OFFICIAL UPDATE TO NEW ORLEANS SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION
FROM DAVID MEYER, JANE GARRISON AND PIA SALK
October 17, 2005
In the last couple of days rescuers have been receiving reports of many of the animals in the streets of New Orleans not looking as good as they have in the past when there were more volunteers in New Orleans putting out food and water. Unbelievably they are still pulling some animals out of homes. They are in desperate need of more volunteers.
Due to the fact that The Humane Society of the United States had to evacuate Lamar Dixon Expo Center on October 15th and the prowler trailer will be taken away, we must make the following changes to keep the search and rescue operation running and efficient to find the remaining animals still trapped in homes, and to be allowed to continue to operate without interruption.
Any questions about any of these changes should be directed to either David or Jane at the phone numbers listed below.
-
Morning meetings will now be held at 7:30 am in front of the Southern Animal Foundation at 1823 Magazine, in downtown New Orleans. You will need to sign up each morning with your contact phone number so we can reach you throughout the day as needed. That meeting will be led by either Rob Stove or Matt (who you will meet). We will continue assigning lists for rescues each morning consisting of a map with specific locations or a section of the city in to "feed and patrol."
-
Maps and assignments will be emailed to Rob each evening to print and distribute at the morning meeting. Rob or Matt will also be reading a briefing from us each day. This briefing will keep you abreast of any changes to the rescue operation or any other information that is pertinent to your rescue efforts. This will help prevent any rumors and keep you up to date with the facts. It is very important that you receive correct information through us about the changing legal issues as well as safety concerns that we are keeping up to date on.
-
Dispatch will now be done directly from the Jane and David. This means that we will be calling you with specific rescues throughout the day and ask you to call us directly with any questions or concerns (at the numbers below). The prowler will no longer be ours to use, and the dispatch will be done from land lines and with internet/mapquest access.
-
The most critical animals that cannot survive transport to a rescue facility such as Best Friends will be brought to SE Veterinary Specialists, 400 N. Causeway--Metarie, 504-219-0444. We have an account set up so you will not need to pay any bills.
-
All other animals will be dropped off each day to Southern Animal Foundation and be transported by small truck or van to Best Friends in Tylertown (volunteers needed each day for this transport). They must be dropped off at Southern Animal Foundation by 4:30 pm. In order to reunite the animals with their families, you will need to be extremely diligent about writing down exactly where the animal was rescued and any info you have about the animal's guardian. You must also leave a notice on the door telling the family where they can find their animal.
-
After you drop animals off at Southern Animal Foundation, please go around the city and set up feeding stations. Most animals come out after the sun goes down. Any donations of supplies should be sent to Southern Animal Foundation (they are storing all dog/cat food and supplies for us).
-
To end the problem of going to repeat addresses, all completed maps and logs must be turned into Rob each night by 6pm at the Southern Animal Foundation or at his home, so he can fax the maps to a team of data entry people and the database can be updated!! All database entries will be done from outside Louisiana.
-
Volunteers are responsible for finding their own lodging. We are working to make a list of campgrounds and affordable housing if you need it.
-
We are currently setting up a web site for this operation. It will have all updated information if you can stop by a Kinkos or other location to check the internet.
-
Until we have a downtown place to keep supplies, Rob will bring supplies into the city each morning in his truck if he has them. We should have a place by the weekend.
Thank you and let's stay organized and effective and rescue those remaining trapped animals!
Jane Garrison 843-343-8887 JaneGarrison@comcast.net
David Meyer 310-897-6546
Pia Salk 323-899-4160
Interested IDA volunteers, please email hurricanekatrinainquiries@idausa.org if you plan to go for information about lodging and logistics.
********************
MANHATTAN -- Antifreeze may pose a serious health threat to pets, but seeking treatment quickly can prevent irreversible damages, a Kansas State University toxicologist says.
Fall and spring are the most common times of year for cats and dogs to be affected by antifreeze poisoning, said Fred Oehme, professor of toxicology and pathobiology and director of K-State's comparative toxicology laboratories in the department of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology.
Antifreeze is a common danger to pets because it is a commonly used product and is often carelessly stored or disposed.
"Animals are inquisitive in nature and are likely to lick the antifreeze out of curiosity," Oehme said. "Also, because antifreeze has a mild sweet taste, they may be more attracted and continue to lick it, causing them to ingest dangerous levels."
Although cats and dogs are both prone to antifreeze poisoning, Oehme says it is more common in dogs. Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include vomiting, weakness and acting drunk or depressed. If the animal does not receive treatment, symptoms will worsen and eventually the kidneys will fail, Oehme said.
If your pet is poisoned from antifreeze, Oehme suggests acting quickly.
"If you see your pet ingest antifreeze, you can try to induce vomiting, but if they are already showing signs, then they should promptly be taken to a veterinarian," he said. "If treatment is received within four to six hours, the chances are good for avoiding irreversible damages and there is a better chance for recovery."
Poison control numbers:
K-State's Poison Control Hotline is 785-532-5679 (animals)
News release prepared by: Jessica Clark
********************
Part Siberian husky, part Turkmen jackal, a super-sniffer dog with an enhanced sense of smell! Read news release on this new breed!Click Here
********************
