricane-battered Gulf Coast left Louisiana on Sunday, carrying about 80 pets to new temporary homes in California.

The Continental Airlines flight from Baton Rouge, La., was chartered for about $50,000 by Texas oil tycoon Boone Pickens and his wife, Madeleine, in a movement dubbed "Operation Pet Lift."

Some dogs were placed in cages in the cargo section while others rode in the passenger cabin, where they barked and wagged their tails.

"They'd been in cages far too long. We felt like they needed to be free so they sat on our laps, and we played with them the whole way," said Christine Penrod, Madeleine Pickens' sister, who accompanied the animals on the flight.

About half the dogs were headed for San Diego, with the rest bound for San Francisco. Sunday's move was organized by PetRelocation.com, based in Austin, Texas.

"The goal was to help rescue 200 dogs," Pickens' spokesman Jay Rosser said. "They're overjoyed that they were able to rescue 80, but clearly disappointed and dismayed at the bureaucracy, which prevented them from taking the full 200."

Organizers complained that some legal requirements were impractical, such as waiting out a 30-day quarantine before transporting the animals.

Kelly Harrington, director of disaster response services for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said a makeshift shelter for up to several thousand dogs had been set up at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La., about 45 miles northwest of New Orleans.

She hoped additional dogs would be flown out in the coming days, but said the effort was taking time.

"Every animal has to be vet checked, vaccinated and microchipped ... so we can track these animals in case an owner does find them," Harrington said.

Petfinder.com was setting up a database of pet pictures to help reunite owners with lost animals.

Andrew Rowan, executive vice president of operations for the Humane Society United States, said animals must be moved out of the Gonzales facility quickly to make room for "maybe 50,000 or more dogs and cats in New Orleans that need to be rescued."

"There are vans and cars and trucks all over the place," he said. "Dogs are barking, cats are meowing. It's a tremendous logistical operation to provide the care that these animals need."

The Humane Society's Dave Pauli, director of the Gonzales facility, said 200 animals were shipped out Sunday by truck to Houston, but rescue teams expected to bring in about 300 more in the afternoon.

About 200 animals have been reunited with their owners at the facility.

"That's what keeps us going," Pauli said. "Every one of them brings a tear to your eyes and makes these sleepless nights worth it."

___



On The Net:

ASPCA: http://www.aspca.com Humane Society United States: http://www.hsus.org

[Liz]

More heroes! :clap:
Thanks, DK!

[Buzzm1]

They showed a team of 34 rescue guys arriving back in the Bay Area from 10 days in Louisiana . On the same plane were 50 rescued dogs from New Orleans being brought to Marin County. They said 1,000 more dogs would be arriving here later this week. Wow, that's a large effort and great news.

[mic730]

They showed a team of 34 rescue guys arriving back in the Bay Area from 10 days in Louisiana . On the same plane were 50 rescued dogs from New Orleans being brought to Marin County. They said 1,000 more dogs would be arriving here later this week. Wow, that's a large effort and great news.

That is wonderful news!

[Sassygerl]

Has anyone here filled out the apps and gotten a pet???? I have filled out two and haven't heard a word. I know there are a couple people at my kids schools who have foster pets from Katrina. I am thinking maybe because we are already over the "city limit" we're not hearing anything. We have 3 dogs and a cat....and I would love to take an animal in. Please let me know if others are getting response........thanks :)

[deanws]

I would be a basket case if I had to leave my dog behind. I really don't think I could do it!Me either. That first story makes me just sick. I love my little dogs, birds, rabbits, mini horses, fish, kitten, and turtles.:(

[kgeaux]

Has anyone here filled out the apps and gotten a pet???? I have filled out two and haven't heard a word. I know there are a couple people at my kids schools who have foster pets from Katrina. I am thinking maybe because we are already over the "city limit" we're not hearing anything. We have 3 dogs and a cat....and I would love to take an animal in. Please let me know if others are getting response........thanks :)

No response from the offer to foster a pet, but that could be cuz I admitted we have a pit. He's nice, but I guess they don't know that. I have bought lots of dog and cat food and taken it to the local Katrina Pet Shelter. I drove by tonight on my way to pick up one of my sons and people were out walking the dogs.....that's what I want to do next. I LOVE dogs!

[deanws]

No response from the offer to foster a pet, but that could be cuz I admitted we have a pit. He's nice, but I guess they don't know that. I have bought lots of dog and cat food and taken it to the local Katrina Pet Shelter. I drove by tonight on my way to pick up one of my sons and people were out walking the dogs.....that's what I want to do next. I LOVE dogs!That is very sweet of you. I do love my pets like they are people too.:D

[SieSie]

I haven't gotten a reply to foster, either.

[PrayersForMaura]

I want this dog!!!!


http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-09/19349611.jpg

I saw the photo was copyrighted by the AP.
I want to find this dogI seriously wrote every organization and people who found cockers about this dog and other cockers and no one seems to need one fostered!!! :waitasec: :snooty: :slap:
Everyone is keeping the cockers!!! They all claim they have this particular one too. LOL
I wrote people who posted that they found cockers and every one of them said that if the owners do not contact them , they are keeping the dog!!! :(
I guess that is good news and I should be happy. I just want to help! I was under the impression that I was going to be able to foster for sure...

I am willing to take any dog, honestly.... not just cockers. i offered to drive down there, or anywhere to pick an animal up. no one has taken me up on the offer. I have filled out forms, written numerous emails, and answered ads. I own two healthy, lovable dogs. I have great references from my vet, make great money to support them, have a great home with a yard (non-fenced in unfortunately) in a great neighborhood with a lot of pets of all sizes, and have not had any call backs. i guess they are just too busy or something.

I am really disappointed.
:(

I've donated money though. i guess that's all i can do at the moment.
I'm really bummed out, honestly.

[deanws]

I seriously wrote every organization and people who found cockers about this dog and other cockers and no one seems to need one fostered!!! :waitasec: :snooty: :slap:
Everyone is keeping the cockers!!! They all claim they have this particular one too. LOL
I wrote people who posted that they found cockers and every one of them said that if the owners do not contact them , they are keeping the dog!!! :(
I guess that is good news and I should be happy. I just want to help! I was under the impression that I was going to be able to foster for sure...

I am willing to take any dog, honestly.... not just cockers. i offered to drive down there, or anywhere to pick an animal up. no one has taken me up on the offer. I have filled out forms, written numerous emails, and answered ads. I own two healthy, lovable dogs. I have great references from my vet, make great money to support them, have a great home with a yard (non-fenced in unfortunately) in a great neighborhood with a lot of pets of all sizes, and have not had any call backs. i guess they are just too busy or something.

I am really disappointed.
:(

I've donated money though. i guess that's all i can do at the moment.
I'm really bummed out, honestly.They were taking dog food donations here. I wonder if it will go to the ones who still have dogs with them...or people that are fostering them. Either way, I don't care. I was just wondering. I hope you get a call back. If ya do...post a pic of your foster pup.:D IMO