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Home > Out of the Cage! > October 2005 > Special Feature: Mayor's Alliance Members Help in Katrina Relief Efforts Special Feature Mayor's Alliance Members Help in Katrina Relief Efforts
In the days and weeks following the Hurricane Katrina tragedy, many of us watched with disbelief and sadness the news reports of the chaos the storm brought to so many lives — both people and animals. And we witnessed the heroic, life-saving efforts by many organizations and individuals to save lives and reunite families. Not surprisingly, quite a few members of the Mayor's Alliance joined in the hands-on relief efforts for the animals, and many more back home helped support those efforts by providing supplies and, in many cases, a place for displaced animals to come until they are either claimed by their families or adopted into new homes. While we can't begin to acknowledge all of the groups and individuals who played a part in the rescues, we'd like to name a few whose stories represent the kind of dedication and compassion demonstrated by so many. Kelly Harrington, field commander for ASPCA Search and Rescue Operations and director of ASPCA Disaster Response Services, along with several teams of rescue workers, were among the first animal rescuers to arrive in the disaster region. In addition to providing hands-on rescue teams, the ASPCA also has committed $500,000 to help animals find their way back home and help shelters make those happy endings possible. Visit www.aspca.org for more about the ASPCA's hurricane relief efforts. Animal Haven's Executive Director, Marcello Forte, orchestrated multiple caravans of volunteers to deliver supplies and rescue dogs and cats from New Orleans, and also to take in animals from the Austin Humane Society to make room for the pets of displaced hurricane victims. In all, Animal Haven brought back 20 cats, 50 dogs, and 2 birds to New York for fostering and adoption. Liz Keller of Glen Wild Animal Rescue responded to the HSUS call for help by contacting NYC's Animal Care & Control to enlist their help as well. She met up with the AC&C team in Mississippi where she says, "We all worked very hard and made a difference for a very short time in a place that needed help for a very long time." Liz remembers the sad moments along with the joyous ones as an experience of a lifetime. Tony Raimondo from A Cause for Paws led two teams of volunteers, including Michele Latore, Michelle Andrews, Steve Cohen, Andrew Steinvurzel, and Jordana Silverste, to Mississippi, where they rescued dogs, cats, geese, and more. The group returned to New York with eight rescued dogs, six of whom already have been placed with new families. Visit www.acauseforpaws.com for photos of some of the animals they rescued. Stacy Alldredge, an obedience and behavioral specialist and long-time Mayor's Alliance supporter, managed a barn-turned-shelter housing 500 animals — including walking, feeding, and caring for the animals. On a second trip to the area, she ran the DCI-Prison shelter — a shelter inside a prison maintained by inmates and volunteers. She returned to New York with seven homeless dogs — five of whom have already been adopted into new homes. Robin Brennen, DVM, who conducts microchipping clinics and staffs the "Ask the Vet" table at Mayor's Alliance events, was appointed Director of Veterinary Medical Services at the Lamar-Dixon shelter in Gonzolas, LA. This shelter, which housed 1,600– 2,000 animals per day, was under the direction of the Humane Society of the United States. Here, the VMAT teams, working with other government veterinarians and hundreds of volunteers, provided life-saving medical care to the animals who had been rescued in the disaster zone. In addition, basic medicine and surgery was available to the animals temporarily being housed at the Lamar-Dixon facility. Robin reports that the experience was the most intense, challenging, yet rewarding experience of her veterinary career. "I was humbled and honored to work alongside such a diverse group of people who all united to achieve one important goal — to rescue, and reunite." To ALL of the hundreds of relief workers who labored tirelessly day after day to rescue stranded and homeless animals and transport them to safety…and the countless supporters back home who helped by donating supplies and funds to the rescue efforts, we, and especially the animals, are eternally grateful. Anyone interested in making a donation to support the relief efforts might consider donating to: To make an online donation, visit www.aspca.org. If you wish to make your donation by phone, please call (866) 275-3923. You can also mail your contribution to us at: ASPCA Disaster Relief Fund 424 East 92nd Street New York, NY 10128 Please make your check payable to ASPCA Disaster Relief Fund. To donate online, visit www.bestfriends.org. If you would like to mail a donation, please send it to: Best Friends Hurricane Relief 5001 Angel Canyon Road Kanab, UT 84741 You may also call (435) 644-2001 x398. Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Disaster Relief Fund To donate online, visit www.hsus.org. To send your gift by U.S. Mail, make your check payable to HSUS Disaster Relief Fund and mail it to: HSUS, Dept. DRFHBM 2100 L Street NW Washington, DC 20037 To donate online, visit www.noahswish.org. Prefer to donate by check? Checks can be mailed to: Noah's Wish P.O. Box 997 Placerville, CA 95667 To donate online, visit www.uan.org. Prefer to donate by mail? Checks can be mailed to: United Animal Nations P.O. Box 188890 Sacramento, CA 95818
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