Katrina survivors distraught over pets

[concernedperson]

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[SieSie]

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

He kept saying, "I am responsible for them. It's as simple as that. I'm not coming on board."

Source: CNN.com

 

[kgeaux]

Source: CNN.com

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

 

[Seeker]

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

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

 

[SieSie]

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

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

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

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

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

<snip>

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

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

More at link: Humane Society of the U.S.

 

[concernedperson]

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

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

 

[13th Juror]

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

If you have any info - please post. Thanks!

13th Juror

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

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

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

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

So many heartbreaking stories with this horrible tragedy.

Hi NewMom and all,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13th Juror

 

[WISCer]

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

As a fellow Louisianian, I feel the same way.

 

[PrayersForMaura]

This story is tearing me up!!!!

Swimming to survive

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

We had dogs that swam the entire time ... and survived.

-- Julie Parks, Gulfport humane society





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

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

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

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

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


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

 

[Olivia77]

This story is tearing me up!!!!

Swimming to survive

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

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





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

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

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

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

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


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

I am right there with you PFM. I'm nauseous when I read these stories, saw this one this morning and it hurt...

 

[kgeaux]

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

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

 

[SieSie]

*Please PLEASE to Cross Post!*

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

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

Humane Society of West Louisiana
Ask for Rita
337-462-3321
[email protected]

*Please PLEASE to Cross Post!*

I found this at Petfinder.com's message board


ETA: This picture just tears me up!

 

[Olivia77]

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

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

 

[Ntegrity]

UPDATE: 4:03pm PST Authorities have informed our rescue team that they have three days to rescue all dogs before they start shooting them.

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

 

[Liz]

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

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

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

 

[mysteriew]

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

 

[less0305]

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

 

[SieSie]

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

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

So I figured I could help in a different way, and adopt a dog from the area. Even if it wasn't one directly affected by Katrina, I know that my adoption would open up one more space for another animal that needs shelter. Well, I found a beautiful mixed puppy, and DH agreed we could get her - but I can't get ahold of them.

Isn't she precious? I can't stand it, I need to cuddle up to that beautiful little face, and my girl, Chance, needs a sister!!

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

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

Pearl River County SPCA
1700 Palestine Road
Picayune, MS

It seems that the Webshots Community is hosting the photos, here's Monique's page, and here's the link to page 3 where I found her.

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

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

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

 

[Ntegrity]

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

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

 

[mic730]

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