[LovesBassets]

Hi everyone,

I know we're all thinking about what we can do to help the people of the Gulf Coast right now, and I'm guessing that many of us have already made donations to the Red Cross, America's Second Harvest, or similar organizations. But I wanted to toss out another idea to those of you who feel you are able to give just a little bit more to help out. The animals of the Gulf Coast -- strays, pets, service dogs, search & rescue dogs, horses, livestock -- need help right now, too.

Obviously the PEOPLE are the priority right now, but if you're interested (and if you have a little extra change) I've collected some information about how we can help the animals out, too. One can of good quality dog food costs no more than about $1. So even the very SMALLEST donation to one of the organizations below will be a big help. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Here is the information:

The Houston Humane Society is offering 10 days free pet boarding, food, medical care, and vaccines for pets belonging to ANYONE from the affected areas in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Therefore, the HHS needs LOTS of donations -- not to mention lots of heavy-duty fencing. I think it's a fantastic (and CRUCIAL) way to help human hurricane victims keep ownership of their animals while they try to sort out their lives. This will mean fewer animals will be abandoned by heartbroken owners, and thus fewer homeless animals will end up in America's already swamped animal shelters or be needlessly euthanized. You can read the Houston Humane Society's appeal and donate online at: http://www.houstonhumane.org/index.aspx . There's also a list of supplies needed by the HHS, in case you -- or someone you know -- live/s in the Houston area, or if you would like to send supplies directly to them. That link is: http://www.houstonhumane.org/wishlist.aspx

The Humane Society of the United States is working with Days End Farm Horse Rescue, adding trucks and horse trailers to the fleet of rescue-specific vehicles that are designed for sheltering all kinds of animals including horses and assorted livestock. These rescue and shelter efforts will obviously have a big impact on the livelihood of the people who depend on these animals for income. Information on helping the horses and livestock can be found at the Days End Farm Horse Rescue website: http://www.defhr.org/ . More generalized donations can also be made to the Humane Society of the United States, as well, at http://www.hsus.org/.

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation trains, organizes, and funds "VMAT" teams that go to disaster zones to provide veterinary services to the animal victims of disasters. Each team includes a veterinarian, several vet techs, other specialists, and -- often -- their own search and rescue dog/handler teams. Every VMAT team member is a volunteer -- they leave their own families and jobs in time of crisis to help out. VMATs played a major role in treating animals in the aftermath of 9/11 -- including over 300 search and rescue dogs working in the dangerous and toxic conditions of Ground Zero. They also work to reunite owners with their pets, and find foster homes for those pets until their owners can be located. Donating online is quick and easy (it only took me about 3 minutes), and the donation may be made in memory of a special person or pet. Their information is below.

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation
1931 N. Meacham Road – Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(800) 248-2862
www.avmf.org

Noah’s Wish is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping animals during disasters. Donating online requires a "PayPal" sign-up, so mailing a check would be a bit easier if you don't already have a PayPal account. Their information is below.

Noah’s Wish
PO Box 997
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 622-9313
www.noahswish.org

Thanks,
Kate

[CynthiaB]

Great thread, thanks for the info. I'm a huge animal lover, too. I do feel really bad for the people in the path of the hurricane, but I also immediately think of the animals when something like this happens. I heard they weren't allowed to bring their pets into the shelters like the Superdome etc., and I understand the need for such a rule, but it's still hard leaving them behind to fend for themselves.

I don't want to get into a big political discussion, but I noticed you had a link to the Humane Society of the US. People may want to be careful giving them money directly. If they are indeed working with a horse rescue organization, great, I wish them luck and maybe people can donate directly to the horse organization. But HSUS isn't really a humane society at all and instead is supposedly a giant "non-profit" with a huge budget and decidedly controversial objectives (think PETA-types). I read a recent article about them on ActivistCash.com. The information I've heard about them may be wrong, and I would hope they truly are helping animals in need in wake of the hurricane. But you can never be too careful nowadays about unethical folks capitalizing on a tragedy.

Great thread. Animals being reunited with their owners would be a welcome ray of sunshine.

Cindy

[LovesBassets]

Hi everyone (again),

I've been asked to cross-post this by the moderator of another forum I'm on. Here is more information on how you can help the animals of the Gulf Coast.

If you live in the Gulf Coast region and can supply your own transportation, housing, food, and gas, the following places are asking for volunteers:

Gonzales, Louisiana: The Louisiana SPCA has established a shelter for animals rescued from Hurricane Katrina at the Lamar Dixon Horse Expo Center off Exit 177 on I-10 in Gonzales. To volunteer, contact director Laura Maloney at 225-413-8813.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and Louisiana Animal Control Association are setting up an emergency animal shelter at the LSU Ag Center. They already have some 500 animals there, with another 60-100 expected any time. The center is open 24 hours a day. To volunteer, contact Cathy at wellsc~legis.state.la.us or call 225-578-9900.

LaFayette, Louisiana: The Cajundome is a shelter for humans only; pets are being housed a block away at Blackham Coliseum. People are responsible for caring for their own animals. To assist, contact Lafayette Parish Animal Control at: 337-291-5644. The Cajundome is located at 444 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70506, phone: 337-265-2100.

To donate needed supplies:

The emergency shelter at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge is accepting donations of supplies. (They already have approximately 500 animals there, with another 60-100 expected to come in any time now.) Today they report needing the following:

Pet food -- Wet / Dry (Dog, Cat, Puppy, Kitten)
Cat litter
Litter Boxes
Bowls
Large/ Small Cages and carriers
Litter scoopers
Clean sheets and towels
Amoxicillin / Clavamox
Flea preventative (Frontline, Advantix, Capstar, etc.)
Heartworm medication (Interceptor, Heartguard, etc.)
Cameras (to take pictures of the displaced animals)
Medicated shampoo
Neosporin
Bandages
Fans and extension cords
Large trash cans
Can openers
Cotton balls
Waterless hand sanitizer
Baby wipes
Rubbing alcohol
Empty spray bottles
Trash bags
Disposable paper bowls

Food and litter are needed immediately, but they expect to get larger shipments of food and litter donated within a week, so if you are sending items from a distance, please select other items on the list.

To check on current needs, call 225-578-9900 or e-mail Cathy at: wellsc~legis.state.la.us

Items can be sent or delivered to:

Disaster Relief-Companion Animal
Louisiana State University
School of Veterinary Medicine
Attn: Dr. Rebecca Adcock
Skip Bertman Drive at River Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Phone: 225-578-9900

To make a donation to Pets & Animals in Distress' Hurricane Relief Fund, click the below link and go to their secure on-line donation page.

https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?id=2025

Send Donation By Mail to:
Pets & Animals in Distress
C/O Hurricane Relief Fund
1511 East Commercial Blvd - PMB #129
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334

[TMunday]

Also the www.aspca.org is taking donations for the animals in need as well.

[LovesBassets]

Thanks, Tracey. I forgot to mention them! The Houston SPCA has taken in 260+ additional animals from shelters in and around New Orleans. Thanks for adding that!

One more thing:

I HAVE A VERY LONG LIST OF CONTACT NAMES, PHONE NUMBERS, AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES FOR THE LOCATIONS WHERE *FOUND* ANIMALS ARE BEING HOUSED IN LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, AND ALABAMA. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS MISSING AN ANIMAL (PET/S OR LIVESTOCK) IN THE WAKE OF KATRINA, SEND ME A PERSONAL MESSAGE AND I WILL SEND YOU THE LIST. I'd post it here, but it's just too darn long.

- Kate

[TMunday]

Your welcome.

I sure hope all of the animals make it through this ok and find there families again. I know they are life people... my cat and dog would not be able to make it without us! They actually think/feel they are one of us! The act weird when one of us are gone for a couple of days (kids visiting grandma etc)!

Sad.... I hope everyone and all pets get through this.

[LovesBassets]

The following is a message from St. Francis Animal Sanctuary in Tylertown, Mississippi:

"We are now in a position to accept any and all offers of help. And thank you so much for them.

We need volunteers and supplies to assist in the rescue and placement of all of the animal refugees.

If you can help, please e-mail [email protected] with specific information on how you would like to help, what expertise you may be able to supply and how best to contact you. We are compiling a list and will be contacting people as the program develops. Please see the list below:

Volunteer help needed:

* People with emergency/disaster experience to work at the disaster site.
* Long term foster homes (approximately 3 months)
* Carpenters and other construction trades people to work at the temporary and permanent shelter sites.
* Veterinarians and veterinary technicians
* Truckers
* People with trucks and vans to do animal and supply transport.
* People to collect and hold supplies until they ship
* People to volunteer at the Sanctuary for at least one week to cover for deployed personnel.

Supplies needed:

People needs

* Toilet paper
* Paper towels
* Vegetarian People food that won't spoil or need refrigeration
* Portable toilets and sanitizer
* Insect repellent
* Sun showers
* Sunscreen
* First aid kits for relief workers
* Hand sanitizer

Pet needs:

* Pet Food
* Animal Bedding
* Crates (all sizes)
* Collars/leads
* Veterinary Supplies
* Puppy and Kitten Formula
* Canopy tents for the animals
* Large cat tower/cage (for kittens)
* Portable water bowls for animals
* Microchip Scanners

General needs:

* RVs, SUV's & Trucks (4x4), ATV's (loaned or donated)
* Tarp
* Two way radios
* Generators
* Rope
* Duct tape
* Cable ties
* Fencing, both temporary and permanent
* Heavy work gloves and welding gloves
* Carpentry supplies
* Gas cans
* Gas for vehicles
* Flashlights
* Batteries (AA, AAA, C & D)
* Water
* Water tanks
* Clorox bleach
* Warehouse facilities near Tylertown, MS
* Garbage cans
* Garbage bags
* Tents
* Camping Gear
* Towels
* Blankets
* Collapsible wire cages (extra large size)
* Extension cords (heavy duty outdoor approved - 100 foot long)
* Grooming clippers (electric)
* Zip Lock bags (extra large size)

Please send all supplies to:
Best Friends Hurricane Relief
c/o Leigh Breland
1635 Misty Lane
Terry, MS 39170

This list is not exhaustive and if you think that you can offer goods or services that can help, please contact [email protected]. We will contact you soon."

[flipafart]

thanks for the info

[Rowan Bailey]

I spent this week collecting for the people and next week I will collect for the animals. I would never leave my dog and after seeing alot of these stories I am not alone.....

I will pass this onto many of my friends and clients who have wanted to do something for the animals.

tx
RB