Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina

In the final week of August 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused extensive and severe damage over the southeastern United States, including Louisiana's largest city, New Orleans.

The disaster affected over 90,000 square miles of the United States, an area almost as large as the United Kingdom, and will likely be the largest natural disaster in the history of the United States.

Cat fanciers around the world are offering aid.

How can you help?

Charitable Donations:

The newly formed CFA Gulf Shore Disaster Relief Fund is collecting money in order to help individuals affected by the storm. (Note:The CFA Disaster Relief Fund cannot help individuals). Gulf Shore Region's Emergency Relief Fund for assistance in animal care and rescue. There are no administrative costs for the GSR Relief Fund. 100% of all money donated will be available to those that qualify for assistance or it will be used to purchase items for their use and if need for expenses to get items to them. Any money not used will be set aside in a special account for future use. This account will be a line item on the GSR financial statement.
Please send donations to:

Gulf Shore Region,
Disaster Relief Fund
C/O Elizabeth Gaither
1765 Old 36 Road
Bellville, TX 77418

Or you can donate via PayPal, using the link at the bottom of this page: http://www.cfagulfshore.org/gsr_fund/fund1.htm
Karen Rogers and her husband (who are both veterinarians) are presently caring for approximately 200 animals (many were stranded) at their Animal Hospital. If anyone would like to make a donation to help, I'm sure they (and the animals) would greatly appreciate any assistance.

The mailing address is:

Karen Rogers, DVM
Pine Belt Animal Hospital
7436 Hwy 49 North
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
EARS - the reorganized group from United Animal Nations - does a fine job in the relief and sheltering of animals in disaster. They also coordinate with Code 3 Associates. They do go in and their motto is - no animal left behind. They are certainly AR and allied with PeTA on many issues... but the fact is there are few organizations capable of helping these cats in an organized manner. EARS is a partner of Code 3 and they do a great job in providing relief in sheltering situations. If you're thinking of, and wanting to, donate items, money, etc to the animal victims of Katrina, please consider EARS.
Code 3 Associates partners with several groups - CFA is one of them and our logo is very prominent on the trailer. This is a group of highly trained animal welfare personnel who can provide technical animal rescue/relief of animals in disaster.
The Salvation Army - besides providing necessities (food, clothing, shelter) year round to people most of us don't want deal with, they are totally non-political, and provide shelter, food, etc., to those in need - as well as to disaster personnel themselves.
The Red Cross - founded in 1881, the Red Cross has been serving America during times of peace and war since that time. It provides relief to victims of disaster, both locally and globally, and is also responsible for half of the nation's blood supply.
Best Friends has launched a RELIEF FUND. All donations will be used in local relief efforts for the animals through local rescue groups. Your support will be much appreciated. Use the special button on the donations page at:
https://www.bestfriends.org/donate/index.cfm

Another worthy organization would be the Houston SPCA, who has taken in over 260 animals from the Louisiana SPCA. Their donation page is at:

https://www.spcahouston.org/SPCAHouston/Donation_Form_2005.asp?SnID=188631465

Alley Cat Allies We are hearing about so many tame, stray, and feral cats in threatening circumstances, and we know that more frightened, displaced cats will be found. If you know of cats, caregivers, or a rescue group in need, call Alley Cat Allies at 240-482-1980, ext. 125, and ask for Vanessa or e-mail alleycat@alleycat.org. We want to help.

Please donate to Alley Cat Allies’ Compassion Fund to assist the community-based cat rescue groups providing on-the-ground support for these displaced cats over the next weeks and months. Click here to make a donation or send your gift by U.S. Postal Service. Be sure to designate the Compassion Fund. Make your check payable to Alley Cat Allies and mail it to:

Alley Cat Allies
7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600
Bethesda, MD 20814-2525
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine - We at the School of Veterinary Medicine, like everyone else in the country, are overwhelmed by what we have seen on the news in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In an effort to help our colleagues and fellow citizens, the School is working with the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association, the Louisiana Animal Control Association, and the Louisiana SPCA to provide shelter and care for those pets that have traveled with their owners from the flooded areas and animals that have been rescued from those areas.

The School's faculty, staff and students are volunteering their time at the Parker Coliseum on the LSU campus and the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, LA., where animals are being sheltered. This is not something that will end in a few days. The School will require on-going support from the community. We desperately need volunteers, especially veterinarians and veterinary technicians, to help us in this effort. Non-veterinary volunteers are also welcome, though only those people that have been vaccinated for rabies will be able to work directly with the animals.

The animal shelters are in dire need of large crates and cages. The volunteers also need ice, beverages and food. Other animal supplies, such as food, cat litter, pooper scoopers, vaccines, antibiotics, bandages, and catheters are also welcome and needed.

Monetary donations can be made to the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association by calling 1-800-524-2996 or 225-928-5862. You can also download a donation form at the LVMA website at www.lvma.org, or send a check or money order made payable to:

Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr.
Veterinary Memorial Foundation,
8550 United Plaza Blvd., Suite 1001,
Baton Rouge, LA 70809.

Photos Courtesy of Associated Press

If you know anyone who had to leave their animals behind, please tell them they can write to hurricane@bestfriends.org or call 435.644.3965 ext.4455 and leave the following information:

Name and current contact information
Address where animal was left
Name of pet
Description of pet (species, breed, distinguishing characteristics)
Photo if available.

Best Friends will get this information to emergency command posts in the hope of getting to these houses and getting the animals out.

Be Careful

When disasters hit and people want to donate money, there are always some scam charities that pop up. Before choosing a charity to donate to, consider the following:

Donate to recognized charities you have given to before. Watch out for charities that have sprung up overnight. They may be well-meaning, but lack the infrastructure to provide assistance. And be wary of charities with names that sound like familiar, or nationally known organizations. Some phony charities use names that sound or look like those of respected, legitimate organizations.
Give directly to the charity, not the solicitors for the charity. Solicitors take a portion of the proceeds to cover their costs, which leaves less for victim assistance.
Do not provide personal or financial information – including your Social Security number or credit card and bank account numbers – to anyone who solicits from you. Scam artists use this information to commit fraud against you.
Check out any charities before you donate. Contact the Better Business Bureaus's Wise Giving Alliance at www.give.org.
Do not give or send cash. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check or credit card. Write the official name of the charity on your check. You can contribute safely online through national charities like www.redcross.org/donate.
Ask for identification if you are approached in person. Many states require paid fundraisers to identify themselves as such and to name the charity for which they are soliciting.