NOAH’S WISH COORDINATING PET RESCUE IN SLIDELL, LA

Noah's Wish ^ | 09/01/05 | Terri Crisp

[MarMema]

Noah’s Wish is working with animal control officials in the city of Slidell, Louisiana to coordinate animal rescue. Terri Crisp, Founder and Director of Noah’s Wish, has met with Slidell Mayor Ben Morris and Animal Control Director Damian Anti to assess the city’s needs and a coordinated pet rescue operation is being implemented.

The animal control facility in Slidell was flooded with 10 feet of water and approximately 50 animals were evacuated prior to the storm. The Mayor of Slidell has made available a large warehouse that is being used to set up a temporary shelter for cats and small dogs. In a lot behind the warehouse, tents are being set up and chain link dog runs being built to house larger dogs. Once completed, the temporary shelter will be able to house over 1,000 animals. Over 400 trained Noah’s Wish volunteers and 25 veterinarians will work around the clock to provide medical support and care to these pets.

“There are many dogs running loose throughout the city,” said Crisp. “Many people left their animals behind when they evacuated and law enforcement has been cutting dogs loose as they find them.” Approximately 200 stray animals have already been picked up by animal control and these animals will be moved to the temporary shelter. A database will track all animals who enter the shelter, with the goal of reuniting owners with their lost pets. Temporary shelter for pets will be offered to residents who lost their homes and are unable to keep their animals with them in shelters or hotels. One Noah’s Wish volunteer, a veterinary technician from Indianapolis, is working to assess the needs of local veterinarians in Slidell so they can open their offices to treat injured animals.

The city of Slidell, located directly north of Lake Ponchatrain was devastated by Katrina. “We can use all the help we can get right now and I am incredibly grateful to have Noah’s Wish here to coordinate relief efforts for pets,” said Slidell Mayor Ben Morris.

[MarMema]

For the many pet and dog lovers I have seen talking about this here on FR over the past few days...

[MarMema]

Thought you might like to see this...

[satchmodog9]

Donated. Thanks for the info. My brother-in-law just got his kids on a plane to Chicago from Louisiana. We had to fight with Delta to relax their two dog per plane limit. There were already two dogs on the plane and the kids would not let go of their rat dog. They lost their home and the dog would be all they had left.

[Prime Choice]

I wish the rescuers much success. They are doing good things.

At least it's certain that these animals won't be looting or shooting.

[mel]

I contributed to Noah's ark day before yesterday and also Humane society. I finally received an email from La Humane Society and it really sounds rough. She said a couple of the people who had stayed behind with some animals were really scared for their lives because of the criminals.

[MarMema]

I am sorry to hear about that. May God be with them.

The Houston SPCA took 260 animals to Houston before Katrina hit, and also offered to take any pets for people and return them later.

It's great to see the response. I truly believe a lot of people stayed because they had no knowledge of resources for their pets. If nothing else, the time and manpower spent for those people after the flooding began would have been saved by helping them with their pets beforehand.

[MarMema]

I am glad to hear Delta gave in! FEMA has an article (website) about the importance of the human-animal bond during disasters. I think it deserves more focus for the future.

[MarMema]

They lost their home and the dog would be all they had left.

I am glad they are safe and wish them a good recovery from such a tragic event.

[satchmodog9]

Parents are getting them set up in the guest rooms and we are trying to get in touch with their neighbors to see if they need a place to stay. They were in Mandville(sp) quite a way from shore and still got pummeled. I will pass your link to all my pet owner friends.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

Noah's Wish is great.
They train volunteers specifically to respond to disasters and help rescue animals.
They are a common sense animal rescue org.
Other orgs have mobile units en route or on scene with surgical units, veterinarians, vet techs, cages, boats, veterinary supplies and animal food .

The following do tremendous work and any contribution helps.

ifaw.org
noahswish.org
spcahouston.org-taking in animals from NO shelters
nsalamerica.org
hsus.org

[SamiGirl]

Thank you ...thank you ... thank you for your post. I really appreciate it. I will send them a donation and ask all of my animal lover friends and relatives to do the same. I know that people are suffering, but so are the poor animals caught in this mess and it's good to know that somebody cares.

[MarMema]

It seems incredible to me that this group and the SPCA were so *effective* under short notice. It's nice to send money to people who are doing things and getting them done.

I mean how incredible is this - a shelter for 1000 animals in a few days? A facility given to them by the mayor.
Moving all those animals out (to Houston) in 12 hours and getting them set up to be cared-for?

It is too sad that the idiot mayor and governor in Louisiana couldn't do this kind of work on behalf of some people...

[ChocChipCookie]

i've never heard of this group before. They'll be next to get some of my donated dollars.

[airedale]

The Airedale community on the west coast has organized a fund raising auction with the money going to Noah's Wish. Originally the money was to go to Airedale Rescue but this need is much greater. If you are interested in bidding on items or donating items to this fund raiser for Noah's Wish go to http://www.blackheathfarms.com/Silent_Auction_Items.htm or just go http://www.blackheathfarms.com and select the silent auction from the box with the scrolling text. If you have an Airedale and want to join us for the second annual October Airefest in Morro Bay, Ca on October 21 through 23 click on the selection for the Airefest in the box with the scrolling text.

[seeker41]

Thanks For This Information. BTTT

[julianbr]

Don't forget cats also! Thank you for posting this. I'm sending them money in the morning.

[airedale]

If you go to Guide Star at http://www.guidestar.org you can take a look at their 990's. All non profits are required to file these forms with the IRS in lieu of tax returns. They give you really solid info on the money. What's coming in; what's going out; and where it's going. That includes the amounts for salaries including board of directors fees; overhead and fund-raising expenses and a lot more information. You'll need to register, but that's free. You only need the basic services unless your a grant writer; a foundation; large donor to many charities or are really into fund-raising. This is one of the first places you should go before donating money to any charity.

Certain charities aren't listed. Religious charities in most cases aren't listed. They don't have to file the 990's. That's why you won't find organizations like United Methodist Committee or Relief.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" i've never heard of this group before. They'll be next to get some of my donated dollars."

The spokesman was on one of the cables and she said that owners in prior domestic disasters would evacuate and leave their dogs tied up on chains in the backyard.
Where they would drown.
Her advice-cut the dogs loose and give them a fighting chance, if you won't or can't take them with you.
Last night, there was a report about Snowball, the puppy some poor kid was forced to leave on the street as he boarded a bus to Houston.
A Freeper emailed Noah's Wish and they said when they got to the CC, they would look for Snowball.
Tonight Carl Quintanilla of NBC found a traumatized dog by the side of the highway and he tried to give it water, but, the dog was too frightened, he snapped and barked at Carl.
We can only hope that Noah's Wish or some others, will find and help that pooch.
After I gave to the Salvation Army and my church's relief effort, I gave to Noah's Wish, IFAW and the Humane Society.
It's the only way I can sleep at night.

[MarMema]

Wow, that is great. And there are some wonderful items there!
What a nice bunch of people!

[MarMema]

I just learned about Noah's Wish from googling after seeing dogs sitting on roofs in the flooding. Sure seems to be a very effective and terrific group. I admire them greatly for what they are doing in Slidell.

It's nice to read on their website, too, about what they are accomplishing.

I hope the scared dog is able to be rescued soon.