Phase 2 Crisis Emerges - Please Help
I AM ASKING EVERYONE TO REGROUP AND RECOMMIT. THE #1 NEED IN NEW ORLEANS AND SAINT BERNARD IS VOLUNTEERS. SEND EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO www.ericsdogblog.com TO ALERT THEM.
This is why we are still doing this. This dog was found on the streets
showing that animals like this have been missed-- Thousands like him are hiding and coming out at night. In Saint Bernard packs roam the woods.
http://www.geocities.com/nibbles141/candy.html
It is becoming apparent that a second crisis is emerging. That crisis involves a large number of remaining animals combined with a low volunteer to animal ratio.
I make the case that on a ratio of “on the ground personnel” to “animals” we are far worse off now than we were at the end of September (and animals are coming out of the woodwork)
Let me explain. The animal population over the last month has not decreased significantly but the volunteer base has decreased significantly so that our “volunteer ratio” is at an all time low. Progress is becoming slow. We can’t sustain lives long enough to trap animals because we can’t keep them fed.
What is happening to produce a second crisis:
1. Thousands of animals remain, the ones that were hiding during the day so not seen during Crisis 1.
2. Call ins of animals “in need” is increasing daily
3. The small group of volunteers is locating thousands of places where the animals are hiding out. Thousands. Once we find them we have to keep them fed.
4. The remaining animals are not being adequately fed and watered
5. People simply are NOT returning home to New Orleans. Parts of the city are a ghost town.
6. The animals are breeding in full force
7. Trapping is a slow process and it will take months to clear these animals
8. Local Animal Controls at the Parish level were decimated by Katrina and are in rebuilding mode. As dedicated as they might be no one agency is going to solve this crisis.
9. The state and federal gov’t are in recovery vs rescue phase. This places the control back at the Parish level.
The current command and control structures appear to be inadequate to deal with such an on going crisis. Nobody imagined a crisis of this magnitude for people, let alone animals. The reality is that the legal authority now is the Parish and in Orleans Parish that is the LASPCA and in Saint Bernard Parish virtually no animal control is functioning. From a strict legal standpoint the state and federal government are doing their jobs. However, from a practical standpoint someone needs to pick up the ball and take it to the goal line because the LASPCA can’t handle the burden alone. Who exactly is that someone?
There is no way anyone can handle all of this alone, whether it be any one rescue group (Alley Cat Allies, Jane Garrison, Muttshack or Winn Dixie) or the LASPCA. The LASPCA through no fault of its own is in rebuilding status and the remaining rescue groups are understaffed themselves.
The emerging data is that we have a huge problem on our hands, more enormous than anyone thought we would have going into month 3.
The LASPCA has made it clear to us that they have a hard time credentialing “anyone who just shows up” due to legal issues of being responsible for all of those volunteers with no real way to manage them. On the other hand they are “ok” with the work that grassroots groups are doing and don’t interfere.
Given today’s crisis we don’t have time for anything other than to immediately send volunteers to Jane Garrison at www.animalrescueneworleans.com
Have them contact: katedanaher@animalearthhuman.org
Let’s be creative. How can you get volunteers to Jane Garrison to feed? If every person reading this got just one volunteer our problems would be solved. Let’s get the word out again.
1. Revisit your list of former volunteers. I have gotten several people to go ahead and commit to trip #2 once they heard what is happening.
2. College Strategy #1: You could sponsor college student at $8-10 an hour. Run an ad in the school papers at $50 or so a week. (LSU is the main school but I bet you can dig up others and community colleges)
3. College Strategy # 2: Fraternities would love this kind of thing. LSU has many. Start calling them.
4. Call your local animal community – Vets, Kennels, etc…Any place that has animal lovers. Let them know they can still save thousands by feeding and watering during a 3-7 day tour in New Orleans. You will be surprised at how many have no knowledge of the ongoing crisis. GET EMAIL ADDRESSES AND START FORWARDING THEM INFO. Fax them updates as well.
5. I am sure you guys can find more ways to find volunteers??? Local Papers?
Be nice if we could get some new revitalized support from big groups. I heard EARS sent 25 to EDNAH, how about just 10 to New Orleans.
Have volunteers contact: katedanaher@animalearthhuman.org
This is not over. This was the “perfect storm” for an animal disaster. I think it was 100x worse than anything previous.
posted by EricsDogBlog.com @ Tuesday, November 08, 2005
90 comments
90 Comments:
Eric:
Thank you. This has been worrying me daily. I also think we need to approach Petsmart and the food companies. How are their supplies doing? Also what about getting this to CNN and the media. Never underestimate the power of hundreds of emails and calls to the right sources. The last thing New Orleans and areas want is a bad public relations rap about turning their back on the animals. We need some pictures and contacts for the media. Can you give me a specific person to email so I ( and others) could start sending funds. (maybe I could start a fund for employing college kids.) One student with one rescuer. That way they could monitor them. Please email me @ bkhale@earthlink.net. Thank you again for all your hard work.
Eric,
I am one of those that have been dying to go but haven't been able to. I think there are many, I know there are many, that would go but can't connect with a ride, afford to fly, afford to rent a car, etc. They don't need beer money or a bribe to help, they just can't afford to GET there.
I offered six weeks of my time to more than people and groups if I could just connect with a ride. Even offered to pay for half the gas. Got lots of animal experience. Only heard back from two people, one apologized for calling when they realized I didn't have a car.
I'm 99% sure I'll be there by the end of next week via a relatives donated miles. I know coordinators are, usually at least, doing the best they can, but I still can't help feel resentment sometimes when I read pleas for help. Sometimes I think the header should read "Only Rich Need Respond." I'm pretty well aware of what is going on which makes me wonder how the Gulf's less fortunate feel about trying to get there pets back. "You must come in person and..." WTF, these people are relocated all over the country.
If you want the biggest bang for your buck, how about giving bus tickets to people willing to work a week, two weeks. Stop giving preferential treatment to someone because they are labeled a vet. tech. I've seen plenty that are scared stiff of anything with fur and four legs that isn't gassed out cold. There are plenty that are worth their weight in gold too, don't get me wrong.
BTW, you didn't answer my email-- unrelated to above. It's OK, I'd hate to see how many you get a day and many are probably downright weird. But if you don't have a spare thousand dollars lying around, no one wants to talk to you.
I didn't mean the above to come off harsh or whinny. Sometimes things come off harsher than you mean in writing. You've done a wonderful job, Eric, and I never meant to belittle that, or the work of others. There's just a small army out there trying to help and we can't without a little help ourselves.
Has anyone communicated with HSUS or ASPCA about their possibly returning to help considering how many animals are running loose and need to be trapped or rescued? Eric, or Jane Garrison or Dave Meyer (all heroes personified) have either worked with or communicated with some of their people, maybe they would be receptive to their pleas.
I have asked HSUS (which I support) to at least donate funds to Jane Garrison and Dave Meyer's group, and I think other people have asked them too. Maybe we need a petition or something so they understand that MANY people want them (and ASPCA etc.) to get involved again NOW.
Does anyone know Wayne Pacelle and can talk to him personally? I wonder if they have issues with not wanting to interfere with local jurisdiction.
There are some issues with politics and honestly I have my degree in History and a Masters Degree in Pshychology and a Teaching Degree in History and I could not after months and months of trying tell you exactly how those politics work or how to unravel them in a way that helps save animals. It is the most bizarre collection of "well I am not the legal authority" that I have ever heard. So, I came to the conslusion long ago that as long as they are not doing then the grassroots people will. Luckily they don't stop anything, they just don't help. I think that HSUS is probably supporting the LASPCA with money and supplies. It would be nice if they put out the word to all those volunteers they had that we could use a little help in phase 2. It would not take hundreds and hundres of people. Just enought to keep the animals fed while they trap.
Oh and the person that said I didn't answer the email, please resend...I am sorry, I try to respond to every single one but sometimes I miss some.
Steve's dog Angel
by Bookworm3, 11/9/05 0:30 ET
I really want to thank the people who helped look for Steve King's dog (black lab) Angel. Tragically, my brother was in a car accident near our parents home in Michigan. He appeared to be ok at first, but yesterday, he went into cardiac arrest. The doctors were able to restart his heart, but it took 40 minutes to stabilize him, and his brain was severely damaged. He died this evening surrounded by family, including six of his nine sisters.
He was heartbroken about Angel, but I never gave up looking for her. I feel that my brother would want me to find her and either take her home, or find a home with someone who also loved Steve.
I can't thank you all enough for your kindness. God bless you.
Vicky Mocklin
CNN.com
Marauding pit bulls attack six
Boy, 10, in critical condition
Tuesday, November 8, 2005; Posted: 12:35 a.m. EST (05:35 GMT)
CARY, Illinois (AP) -- A 10-year-old boy was in critical condition Sunday after three pit bulls escaped from a home and went on a rampage, attacking six people before police shot and killed the dogs, authorities said.
No charges had been filed Sunday, but McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren said it was being investigated as a crime scene.
Neighbors said the attacks started late Saturday afternoon when children going door-to-door for a fund-raiser arrived at the home of Scott Sword, 41, who owned the dogs.
"We had music playing, and I heard this bizarre sound," said Debby Rivera, who lives three houses away. "I looked out the window, and I saw a young boy. The dogs were just jumping on him."
"The screams were horrible," she said. The dogs were "relentless, like they were possessed."
The pit bulls attacked the two children, and when the dogs' owner tried to stop them, the dogs turned on him and bit off his thumb, Nygren said. The boy's father also tried to protect his son and was attacked. The dogs went after another neighbor as well.
"The scene sprawled over a couple blocks; it was a very chaotic scene," said Lt. Michael Douglas of the Cary Fire Protection District.
Residents threw rocks at the dogs and honked car horns to try to distract them from attacking before police arrived and shot the animals.
Jim Malone said he and a neighbor tried to beat the dogs back with baseball bats. "He'd hit them, they'd run, and they'd come back," Malone said. "This went on for 15 minutes."
The boy who was attacked, Nick Foley, was hospitalized in critical condition Sunday. His friend Jordan Lamarre, also 10, was in serious condition. Nick's father was listed in good condition. Sword and two others were treated for injuries and released.
Last week, another 10-year-old boy in Colorado was mauled by a pack of pit bulls that attacked him in his own back yard. The boy was in critical condition after the attack, and the hospital said Sunday his family had requested no further information about his condition be released.
The attack in the Denver suburb of Aurora came two days after the City Council banned pit bulls and other "fighting dogs." Owners who already had the dogs could keep them if they paid a $200 annual license fee.
Thanks for your wonderful words of encourgment. I have Terrific news. We got Andy. The second to last of Larry's cats (Judy McDermotts friend). He cried when he heard the news. I transferred custody of Andy to Alley cat Allies yesterday to be flown to New York to be reunited. I attached a pic of Andy for you to see. "Lainey" the lady in the woods trapped him for me . She is wonderful with cats. Andy is FAT and such a happy boy. He is not ferel at all. Amazing after two months of surviving alone in the woods. God is here.
Marilyn
rESCUERS PLEASE HELP THIS NEW ORLEANS POLICE OFFICER TO FIND HIS DOGS. HE IS DEVESTATED.!!! THEY HAVE NOT SHOWN UP ON PETFINDER. ALL THE SHELTERS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN ANIMALS...THESE ARE THE KINDS OF PEOPLE YOU ARE WRECKING EMOTIONAL TURMOIL ON BECAUSE "YOU THINK YOU CAN PROVIDE A BETTER HOME THAN THE ONE THEY HAD" PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE PEOPLE LIKE THIS WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE DOGS --- eric
Do any of you remember Nemo and Lucky?
Nemo is going to be 2 yrs. old on 12/1/05. He is a german shepherd/chow mix. He weights about 45 pounds and is black and tan in color. The tan is on his face and mixes with the black on his head and shoulder area, his stomach is tan and brown. He has purple spots on his tongue and he has an overbite. He looks almost like a full breed shepherd. Nemo is very scary and shy with people. He is my bestfriend and I' m dying without him.
Lucky is a wirehair jack russell terrier. She is tri-colored, white and brown colors on her face with black on her ears, her body is white with black spots. Her hair is long and wirey looking. She is about 12 - 15 pounds and is spayed. Lucky is very aggressive and will bite if you wake her up. She just made 4 yrs. old in October. Lucky was also wearing a white flea collar
125 22nd street, New Orleans, La
in the lakeview area near the 17th street canal,
22nd street is between Pontchatrain Blvd and Fleur de lis and a block south of Harrison Ave.
door appeared to have been forced open with a crowbar.
The lock was completely pushed out of the door and the door was kicked in. We found Nemo's flea collar which was broken off and lying on our bedroom floor, like someone had been wrestling with him and in the struggle his flea collar was broken off. In looking at this we believe that Nemo put up a fight because he did not want to leave his home. Our house had about 3 feet of water and it appeared that our sofa had floated upside down and there was pawprints and fecal matter on the sofa, where we believe they were living.
Ned Gonzales
504 432-7141
julie761959@msn.com
In reference to HSUS (and ASPCA) I would be curious where the 17?million dollars in Katrina contributions have gone. are going. I bet most people (like me) marked for Katrina animals box. Hmmmm. Shouldn't that money still be cycling through this situation. Seems there would be enough money still. I suspect only certain amounts are being granted out. I gave a rather healthy donation and want to see it helping rescuers and animals, not cubicles at the head office. Can anybody who knows their way around the web start checking this out. I am going to try in my own limited way. If you do the math, there should be at least a million left to focus on these groups.
For what its worth, I would like to share my one experience with a pit bull and it was way back in 1988. I was on a ladder, in front of my house, putting up Christmas tree lights on the house. My 9 week Aussie pup was playing, within 4/5 ft of the ladder. All of a sudden, my neighbors(who were in their 60's)from down the street, female pit bull came running into my yard and viciously attacked my pup, for no reason I can understand. The pit would not let go. Neighbors heard the commotion, the school bus driver, who was going by, stopped and tried to help. In all, there was 4 adults trying to get this pit off the puppy. We did get the pit off the puppy. The pit ran home & we had to have the pup put down. My son, who was a teenager, got bit in the thumb, by the pit. The owners of the pit were non apologetic, refused to accept responsibility and so on. They continued to tell everyone "it never happened before & our dog is really friendly." It was a horrifying experience for me and my son & I have not been able to forget it. I give pits a wide path when one approaches me on a leash. I will go down a different path at an off leash dog park, if I see one coming and I leave a dog park, if one is running loose. Sometimes I wish I could conquer this fear of them and have even thought about volunteering at a pit rescue to overcome this experience. And then I read articles, like the one previously posted, about the child being mauled and in critical condition. I welcome any comments or thoughts.
Rescuers please try to remember these dogs---
My name is Ned Gonzales and my wife's name is Julie. We reside at 125 22nd street, New Orleans, La in the lakeview area near the 17th street canal, 22nd street is between Pontchatrain Blvd and Fleur de lis and a block south of Harrison Ave. We have lost everything since Katrina including Nemo and Lucky our pets. They are like our kids. We are so depressed and dying inside without them in our lives. Nemo and Lucky slept in bed with my wife and I. So now, there is no sleeping without the warmth of them snuggling next to us. The loss of our home means nothing compared to the loss of Nemo and Lucky. I'm a New Orleans Police Officer and Nemo and Lucky would try to stop me from leaving them in the the mornings by standing and blocking the door and when I returned in the evenings they would tackle me with such excitement as if they thought I was gone for years. I miss them so much so much, that I have had to take extended leave from work. We have trouble sleeping because we are constantly on the internet searching every website available on Katrina rescued dogs, we are scared to stop looking because the next page may have our Lucky and Nemo on it. We strongly believe that our buddies were rescued from our home, because the front door appeared to have been forced open with a crowbar. The lock was completely pushed out of the door and the door was kicked in. We found Nemo's flea collar which was broken off and lying on our bedroom floor, like someone had been wrestling with him and in the struggle his flea collar was broken off. In looking at this we believe that Nemo put up a fight because he did not want to leave his home. Our house had about 3 feet of water and it appeared that our sofa had floated upside down and there was pawprints and fecal matter on the sofa, where we believe they were living.
We called LSU and the Humane Society and gave them permission to use any means to gain entry to rescue our dogs. These calls were made a few days after the storm. We believe in our hearts that they were rescued. We have spoken to a hundred different people and written just as many emails with no success. Please we need help finding them. We also contacted the CATF-2 the human rescue unit who informed us that they did not force our door on 9-11 when they were in the area.
Nemo is going to be 2 yrs. old on 12/1/05. He is a german shepherd/chow mix. He weights about 45 pounds and is black and tan in color. The tan is on his face and mixes with the black on his head and shoulder area, his stomach is tan and brown. He has purple spots on his tongue and he has an overbite. He looks almost like a full breed shepherd. Nemo is very scary and shy with people. He is my bestfriend and I' m dying without him. Please Help
Lucky is a wirehair jack russell terrier. She is tri-colored, white and brown colors on her face with black on her ears, her body is white with black spots. Her hair is long and wirey looking. She is about 12 - 15 pounds and is spayed. Lucky is very aggressive and will bite if you wake her up. She just made 4 yrs. old in October. Lucky was also wearing a white flea collar. Lucky is my 16 yr. old daughter's pet and she is so heart broken over this. Lucky is my heart and I miss her so much. Please Help
Lucky and Nemo are a huge part of our lives. We will do anything to be reunited with them. We are dying inside without them.
Please, if anyone can help us find our pets or if anyone remembers rescueing our pets
Please contact us anytime day or night at 504 432-7141 or e-mail us at julie761959@msn.com
Thanking you in advance,
Ned Gonzales
Some thoughts on the post about pit-phobia. Understandable. But the most dangerous dog I know is the 120 lb. psychotic Lab that lives behind me. Statistically, labs, german shepard and even spanials account for most of the bites. It's just that the few pit bites/attacks are beyond aggressive. I feel most comes down to ownership. Bad owners make bad dogs. (you don't have to abuse to be a bad owner) Even so called good dogs from bad owner rescues come with baggage. My husband and I do a small scale residential street rescue. We rescued a 5 wk. old pup from some kids at a festival two years ago. She was very submissive, hot and hungry after being hauled around all day by little girls. We were told she was golden/lab mix. imagine my suprise when the vet told me she was pit/retreiver mix. At 50 lbs, she looks like both, brindle/black with a white chest some tail flags. Much family discussion/soul searching. To keep her or find a home. We had heard the stories and met scary pits. She was so cute and a good puppy. But really mouthy. We totally socialized her early with kids (ours and others dogs, she is submissive to cats (she had no choice, I have dog killer cats) and everything else for that matter. We read, we hired a trainer, we did classes and we continually work at her. She is no longer mouthy. She is the most amazing dog. Travels all over with us and loves every living thing. Hates construction and vacuums. The thing is she is terrified of other pits and labs and chihauhau's. I also feel Pits have fallen prey to what happened to Dobermans (remember those tales) and alot of popular aggressive dogs in the past. The have been indescrimanatly (sp) bred, usually for aggressiveness with clueless owners. I know people who think it's funny for their dog to chase a squirrel out of the yard. But a dog doesn't know the difference between a squirrel, little puppy, or other small target. People also want dogs for protection. So they reinforce the protect your property aspect. (which over time the property parameters to a dog increase) Psycho lab thinks he owns the whole block, hence his danger. So sad. Because if a dog (any breed) is loved, socialized and healthy, they will know what danger is and protect automatically. Just some thoughts.
Eric,
I've been searching since Sept. 6 for my babies...that is when we recieved communications at the shelter. I was there for over 5 weeks....I have people helping me, but you can never ask for enough help...my babies are registered on petfinder, petharbor, and petdetective and I feel I am getting closer...I am desperate and I wont stop until I find them....anything you can do would be appriciated....below is my story and info....Thank you and everyone who is helping us and our lost children.....
PLEASE help me!
I saved my babies from drowning only to be told I had to leave them in a strangers attic near where we were rescued...I am from chalmette in
St. Bernard parish....I have 4 Chihuahua's...a mother and her 3 male pups. The pups are mixed with malteese/ toy poodle/ pom....they could be mistaken for small terrier mixes
The female's name is Rat...she is a 6lb long-haired chihuahua...she is fawn and white..white on chest and some mixed in the fawn colored hair on her back and white on her paws...she is missing her four bottom teeth between the k-9's and she has double k-9's her puppie share the double teeth trait if her teeth aren't brushed regularly she will suffer from dental carries. She is nine years old and very sweet....she was wearing a Magenta and black tiger striped collar....
Her sons are: Bosco (weinnie) 1 1/2 yrs old white with tan on back from ears to tip of tail his tail is slightly fanned like his mom's he has two rows of teeth he and his brothers are mixed with toy poodle and malteese...Bosco's hair is slightly wirey in some places ...he looks like he is wearing a sweater he is long and weighs about 4lbs (no collar) he was clipped before the storm so, his hair may have looked like that of a smooth coated chihuahua with hair growing back around eyes, mouth and around the neck and chest like a coat collar.
Mikey is 9mos old and is curly haired...mixed colors...beige underneath and Charcoal grey/light gray and beige on top...the back of his ears are a rust color He has a beige mask around his eyes, and some beige around his mouth some beige can be seen under the top hair, which is charcoal grey...Mikey has an underbite and looks like a "EWOK" from "Star Wars" he is about 5lbs. he was wearing a black cat collar with rhinestones.
Poody is also 9mos old with cream and white curly hair med/long in length, around his ears and his ears are beige ...he has less noticable beige spots on his back, they are more noticiable when he is wet ...a big one at his rump and a smaller one near his back and one by his shoulders....poody lifts his leg unusually high to urninate...he weighs about 3lbs...he was wearing a green cat collar white and yellow fish bones and mice
Please if you can help in anyway please let me know....their last location was in a ripped open attic on keane Dr in chalmette right off of St. Bernard hwy and located right across from C.F. Rowley elementary school I was notified that the were rescued and the address on Keane dr. is 13 Keane drive per the rescue team that went to search again and found no marking on the house just that dogs were in the attic at one time and were rescued before the water went down....I have been looking since Sept. 6th when the shelter were I was residing recieved outside communications
My phone number is (985)792-1536 I am in ponchatoula, La.
My other email is bridgette_e_siles2000@yahoo.com
Any help would me deeply appreciated
Thank you,
Bridgette Siles
THIS TIME WITH A VENGEANCE- CNN, FOX, etc.
by muimui, 11/9/05 20:17 ET
Important crosspost---
From: Gillian (no permission to post email)To:Katrina-Pet-Rescue-info@yahoogroups.comSent: Sunday, November 06, 2005 1:30 PMBACK TO SQUARE ONE, FOLKS- THIS TIME WITH A VENGEANCE- CNN, FOX, etc.
We can't do it all, this is just way too much for us. This group started a HELLISH amount of weeks ago, trying to focus energy, simple attention on the suffering that no one was looking at. Various people wrote networks, e-mailed them, just put some heat on and/or enlightened the media and we've got to get back to that. Would whoever had e-mail addresses, phone numbers that couldn't be ignored, to the various networks please re-list them? To Anderson Cooper, perhaps? To whomever? It's time for Letters to Whatever Editor! Do your local paper, e-mail to the New York Times, ANYBODY!!
We've GOT to let the media know that the suffering is NOT over; that there are only a handful of people still working this, and WITHOUT assistance of any kind. We have to let them know (FOX perhaps?) that the HSUS hasn't been on the ground for weeks and only caring individuals forsaking their jobs and their ordinary lives have been dealing with this catastrophic suffering, sans assistance of the MILLIONS of dollars that the HSUS accumulated, without kudos of any kind. FOX would probably love that, and at this point in time, I must say that I would enjoy their (HSUS) taking a much-deserved hit; any sort of wake-up call would be much deserved. Any mud-flinging to the HSUS, however, should be tempered with an acknowledgment of all those groups- Noah's Wish, Pasados, Alley Cat Allies, Garrison's group, Karen O'Toole, AnimalHelp.com, etc., who have done WAY more than they and who continue in some way, shape or form, to help beyond what the HSUS has offered. That private individuals have been FORCED to create their own organizations, as in grassrootsrescue.org, to deal with the suffering that the HSUS has said does not currently exist. Shame the HSUS! It's sad but true- they are the ONLY organization that could make time for the media looking just a tad sweaty, a tad tired, while exhausted volunteers splattered with the filth of decomposing animals worked in the background. FOX seems like a network that would love something like that.
They NEED to have people down in the Winn-Dixie staging area, visible and doing SOMETHING (and let's not forget that Wilma hit FL pretty hard, but THEY, the HSUS, say FL is "doing just fine"). We have to let the media know that so MANY of the rescues that people worked SO tirelessly, so selflessly for, are now being euthanized because of a lack of space. We have to let them know that there is simply NO SPACE right now, and under these ridiculous conditions that FEMA has mandated, for non-profits to bring in animal survivors; that they are left on the streets, waiting for the food drops of volunteers, just because there is 'no room at the inn'! And that THEY will be bull-dozed quite soon, if we can't find room for them! These are much loved individuals of families! And here would be a great time to point out that a poor PTSD chow puppy was put to sleep because of the trauma that FEMA put it through! We also have to let them know that hurricane victims who have TOTALLY BEATEN THE ODDS by having their animals re-connected to them NOW have to have their much loved animals kept by non-profit agencies because FEMA won't allow animals in their incredibly unused mobile homes.
We have to shame FEMA into picking up the slack that they created. Why should the HSUS, ASPCA, Best Friends, Pasados, AlleyCatAllies, GrassRootsRescue, et al,, pick up the tab for a situation that THEY created? Animals are being put to sleep because their simply is no room! WE shouldn't spend so much time feeling helpless because we can't adopt, or foster, another one; because we can't tell our job supervisors that we really need to take a week off to do SOMETHING, clean cages at the Winn-Dixie, or SOMETHING- because nobody else is and it's so very necessary! WE'VE gone above and BEYOND! and I know that I certainly spend 23 1/2 hours a day grieving that I can't do more. We can now point to the newly released e-mails of the most-estimable Mike Brown as a reason for the government to pay some attention here. Mike Brown was apprised of the potential of animal suffering LONG before it became a given. And he never did ANYTHING- to the point that there are articles that record that, due to his stance as FEMA director, NO animals should EVER be on a FEMA rescue mode of transport, volunteer rescuers would go out with their boats and would come back EMPTY, even though many humans could have been brought in but would NOT be parted with their non-human family members (and perhaps this would be a good point to query whether or not more human lives could have been saved... had they not been forced to choose between their own lives and the lives of those who depended on them). This
Sent to HSUS 2day:
by Alaskasmom, 11/9/05 20:31 ET
Re: THIS TIME WITH A VENGEANCE- CNN, FOX, etc. by muimui, 11/9/05
There are still thousands of animals stranded and dying in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, making it completely inexplicable to me that HSUS has pulled out of the area and is failing to use it's vast and documented resources to assist the small groups of rescuers who remain on the ground. As an individual who has been coordinating independent animal rescue on the ground for over 2 months now, I am well aware of the situation and daily receive heart-breaking reports of animals dying within the last week or two (yes, 2 months AFTER the floods) of starvation and dehydration, as there are literally not enough bodies to feed and trap the remaining animals. More volunteers and supplies, transport, etc are needed TODAY.
The 9th ward, Plaquemines Parish and parts of Mississippi are still dying zones for scores of animals. Yes, we know the LA ASPCA is supposed to be "in charge", but the action necessary to save these innocent lives is NOT being taken. Between LA ASPCA and HSUS, there are resources enough to speed up this urgent rescue operation and save thousands of precious lives. Just the efforts of small groups and independent rescuers have saved hundreds of lives, and this is documented and cannot be disputed.
Why will you not allocate the funds and personnel, or offer paying positions to the hurting people of these areas who are now unemployed--and let them rescue the pets of their friends and neighbours, while beginning to put their own lives in order? Does the HSUS even care about this situation? I, and others, have to wonder.
As a life-long animal welfare worker and rescuer, I can say this: unless I see some urgent action of the type outlined herein in short order, I will never support HSUS again and I will make sure that my extensive national list of animal contacts knows all about what has happened and continues to happen to the forgotten animal victims of this disaster. Animals whose lives have VALUE. Animals who could have been rescued in the early weeks of this disaster. Animals who cannot speak for themselves.Very sincerely,blah, blah, blah.
another good EDNAH update
by pitbullEmily, 11/9/05 18:50 ET
P.S. For those of you who wish to receive Updates direct, please join theFriends of the Animals in Arkansas group by sending an e-mail to:FOTA_in_AK-subscribe@yahoogroups.com************************Message from Bill:
"For those who were on site during the first 3 or 4 days, the EDNAH locationis a whole new world now. There are still hundreds of dogs, but it has beencleaned up considerably. The Katrina dogs lining the driveway are now gone-- back to their respective responsible agencies. Most of the trash hasbeen hauled off. The stench of death is now all but completely erased. Butall that pales in comparison to the dogs.
The dogs are MUCH better. They're all in real pens instead of tiny crates.They know they're being cared for. They now know they don't have to fightfor their next meal. The changes in temperament and demeanor areremarkable. Now instead of snarls and begging, it's playful tail waggingand genuine happiness. None of us can wait to get these animals back intotheir rightful homes or into new homes with loving families...but that can'thappen yet. It so saddens me that anybody could let it get the way it was.Some of these dogs are purely wonderful animals. However some are stillhopelessly ill. Some have become so very mean and people-aggressive thatthe only responsible thing is to euthanize them -- but that number is verysmall.
The on-site staff is working right now to create a maternity ward for thelitters of puppies that continue to be born. There are still dogs breeding,and there are still more that surely will. There is unfortunately a legalpermissions hangup that is preventing the blanket spaying and neutering ofthe animals.
We've been criticized for not getting enough information out to the public.I must say I'm sorry for that. I seem to be the only person who has thetime to as I'm not on site every day exhausting myself. But my wife is andhas been since day one. I'll do what I can to get information and get itout, but please everybody remember . . . this is still an active crime sceneinvolved in an active investigation. There are things we can say and thingswe can't for very obvious reasons.
I'm trying to get some more updated pics on our website athttp://www.mhpets.com/ but am not sure if I'll be able to before theweekend. We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers and support. The workgoing on out there is still nearly insurmountable, but one day at a time,they're making it through.
Thank you all."
Bill WheelerMountain Home Pets, Inc.http://www.mhpets.com/
I am really torn....
I have been following this story since the early days of Katrina. Has broken my heart numerous times. Sent money, sent emails, sent supplies. My heart is breaking for these animals. I never thought it could possibly be worse, but sadly, it is.
God bless you Eric for all that you have done to save the pets of Katrina!
Here is my question - I have 3 days of vacation time left that I could use to go to NO, but is 3 days worth it? Would my money be better spent sending it to Jane Garrison to help someone who can stay longer than 3 days? I need advice!
Confused PetLover from WI
Eric, have you notified HSUS? God knows they collected enough $$$$ to send an army of rescuers to N.O. The money was donated and dedicated to saving animals and nothing else.
Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/darr
Disaster Animal Response Rescuers group has just been formed to bring together the animal rescuers who traveled from near and far to aid in the recovery of animals that were affected by Hurricane Katrina and other disasters.
This group was created as a gathering place for people that would like to share their experiences. Most of all it is a tool for future events that will unite us together again.
We are devoted to using our knowledge and resources as a group to help animals in need.
This group was also created to use as a tool for communication for current and future needs during a disaster area. Next time we will all be on the same page!
All volunteers and future volunteers encouraged to join.
Thank you!
Monica
As soon as the shelter in Gonzales. LA shut down, HSUS folded its tent and hit the road knowing full well there were still thousands of destitute animals needing to be saved. Everywhere you look on the Internet, there is an ad from HSUS to send a donation to help the Katrina animal victims...so why isn't HSUS still down here doing rescue? Wayne Pacelle used every available minute of his time here to pose and preen before TV cameras and ask for donations. The money they collected on behalf of these animal victims reaches into the millions but I have seen no accounting of it. The ASPCA posted where their donations for the hurricane animals went as any reputable charity should do, but not HSUS. As for the LASPCA being in charge, that's a joke. Historically, they haven't been able to handle all the animal problems under normal conditions, much less take on this massive tragedy. We need people to help in the worst way. This is not going to clear up overnight, it's going to take a long time and the animals are the ones who will pay with their lives if we can't get more help down here in south Louisiana. The Governor and the State Vet certainly aren't concerned about the animals but somebody has to be...and that's us.
P.S. to my post above criticizing the Governor and the LA State vet. I am a lifelong resident of New Orleans and those comments did not originate from anyone not in this locality. I am a hurricane victim, a voter and a taxpayer and I am disgusted with the way government approached the animal situation.
Eric,
I added a request for immediate animal volunteers to help & your site link on my website. I get 30,000 plus hits a day and many of those are people looking to help out in some way.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. Keep up the GREAT work!
Lisa Tichenor
KatrinaTribute.info
"I have 3 days of vacation time left that I could use to go to NO, but is 3 days worth it? Would my money be better spent sending it to Jane Garrison to help someone who can stay longer than 3 days? I need advice! "
It's ABSOLUTELY worth it for you to go. Take the 3 days before a weekend and you'll make it 4. From what I've heard from Kate, any amount of time and help is needed. They are desparate.
I'm heading down 12/7 - can't go before that and took all the begging and blackmail (no, not really, but it sounds good) I could muster to get 3 days out of the office unpaid.
So, if anyone reading this is thinking of going at that time, please please tell me.
Question....Eric, maybe you can tell me.....Out of all the groups on the ground right now, is there one that is most in need for volunteers? Jane? Winn-Dixie?
PETITION
If someone can tell me what to say, I will try to get a petition going demanding that the HSUS, PETA ASPCA spend their donations in helping the volunteers in the disaster region.
I am not sure how it works so need advice.
Denise
Have tried ringing them but the phone is always engaged. Many people from Britain also sent money and they think they are still rescuing - even PETA UK was unaware of the current situation.
Denise England
I think everyone that is left is doing a good job. I think Jane is the best place to go simply because they try to build a database of "where animals are" and have a morning meeting. Nothing perfect but Jane has 15 years of experience responding to disasters. I just think she tries to put science behind what she is doing. THAT IS NOT TO SAY THE OTHERS ARE NOT GOOD AS I LIKE rICHARD FROM wd, Amanda at Muttshack and Alley Cat Allies. I just think the more people you get to Jane, the more streets she will cover because she has the city mapped etc...
Hey what's up w/ Waveland? I'm reading some rescuers went to get dogs from there and it's not such a great place.
LOL @ me. Disregard ^^^ wasn't a finished question, and I answered it on my own.
Yes, email to HSUS, cc; CNN, MSNBC, FOX etc. I maintain the power of hundreds of these powering the web wave is overwhelming. It's truly what got HSUS to EDNAH. Public scrutiny and perception is a powerful thing. The earlier post by Alaskamom had some good points to use. The questions on my mind are where is the 17 million earmarked for Katrina pet relief? Why is their presence (even as organizers or enablers) not there now or still. Isn't that their national job. They have enough power to partner with local humanes and to sway the state govt. Why are they still accepting donations when they aren't there? Above all, be pointed but respectful. If it is just a communication to slam them they close their ears. Then these need to be copied to the media. This shows HSUS that the scrutiny is bigger than just a personal question. Then I followed up with an independent email to media about LA situation, what's not being done to help the few dedicated and under funded groups still there, and the fact that a few national groups got the big bucks and aren't around. As far as contacting LA officials I would defer to Eric's advice. We don't want to jeopardize current operations. Although my personal opinion is they all suck and have minds like melons.
Laura, I hope you will do me the courtesy of reading....I have stamped out dozens of stupid rumors for you.
My friend forwarded me an email today where you said this:
Marilyn,
The info you're getting is incorrect. We are well-staffed and doing fine in New Orleans. We also have visiting Officers from across the country. We have finished our Katrina lists.
The stuff that is all over the internet is simply not true.
***************************************************************************************
I have supported you and I have taken up for you. The truth is that the reason you do not know the extent of the problems out in the field is that you stopped answering your phones and EVERYONE IS CALLING THE GRASSROOTS PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VISIBLE FOR 3 MONTHS. People do not even think to call you. and the ones that do so complain why call when they can never talk to anyone Are we all just making all this up so we can stay a few more weeks and burn through another few thousand dollars of our own money.
Please wake up, go out and talk to these groups, get on our call to at least coordinate. You simply do not understand the number of calls we are getting. The stories are real. The animals are real. The number needing trapped are in the thousands.
This is a lady that requested help with cats ---
lived in Gentilly & my house was destroyed, but have been returning to my old neighborhood almost every day to feed 4 or 5 remaining cats. I told animal rescue/ Alleycats.org where these animals are located, but i have'nt seen ANY rescue people in the area for about 2 weeks now. Please send help to trap (2) black & white cats, (1) all gray cat & (1) all black (long-haired) cat in the 5500 block of Warrington Drive in Gentilly. Also, there is one calico cat (Uptown, New Orleans) living under the house @ 1214 Adams street. Her owner asked me to continue feeding it until it can be trapped and adopted by a nice family since her owner had to evacuate without her and now is in a nursing home in TX. Please help in rescuing these cats--i have gone back to work and can't go into my old neighborhood alone after dark (without any electricity). Also, if Allstate ever pays off, i may be permanently re-locating, so i can't keep feeding these poor cats forever, but know they need to be rescued. Thanks for any help or advice you can give.
Janes response --
am sorry you have not seen any rescue people. We are so inundated with requests...hundreds! We are also feeding animals in over 2,000 locations with only 22 volunteers. Craziness! Would you mind feeding until we are able to trap? If you give me the exact address you are feeding at I can also see if I can get some help feeding there.Thank you so much!!!! Glad there are people like you!Jane
Regards,
Eric
HUNDREDS OF RESCPECTED PEOPLE JUST MAKING EVERYTHING UP? NOTHING IS TRUE? THIS CONTINUES TO BE THE WORST CASE OF PASS THE BUCK THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. BUT IT COMING TO AN END. WE HAVE MADE OUR CASE TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE. PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THIS SITUATION AND YOU CAN'T BURRY THE TRUTH.! Eric
State of Louisiana Blocks Animal Rescue While Thousands of Pets Face Starvation in New Orleans, Say Animal Rescue Groups
11/10/2005 1:19:00 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: National Desk
Contact: Claire Davis, 435-899-1231 or KatrinaCatRescue@yahoo.com
BOGALUSA, La., Nov. 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Two animal rescue groups are issuing a call for the state of Louisiana to stop blocking attempts to save the thousands of sick, injured, and traumatized dogs and cats who still wander the streets of New Orleans.
The state has announced that the Hurricane Katrina rescue phase is over. Out-of-state veterinarians are banned from volunteering their services on behalf of the animals of greater New Orleans. Rescuers have been threatened with arrest if they attempt to give food and water to animals in Orleans Parish. Outside rescue groups are told they should turn all operations over to local authorities and leave the state.
Meanwhile, the pets who survived Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath are dying on the streets -- sometimes right next to food and water bowls that the handful of remaining rescuers couldn't fill in time.
AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com (http://www.animalrescueneworleans.com) and Alley Cat Allies (http://www.alleycat.org) are calling for the state to reverse its course and accept outside help in the form of veterinarians and more volunteers.
"We are literally seeing animals on the streets starving to death," says Jane Garrison, director of AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com, one of a handful of rescue organizations still in the city. "We need more volunteers to feed and water the thousands of traumatized animals still on the streets, we need to keep trapping animals so we can reunite them with their guardians, and we need a massive spay/neuter program."
Garrison coordinated the animal rescue program for six weeks as a volunteer for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Since HSUS pulled out October 1st, she has been running her own program. With a steadily dwindling force of volunteers, Garrison races against time trying to provide food and water at more than 2,000 sites in the New Orleans area, as well as fielding a constant stream of owner rescue requests.
"Many of these animals are people's companions who escaped their homes when doors and windows blew open. It would be completely unethical to allow them to die on the streets," she says.
The state claims that local authorities can handle the problem, but rescuers on the ground know this is not the case. One of the hardest hit areas, St. Bernard Parish, has no active animal control agency or functioning animal shelter. The Louisiana SPCA, in charge of animal control in Orleans Parish, does not have anywhere close to the staff, space, or resources required to address a problem of this magnitude.
As bad as the situation is now, in a few months it will be even worse. Despite the horrific conditions, the dogs and cats on the streets are still breeding, and rescuers are starting to see puppies and kittens born after Katrina. Statistics show that one unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce more than 59,000 cats in five years.
"If the state government doesn't allow us to feed, treat, and find homes for the thousands of animals struggling to survive now, it is in for rude awakening the beginning of next year," says Becky Robinson, national director of Alley Cat Allies (ACA). "The number of free-roaming cats and dogs will be devastating."
ACA, a national cat advocacy group now running a cat rescue operation from a base in Bogalusa, Louisiana, has plans for an immediate, large-scale spay/neuter program for the street cats of New Orleans. This program requires the services of about a dozen veterinarians experienced with high-volume surgery. Many out-of- state vets have offered their services, free of charge.
But the state of Louisiana is standing in the way. Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco, acting on advice from Assistant State Veterinarian Martha Littlefield, has refused to extend an executive order giving out-of-state veterinarians permission to practice in Louisiana. That order expired October 25. Any out-of- state vet practicing in the area now would do so at the risk of jail time and thousands of dollars in fines.
Despite the state's claims that local veterinarians can fulfill the need, ACA has been unable to find local vets who can provide consistent care for the cats housed at its temporary shelter, let alone enough to conduct the type of large-scale spay/neuter program that is so desperately needed.
"This nation's animal rescue community can help Louisiana meet this crisis if the state will simply acknowledge the problem still exists and allow us to work," Robinson says. "This is not only humane and ethical; it is in everyone's best interest."
For more information, please contact Claire Davis at 435-899- 1231 or KatrinaCatRescue@yahoo.com, or visit http://www.alleycat.org and http://www.AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
On Maloney:
I think she's looking to eliminate all "outsider interference." I think she wants media coverage that portrays everything as quickly getting back to normal. I believe she's ready to sweep this under the rug, so they can get revenues back into the area as quickly as possible! What a shame. And if this continues, it means that the obvious, and continuing animal issues in the area will NEVER get fixed. I am disgusted. Definitely, the video guy NEEDS to get in there, pronto.
If anyone has time and can make a couple phone calls--since airmiles can be donated--I went to Delta.com today and there are no "animal rescue or welfare" people who would be able to be benefitted by donated skymiles.
Could anyone contact Delta to get this changed and some other airlines as well.
I wouldn't donate them to the Red Cross.
Who would you call if you were a citizen or the police with an animal control problem?
www.animalrescueneworleans.com vs. LASPCA
Lets do a comparison:
www.animalrescueneworleans.com
1. Have Mapped and divided the city (scroll all the way down on Janes site to see her map at www.animalrescueneworleans.com)
2. Have requests for volunteers all over the country.
3. Have very detailed info about how to volunteer and why you will be doing.
4. Are marketing themselves throughout the city so that citizens know who to call and how to get a response
via flyers, the web and relationships with the police, insurance agents etc.
5. PERSONEL THAT HAVE RUN DISASTER OPERATIONS FOR 10+ YEARS.
6. Feeding and watering program.
7. An organized daily meeting
8. Backed in animal transport by one of the most reputable organizations in the business, Best Friends
9. Says we don't have enough people. Please help us.
10. Database entry of every place that they are seeing animals on the streets.
LASPCA
1. A phone that is not answered. And no phone calls returned so far.
2. A phone message that says we are not taking in animals
3. No marketing messages saying CALL US to solve your animal problems (radio, flyers, etc)
4. A few press releases that say everything is ok.
5. No assigned areas.
6. No feeding and watering program
7. No meeting that we can get access to.
8. Will not tell anyone exactly how many people they have in the field.
9. Everything is fine even though we lost our building, our staff, our phones and WE HAD THE WORST NATURE DISASTER IN HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY.
By they way, that was my comparison above. I am getting more and more PO'd at the absurdity of all of this.
SO now this is all fixed? News story from katrina-
It's just overwhelming," said Laura Maloney, executive director of the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "There are countless thousands of abandoned pets in the city. And hundreds and hundreds are stuck inside their homes."
Maloney said she had been flooded with calls from residents who left pets in their homes. Many people were forced to abandon their pets because they weren't allowed to take them on evacuation buses.
For the past few days, about 10 volunteers have been going to addresses where people have left animals and are breaking in to save them, Maloney said.
But not everyone left pets behind. James Lalande, like many city residents, is refusing to evacuate without his dog, Charlie, and his cats, Miranda and Babettes.
"I've never cried in my life, but the saddest thing in the world is when all night long you hear dogs crying; big dogs, little dogs, medium dogs," said Lalande, 62. "People left thinking they'd be gone two or three days, but now they can't come back and their pets are starving. Tomorrow, I'm breaking in and feeding dogs."
I can't get invovlved because of my husband, but someone should hold a protest or press conference or sue HSUS to get money back-- here are the questions everyone should ask and HSUS should answer--- or people should forward these quesitons around so eveyrone can ask them and maybe HSUS will give soem straight answers.
How much $ did HSUS raise, and how much was spent? Were all the animals saved? Why not??!!
Why were people who were fed up with driving 45 minutes each way to Lamar Dixon and fed up with waiting in hours long lines to drop off pets and who decided to just work more efficiently on their own called "rogues" and treated like criminals?
Why did they give a password so only certain people could bring in pets to lamar dixon, and others were left with critical pets in their cars?
Why was the facility at lamar dixon full with animals-- why didn't HSUS start other facilities if they had the money?
Why did so many of my friends get e-mails back from HSUS saying they were not needed as volunteers?
Why did no one at HSUS ever know what was going on at lamar dixon? Why was no one able to answer questions? who ran that place? who were these people in golf carts and clip boards who never actually did anything or could give a straight answer? How much are these people paid, and is it true they received bonuses?
Why didn't HSUS pay for lots of people to come and rescue and/or care for the pets? Why did they rely only on volunteers if they had so much money?
Why wasn't a system set up where people who called the "humane1" 800 phone number could say where their pets were, and that same day someone could go there and rescue the dog or cat (or bird)?
Why wasn't every house in the city checked for animals if HSUS had so much money?
Why were people told NOT to send supplies, but instead to send money, but then there were never enough supplies for the people feeding pets in new orleans? Why wasn't all the money spent?
Why didn't HSUS pay for all transport of pets to humane societies around the country so more could be brought in to Lamar Dixon?
Why did people have to pay for all their own supplies, and why weren't reimbursement forms handed to people at lamar dixon?
Why does HSUS still have millions to give to build new KILL shelters, but not have money to provide to finish the job now? Why isn't HSUS still in New Orleans feeding and trapping animals and shipping them to humane societies?
there is a guy with a blog- ericsdogblog.com- maybe he can lead the effort to get these questions answered or knows someone who can. someone needs to make some noise on this and not let HSUS get away with this.
Whoops. Earlier post meant LA officials suck and have minds like melons. The rescuers are angels. Sorry if any confusion.
Laura Maloney with the LASPCA says everything is fine with the animals in N.O.? Maybe she needs to come out of her ivory tower and get a reality check. I live in New Orleans and if she can't see what I see, maybe she needs to be in another line of work. Instead of getting down on her knees and thanking the rescuers who have come from all over the nation to help our animals and crawl around in the muck and toxic waters, she wants everyone to answer to her or get out of town. If the LASPCA had even accomplished one-quarter what the out-of-towners have done, she would have something to crow about. Can you imagine if all animal rescue efforts had been totally left up to the LASPCA with their small staff how awful things would still be today? I for one am so very, very grateful for every person's self-sacrifice in giving of their time and efforts to help these animals. They have no one to whom they can turn except those who really genuinely care and have nothing to gain politically.
Please contact members of Congress listed below, and ask them to use their influence to "encourage" HSUS, ASPCA and PETA to help Jane's group.
The Congressmen listed below are the
SPONSOR AND PRIMARY CO-SPONSORS OF
Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2005 -- amendment to HR 3858.
(There are 62 co-sponsors. I'm only listing the sponsor and primary co-sponsors. If you need the full list, see http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5323788
Rep. Tom Lantos (CA, 12th Congressional District)
SPONSOR, amendment to HR3858, Sept 22 '05
Co-chair, Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus
Website: http://lantos.house.gov/hor/ca12/home.htm
Email: CA12Lantos@mail.house.gov
Phone: 202-225-3531 (Washington DC)
Fax: 202-226-4183
Staff Contact for this issue: Guido Zucconi x53531
Rep. Christopher Shays (CT, 4th Congressional District)
Co-chair, Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus
Co-sponsor, amendment to HR3858, Sept 22 '05
Website: http://www.house.gov/shays /
Email: http://www.house.gov/shays/contact/index.htm
Phone: 202-225-5541 (Washington DC)
Fax: 202-225-9629
Staff Contact for this issue: Kristy Crooks x55541
Congressman Don Young (AK, Congressman At Large)
Co-sponsor, amendment to HR3858, Sept 22 '05
Website: http://donyoung.house.gov /
Email: http://donyoung.house.gov/opinions.htm
Phone: 202-225-5765 (Washington DC)
Fax: 202-225-0425
Congressman James Oberstar (MN, 8th Congressional District)
Co-sponsor, amendment to HR3858, Sept 22 '05
Website: http://www.oberstar.house.gov /
Email: Constituents only, http://wwwc.house.gov/oberstar/zipauth.htm
Phone: 202-225-6211 (Washington DC)
Fax: 202-225-0699
Congressman Barney Frank (MA, 4th Congressional District)
Co-sponsor, amendment to HR3858, Sept 22 '05
Website: http://www.house.gov/frank /
Email: Constituents only, http://www.house.gov/writerep /
Phone: 202-225-5931 (Washington DC)
Congressman Raul M. Grijalva (AZ - 7th Congressional District)
Co-sponsor, amendment to HR3858, Sept 22 '05
Member, Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus
Website: http://www.house.gov/grijalva /
Email: http://www.house.gov/grijalva/contact.html
Phone: 202-225-2435 (Washington DC)
Fax: 202-225-1541
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3rd Congressional District)
Co-sponsor, amendment to HR3858, Sept 22 '05
Member, Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus
Website: http://blumenauer.house.gov /
Email: http://blumenauer.house.gov/about/Contact.shtml
Phone: 202-225-4811 (Washington DC)
Fax: 202-225-8941
Also contact Sen. John Ensign. His email webform is http://ensign.senate.gov/forms/email_form.cfm
Link to Jane Garrison/Alley Cats Press Release: State of Louisiana Blocks Animal Rescue While Thousands of Pets Face Starvation in New Orleans, Say Animal Rescue Groups (Click here)
I have a comment about "so called well-intentioned or self-righteous" groups or individuals who rescued Katrina pets with no original intention nor any effort to return/reunite them to their rightful human companions. Is this not considered THEFT of an animal?! If they crossed state lines, is this an even bigger crime?!
YES, there is a difference between honestly sheltering/fostering a Katrina pet and dishonestly taking them home with you and keeping them or adopting them out to your friends/relatives/community without ever listing them on petfinder/petharbor or making any attempt what-so-ever to find their rightful guardians. This is selfish and self-serving and NOT worthy of the true heroics of those who genuinely care enough about the plight of ALL the huricane victims to join in the continuing effort to rescue and reunite these loyal, loving companions to their grieving families.
AND to those organizations/high-kill shelters across the country who have decided to start adopting out/euthanizing Katina animals which they oh-so-willingly took in, but NOW decide that they don't have the time/space/resources to continue to care for, THEN PLEASE, start posting such intentions, so that OTHER RESCUE GROUPS/SANCTUARIES can step forward and take these pets in or help find foster homes for them!! Surely enough room can be found (all across America) until at least the end of the year for EACH AND EVERY RESCUED KATRINA ANIMAL?! Can anyone think of a greater GIFT OF LOVE AND JOY AND HOPE than to give someone back their beloved, cherished companion after they have lost eveything else??
To those "self-appointed pet-THIEVES" who claim they are giving these animals a "better life" think about the lady who offered to give her wedding ring to the rescuers in an effort to allow her dogs and cat to be rescued as well... yet, ultimately had to choose between staying or going with her sick husband; think about the owners who were threatened and forced at gunpoint to leave their companions behind; and most of all think about the thousands of small children (not to mention adults) who still cry themselves to sleep every night... still missing their most loyal, loving, caring best friend in the whole wide world... wondering if their pet is still alive, lost, frightened, lonely, hungry, injured, suffering, or worse if it died a horrible unimaginable death... BUT apparently you don't care or do you remember how it felt when you were a child and lost your beloved pet?? If you have any heart at all at least look to see if anyone has posted the pet that you are so greedily keeping!! It is said that animals are so very forgiving, let us hope that they can forgive you for NOT giving them back to the families who truly loved them...
The ALLEY CAT ALLIES web site has an email letter to the "powers that be" in Louisiana that you can have sent in your name, calling for the continued acceptance of out-of-state vets and rescuers to help save the pets left in NO!!
They need to know that the rest of the world has NOT FORGOTTEN AND IS STILL WATCHING!!
So everyone go to their site and give voice to your outrage and protest of their horrible, unfeeling and senseless actions. TOGETHER WE ALL can still continue to SAVE THESE ANIMALS... Please take action now to help save a life!!
I don't know how else to get ahold of Anderson Cooper, but the group that schedules his "speaking engagements" is the Lavin Agency.
I think we should all send them an email begging for his attention to what's going on.
info@thelavinagency.com
It's worth a shot, right?
*sigh*
Please if you have someones pets post on Petfinder. Please you do not know the desperate owners I have to talk to everyday. It puts a hole in my stomach. For many it is all they have left...and they have to live with not knowing and agonizing over it.
This is the response we got after we contacted LSU Biology and Wildlife Fisheries professors. We got over 15 positive responses until we started getting this response. Below it you can see my response to Julie.
From: Julie Doucet
> Date: November 11, 2005 3:56:43 AM PST
> To: helen <>
> Subject: Re: Animal Rescue in New Orleans
>
> We have been informed by Martha Littlefield (assistant state
> veterinarian) that this is a bogus situation and request. You've
> already contacted several people in this department who gladly
> disseminated this information and would have assisted your
> efforts, but now we've all been told that this information is not
> accurate and we are all wondering why you would do something like
> this.
>
> Please stop emailing or more extreme measures will be taken.
>
RE: Animal Rescue and Trapping
Please for Gods sake who is saying this is bogus? This is the second time I have heard this. Please tell people this is not a joke, scam or anything else.
Do you really trust the state to have a handle on what is going on on the ground? We have been in the field since 2 days after the Hurricane. We live it every day. I will set up a tour for anyone who wants can see for themselves. We have tons of disaster rescue experience while Mrs. Littlfield has NONE (maybe she went to some conference once). We know for a fact that Mrs. Littlefield has not stepped out with any aninal rescue team in New Orleans, even though she has been requested from day one to do so.
When animal rescue experts offered advice on many fronts she did not take it. That is why the reunification rate of pets is less than 15% when the average rate after most disasters is 85%. She has been out of touch with the "field" response since day 1. Jane Garrison who ran ALL OF THE DISASTER response out of Lamar Dixon is our coordinator http://www.satyamag.com/nov05/garrison.html.
We also work with www.bestfriends.org The most respected sanctuary in the country.
Understand WE ARE NO LONGER AUTHORIZED TO ENTER PRIVATE PROPERTY and we are not doing so except at the specific request of the owner.
Last night when my team found a dog taking its last breaths of life, and having to sit beside him for an hour while he died in our arms and then having to call
the owners on the tags, these things are not jokes. These animals are otherwise healthy except for starvation. They need fed and then trapped. Nobody has enough trappers (us or LASPCA) to make this go quickly so we all work together.
Mrs. Littlefield is not the legal authority on the ground. Laura Maloney from the LASPCA is and she has no problem with us. She coordinates with us so that we do not overlap her efforts. St. Bernard has no animal control and is asking us to step in and help until they get set up with a new director that has not even started yet. There are packs of dogs in every wooded area.
www.ericsdogblog.com I made up over 100 pages of writing and pictures?
www.animalrescueneworleands.com Does this look unorganized or bogus? Ask Mrs. Littlefield for her plan to take as many as 10,000 remaining animals off the streets and to spay and neuter the thousands of Feral cats.
I along with everyone else have spent thousand and thousands of our own money to mount a continued response to the worst animal crisis in the history of the world. My name is Eric Rice and I run a company www.bulkregister.com Go to About US and then TEAM and see my resume.
And we are not a bunch of animal rights wackos. But we don't think animals should be left to die simply because they didn't get fed. We are on the ground and seeing the lack of response and thousands of dogs and cats who remain in the city and St. Bernard Parish (which has no animal control and packs of dogs in every piece of woods that remains). Many of these animals still have desperate owners looking for them. Would you like me or Mrs. Littlefield trying to save your lost pet? I have found and returned with my own money pets to LA citizens now spread all over the country. What a joy it brings to your heart to make that call that and say "Mrs. x we just found Binky" (sniff, sniff, tear, tear). You usually just then hear immediate sobbing on the other end of the line.
In Florida after Hurricane Andrew the state was in animal "rescue and crisis" mode for 6 months. Here you have a disaster 10x worse and the state has declared it over 30 days after it started. Wait till these thousands of animals start to reproduce.
It is not against the law to feed and water animals. Rescue groups throughtout the country do it daily.
You should be offended that Mrs. Littlefield would call this bogus. Every experienced disaster professional around the country has said this is the worst response to an animal crisis ever mounted. But they could not even rescue people, why would they do any better at animals.
Further-
Mrs. Littlefield tell us that no problems exist with horse and cattle ranchers in far southern Parishes. She says they have enough food. I will take you to places where generations of ranchers have lost their homes and farms and are in tents trying to tend to their livestock and getting NO supplies other then the ones WE TRUCK in and pay for out of our own pockets and through donations. Mrs. Littlefield says she flew over the area and it looked fine to her.
She probably missed the tent under the tree from 50,000 feet.
I am not a rich person but I have spent over $15,000 on this effort simply because I have a heart. Everyone involved is well known and well respected on the disaster response community.
Regards,
Eric Rice
Eric,
Thank you for the clarification. Here at LSU we receive more than our share of ‘bogus’ and scam emails, and it was hard to see what was bogus about your request as you were not asking for account information or other sensitive information to be submitted via email.
Dr. Michelle Withers willing sent out your request to all in our department and other departments within the College of Basic Sciences, only to have someone from the LSU Vet School email back that the request was bogus, quoting Mrs. Littlefield. I have forwarded your response and Helen’s to all that had received the earlier emails. There are many, many animal lovers in our department and I hope to reach them all with this clarification.
Julie
Julie Doucet
Coordinator
Louisiana Biomedical Research Network
Mailing Address:
Dept of Biological Sciences
131 Life Sciences Building
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone (225) 578-1848
Fax (225) 578-2597
E-mail
Here's the AVA site. I'm starting to send letters regarding no out of state vets being allowe in.
http://www.avma.org/
BRAVO ERIC!!!!! On getting the LSU folks to listen. I'll be anxious to see how this plays out.
Martha Littlefield is another "Brownie", maybe they're related. She is an embarrassment to the state of Louisiana. She should get the boot too, the sooner the better for the poor animals still suffering in New Horrorleans and surrounding parishes. Oh, but wait... the situation is bogus and all the rescuers still on the ground (as well as returning residents) are just making the whole thing up - yuck,yuck,yuck April Fools... only the FOOLS are the ones at the state vets office - Happy Halloween and don't bother to call or write or email us anymore cuz we're too busy being a bunch of "Pat Ourselves on the Back Brownies", but be sure to send us some more of that good coffee. They're the sickos for sure!! Doesn't anyone with any authority care enough to take the time to go see for themselves?! Or eww- they might get their feet dirty! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE... have they been drinking the water or what? Everyone who is a member of a group or organization which may think of holding another convention in New Orleans at any time in the future should BOYCOTT New Horrorleans unless they get their pet rescue act togther pronto and all pet lovers everywhere should notify Gov. Blanco that they won't be visiting or vacationing anywhere in LA until they get rid of Littlefield!! Obviously money, money, money (or the lack thereof) to these types of people is what makes the world go round. And sadly (to the rest of the world) they could care less about the fate of ANY AND ALL the hurricane victims.
There is a new website/forum up, specifically for New Orleans citizens, might be a good place to repost all of Eric's requests for help. I don't see that they have addressed any animal issues, it's a brand new but pretty techy site.
http://www.nolarises.com/
Sorry, I don't have time, gotta keep looking for owners of some dogs....
2.Also, Diane's sister in law's boxer is missing.Her sister in>law's name is
Adelle P. Adelle's dog is a pure bred boxer named Porche. She had been
boarded at4237 Elysia Field's vet clinic. (They had left town to take their
son to college and did not know the hurricane would come during their time
away). Someone opened the cages and let all of the animals outside after
storm. She is fawn colored, 5 years old, she has a white swiggle and clipped
ears. Adelle and her husband's home was destroyed. All they care about is
getting Porshe back.
TEN WEEKS LATER AND PORCHE WAS FOUND BY HER OWNER A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE
VET"S OFFICE!!!!!!!!
Do not lose hope and please tell owners to keep looking!
Susan
Speaking as a resident of south Louisiana for 38 years, a taxpayer and a registered voter, I would like to state that I personally consider Dr. Martha Littlefield a complete and total failure with her handling of the crisis of the animal hurricane victims. It should be apparent to all in state government that she was not qualified for the position of directing the rescue efforts. Her cavalier attitude toward the destitute animals is a disgrace to her veterinary profession. In my personal opinion, she should be fired since she obviously has no clue as to what is going on. She bamboozled the Governor into evicting all the out-of-state veterinarians who were donating their time and efforts to get rid of them by requiring that they either apply for Louisiana licenses or face the consequences. This alone is proof positive that she is incompetent and is a waste of money on the taxpayer's payroll. It is mind-boggling that she has been allowed carte blanche to make such a mess out of genuine heroic efforts to save the animals of the citizens of Louisiana. The Governor owes us an explanation for allowing Littlefield to run amok with her power.
A news article in the Nov. 11th edition of the Houston Chronicle newspaper states that HSUS received $20 million in donations for the sole benefit of Katrina animal victims. Why has HSUS left New Orleans when there are still so many needing rescuing?
The article can be read at
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3453906
Forward:
Re: Clarification re. left over supplies from HALO to Human Society of Southern Mississippi (HSSM).
Fri, 11 Nov 2005 09:25:07 -0600
You know me and know that it is not in me to hoard anything. We are very community oriented. The supplies that were left in the warehouse were solicited by myself. We have shared a large portion of what we received for our shelter with the community.
The person who is saying these things I guess thinks that HALO is responsible for everything that arrived at our shelter the whole time they were there. She hasn't stopped to think that perhaps some things were contributed to our shelter to help us take care of the huge volume of animals that come through our door each month.
The person responsible for the email is also still in our community taking dogs out without working through any reputable source. She is flying under the name of Project Halo which is a source of concern for them. Project Halo and I have spoken and we have full understanding. The police are currently investigating the actions of this individual. It seems they are offering food to pet owners then the pets come up missing later on. It is an unpleasant situation; one that is taking up valuable time to address.
Do not worry about HSSM's position as it relates to our community. As before, we will stand tall to address the nasty little rumors by those who are entertained by such.
I have offered to solicit supplies for them if they will establish a location for distribution and a contact for same. We are expecting to move in to our new shelter the middle of February, so as you can imagine, it is swarming with construction crews (not an ideal location to have volunteers and the public hanging around). The warehouse is shared by the construction crews and they have very expensive equipment stored along side the remaining food.
I would love to be all things to all people but it is my responsibility to focus on running the shelter. We had over 765 animals admitted in October. Does anyone consider what it takes to feed 765 animals in one month? Everyone is appalled that I might want to have some food around for the shelter! I will attach a letter that explains the results of a microchip clinic we offer to our community.
I am always amazed at how quickly people embrace the negative. I do note however, that you asked the questions without accusing me of being so. I respect and thank you for that.
Rest assured we have not turned in to evil supply hoarders.
Many thanks...
Tara High
This makes me ill. This is exactly the bureaucratic type answer so many volunteers received in early September – “NO, don’t go to New Orleans unless you’re a vet or vet-tech, we have plenty of people on the ground” – B.S. We needed 20x the volunteers we had. Why are the bureaucrats so reluctant to embrace outside assistance? Eric, did your conversation with the Admiral touch on this, and what did he say?
Best Friends take on things -
IN THE CITY
While there are still very occasional amazing rescues of living animals locked in homes from the earliest days, that phase of the work is essentially over.
The remaining rescue work involves basically dogs and cats who are managing to survive on the streets. Most of the friendly ones have been gathered up. Those who remain are either very scared and hiding out under houses, or they are gathering into packs or starting to go feral. In these cases, humane trapping is required. We’re working with other rescue groups who are doing much of this careful work.
We’re getting conflicting reports of the situation in different parts of New Orleans – some people saying there are barely any animals on the streets, others that they are still seeing hundreds of animals at night. Best Friends staff are now conducting our own assessment, including video, of the situation in both Orleans and St. Bernard parishes.
FARM ANIMALS
We’re receiving calls for help every day from people needing hay and feed for farm animals along the Gulf areas. We’re sending supplies, either purchased or donated, as needed.
VETERINARIANS
The State of Louisiana is still causing problems by having revoked permission for out-of-state veterinarians to come in as volunteers to help. This does not affect the Best Friends center, which is across the state border, but it is hurting other rescue efforts in New Orleans – in particular trap-neuter-return for alley cats. There are not remotely enough vets in state to handle this.
Diplomatic moves are still being made to resolve this in a collegial fashion, but that can’t go on much longer.
OTHER RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS
Jane Garrison, Alley Cat Allies, Mutt Shack, and Grass Roots Animal Rescue (the group formerly known as Winn-Dixie) have been discussing the strategy for handling cat rescue. Current plan is to rescue friendly cats and cats whose family have returned to find that their cat is too scared to come to them. They will trap and relocate cats living in areas scheduled for demolition. Trap/neuter/return for alley cats will not be actively pursued until there is a solution to the lack of vet care in New Orleans.
c/p'd from -
http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=specialreports&catid=04061773-BDB9-396E-9001EF6EC01318A4&mode=entry&entry=8095A360-BDB9-396E-9A54511418452576&stid=1
New phone number for LA SPCA in New Orleans:
504-368-5191
Cathy -
In response to your question: you bet I have sent my comments to the Governor - in spades. I'm not one to sit around and gripe yet take no action. I don't answer to the Governor, she answers to me as a taxpayer and voter!
Louisiana Resident
CANADA was TURNED AWAY !!
Someone should contact these fine people and help them help YOU. THEY ARE READY AND WILLING !!
November 8th, 2005
The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society (KWHS) regrets to announce that our most recent Louisiana trip has been cancelled. On Thursday, November 3rd the Louisiana government changed their rules allowing groups in to provide assistance. Our contacts in Lake Charles believed that, because our trip had been planned weeks prior, the changes would not apply to our mission. Unfortunately, we were detained at US Customs because we did not have clearance from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
We have worked for several days but have been unable to secure the proper documentation to cross. This is an unfortunate situation as The Calcasieu Parish Department of Animal Services & Adoption Center in Lake Charles is still in need of assistance. Our team is extremely disappointed but understands that we cannot fight a US government decision.
The KWHS would like to thank the individuals on this very dedicated and passionate team: Rob Martin, Paul Schmitt, Gertie Dieleman, Sheri Walker, Janet Spencer and Dan Usas. Even after being detained at the border for close to 12 hours the team was still willing to go at a moment’s notice if the FEMA clearance could be obtained.
To the many personal donors who contributed to this cause your consideration is very important to us as it showed great faith in our team and abilities. For this we thank you!
We would also like to thank our generous corporate sponsors for their assistance: Parkway Ford, Crystal Clear Water, Mark’s Work Wearhouse, Kodiak Boots, KW Surplus, Home Depot, Guelph Humane Society, Kitchener Fire Department, Twin City Graphics, Animal Care Shelter Lobo, Greenland Irrigation, Pauli RV Holdings, Camper’s World, Sauder’s Camping and Truck Accessories Ltd, The Kitchener Fire Department, Wag and Train, and Zeigler Insurance.
KWHS wishes The Calcasieu Parish Department of Animal Services & Adoption Center in Lake Charles the best of luck. We will continue to support them emotionally and have made a donation of much needed equipment.
Donations:
If you are a receipted donor who would like their donation returned we would be happy to do so. If we do not hear from you, we will apply the money collected towards the extremely successful first mission to New Orleans, Louisiana. The costs for the first mission are close to $7000.00.
web page here - http://www.kwhumane.com/html/katrina.html
See that list of sponsors?? ALL those people and businesses GIVING and CARING ! ALL for NOT - it should be ILLEGAL to interfere with the rescue of ANYTHING! Enraging !
Matt from CANADA
Re Governor Blanco's order on out-of-state veterinarians and state's position that animal rescue services no longer needed or wanted:
With all due respect to our governor, Dr. Little, and the power of a letter-writing campaign, I suspect that if we want the state government to just get out of our way so that local and out-of-state organizations, caring individuals and responsible citizens of this state can continue to assist the animals who still so desperately need it, AND TO FURTHER ALLOW them to continue to work together, unimpeded, toward the same underlying goal that we all have, without roadblocks, without harassment, without red tape, without the threat of arrest for feeding a dog, etc., than the Governor may just have to receive that message delivered in person on the Capitoal steps
So many onlookers took a critical view of the people of New Orleans after Katrina, because too many citizens had relied upon Government to take care of them, and we were all hit with the reality that we must take responsibility for our own lives and not expect government to solve it, fix it or do it....and yet Now, when not-for-profit groups and individuals alike, local and non-local, are actively trying to stand together and independently of that same Katrina-impacted government, with efforts to work together to accomplish things that can only, in the end, contribute to everyone's vision of a better future for New Orleans, the final insult to injury is that the "powers that be" now expect us to rely ONLY on whatever actions or inactions they think are needed in accomplishing that better New Orleans. In order to achieve our collective complacency, they take measures to eliminate our ability to actually pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get a better game plan this time around........ Somewhere, somehow, I think that some individuals in this state forgot that the government works for its citizens and therefore, it has no powers to unilaterally "lay off" the caring, socially responsible and proactive citizens that dare to stake a claim in their own futures.... What an insult to the rest of the world that watched as officials in this state begged, cried, screamed and more for the rest of the world to help us, and now, those same officials, disgracefully, won't allow us to help ourselves
Lise McComiskey
Re Governor Blanco's order on out-of-state veterinarians and state's position that animal rescue services no longer needed or wanted:
With all due respect to our governor, Dr. Little, and the power of a letter-writing campaign, I suspect that if we want the state government to just get out of our way so that local and out-of-state organizations, caring individuals and responsible citizens of this state can continue to assist the animals who still so desperately need it, AND TO FURTHER ALLOW them to continue to work together, unimpeded, toward the same underlying goal that we all have, without roadblocks, without harassment, without red tape, without the threat of arrest for feeding a dog, etc., than the Governor may just have to receive that message delivered in person on the Capitoal steps
So many onlookers took a critical view of the people of New Orleans after Katrina, because too many citizens had relied upon Government to take care of them, and we were all hit with the reality that we must take responsibility for our own lives and not expect government to solve it, fix it or do it....and yet Now, when not-for-profit groups and individuals alike, local and non-local, are actively trying to stand together and independently of that same Katrina-impacted government, with efforts to work together to accomplish things that can only, in the end, contribute to everyone's vision of a better future for New Orleans, the final insult to injury is that the "powers that be" now expect us to rely ONLY on whatever actions or inactions they think are needed in accomplishing that better New Orleans. In order to achieve our collective complacency, they take measures to eliminate our ability to actually pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get a better game plan this time around........ Somewhere, somehow, I think that some individuals in this state forgot that the government works for its citizens and therefore, it has no powers to unilaterally "lay off" the caring, socially responsible and proactive citizens that dare to stake a claim in their own futures.... What an insult to the rest of the world that watched as officials in this state begged, cried, screamed and more for the rest of the world to help us, and now, those same officials, disgracefully, won't allow us to help ourselves
Lise McComiskey
live (used to work) in New Orleans and am burning candle at both ends every day working to assist EVERY GROUP and for first time, I want to quit. Blanco, Little and the rest of the "good old boys" club down here in cock-fighting country don't care...bottom line. Bigger worries and I suspect letter-writing campaign to get Blanco to rescind order re out-of-state vets and animal rescuers go home, will go ignored. I think Blanco needs a wake-up call in the form of real people, people who live here and see it every day. I watched the other day as hundreds of African-Americans, some from here, some not, managed to at least call attention to their cause when they marched across the GNO to demand an investigation into racial issues regarding the police powers who allegedly met fleeing Orleans citizens with guns and guard dogs to keep them out of Jefferson Parish. You know what, it worked, insofar as there were ALL the local news crews there to cover it and now, the issue is forced. With all due respect to every rescue group who has done everything to jump through every hoop imaginable to help these animals, I can't stress enough, that based upon my life in this city, Blanco and the rest of the lawmakers/powers that be are not going to roll over for a letter campaign. I think that Blanco needs to get the message in person before the special legislative session must end, by law, on November 17.....a camera crew or two on the steps of the capitol with the heaviest hitters we have got down here, might be enough to take this "non-issue" far enough into the collective conscience of this recovery effort/policy makers and get it on the list of real issues.
Thanks
Lise McComiskey
I TOLD YOU THEY WOULD BLAME IT ON THE INTERNET AND PAINT US AS WACKOS!!!! eRIC rICE
Officials: Internet rumors paint false picture of pet suffering
By Bruce Eggler
Staff writer
According to messages flying nationwide on the Internet, fax machines and e-mail, New Orleans has been overrun ever since Hurricane Katrina with thousands of homeless and starving animals.
A press release Thursday from a Maryland group called Alley Cat Allies claimed Louisiana is blocking attempts to save the thousands of sick, injured and traumatized dogs and cats who still wander the streets of New Orleans and sometimes die next to food and water bowls that the handful of remaining rescuers couldnt fill in time.
Laura Maloney, executive director of the Louisiana SPCA, told the City Council on Friday that it is simply not true.
She said her organization has seen no evidence that large numbers of pets, supposedly left on their own since their owners evacuated, are roaming wild or dying on the streets.
Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis agreed, saying she has seen only one animal in the Lower 9th Ward since people began returning to that hard-hit neighborhood, and it appeared to be well-fed.
Maloney said many of the rumors are coming from well-meaning but overly zealous animal lovers, some of whom have been going through neighborhoods such as the Lower 9th Ward without official authorization, driving onto private property, sometimes breaking into houses and spray painting messages on buildings and vehicles.
Willard-Lewis and Councilwoman Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson and Renee Gill Pratt said they want the police to crack down on what Willard-Lewis called such extremely zealous . . . extremely aggressive people.
In an effort to determine the truth of the rumors, Maloney said, her organization will coordinate a systematic survey next week, with personnel from many national animal-welfare organizations fanning out citywide to assess how many animals are at large.
But other groups say they already know the answer.
An appeal last week from Animal Rescue New Orleans said more volunteers were desperately needed to come to the city and help care for animals it said were surviving in packs or burrowing under homes, some of which may be bulldozed.
Where once there was a home, a warm lap and kind hand, there is starvation and death for thousands of animals in the ruins of New Orleans, the rescue group said.
The Alley Cat Allies press release said Gov. Blanco's decision to end permission for out-of-state veterinarians to practice in Louisiana would seal the fate for thousands of uncared-for animals.
Maloney said that even though the Louisiana SPCA lost 95 percent of its staff after Katrina, it has 10 animal-control officers on the streets, more than in many years, because teams of workers have arrived from other states. The organization is putting out 40 to 50 humane traps a night in neighborhoods such as eastern New Orleans, the Lower 9th Ward and Lakeview.
More than 8,500 animals were saved from the flooded city after Katrina, Maloney said, although rescuers were unable to get to all the trapped pets.
The SPCAs building on Japonica Street was destroyed and it is now operating from a site in Algiers.
Mayor Ray Nagin's proposed 2006 budget allocates $1.25 million for the SPCA, which Maloney said has suspended all programs such as spaying-neutering and adoption to concentrate on catching and caring for homeless and dangerous animals. She said the organization needs at least $2.1 million next year but will make do with the smaller appropriation. Well make it work, she said.
She urged anyone aware of homeless or dangerous animals to call the SPCA at (504) 368-5191, ext. 100.
------------
Bruce Eggler can be reached at beggler@timespicayune.com or (504)¤826-3320.
Hi Shireen,
>
> Jane's take of the situation is accurate. If anything, it's worse than
> she knows. Last night I was on the phone with someone who is packing up
> her house to leavethe city. There used to be about 8-10 feral cats that
> she fed. (Only one not spayed because she's too smart for a trap.) Now
> there are at least 50 in this lady's inhabited area. She said it looks
> like cats are coming in from other areas of the citly. Also, she sees
> signs that say 'SPCA feeding station', but there is never any food at
> them. She checks each one as she drives by.
>
> Maloney is showing he true colors. PR and fundraising are Maloney's hot
> buttons.
28960. We will pay for rescued Cats and Dogs
by CarolAulett, 11/11/05 20:30 ET
Hello well intentioned people,
My company has an immediate need for 300 small dogs and 500 cats. De-clawed cats are fine! The animals need to be fairly healthy animals. They need to be alive for at least 30 days after our intake.
The price for these animals are as follows:
If we pickup in Arkansas or Mississippi $5 = cats, $9 = dogs
If animal is shipped to our home office in New Jersey (address to follow) $25 = cats, $29 = dogs
In addition to this, we are providing an incentive to the person who rescues the most animals for us. At the end of December, we will tally up the rescue efforts. The person who we conclude to be the greatest asset will win an all inclusive trip to Las Vegas, Nevada for two people for 5 days. This will include air transportation from Louisiana, hotel stay at 3 star or better resort, meal tickets for 2 meals per person a day, entertainment coupons including 1 fully paid entertainment concert, and $300 in casino comps spending monies.
We are really concerned about the well being of the cats and dogs after the Hurricane and want to do our part to insure the animals welfare.
For more information please contact:
Myself, Carol Auletta Sr. Toxicologist for HLS 732-873-2550, ext. 2960aulettac@princeton.huntingdon.com
Our website is http://www.huntingdon.com
And our address is Mettlers RoadEast Millstone, NJ 08875-2360
LET US GET TO WORK!
Carol
28960.2.1.1. huntindon life sciences
by Kathy4, 11/11/05 20:53 ET
Re: We will pay for rescued Cats and Dogs by CarolAulett, 11/11/05
are animal testing, have been massive demos etc against them here in Uk, hated hated organisation, please dont let them get hold of any more animals
28960.3.1. You are misinformed
by CarolAulett, 11/11/05 20:36 ET
Re: We will pay for rescued Cats and Dogs by CarolAulett, 11/11/05
I am sorry Sandy but you are completely misinformed about our company.
We are here to help!
The average person can make a thousand dollars and the animals will be saved.
We treat the animals humanely. A lot better than if they are lost, frightened and cold in their current harsh environment.
28960.15. Genuine Help not Hurt
by CarolAulett, 11/11/05 20:49 ET
Re: We will pay for rescued Cats and Dogs by CarolAulett, 11/11/05
Somewhere something has gone terribly wrong here!
We do not do animal research or genetic engineering or so called "Frankenstein Modifications" to animals.
We love animals. Probably more than a lot of you people do.
Our company carefully and willingly (not forcibly) ask the animals to participate in inquiries similar to what you may encounter when you see someone with a table at your local mall asking if you would like to try on some makeup. The animals are no way hurt or forced to do these tests!
If they choose to participate, they are rewarded with extra food, walks, adventures, etc...
This is a rewarding opportunity where everyone comes out as a winner.
IMPORTANT POINTS:1. The animals are rescued2. The rescuers are paid3. The animals are treated humanely in a warm and caring environment4. Some animals participate in non-lethal tests of everyday products5. We all know that are cosmetics will look nice on us, or the elevator will not rise too quickly or the music from the speakers will be soothing
We all are happy!
28960.17. Did not wish to unleash a fire storm
by CarolAulett, 11/11/05 20:59 ET
Re: We will pay for rescued Cats and Dogs by CarolAulett, 11/11/05
I am a toxicologist not a deplomat.
I know that facts about the work I do and the company I work with. We are not one of the "bad" guys.
We are a progressive company that has moved out of the "animal research" into alternative forms of testing. You can tell so much from the smile of a dog if they appreciate the aroma of a candle or not without causing any harm for instance.
I am sorry to those who I have offended.
If you would like more information about this, please refer to our full page communication that will appear in this Sundays Times-Picayune. Or feel free to contact us Monday morning.
We are here to help!
^^^ ANIMAL RESEARCH LAB ^^^
The above 'anonymous' comment was left by a TROLL on Nola animal forum and pasted here to cause friction - ignore it till eric deletes it (assuses he will)
The "troll" posted on NOLA board, I posted here when evryone screamed to post it all over to warn people.
The paper should be held accountable for publishing an ad soliciting sales of people's lost pets to a research lab.
sic 'em, Eric. Is this where some of the pets have been disappearing to? Please let us know what you find out.
All:
I am amazed at the story below which I have posted.
First of all we don't take ourdata from the Internet. We are here remember?
10 people? Internet Rumors? Breaking into houses/spraypainting (not being done since the LASPCA authorized it themselves during the Lamar Dixon days)
We are all horrible idiots who are doing this without pay cause there is no need. All the things we see on a daily basis are mirages.
Other states "shout" for help in an animal crisis. When ACO's volunteer to come they jump for joy.
I ask one simple question and anyone with an ounce of common sense can answer it successfully:
How can a city that experienced the worst natural disaster in the history of the world with amazing complexities like 80% of it under water, with 50% of the entire area still without residents even begin to think that they are near normal? It just doesn't take much investigating to think logically about this.
Will this city wide survey take place at night when all the animals come out? We already know what the answer to this survey will be. How could they backtrack now. You can't ride around during the day and see anything. Thecats and dogs hide. I found 5 in a backyard in high grass-- nobody had ever seen them before even though at least 100 rescuers had walked by that house. You have to walk, you have to look for sign, you have to get the hundreds of calls we get a week. The attitude is disresptful to the people who came to New Orleans to help this city out. Time for PR but not able to make a single call organized by Capt. Ron. Not one. Just proclaim a group of VERY experienced people fanatics.
What if we had not stayed for the month of October and left when the state declared that nobody was needed. We rescued another 2000 animals in the month of October with 10% of the volunteers we had in September. During this time the LASPCA had no phones. Maybe I am different but I don't turn everything into a confrontation. This state is simply in capable of admitting a single failure. So the next time this happens they will have the same response without improvement.
One thank you would be nice.
Eric
Officials: Internet rumors paint false picture of pet suffering
By Bruce Eggler
Staff writer
According to messages flying nationwide on the Internet, fax machines and e-mail, New Orleans has been overrun ever since Hurricane Katrina with thousands of homeless and starving animals.
A press release Thursday from a Maryland group called Alley Cat Allies claimed Louisiana is blocking attempts to save the thousands of sick, injured and traumatized dogs and cats who still wander the streets of New Orleans and sometimes die next to food and water bowls that the handful of remaining rescuers couldnt fill in time.
Laura Maloney, executive director of the Louisiana SPCA, told the City Council on Friday that it is simply not true.
She said her organization has seen no evidence that large numbers of pets, supposedly left on their own since their owners evacuated, are roaming wild or dying on the streets.
Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis agreed, saying she has seen only one animal in the Lower 9th Ward since people began returning to that hard-hit neighborhood, and it appeared to be well-fed.
Maloney said many of the rumors are coming from well-meaning but overly zealous animal lovers, some of whom have been going through neighborhoods such as the Lower 9th Ward without official authorization, driving onto private property, sometimes breaking into houses and spray painting messages on buildings and vehicles.
Willard-Lewis and Councilwoman Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson and Renee Gill Pratt said they want the police to crack down on what Willard-Lewis called such extremely zealous . . . extremely aggressive people.
In an effort to determine the truth of the rumors, Maloney said, her organization will coordinate a systematic survey next week, with personnel from many national animal-welfare organizations fanning out citywide to assess how many animals are at large.
But other groups say they already know the answer.
An appeal last week from Animal Rescue New Orleans said more volunteers were desperately needed to come to the city and help care for animals it said were surviving in packs or burrowing under homes, some of which may be bulldozed.
Where once there was a home, a warm lap and kind hand, there is starvation and death for thousands of animals in the ruins of New Orleans, the rescue group said.
The Alley Cat Allies press release said Gov. Blanco's decision to end permission for out-of-state veterinarians to practice in Louisiana would seal the fate for thousands of uncared-for animals.
Maloney said that even though the Louisiana SPCA lost 95 percent of its staff after Katrina, it has 10 animal-control officers on the streets, more than in many years, because teams of workers have arrived from other states. The organization is putting out 40 to 50 humane traps a night in neighborhoods such as eastern New Orleans, the Lower 9th Ward and Lakeview.
More than 8,500 animals were saved from the flooded city after Katrina, Maloney said, although rescuers were unable to get to all the trapped pets.
The SPCAs building on Japonica Street was destroyed and it is now operating from a site in Algiers.
Mayor Ray Nagin's proposed 2006 budget allocates $1.25 million for the SPCA, which Maloney said has suspended all programs such as spaying-neutering and adoption to concentrate on catching and caring for homeless and dangerous animals. She said the organization needs at least $2.1 million next year but will make do with the smaller appropriation. Well make it work, she said.
She urged anyone aware of homeless or dangerous animals to call the SPCA at (504) 368-5191, ext. 100.
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Bruce Eggler can be reached at beggler@timespicayune.com
Here is a prelim list. Let's get the emails, letters and calls going!!!
Alexandria-KLAX, http://www.klax-tv.com, 1811 England Dr., Alexandria, LA 71303, Phone 318.473.0031, Fax318.473.9984 Email: webmaster@klax-tv.com
Baton Rouge-WAFB, http://www.wafb.com, 844 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Phone 225.383.9999, Email:news@wafb.com,nsimonette@wafb.com
Baton Rouge-WLPB, http://www.jpb.org, 7733 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, Phone 225.767.5660, 800.272.8161
Columbia/Monroe-KAQY, http://www.abc-11.com, 3100 Sterlington Road, Monroe, LA 71203 Phone 318.325.3011, Fax 318.327.7519
El Dorado-KTVE, http://www.region10.com, 200 Pavilion Road, West Monroe, LA 71292, Phone 318.323.1972 Email: http://www.region10.com/contact.php
Lafayette-KADN, http://www.kadn.com, 123 North Easy Street, Lafayette, LA 70503 Phone 337.237.1500, Fax 337.237.2526, Email:danny@kadn.com
Lafayette-KATC, http://www.katc.com, P.O. Box 63333, Lafayette, La 70596 Phone 337.236.6351, Email:news@katc.com
Lafayette-KLFY, http://www.klfy.com,
1808 Eraste Landry Road, P.O. Box 90665, Lafayette, LA 70509 Phone
337.981.4823 337.981.4844, Fax 337.981.6533, 337.984.8323 Email:news@klfy.com
Lake Charles/Lafayette-KPLC, http://www.kplctv.com, 320 Division Street, P.O. Box 1490, Lake Charles, LA 70601/70602, Phone 337.439.9071, Fax 337.437.7600, Email:dwilliams@kplctv.com Phone 337.437.7566, Fax 337.439.9905
Monroe-KARD, http://www.kard.com, 200 Pavilion Road, West Monroe, LA 71292 Phone 318.323.1972 Email:jandrews@region10.com,Kcornell@region10.com,kdotson@region10.com
Monroe-KNOE, http://www.knoe.com, 1400 Oliver Road, Monroe, LA 71201, Phone 318.388.8888 Email:gswanson@knoe.com,jteitel@knoe.com,knoetv@bayou.com
New Orleans-WDSU, http://www.theneworlenaschannel.com, 846 Howard Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113 Phone 504.207.9378, Email: http://www.wdsu.com/station/267996/detail.html
Baton Rouge-WBRZ, 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Phone 225.387.2222, 225.336.2344 Fax: 225.336.2246 Email:chatty@wbrz.com,tjones@wbrz.com,ckosto@wbrz.com,veronica@wbrz.com
Shreveport-KTBS, http://www.ktbs.com, 312 East Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71104 Fax 318.219.4630, Email:sallen@ktbs.com
New Orleans-WGNO, http://www.abc26.com, Phone 985.867.5507, Fax 985.867.5925, Email:wgno-tv@tribune.comNew Orleans-WNOL, 1400 Poydras Street, Suite 745, New Orleans, LA 70112-5100, Phone 504.525.3838, Email:wnoltv@tribune.com
New Orleans-WWL, http://www.wwltv.com, 1024 North Rampart Street, New Orleans, La 70116-2487, Phone 504.529.4444, Fax 504.529.6470, Email: http://www.wwltv.com/customerservice/HelpCenter.do
Shreveport-KMSS, http://www.kmsstv.com, 3519 Jewella, Shreveport, LA 71109, Phone 318.631.5677, Email:johnr@kmsstv.com
Shreveport-KSLA, http://www.ksla.com, 1812 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71101, Phone 318.222-1212, 318.677.6713, Fax 318.677.6703, 318.677.6705 Email:ksla@ksla.com,news12@ksla.com
Website for TV stations: http://www.newslink.org/stattele.html, http://www.tvradioworld.com
Media Blitz For LA-Newspapers
DeQuincy News, 203 E. Harrison St., DeQuincy, La Phone 800.256.7323, Fax 337.786.8131 Email:dequincynews@centurytel.net
DeRidder Beauregard Daily, 903 W. First St., DeRidder, LA 70634 Phone 337.462.0616, Fax 337.463.5347Email:bdnews@cox-internet.com,bdnews-editor@cox-internet.com
Daily Comet, 705 W. Fifth St., Thibodaux, LA 70302 Phone 985.448.7600Email:amanda.hebert@dailycomet.com (985.448.7639),katina.gaudet@dailycomet.com (985.448.7614)
The Opelousas Daily World, 5367 I-49 South Service Road, P.O. Box 2389, Opelousas, LA 70571-2389 Phone 337.942.4971 Email:landerson@dailyworld.com (337.943.7029),jcochran@dailyworld.com (337.943.7026),avillesbret@dailyworld.com (337.943.7025),wjohnson@dailyworld.com (337.943.7027),bliggett@dailyworld.com (337.943.7035),lfaust@dailyworld.com,cfontenot@dailyworld.com
The Lafayette Daily Advertiser, P.O. Box 5310, Lafayette, LA 70502 Phone 337.289.6300 Email:ggarrison@theadvertiser.com (337.289.6504),wiramsey@theadvertiser.com (337.289.6320),skrieg@theadvertiser.com (337.289.6470),tleblanc@theadvertiser.com (337.289.6322),bquibode@theadvertiser.com (337.289.6478),aray@theadvertiser.com (337.289.6451),escalfano@gannett.com (337.289.6486)
The Town Talk, P.O. Box 7558, Alexandria, LA 71306 Phone 318.487.6397 800.523.8391, Email:rsharkey@thetowntalk.com (318.487.6312),editor@thetowntalk.com (318.487.6456)
The News Star, 411 N. 4th St., Monroe, LA 71201 Phone 318.322.5161 Email: http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=CUSTOMERSERVICE03
The Shreveport Times, Email:teddy@gannett.com (318.459.3264),jbenson@gannett.com (318.459.3269),jenniferflowers@gannett.com (318.459.3260),ljwilson@gannett.com (318.459.3273)
The Daily Review, P.O. Box 948, Morgan City, LA 70381 Phone 985.384.8370 Fax 985.384.4255 Email: http://www.daily-review.com/contact.php?email=news, http://www.daily-review.com/contact.php?email=steve
The Courier, 3030 Barrow Street, Houma, LA 70361 Phone 985.879.1557 Email:jaime.dishman@houmatody.com (985.857.2205),mika.edwards@houmatody.com (985.857.2202),seth.fox@hourmatoday.com (985.850.1148),kimberly.solet@houmatoday.com (985.857.2209)
The Daily Iberian, P.O. Box 9290, New Iberia 70562-9290 Phone 337.365.6773 800.365.6773 Email:dailyiberian@bellsouth.net
Crowley Post Signal, 602 N. Parkerson Ave., Crowley, LA Phone 337.783.3450 Fax 337.788.0949 Email:cpsnews@bellsouth.net
Leesville Daily Leader, P.O. Box 619, Leesville, LA 71446 Phone 337.239.3444 Fax 337.238.1152 Email:ldleader@cebridge.net
The Advocate, 525 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Phone 225.388.0795 Fax 225.388.0351 Email:comments@theadvocate.com,fyarbrough@theadvocate.com
American Press, P.O. Box 2893, Lake Charles, LA 70602 Phone 337.494.4080 800.531.4080 Fax 337.494.4070 Email:news@americanpress.com
Minden-Press Herald, 203 Gleason St., Minden, LA 71055 Phone 318.377.1866 Ext. 107, Fax 318.337.1895 Email:jbeavers@press-herald.com
Bossier Press Phone 318.747.7900, Fax 318.747.5298Email:thayes@bossierpress.com
Ruston Morning Paper, P.O. Box 883, Ruston LA 71273-0883 Phone 318.255.3747 Fax 318.255.2840 Email:john@windsong.net
The Daily Star, Phone 985.254.7827, Email:kgingles@hammondstar.com
The Slidell Sentry-News. P.O. Box 910 Slidell, LA 70459 Phone 985.643.4918, Fax 985.643.4966 Email:sentryedit@wickcommunications.com
Times Picayune, 3800 Howard Ave., New Orleans, LA 70125-1429 Phone 504.826.3300 800.925.0000 Fax 504.826.3812 Email:pkovacs@timespicayune.com,dshea@timespicayune.com
Media Blitz for LA-Major Networks and Newspapers
aaron.brown@turner.com, am@cnn.com, 360@cnn.com, andrea.koppel@turner.com, bill.schneider@turner.com, bruce.morton@turner.com, candy.crowley@turner.com, carol.lin@turner.com, crossifre@cnn.com, daryn.kagan@turner.com, david.ensor@turner.com, daybreak@cnn.com, kurtzh@washpost.com, inthemoney@cnn.com, insidepolitics@cnn.com, jeanne.meserve@turner.com, jeff.greenfield@cnn.com, jim.walton@turner.com, deirdre.walsh@turner.com, kyra.phillips@turner.com, live@cnn.com, livefrom@cnn.com, livetoday@cnn.com, lou.dobbs@turner.com, loudobbs@cnn.com, miles.obrien@turner.com, moneyline@cnn.com, paulazahnnow@cnn.com, paula.zahn@turner.com, paulazahn@cnn.com, rick.davis@turner.com, robert.novak@turner.com, tom.hannon@cnn.com, wam@cnn.com, wolf@cnn.com, lminor@harpo.com, askmartha@marthastewart.com, hurricanevictims@cnn.com, lklshow.ideas@cnn.com, sachi.koto@turner.com, chuck.roberts@turner.com, linda.stouffer@turner.com, dave.willis@turner.com, sharon.collins@turner.com, asieh.namdar@turner.com, stephen.frazier@turner.com, catherine.callaway@turner.com, sean.caallebs@turner.com, michael.squadron@turner.com, michelle.rozsa@turner.com, cheryl.gould@nbc.com, letters@msnbc.com, rehema.ellis@nbc.com, david.verdi@nbc.com, brian.williams@nbc.com, dateline@nbc.com, marc.rosenwasser@nbc.com, david.corvo@nbc.com, wt@nbc.com, mtp@msnbc.com, 60m@cbsnews.com, KFSWriters@hearst.com, weekends@cbsnews.com, evening@cbsnews.com, sundays@cbsnews.com, earlyshow@cbs.com, osgoodfile@cbs.com, sat@cbsnews.com, ftn@cbsnews.com, 48hours@cbsnews.com, 2020@abc.com, johnStossel@abcnews.com, nightline@abc.com, john.quinones@abc.com, bill.geddie@abc.com, thisweek@abc.com, famradio@familyradio.com, troman@theprovider.com, noticiasz@juno.com, dmoye@flashnews.com, terry@catholicradio.com, timmer@premrad.com, maureensm@ffww.com, cochs@ap.org, rvizcon@telemundo.com, evaldez@univision.net, tom.lea@nbc.com, mimi.gurbst@abc.com, stella.dawson@reuters.com, brian_hill@metronetworks.com, http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/earlyshow/main500202.shtml (click on feedback at bottom of page), Nightly@nbc.com, abc.news.magazines@abc.com, wnn@abcnews.com, Imus@msnbc.com, connected@msnbc.com, countdown@msnbc.com, joe@msnbc.com, tucker@msnbc.com, atlarge@foxnews.com, foxreport@foxnews.com, http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form11.html, http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?10, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6872152, comments@foxnews.com, foxnewsonline@foxnews.com, today@nbc.com, nightly@nbc.com, mtp@nbc.com, feedback@ap.org, nytnews@nytimes.com, news-tips@nytimes.com, executive-editor@nytimes.com, managing-editor@nytimes.com, editor.reuters@reuters.com, abramowitz@washpost.com, feedback@foxnews.com, friends@foxnews.com, viewerservices@foxnews.com, comments@foxnews.com, foxreport@foxnews.com, viewerservices@msnbc.com, feedback@msnbc.com, world@msnbc.com, robert.kur@nbc.com, hardball@msnbc.com, countdown@msnbc.com, abramsreport@msnbc.com, dshuster@msnbc.com, norville@msnbc.com, dennis.sullivan@msnbc.com, jtrippi@msnbc.com, lesterholt@msnbc.com, lester.holt@msnbc.com, msnbcinvestigates@msnbc.com, rreagan@msnbc.com, comafterhours@foxnews.com, atlarge@foxnews.com, brian.wilson@foxnews.com, brit.hume@foxnews.com, cash@foxnews.com, cavuto@foxnews.com, collins.spencer@foxnews.com, comments@foxnews.com, dayside@foxnews.com, forbes@foxnews.com, foxmagazine@foxnews.com, fns@foxnews.com, newswatch@foxnews.com, colmes@foxnews.com, hannity@foxnews.com, heartland@foxnews.com, james.rosen@foxnews.com, sheberer@pbs.org, gdavis@businesstalkradio.net, isabel@hrn.org, danc@igc.org, jdvorkin@npr.org, cochs@ap.org, space@voa.gov, wrestrepo@radiounica.com, ed@forthepeople.org, cesar.orozco@turner.com, yourtwc@mindspring.com, ken.pauli@turner.com, tommydouglas@pgatourradio.com, donmills@calvarychapel.com, mgentzkow@1on1sports.com, ksiv@bottradio.net, tommartin@worldradio.org, crn@clark.net, huff@libertyworksradio.com, staff@talkamerica.com, dspear@pri.org, bah@nwc.edu, jriley@afa.net, world@flpradio.com, motorsportsradio@compuserve.com, jhiggins@unitedstations.com, roy_lindau@interep.com, sportsfan@aol.com, david.feinberg@abc.com, weber@swnetworks.com, sal.giangrasso@dowjones.com, jcohen@bloomberg.net, oped@csps.com, vanslambrouckp@csps.com, ingwersonm@csps.com, cookd@csps.com, dillinj@csps.com, jonesc@csps.com, armstrongs@csps.com, sullivanc@csps.com, grierp@csps.com, axtmank@csps.com, chinnid@csps.com, grierp@csps.com, kieferf@csps.com, marksa@csps.com, mclaughlina@csps.com, grays@csps.com, letters@nytimes.com, webnews@washingtonpost.com, letters.editor@ft.com, news.desk@ft.com, editor@villagevoice.com, nena@nenews.org, b.reed@nepa.org, l.conway@nepa.org, s.macmillan@nepa.org, l.carney@nepa.org, d.larocca@nepa.org, j.padelford@nepa.org, s.mannor@nepa.org, info@nepa.org
Yet another moron?! Bruce Eggler beggler@timespicayune.com passes himself off as a "competent" reporter (NOT), without apparently doing any personal investigative research what-so-ever on the subject that he is supposed to be reporting on?! Is the Times Picayune so desperate for staff writers that they hire an 8th grade drop-out lol?! (I've read more professional articles in my daughters HS paper!) How much effort would it have taken to contact one of the rescue groups and gone along "for the ride"?? I for one challenge Mr. Bruce Egglers to do a "competent follow-up FROM THE FIELD"... That is if he's not too busy reading his angry email from ~all the crazy overly zealous animal lovers who are foaming at the mouth in a rabid rage while advocating breaking into uninhabitable and condemned buildings - hmm coming behind the human rescuers; spray painting rusting and abandoned hulks ONE; and otherwise inciting and abetting rampant lawlessness and widespread destruction of property~ (Oh well, just another day in NO LOL if we are to believe what we saw on national TV during the agonizing days and weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit.) SORRY, it just makes me so angry that NOBODY in LA with any "influence" seems to care about the animals. Obviously the "esteemed" Councilwomen of NO don't, the Mayor doesn't, not the Gov, especially not Martha Littlefield, add the hack writer Bruce Egglers, the jury may be still out on Maloney, but next week if all these animal haters have their way there won't be as many still surviving for their "official" survey; yet another waste of tax payers money. Maybe the key is to figure out a way to get around the LA "bumblers" by appealing directly to the disaster expert that Blanco supposedly hired as a consultant to help rebuild NO (I can't think of his name, but he was director of FEMA under Clinton.) There MUST be someone somewhere who has more than an 8th grade education in LA and has enough brains to think for themselves who can HELP!!
I just read the Nov. 9 update report on the Best Friends site. It said they are getting about 20 animals a day in. They are also doing an indepth study at NOLA and surrounding areas on the amount of animals still around and when and where they are hiding. If they could get pictures to document this and could somehow get a reporter to go with them, this would help so much. I wish Jane or somebody could get interviewed on TV or take a camera crew around. Any thoughts on this. I watched Anderson Cooper Thursday PM talk to a report in WA DC about Katrina cleanup and money to be appropriated. Two things stood out. There is a certain amount of 'Katrina fatigue' that is slowing down reactions and the money is slow going to LA because everybody knows how corrupt the govt. is there. Do you think! And this said on national TV. Wow, where is PETA when you need them. One of their slappy little lawsuit investigations on Littlefield or Blanco, and doesn't how they are handling this fall under animal cruelty?
Lengthy) Letter sent to Times-Picayune reporter re Ms. Maloney's position to City Council (to send
by lisejimmymc, 11/12/05 2:34 ET
Dear Mr. Beggler:
With all due respect to your work, I find your article, " Officials: Internet rumors paint false picture of pet suffering," published in the Times-Picayune this date, November 11, 2005, to be inaccurate, one-sided and in furtherance of efforts taken by some to undermine very real and important tasks that are being handled in this city by individuals, organizations and entities, most of which have little or no vested interest here. These same individuals continue with a thankless job of "real" animal control, because those charged with that duty, are underfunded, undermanned, and unfortunately, also willing to play the political games this state is well-known for.
First, although it should be painfully obvious to a professional, I find it necessary to point out that your decision to report Ms. Maloney's position regarding the facts, as a representative of a governmentally-funded organization that is financially impacted by Katrina, without any further investigation on your part as to the "other" position and all relevant information supporting it, is sloppy reporting in the very least and worse, a clear violation of The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics. I sincerely hope that your failure to "test the accuracy of information from all sources" as set forth in that Code, is an isolated oversight on your part rather than standard operating procedure. I am not a journalist; however, I subscribe to that Society's belief that investigation of the facts, as set forth by all parties to the issue, rather than only one, is your responsibility as a journalist and you do have a duty to "Seek Truth" and then report it to the public.
Second, I find it incredulous that you reported one party's facts without additional efforts to check the consistancy of those facts: in this case, Ms. Maloney's current position regarding animals or lack thereof on the city streets, against her organization's pre-Katrina position on the very same topic. Statements addressing this issue is posted for all to see on the website of the LASPCA, and had you checked, you would have found the conflict. Hopefully, the rest of your "public" will also question the credibility of an organization which on its own pre-Katrina website, dedicates an entire webpage toward the explanation of Feral Cats and Dogs, another webpage toward promoting the organization's Feral Cat Initiative, with recommendation to the public to refer to Allie Cat Alleys on how to help reduce the overpopulation of these animals, and yet now, post-Katrina, seemingly appears to include Alley Cat Allies in that group of "overly zealous animal lovers" it seeks to run out of town. Surely you can appreciate the irony here? A pre-disaster public image set forth by the LASPCA has all the on-the-surface appearances of working with the public to end animal overpopulation, because as it pointed out, "....these animals can't live without us", but, upon further examination that former position also appears to be diametrically opposed to the public image which the organization sets forth now that unflatteringly characterizes the public who could have helped in the past, now as zealots who are mislead by out of state groups. Did you ask Ms. Maloney what her official reasons are for her organizations' very unofficial flip-flop on the street animal population in this city? Ms. Maloney, do these feral populations exist or don't they? Ms. Maloney, is Alley Cat Allies a group that you and/or your organization has referred the general public to, just 10 weeks ago, for further information, or, is Alley Cat Allies just that Maryland group with "overly zealous animal lovers" as its' followers? Again, I am no reporter, but as a member of a public who finds it difficult to just accept "Officials" positions at face value, I must say that the complete reversal of an official position always manages to peak my curiousity further......why not yours?
Finally, let me address the issue of Ms. Maloney's statement to the City Council this date, the statement that her organization "has seen no evidence that large numbers of pets, supposedly left on their own since their owners evacuated, are roaming wild or dying on the streets" This statement demands further inquiry, if only to clarify Ms. Maloney's understanding of the real issues. Ms. Maloney's careful choice of wording to the Council regarding status of "pets," manages to cleverly gloss over and/or completely avoid a major issue set forth in Alley Cat's press release of November 10: the issue of the animals left to die on the streets. Ms. Maloney's choice to address evidence concerning pets might be persuasive enough to "wrap things up" for the City Council, but a knowledgeable and truthfully informed public can see through this attempt to resolve an issue without even addressing it.
Irregardless of the accuracy or inaccuracy of Ms. Maloney's position on the status of pets, her argument has no validity based upon the fact that it is not the same issue addressed by the press release. Alley Cat Allies certainly addresses pets in the press release, but additionally addresses the issue of the street animal population and further takes the official position that efforts must be made now to effect meaningful changes that will help the city avoid a major overpopulation in the future. So, while Ms. Maloney's body of evidence regarding pets may in fact be accurate, I again question the credibility and motives of an organization which has, for all intents and purposes, abandoned the City's Feral Cat Initiative due to lack of funds and more importantly, abandoned its City's feral cats due to lack of accountability to the citizens it serves. Although, I suspect somewhere in there, is in fact, the issue of Ms. Maloney's accountability to the City which will fund her organization next year to the tune of $1.25 million dollars........is it possible that what is in the "City's' best interest with regard to perceptions portrayed to the public at-large is also in direct conflict with what is in the best interest of the New Orleans public, many of which know better? Inaccuracy tied up with a nice little bow is still inaccuracy. In addition to Ms. Maloney's failure to mention, discuss or acknowledge that a street animal population exists, her "evidence" must be called into question because her supporting argument appears to be derived from the efforts and subsequent reports of 10 individuals armed with 40 to 50 traps. Although the situation is sad, I find Ms. Maloney's conclusions regarding lack of evidence to be laughable considering her apparent belief that her 10-man "A-Team" can handle 4,190 square miles, or the City of New Orleans. With all due respect to the efforts made by those 10 individuals, can we look forward to a Wheaties box endorsement in the near future? Did the City Council believe this Herculian task is achievalbe without others' efforts? Did you? Are you or the council aware that at one particular restaurant on the New Orleans/Metairie line, not yet reopened, there are currently no less than 100 cats and kittens eeking out an existance? I wonder what kind of dent 10 men and 40-50 traps can do in those 4,190 square miles when these are scenes which many of us see repeated over and over?
Mr. Beggler, as a resident of Metairie and a former employee of a Poydras Street law firm, I live here, have lived here, and have observed for a long time the sad manner in which New Orleans has dealt with its "street animal" population in the past: that is to ignore it. And to some degree, that was workable because that street population, in all likelihood, was perpetuated by many factors inclusive of climate, abundance of food sources created by tourism/restaurant industry, and yes, the efforts of a few well-meaning citizens who did their best to participate in the Feral Cat Initiative and still maintain a life. That was pre-Katrina: ignore it no longer works in a humane, post-Katrina society. The climate is still favorable, but that food source created at restaurant sites, businesses, etc. all dried up 10 weeks ago. And those few well-meaning citizens, well many of them were forced out of the city at gunpoint when they failed to abandon the animals, pets and otherwise. I'm curious......did Ms. Maloney mention these "facts" to the Council? Did she mention them to you? If you had given that "Maryland group named Allie Cat Allies" a chance to state there interpretation of the facts and its position, I doubt that I would find it neccessary to present those facts to you myself. As an intelligant and socially responsible citizen, I did my research a long time ago; I checked my facts and double checked them and additionally I guess I have just been blessed with a good old dose of common sense that makes me want to hear all sides to any one story. I wonder why you were not curious about what motivation there really is for these out of state zealots to help the animals here and to help the public, here in this city, to find a better system and actually implement it over time. What are those "zealots" really after? Reporter or not, I would have to get to the heart of Ms. Maloney and the LASPCA's real reasons for wanting these people gone.......when others are offering a hand-up in spite of harassment, threat of incarceration for feeding a dog, and legislative measures taken, all in efforts to bite that same hand, don't we have a duty to "seek the truth" the real and whole truth. In closing, I again choose to offer you the benefit of the doubt and assume that your irresponsible reporting was an oversight and that you, the rest of us, are just trying to get through each post-storm "Twighlight Zone" -like day without losing it; however, I do believe you owe Allie Cat Allies, Jane Garrison and Animal Rescue New Orleans, and every other socially conscious New Orleanean who is doing his or her best to really, really make it a better city sans the lip-service, a statement of regret and the opportunity to set forth facts as they know them to exist. It is my sincere wish that these organizations and individuals who have put their lives on hold, lives somewhere else, don't leave this city, like so many others, with a dose of the political games played down here, the game where its' citizens are only game pieces instead of vested shareholders in a wonderful place to call home.
Sincerely,
Lise McComiskey
Link to Bruce Eggler's Times-Pic Erroneous & Irresponsible Article
Bruce Eggler can be reached at beggler@timespicayune.com or (504)826-3320
Please ask Times-Pic to pull this inaccurate piece of "journalism" off the web.
rmassett@bellsouth.net, jamoss@timespicayune.com, pkovacs@timespicayune.com, dshea@timespicayune.com, lcunningham@timespicayune.com, ttroncale@timespicayune.com, dramos@timespicayune.com, letters@timespicayune.com
Please sign and cross post. Thanks.
Allow vets into LA to help Katrina Pets
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/740552969
Investigate, prosecute and convict Josh Greer for cruelty and abuse to Zania (Mauled dog at shelter)
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/437445630
Related petition for Shelter Reform at Lebanon Animal Control Shelter-
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/679821517
Petition for St. Bernard Parish Pet Slaughter-
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/434180433
Please disregard deadline. This is still active.
Repost re: Jim Wolf in Biloxi. Idea and call for help: it looks like Eric's idea to contact the vet school in LA may pay off. How about contacting a similar school in MS to get students down to Biloxi to help Jim Wolf, asap?? I don't have any contact info. Anybody know who to contact? Anybody have Eric's letter to the vet school which could be used as a template? Anybody ready to help make the contacts asap? Anybody know if Hattiesburg's big shelter is still open??
EJ
Repost below:
Talked with Jim Wolf needing urgent help in Biloxi to rescue dogs and cats. Needs shampoo, flea medication, dry food for cats and dogs (he only has 150lbs. of cat food and 250 lbs. of dog food left), beef jerkies (this is how they are being caught) and live traps. Dogs are mostly mixed breeds and pit bulls. Lots of cats. Can call his cell # for directions.
Repost from earlier- 937-539-3838. The dogs are in Biloxi. Says signs are down, so he will get exact location. He is leaving Wed. and won't be back. Says it is really bad down there. Doesn't have any more money for supplies and no one to help. Everyone down there trying to get food for themselves. No FEMA, no nothing except Salvation Army when they have stuff. Need food for dogs, about 50 hiding under homes that they are starting to bulldoze, very friendly and someone to feed. Area deserted.
Jim says he is staying at an econo lodge in Hattisburg. Gets on Hwy. 49 W to I10 towards Biloxi. Gets off on Division Exit (he thinks-no signs) turns left and goes to Holly St. Very URGENT as the contractors are bulldozing these homes. No one to help the remaining animals under homes. Come for food when they hear his diesel truck. Has been paying out of his pocket. Hiding from contractors. Says contractors don't care and are running short on patience.
Thank you for your help. lauralassiter@animail.net
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The ednah dogs have all went on to better places,Pasado has been paid for the pens they said they would donate and the owners of ednah have various charge against them and pasado did not come back with help for the rest of the dogs as they said they would. Oh well just what you would expect from a outfit that threatens people who question their judgement!!
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