Monday, September 29, 2008
First hand account of Ike's impacts on animals
I found an interesting blog about life on one of the bayou's in Louisiana by "Bayou Woman". She has a page on her blog (with several photos she took) about the impacts of Hurricane Ike on the animals that I recommend reading.
"The Doghouse" needs clarified
I received the following email today from the owner of The Doghouse (and I copied my original post on The Doghouse below it):
"Thanks for your help and your compassion. I do take credit cards and I take
checks. The checks are actually easier for me to keep track of. They can be
made out to the Doghouse and sent to 10515 FM 1764, Santa Fe, TX 77510.
I am keeping track of all donations and which dogs they helped and when we
get back to normal I'll send pictures and details to everyone.
I had thought things would slow down when evacuees were able to return to
their homes or home sites but I'm finding that a lot more dogs need a place
to stay while their owners rebuild. But things are not as frantic as they
were.
We got our fences repaired yesterday and the weather finally cooled down a
bit so the dogs spent a lot of time outside. The ones that were really
homesick seemed so much better after a day of play.
After I did my 9 pm tuck in and bedtime treats all 40 dogs were silent - the
first time since Ike. I know some will be with us for a month or two and
after the response I've received I know all will be well.
Thanks again,
Alice "
"HELP THE DOGHOUSE STAY OPEN FOR ANIMALS DISPLACED BY IKE
People desperately need a place for their pets while they look for new homes
and jobs. It's hard for them to find the money to care for the family dog
when the storm didn't leave them a change of clothes, a roof over their head
or a vehicle. I am doing all that I can but need to make at least enough to
keep my doors open, the dog bowls full and pay my staff.
I'd be happy to send photos and stories of the dogs in need. Thanks
for any help, directions or hints you can give me.
If you can help, or know any person or business able to support some dogs
while their people get their lives back order, CONTACT:
Alice Russell
arussell48@verizon.net, Doghouse1764@verizon.net
409-925-K900; cell (doesn't work inside the Doghouse): 409-939-6750"
"Thanks for your help and your compassion. I do take credit cards and I take
checks. The checks are actually easier for me to keep track of. They can be
made out to the Doghouse and sent to 10515 FM 1764, Santa Fe, TX 77510.
I am keeping track of all donations and which dogs they helped and when we
get back to normal I'll send pictures and details to everyone.
I had thought things would slow down when evacuees were able to return to
their homes or home sites but I'm finding that a lot more dogs need a place
to stay while their owners rebuild. But things are not as frantic as they
were.
We got our fences repaired yesterday and the weather finally cooled down a
bit so the dogs spent a lot of time outside. The ones that were really
homesick seemed so much better after a day of play.
After I did my 9 pm tuck in and bedtime treats all 40 dogs were silent - the
first time since Ike. I know some will be with us for a month or two and
after the response I've received I know all will be well.
Thanks again,
Alice "
"HELP THE DOGHOUSE STAY OPEN FOR ANIMALS DISPLACED BY IKE
People desperately need a place for their pets while they look for new homes
and jobs. It's hard for them to find the money to care for the family dog
when the storm didn't leave them a change of clothes, a roof over their head
or a vehicle. I am doing all that I can but need to make at least enough to
keep my doors open, the dog bowls full and pay my staff.
I'd be happy to send photos and stories of the dogs in need. Thanks
for any help, directions or hints you can give me.
If you can help, or know any person or business able to support some dogs
while their people get their lives back order, CONTACT:
Alice Russell
arussell48@verizon.net, Doghouse1764@verizon.net
409-925-K900; cell (doesn't work inside the Doghouse): 409-939-6750"
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Galveston Horse Rescue ending
Galveston Horse Rescue Effort Wraps Up
by: Erin Ryder, TheHorse.com News Editor
September 26 2008, Article # 12766
A week and a half after Hurricane Ike slammed into Galveston, Texas, horse rescue groups working the scene are scaling back their involvement as horse owners return to reclaim their animals and start the long rebuilding process.
Jerry Finch, president of Habitat for Horses, an equine protection organization based in Galveston County, played a key role in effort to triage injured horses and support those left behind when their owners had to flee.
Finch's crew included about 30 volunteers, all with incident command system training, who worked along with local residents and law enforcement to care for the animals. Their work included supporting around 90 horses corralled and maintained on the island, as well as removing 27 injured and ill animals to a staging area on the mainland, where they received veterinary attention and supportive care.
.....
"It looks very similar to what Plaquemines Parish and St. Bernard looked like, with a huge tidal surge that went over the island," Marquette described. "There were a lot of horses that were still over there—(the owners) didn't expect the storm to turn that hard. There were horses running loose, cows all over the place.
"The biggest problem, like with Katrina, is they didn't have any fresh water," Marquette said. "All the standing water had salt in it because the surge was so high. All the grass was covered with salt, so they didn't have anything to eat or drink. We saw a lot of the normal type of injuries you see—barbed wire cuts across the chest, pasterns getting wrapped up in wire, puncture wounds.” Hoof problems were also rampant.
.......
Some Hurricane Ike stories don't have happy endings of horses and owners reuniting. While Finch describes the horses' owners as "very thankful and very happy" with the care their animals have received, not all will be permanently reunited with their horses, generally because of the storm’s devastation to their properties. About 15 horses will enter the Habitat organization, to be placed in foster homes and ultimately adopted.
"These people have nothing left," Finch said. "They have no room for the horses, so we're having to take them in and find adoptive homes for them. It's a real shame. I would love to be able to maintain these horses until they rebuild, but it's going to be January before they can rebuild.
"All things considered, (15 horses to take) is not bad … Everything's destroyed. They love these horses, but they have no place to put them and no money to deal with it," Finch said.
And then there's the matter of the home ranch. The main Habitat for Horses facility in Galveston County, which is home to about 60 horses, was almost completely destroyed. No horses were injured, but the barns and other structures sustained severe damage. While Finch and the Habitat crew are wrapping up efforts on the coast, the long work is just beginning.
"Now we have to get back to the ranch and start rebuilding," Finch said. "The building of stalls and all that again is going to be a major undertaking. It's going to take a lot of money and a lot of time."
The group has put out a call on its Web site for volunteers with construction experience, as well as building materials and other needs."
Read the full article at http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=12766
by: Erin Ryder, TheHorse.com News Editor
September 26 2008, Article # 12766
A week and a half after Hurricane Ike slammed into Galveston, Texas, horse rescue groups working the scene are scaling back their involvement as horse owners return to reclaim their animals and start the long rebuilding process.
Jerry Finch, president of Habitat for Horses, an equine protection organization based in Galveston County, played a key role in effort to triage injured horses and support those left behind when their owners had to flee.
Finch's crew included about 30 volunteers, all with incident command system training, who worked along with local residents and law enforcement to care for the animals. Their work included supporting around 90 horses corralled and maintained on the island, as well as removing 27 injured and ill animals to a staging area on the mainland, where they received veterinary attention and supportive care.
.....
"It looks very similar to what Plaquemines Parish and St. Bernard looked like, with a huge tidal surge that went over the island," Marquette described. "There were a lot of horses that were still over there—(the owners) didn't expect the storm to turn that hard. There were horses running loose, cows all over the place.
"The biggest problem, like with Katrina, is they didn't have any fresh water," Marquette said. "All the standing water had salt in it because the surge was so high. All the grass was covered with salt, so they didn't have anything to eat or drink. We saw a lot of the normal type of injuries you see—barbed wire cuts across the chest, pasterns getting wrapped up in wire, puncture wounds.” Hoof problems were also rampant.
.......
Some Hurricane Ike stories don't have happy endings of horses and owners reuniting. While Finch describes the horses' owners as "very thankful and very happy" with the care their animals have received, not all will be permanently reunited with their horses, generally because of the storm’s devastation to their properties. About 15 horses will enter the Habitat organization, to be placed in foster homes and ultimately adopted.
"These people have nothing left," Finch said. "They have no room for the horses, so we're having to take them in and find adoptive homes for them. It's a real shame. I would love to be able to maintain these horses until they rebuild, but it's going to be January before they can rebuild.
"All things considered, (15 horses to take) is not bad … Everything's destroyed. They love these horses, but they have no place to put them and no money to deal with it," Finch said.
And then there's the matter of the home ranch. The main Habitat for Horses facility in Galveston County, which is home to about 60 horses, was almost completely destroyed. No horses were injured, but the barns and other structures sustained severe damage. While Finch and the Habitat crew are wrapping up efforts on the coast, the long work is just beginning.
"Now we have to get back to the ranch and start rebuilding," Finch said. "The building of stalls and all that again is going to be a major undertaking. It's going to take a lot of money and a lot of time."
The group has put out a call on its Web site for volunteers with construction experience, as well as building materials and other needs."
Read the full article at http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=12766
Good samaritan killed rescuing 3 dogs
I am posting this in the Hurricane Ike Animal Rescue blog because this happened in Houston, which reports indicate is still trying to recover from Hurricane Ike--so I think there is a good possibility that these dogs were hurricane victims.
"Ike relief worker killed while saving three dogs on freeway
12:33 PM CDT on Sunday, September 28, 2008
Michelle Ponto / KHOU.com
HOUSTON – An Ike Relief worker was killed Saturday night while attempting to rescue three dogs. The stranded animals were huddled together in the middle of East Freeway at Baca Street, in the inside emergency lane.
According to witnesses, the 58-year-old victim had reached the dogs, but did not see the motorcyclist driving in the inside lane. The motorcycle hit him, killing him at the scene.
“The victim was one of the construction workers who had come into town to help with the Hurricane cleanup,” said Sergeant Morgan of the Houston Police Department. “He was on break when the accident happened.”
The victim was from the Florida Keys. According to his co-workers, he was a good man who had offered to come to Houston to help people rebuild as he had been through hurricanes himself.
The motorcyclist was transported to Ben Taub Hospital with minor injuries.
One of the three dogs was also hit, but survived. All three dogs were picked up by the City and taken to the SPCA."
As the saying goes, "there but the grace of God go I." I have rescued animals from highways and I'm sure some of you reading this have also. This is all the more reason to fund all the animal rescues and shelters, including the small ones on this blog, to help keep pets out of danger and reduce the need for good samaritans. like the man in this case, to risk their lives trying to do rescues.
There is a video on the news website that, towards the end, shows the 3 big dogs and in what a terribly precarious position they were in. It also shows the Houston police officers getting the dogs off the freeway with at least one going into a police car. See the video
"Ike relief worker killed while saving three dogs on freeway
12:33 PM CDT on Sunday, September 28, 2008
Michelle Ponto / KHOU.com
HOUSTON – An Ike Relief worker was killed Saturday night while attempting to rescue three dogs. The stranded animals were huddled together in the middle of East Freeway at Baca Street, in the inside emergency lane.
According to witnesses, the 58-year-old victim had reached the dogs, but did not see the motorcyclist driving in the inside lane. The motorcycle hit him, killing him at the scene.
“The victim was one of the construction workers who had come into town to help with the Hurricane cleanup,” said Sergeant Morgan of the Houston Police Department. “He was on break when the accident happened.”
The victim was from the Florida Keys. According to his co-workers, he was a good man who had offered to come to Houston to help people rebuild as he had been through hurricanes himself.
The motorcyclist was transported to Ben Taub Hospital with minor injuries.
One of the three dogs was also hit, but survived. All three dogs were picked up by the City and taken to the SPCA."
As the saying goes, "there but the grace of God go I." I have rescued animals from highways and I'm sure some of you reading this have also. This is all the more reason to fund all the animal rescues and shelters, including the small ones on this blog, to help keep pets out of danger and reduce the need for good samaritans. like the man in this case, to risk their lives trying to do rescues.
There is a video on the news website that, towards the end, shows the 3 big dogs and in what a terribly precarious position they were in. It also shows the Houston police officers getting the dogs off the freeway with at least one going into a police car. See the video
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Plea for help: The Doghouse--update
In response to the plea for help by The Doghouse (original post copied below)
I called the owner of The Doghouse , Alice Russell, and had a long conversation about the folks who board at her kennel as well as the general destruction in the area. Alice was out front that she is not a non-profit. She is a business (albeit open only 3 weeks when Hurricane Ike hit). She is asking for contributions for those clients of hers who are boarding their pets with her. For some, if they couldn't board them with her they would likely have to take them to a shelter where those currently homed-pets would be added to the increasing numbers that are homeless.
The people who are boarding their pets with Alice clearly care for them. However, many people in the area lost all their belongings--their homes, their cars, furniture, clothes--and some are just not able to pay for boarding at this time. Given the level of devastation in the area, it will take some time for many of them to get back on their feet with a place where they can safely keep their pets.
The Doghouse is several miles from the coast on the mainland and fortunately sits on an elevated piece of land so they didn't flood though Alice has a tree that fell into her house (she added that this was the tree that provided pecans for the rescued squirrel she keeps). Alice, who clearly is an animal lover, said she is going to discount the kennel fees by half--just enough for her to pay her staff, pet food and other expenses--to reduce the burden on those who are boarding their pets with her through these trying times. Alice will also send photos and updates on the pets she is boarding (be sure to include your email address so she doesn't have to send via snail mail).
So, though you can't take a contribution here off your income taxes, you can help keep more pets out of the already busting-at-the-seams shelters. It seems to me that preventing more owner turn-ins is better than having to shelter these pets and try to find new homes for them so please consider sending a donation-$10 or $20 would go a long way. Since The Doghouse was only open such a short time, Alice doesn't know if she can take credit cards over the phone and she doesn't have a paypal account. So contributions to keep these pets in the kennel need to be by checks sent to:
The Doghouse
10515 FM1764
Santa Fe, Texas 77510
Original post:
"ANIMALS DISPLACED BY IKE FIND REFUGE AT THE DOGHOUSE:
EDITED FOR LENGTH
9/20/08, From Alice Russell, arussell48@verizon.net -- I opened The Doghouse
boarding kennel in Galveston County last month and was just getting things
rolling when Ike devastated the county. I have been at the Doghouse 12-14
hours a day since. People who evacuated will not be able to start the
rebuilding process for several weeks. Last I heard Galveston will not have
sewer for two months (full of sand).
Many people have dogs and/or cats but their temporary homes do not allow
pets. So, I am deluged with evacuee pets who are traumatized and sick from
the salt flood water and owners who cannot pay to board...
I had two on staff, Nikki lost her home and is not sure what her family will
do in the interim (I have her 3 dogs). Shawna’s home suffered damage and
both of her dogs are at the Doghouse. Sherri my groomer still does not have
power... Her dogs are at the Doghouse, too...
One of my favorite boarders is Bogie, an old, confused, ugly and aggressive
pit bull. I was not able to clean his kennel in spite of treats and sweet
talking -- plus he needed medical attention for wounds he got during the
storm. I called his people and explained our dilemma. Sherri found a vet who
agreed to squeeze him in. His people said they would take him, afraid they
would have to have him put down. They called from the vet's a few hours
later and I agreed to take Bogie back if I could befriend him. When they
came back, Bogie seemed to remember me or at least the treats. With the
owner there I petted him, treated him and took him outside to play. By the
time the owners left Bogie was my shadow. Now when I walk by his kennel he
begs for all that special attention.
Bogie’s people brought pictures of their former home -- the water was nearly
to the ceiling during the storm. His owners spent 9 hours atop a couch
steadying a table floating between them for their pets. Bogie, in the other
room sloshed and beaten by debris, survived treading water for 9 hours...
The rest of my motley crew includes a couple sweet mastiffs, several smiling
lab and lab mixes, a labradoodle who shares her kennel with a big sweet
rottie, two dobbies, 14 and 15 year old lab mixes...and lots of just plain
dogs waiting for their families. The cats -- Blackie, Oreo and Boo Boo --
turned our backroom into the Doghouse Cattery and seem very content to keep
the seats of our breakroom furniture warm for us while they wait to go home.
HELP THE DOGHOUSE STAY OPEN FOR ANIMALS DISPLACED BY IKE
People desperately need a place for their pets while they look for new homes
and jobs. It's hard for them to find the money to care for the family dog
when the storm didn't leave them a change of clothes, a roof over their head
or a vehicle. I am doing all that I can but need to make at least enough to
keep my doors open, the dog bowls full and pay my staff.
I'd be happy to send photos and stories of the dogs in need. Thanks
for any help, directions or hints you can give me.
If you can help, or know any person or business able to support some dogs
while their people get their lives back order, CONTACT:
Alice Russell
arussell48@verizon.net, Doghouse1764@verizon.net
409-925-K900; cell (doesn't work inside the Doghouse): 409-939-6750"
I called the owner of The Doghouse , Alice Russell, and had a long conversation about the folks who board at her kennel as well as the general destruction in the area. Alice was out front that she is not a non-profit. She is a business (albeit open only 3 weeks when Hurricane Ike hit). She is asking for contributions for those clients of hers who are boarding their pets with her. For some, if they couldn't board them with her they would likely have to take them to a shelter where those currently homed-pets would be added to the increasing numbers that are homeless.
The people who are boarding their pets with Alice clearly care for them. However, many people in the area lost all their belongings--their homes, their cars, furniture, clothes--and some are just not able to pay for boarding at this time. Given the level of devastation in the area, it will take some time for many of them to get back on their feet with a place where they can safely keep their pets.
The Doghouse is several miles from the coast on the mainland and fortunately sits on an elevated piece of land so they didn't flood though Alice has a tree that fell into her house (she added that this was the tree that provided pecans for the rescued squirrel she keeps). Alice, who clearly is an animal lover, said she is going to discount the kennel fees by half--just enough for her to pay her staff, pet food and other expenses--to reduce the burden on those who are boarding their pets with her through these trying times. Alice will also send photos and updates on the pets she is boarding (be sure to include your email address so she doesn't have to send via snail mail).
So, though you can't take a contribution here off your income taxes, you can help keep more pets out of the already busting-at-the-seams shelters. It seems to me that preventing more owner turn-ins is better than having to shelter these pets and try to find new homes for them so please consider sending a donation-$10 or $20 would go a long way. Since The Doghouse was only open such a short time, Alice doesn't know if she can take credit cards over the phone and she doesn't have a paypal account. So contributions to keep these pets in the kennel need to be by checks sent to:
The Doghouse
10515 FM1764
Santa Fe, Texas 77510
Original post:
"ANIMALS DISPLACED BY IKE FIND REFUGE AT THE DOGHOUSE:
EDITED FOR LENGTH
9/20/08, From Alice Russell, arussell48@verizon.net -- I opened The Doghouse
boarding kennel in Galveston County last month and was just getting things
rolling when Ike devastated the county. I have been at the Doghouse 12-14
hours a day since. People who evacuated will not be able to start the
rebuilding process for several weeks. Last I heard Galveston will not have
sewer for two months (full of sand).
Many people have dogs and/or cats but their temporary homes do not allow
pets. So, I am deluged with evacuee pets who are traumatized and sick from
the salt flood water and owners who cannot pay to board...
I had two on staff, Nikki lost her home and is not sure what her family will
do in the interim (I have her 3 dogs). Shawna’s home suffered damage and
both of her dogs are at the Doghouse. Sherri my groomer still does not have
power... Her dogs are at the Doghouse, too...
One of my favorite boarders is Bogie, an old, confused, ugly and aggressive
pit bull. I was not able to clean his kennel in spite of treats and sweet
talking -- plus he needed medical attention for wounds he got during the
storm. I called his people and explained our dilemma. Sherri found a vet who
agreed to squeeze him in. His people said they would take him, afraid they
would have to have him put down. They called from the vet's a few hours
later and I agreed to take Bogie back if I could befriend him. When they
came back, Bogie seemed to remember me or at least the treats. With the
owner there I petted him, treated him and took him outside to play. By the
time the owners left Bogie was my shadow. Now when I walk by his kennel he
begs for all that special attention.
Bogie’s people brought pictures of their former home -- the water was nearly
to the ceiling during the storm. His owners spent 9 hours atop a couch
steadying a table floating between them for their pets. Bogie, in the other
room sloshed and beaten by debris, survived treading water for 9 hours...
The rest of my motley crew includes a couple sweet mastiffs, several smiling
lab and lab mixes, a labradoodle who shares her kennel with a big sweet
rottie, two dobbies, 14 and 15 year old lab mixes...and lots of just plain
dogs waiting for their families. The cats -- Blackie, Oreo and Boo Boo --
turned our backroom into the Doghouse Cattery and seem very content to keep
the seats of our breakroom furniture warm for us while they wait to go home.
HELP THE DOGHOUSE STAY OPEN FOR ANIMALS DISPLACED BY IKE
People desperately need a place for their pets while they look for new homes
and jobs. It's hard for them to find the money to care for the family dog
when the storm didn't leave them a change of clothes, a roof over their head
or a vehicle. I am doing all that I can but need to make at least enough to
keep my doors open, the dog bowls full and pay my staff.
I'd be happy to send photos and stories of the dogs in need. Thanks
for any help, directions or hints you can give me.
If you can help, or know any person or business able to support some dogs
while their people get their lives back order, CONTACT:
Alice Russell
arussell48@verizon.net, Doghouse1764@verizon.net
409-925-K900; cell (doesn't work inside the Doghouse): 409-939-6750"
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Another desperate plea--"The Doghouse"
These pleas for help are just heartbreaking--please try to find a few dollars to help them out.
"ANIMALS DISPLACED BY IKE FIND REFUGE AT THE DOGHOUSE:
EDITED FOR LENGTH
9/20/08, From Alice Russell, arussell48@verizon.net -- I opened The Doghouse
boarding kennel in Galveston County last month and was just getting things
rolling when Ike devastated the county. I have been at the Doghouse 12-14
hours a day since. People who evacuated will not be able to start the
rebuilding process for several weeks. Last I heard Galveston will not have
sewer for two months (full of sand).
Many people have dogs and/or cats but their temporary homes do not allow
pets. So, I am deluged with evacuee pets who are traumatized and sick from
the salt flood water and owners who cannot pay to board...
I had two on staff, Nikki lost her home and is not sure what her family will
do in the interim (I have her 3 dogs). Shawna’s home suffered damage and
both of her dogs are at the Doghouse. Sherri my groomer still does not have
power... Her dogs are at the Doghouse, too...
One of my favorite boarders is Bogie, an old, confused, ugly and aggressive
pit bull. I was not able to clean his kennel in spite of treats and sweet
talking -- plus he needed medical attention for wounds he got during the
storm. I called his people and explained our dilemma. Sherri found a vet who
agreed to squeeze him in. His people said they would take him, afraid they
would have to have him put down. They called from the vet's a few hours
later and I agreed to take Bogie back if I could befriend him. When they
came back, Bogie seemed to remember me or at least the treats. With the
owner there I petted him, treated him and took him outside to play. By the
time the owners left Bogie was my shadow. Now when I walk by his kennel he
begs for all that special attention.
Bogie’s people brought pictures of their former home -- the water was nearly
to the ceiling during the storm. His owners spent 9 hours atop a couch
steadying a table floating between them for their pets. Bogie, in the other
room sloshed and beaten by debris, survived treading water for 9 hours...
The rest of my motley crew includes a couple sweet mastiffs, several smiling
lab and lab mixes, a labradoodle who shares her kennel with a big sweet
rottie, two dobbies, 14 and 15 year old lab mixes...and lots of just plain
dogs waiting for their families. The cats -- Blackie, Oreo and Boo Boo --
turned our backroom into the Doghouse Cattery and seem very content to keep
the seats of our breakroom furniture warm for us while they wait to go home.
HELP THE DOGHOUSE STAY OPEN FOR ANIMALS DISPLACED BY IKE
People desperately need a place for their pets while they look for new homes
and jobs. It's hard for them to find the money to care for the family dog
when the storm didn't leave them a change of clothes, a roof over their head
or a vehicle. I am doing all that I can but need to make at least enough to
keep my doors open, the dog bowls full and pay my staff.
I'd be happy to send photos and stories of the dogs in need. Thanks
for any help, directions or hints you can give me.
If you can help, or know any person or business able to support some dogs
while their people get their lives back order, CONTACT:
Alice Russell
arussell48@verizon.net, Doghouse1764@verizon.net
409-925-K900; cell (doesn't work inside the Doghouse): 409-939-6750"
"ANIMALS DISPLACED BY IKE FIND REFUGE AT THE DOGHOUSE:
EDITED FOR LENGTH
9/20/08, From Alice Russell, arussell48@verizon.net -- I opened The Doghouse
boarding kennel in Galveston County last month and was just getting things
rolling when Ike devastated the county. I have been at the Doghouse 12-14
hours a day since. People who evacuated will not be able to start the
rebuilding process for several weeks. Last I heard Galveston will not have
sewer for two months (full of sand).
Many people have dogs and/or cats but their temporary homes do not allow
pets. So, I am deluged with evacuee pets who are traumatized and sick from
the salt flood water and owners who cannot pay to board...
I had two on staff, Nikki lost her home and is not sure what her family will
do in the interim (I have her 3 dogs). Shawna’s home suffered damage and
both of her dogs are at the Doghouse. Sherri my groomer still does not have
power... Her dogs are at the Doghouse, too...
One of my favorite boarders is Bogie, an old, confused, ugly and aggressive
pit bull. I was not able to clean his kennel in spite of treats and sweet
talking -- plus he needed medical attention for wounds he got during the
storm. I called his people and explained our dilemma. Sherri found a vet who
agreed to squeeze him in. His people said they would take him, afraid they
would have to have him put down. They called from the vet's a few hours
later and I agreed to take Bogie back if I could befriend him. When they
came back, Bogie seemed to remember me or at least the treats. With the
owner there I petted him, treated him and took him outside to play. By the
time the owners left Bogie was my shadow. Now when I walk by his kennel he
begs for all that special attention.
Bogie’s people brought pictures of their former home -- the water was nearly
to the ceiling during the storm. His owners spent 9 hours atop a couch
steadying a table floating between them for their pets. Bogie, in the other
room sloshed and beaten by debris, survived treading water for 9 hours...
The rest of my motley crew includes a couple sweet mastiffs, several smiling
lab and lab mixes, a labradoodle who shares her kennel with a big sweet
rottie, two dobbies, 14 and 15 year old lab mixes...and lots of just plain
dogs waiting for their families. The cats -- Blackie, Oreo and Boo Boo --
turned our backroom into the Doghouse Cattery and seem very content to keep
the seats of our breakroom furniture warm for us while they wait to go home.
HELP THE DOGHOUSE STAY OPEN FOR ANIMALS DISPLACED BY IKE
People desperately need a place for their pets while they look for new homes
and jobs. It's hard for them to find the money to care for the family dog
when the storm didn't leave them a change of clothes, a roof over their head
or a vehicle. I am doing all that I can but need to make at least enough to
keep my doors open, the dog bowls full and pay my staff.
I'd be happy to send photos and stories of the dogs in need. Thanks
for any help, directions or hints you can give me.
If you can help, or know any person or business able to support some dogs
while their people get their lives back order, CONTACT:
Alice Russell
arussell48@verizon.net, Doghouse1764@verizon.net
409-925-K900; cell (doesn't work inside the Doghouse): 409-939-6750"
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Desperate appeal from Cinnamon's Companions Animal Sanctuary
This certainly tugged at my heart--clearly this lady whose sanctuary is in New Caney, Tx (north of Houston) is desperate. This is cross-posted but most is on their website at http://www.ccpaws.com/index.html
"Our organization has just survived Hurricane Ike; with no loss of life. Currently we have 50 adult cats and 15 kittens who now require transport to a waiting Sanctuary in California.
We have the transport vehicle to move them and the cages required but we need the funding to make this journey across country to get them to safety.
We are without electricity for up to 4 weeks due to the devastation here on the Gulf Coast. If we don't move these animals to the waiting Sanctuary in California, they are in danger of perishing from the heat and lack of supplies. The need has gone from urgent to critical. The stores are closed - we are unable to access food for the animals. We have a week's supply in stock. The state is bringing water in to local areas, but it is a battle to reach them due to the lack of gasoline.
The animals in the care of this organization fared well during what they are calling the Storm of the Century, and trust me, the devastation here is sickening. There is no power and there are no supplies. The desperation for basic necessities is very real. We are terrified.
This is a breakdown of the details of the trip for your review:
1. How many cats?
50 adults, 15 kittens
2. How will they be transported?
Chevrolet 3500 Passenger van with rear air conditioning (seats removed for cage space)
3. Who will transport them?
I will drive them myself with two volunteers - one relief driver and one to provide constant care for the animals.
4. Which Sanctuary will they be sent to?
'Not So' Purrrfect Angels Feline Sanctuary
7312 E. Church Ave.
PO Box 7679
Fresno, CA 93747-7679
(559) 255-1415
Director - Janice Rozzano cell (559) 392-3962
5. How long is the trip?
The trip is 1,792 miles one way. Through drive time is 25 hours. Round trip is 3,582 miles. Drive time is 50 hours.
Total cost of this trip is approximately $4000.00 all inclusive. We do have some funds available.....about $800.00.
Please forgive my apparent desperation. It is my responsibility to care for these beautiful souls. I have the means to keep these animals alive, safe and well, we just need the funding for the trip.
Please note our phone lines and electricity are working only sporadically so feel free to contact Janice @ ‘Not So’ Purrrfect Angels if you are unable to reach me directly.
Regards,
Diana Romans,
President/Executive Director
Cinnamon's Companions Animal Sanctuary, Inc.
PO Box 417
New Caney, TX 77357
www.ccpaws.com
(281) 702-9812"
"Our organization has just survived Hurricane Ike; with no loss of life. Currently we have 50 adult cats and 15 kittens who now require transport to a waiting Sanctuary in California.
We have the transport vehicle to move them and the cages required but we need the funding to make this journey across country to get them to safety.
We are without electricity for up to 4 weeks due to the devastation here on the Gulf Coast. If we don't move these animals to the waiting Sanctuary in California, they are in danger of perishing from the heat and lack of supplies. The need has gone from urgent to critical. The stores are closed - we are unable to access food for the animals. We have a week's supply in stock. The state is bringing water in to local areas, but it is a battle to reach them due to the lack of gasoline.
The animals in the care of this organization fared well during what they are calling the Storm of the Century, and trust me, the devastation here is sickening. There is no power and there are no supplies. The desperation for basic necessities is very real. We are terrified.
This is a breakdown of the details of the trip for your review:
1. How many cats?
50 adults, 15 kittens
2. How will they be transported?
Chevrolet 3500 Passenger van with rear air conditioning (seats removed for cage space)
3. Who will transport them?
I will drive them myself with two volunteers - one relief driver and one to provide constant care for the animals.
4. Which Sanctuary will they be sent to?
'Not So' Purrrfect Angels Feline Sanctuary
7312 E. Church Ave.
PO Box 7679
Fresno, CA 93747-7679
(559) 255-1415
Director - Janice Rozzano cell (559) 392-3962
5. How long is the trip?
The trip is 1,792 miles one way. Through drive time is 25 hours. Round trip is 3,582 miles. Drive time is 50 hours.
Total cost of this trip is approximately $4000.00 all inclusive. We do have some funds available.....about $800.00.
Please forgive my apparent desperation. It is my responsibility to care for these beautiful souls. I have the means to keep these animals alive, safe and well, we just need the funding for the trip.
Please note our phone lines and electricity are working only sporadically so feel free to contact Janice @ ‘Not So’ Purrrfect Angels if you are unable to reach me directly.
Regards,
Diana Romans,
President/Executive Director
Cinnamon's Companions Animal Sanctuary, Inc.
PO Box 417
New Caney, TX 77357
www.ccpaws.com
(281) 702-9812"
Whiskerville Animal Sanctuary
Wow, this small rescue/shelter/purveyor of many animal services (low cost vacinations to microchipping, enough to put large groups to shame) in Texas City, Tx (just northwest of Galveston, along Galveston Bay) accomplishes a lot with a very little (apparently the sanctuary founder, Wydell Dixon, with only 1 paid helper and some volunteers). I read he sanctuary has about 400 cats, rescues dogs as well as cats, finds homes for those she can and provides a home for the rest! Here's her report from their impressive (for their size) website: http://www.whiskerville.org/updates.php
"Post-Ike Whiskerville Update
Whiskerville's furry residents are safe and sound after weathering the battering from Ike. Our dogs were all evacuated thanks to our wonderful foster families and Darrell & Angela Bivens of The Pet Palace. Rest assured that just like during Rita, they were never left unattended. We did our best to prepare the building and shelter there with them. Just like after Rita, we once again found ourselves without power for a week, and did our best to make sure conditions were liveable, but of course the lack of circulating air was a serious stress upon our 400 cats in the sanctuary.
Our biggest item on the wish list at this time would be a continuous rollover power source that is capable of supporting our utilities so that our residents never have to go through this kind of stress again. Sadly, there seem to be no programs or grants that will help us with that, and we just haven't had enough financial support from the community to be able to keep our daily routine running AND afford the generator too.
Keep in mind that while we understand that our region is going through a huge recovery effort at this time, and many people have lost their own resources, we STILL need your help too. Don't forget the work we do for your community. Please consider donating to Whiskerville. We put so much of ourselves, our money, and our blood, sweat, and tears (too many these days) into rescuing and rehabilitating God's creatures. Remember that we can't do this without you. Please help us."
You can help them not only financially but by using Goodsearch.com to search the web, purchasing items at IGive.com or HelpingUdders.com and other ways (this small group is very enterprizing). Just click on the Donate to Whiskerville button on their website and it will bring up a page with these and other options including a paypal button
"Post-Ike Whiskerville Update
Whiskerville's furry residents are safe and sound after weathering the battering from Ike. Our dogs were all evacuated thanks to our wonderful foster families and Darrell & Angela Bivens of The Pet Palace. Rest assured that just like during Rita, they were never left unattended. We did our best to prepare the building and shelter there with them. Just like after Rita, we once again found ourselves without power for a week, and did our best to make sure conditions were liveable, but of course the lack of circulating air was a serious stress upon our 400 cats in the sanctuary.
Our biggest item on the wish list at this time would be a continuous rollover power source that is capable of supporting our utilities so that our residents never have to go through this kind of stress again. Sadly, there seem to be no programs or grants that will help us with that, and we just haven't had enough financial support from the community to be able to keep our daily routine running AND afford the generator too.
Keep in mind that while we understand that our region is going through a huge recovery effort at this time, and many people have lost their own resources, we STILL need your help too. Don't forget the work we do for your community. Please consider donating to Whiskerville. We put so much of ourselves, our money, and our blood, sweat, and tears (too many these days) into rescuing and rehabilitating God's creatures. Remember that we can't do this without you. Please help us."
You can help them not only financially but by using Goodsearch.com to search the web, purchasing items at IGive.com or HelpingUdders.com and other ways (this small group is very enterprizing). Just click on the Donate to Whiskerville button on their website and it will bring up a page with these and other options including a paypal button
Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary
This is an all volunteer shelter/sanctuary in Cypress, Tx (20 miles northwest of Houston)that takes in dogs, cats and other critters. They were hit hard by Hurricane Ike. This is from their website, http://www.noahs-ark-sanctuary.org:
" Hurricane IKE and Tornado strikes Noah's Ark! Once again, Noah's Ark sprang into action to accommodate the pets of evacuees from yet another hurricane. Noah's Ark was hit very hard by Ike. The cat building is flooded, outside dog kennels and the horse barn are crushed by fallen 200 year old spider oak trees. 700' of 9' fencing was snapped at the base of anchor poles. The damage sustained intense!
PLEASE HELP US repair the Damage!
Incredible volunteers helped board the shelter to protect the dogs, cats, birds, horse barn and pigs from the storm. All dogs were sequestered inside during the storm.
After the storm devoted volunteers risked high water to get to the sanctuary to help clean up the devastation. During the power outage, they pushed heavy trash cans of fresh water to accommodate the dogs, cats and other animals seeking a safe refuge.
The dog kennels are destroyed by fallen limbs.
At the top of our Wish List is repairing the kennels and two new generators to power electricity to keep the water well operative for the cattery and housing the dogs during emergencies
" Hurricane IKE and Tornado strikes Noah's Ark! Once again, Noah's Ark sprang into action to accommodate the pets of evacuees from yet another hurricane. Noah's Ark was hit very hard by Ike. The cat building is flooded, outside dog kennels and the horse barn are crushed by fallen 200 year old spider oak trees. 700' of 9' fencing was snapped at the base of anchor poles. The damage sustained intense!
PLEASE HELP US repair the Damage!
Incredible volunteers helped board the shelter to protect the dogs, cats, birds, horse barn and pigs from the storm. All dogs were sequestered inside during the storm.
After the storm devoted volunteers risked high water to get to the sanctuary to help clean up the devastation. During the power outage, they pushed heavy trash cans of fresh water to accommodate the dogs, cats and other animals seeking a safe refuge.
The dog kennels are destroyed by fallen limbs.
At the top of our Wish List is repairing the kennels and two new generators to power electricity to keep the water well operative for the cattery and housing the dogs during emergencies
ARNO-Animal Rescue New Orleans
This group evolved from the original rescue work done in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
"ARNO Needs Donations and Warehouse SpaceARNO's main building received zero damage from Gustave (or Katrina), but had severe damage to the outside kennel area in the rear (perimeter fencing, $5k tent torn to shreds, commercial propane heaters bent like pretzels, etc.), the outside front TNR/isolation/cleaning area (tent torn to shreds, perimeter wooden fencing ripped up and splintered, plus supply shelving bent from the strong winds), and the cat breezeway area (enclosed ends were ripped out and destroyed, along with cooling fans). Our two freezers died on us... ! Estimates are at $15,000 to $25,000 in damages.
Needless to say, we are in a pinch to raise funds to help us rebuild our operation, and we do need donated transport assistance to get our animals home. You can help us by securely donating using PayPal. Mars Pet Food is going to help us by donating a large amount of food to help us feed the animals roaming on the street and our shelter animals. We are trying to find warehouse space near us in the Elmwood Business Park area. The problem is we have no place to store food right now, as a good part of our warehouse has to be used for housing animals until we rebuild the breezeway and outside kennels. Know a big donor? Donations can help pay for one or if you know someone willing to help, please let us know.
Keep checking our website, as we try to update regularly or for info email
http://animalrescueneworleans.org/news/arnoGustav.html "
"ARNO Needs Donations and Warehouse SpaceARNO's main building received zero damage from Gustave (or Katrina), but had severe damage to the outside kennel area in the rear (perimeter fencing, $5k tent torn to shreds, commercial propane heaters bent like pretzels, etc.), the outside front TNR/isolation/cleaning area (tent torn to shreds, perimeter wooden fencing ripped up and splintered, plus supply shelving bent from the strong winds), and the cat breezeway area (enclosed ends were ripped out and destroyed, along with cooling fans). Our two freezers died on us... ! Estimates are at $15,000 to $25,000 in damages.
Needless to say, we are in a pinch to raise funds to help us rebuild our operation, and we do need donated transport assistance to get our animals home. You can help us by securely donating using PayPal. Mars Pet Food is going to help us by donating a large amount of food to help us feed the animals roaming on the street and our shelter animals. We are trying to find warehouse space near us in the Elmwood Business Park area. The problem is we have no place to store food right now, as a good part of our warehouse has to be used for housing animals until we rebuild the breezeway and outside kennels. Know a big donor? Donations can help pay for one or if you know someone willing to help, please let us know.
Keep checking our website, as we try to update regularly or for info email
http://animalrescueneworleans.org/news/arnoGustav.html "
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Habitat for Horses, Inc.
>> During this emergency the efforts of our volunteers have made a powerful impact on the livestock community of Galveston County. While the west end of Galveston Island is on the uphill side of the recovery, Bolivar is just now becoming accessible. The destruction on Bolivar was almost 100%, and the loss of livestock quite heavy. The reports say that only 150 head of cattle and 2 horses are left standing, although we have reports of two mules and another horse still wandering around.
The recovery of the ranch has been place on hold until our emergency response in the county is complete. The financial impact of this storm has hit Habitat for Horses just as it has so many others. It took 10 years to build the ranch, and if it takes another ten years to rebuild, we’ll do it. We are committed to the health and safety of the equine in SE Texas and we’ll come back better and stronger than ever before.
We are in serious need for volunteers with construction experience, plus literally hundreds of feet of 2X4 and 2X6 lumber. We also need a flatbed trailer, either bumper or gooseneck hitch.
At the staging area, we need volunteers to help clean up, maintain the horses, feed, hay, water and do medications. Please call 866-434-5737. You do not need certification to work at the staging area. Many of our volunteers have had to return home to their jobs, so please call if you can help.
Jerry<
The recovery of the ranch has been place on hold until our emergency response in the county is complete. The financial impact of this storm has hit Habitat for Horses just as it has so many others. It took 10 years to build the ranch, and if it takes another ten years to rebuild, we’ll do it. We are committed to the health and safety of the equine in SE Texas and we’ll come back better and stronger than ever before.
We are in serious need for volunteers with construction experience, plus literally hundreds of feet of 2X4 and 2X6 lumber. We also need a flatbed trailer, either bumper or gooseneck hitch.
At the staging area, we need volunteers to help clean up, maintain the horses, feed, hay, water and do medications. Please call 866-434-5737. You do not need certification to work at the staging area. Many of our volunteers have had to return home to their jobs, so please call if you can help.
Jerry<
Monday, September 22, 2008
Hopeful Haven bringing food to La stock
"Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:01:20 -0700 (PDT)
From: Debra Barlow
Subject: Update! Needs for the rescue....Please crosspost! Warning! Graphic photos!
To: hopefulhaven@yahoo.com
Hello everyone! Thanks to many of you We were blessed with enough money to help 37 families feed their animals in Erath, La and help the AG center in Abbeville with feed for the 40 families on their list. Here it is over a week and our feed was the first that the AG center had received for the 40 families on their list. Thanks to all of your generous donations. I toured one farm that has raw sewage all over his pastures and in his destroyed hay..Hank Moss ranch was hit again pretty hard. Thankfully most of his livestock was evacuated. Attached are graphic photos. Be adviced not to open them if you aren't able to face You can see the oil slick on the water where the fish have died and raw sewage on the pastures. Fish are dead everywhere. The smell is atrocious. Please reach into your hearts to help us continue our plight to aid these ranchers with feed for their livestock! They need fresh feed and hay! Please help us assist these animals. I am working on 400 bales of hay that I can get at 8.00 a round bale 4X4 delivered to our distribution site. That is $3200. and will be able to help a lot of livestock! Please send in your donation today and help us to make that mark! Read on below the email from the RISPCA(RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY PREVENTION OF THE CRUELTY TO ANIMALS)"
"\
, Hopeful Haven website
From: Debra Barlow
Subject: Update! Needs for the rescue....Please crosspost! Warning! Graphic photos!
To: hopefulhaven@yahoo.com
Hello everyone! Thanks to many of you We were blessed with enough money to help 37 families feed their animals in Erath, La and help the AG center in Abbeville with feed for the 40 families on their list. Here it is over a week and our feed was the first that the AG center had received for the 40 families on their list. Thanks to all of your generous donations. I toured one farm that has raw sewage all over his pastures and in his destroyed hay..Hank Moss ranch was hit again pretty hard. Thankfully most of his livestock was evacuated. Attached are graphic photos. Be adviced not to open them if you aren't able to face You can see the oil slick on the water where the fish have died and raw sewage on the pastures. Fish are dead everywhere. The smell is atrocious. Please reach into your hearts to help us continue our plight to aid these ranchers with feed for their livestock! They need fresh feed and hay! Please help us assist these animals. I am working on 400 bales of hay that I can get at 8.00 a round bale 4X4 delivered to our distribution site. That is $3200. and will be able to help a lot of livestock! Please send in your donation today and help us to make that mark! Read on below the email from the RISPCA(RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY PREVENTION OF THE CRUELTY TO ANIMALS)"
"\
, Hopeful Haven website
MuttShack Animal Rescue
This is an excerpt from the MuttShack website on their continuing efforts in Loisiana, both in helping with the flooded shelter in Denham Springs and in animal rescue:
In the past few weeks, the most dedicated MuttShack volunteers were seen cleaning up 5 days of dog poop from the shelter zone and transporting a truckload of cats off to Little Rock Arkansas for shelter, driving 19 hours round trip. Carpenter/Animal Rescuers repaired a section of the roof - living the phrase "cats on a hot tin roof".> Read more and see photos at Mutt Schack webpage
In the past few weeks, the most dedicated MuttShack volunteers were seen cleaning up 5 days of dog poop from the shelter zone and transporting a truckload of cats off to Little Rock Arkansas for shelter, driving 19 hours round trip. Carpenter/Animal Rescuers repaired a section of the roof - living the phrase "cats on a hot tin roof".> Read more and see photos at Mutt Schack webpage
Denham Springs Animal Shelter
Denham Springs Animal Shelter is a Louisiana no-kill with a huge influx of
animals due to Gustav and Ike. Hurricane survivors and pre-storm animals
MUST find a way out, if this shelter is to maintain its no-kill status.
Animals must leave Denham Springs, Louisiana for foster/adoptive homes, so
new rescues can move in.
TRANSPORTERS NEEDED AS SOON AS MON., 9/22/08, FOR ROUND TRIP:
* Excellent drivers who can walk and handle animals.
* Drivers come to Denham Springs Animal Shelter.
* Transport: About 40 dogs + unknown number of cats through Arizona to San Francisco area.
* MuttShack using 3 cargo vans for trip and needs 6 drivers.
* 5 drivers return cargo vans to Denham Springs.
CAN YOU HELP MOVE THESE DOGS & CATS TO A BETTER LIFE?
CONTACT IMMEDIATELY: MARY KARR, 206-947-3374
PLEASE HELP GIVE STORM SURVIVORS A SECOND CHANCE:
* Can you transport from/to elsewhere in U.S.?
* Can you help coordinate foster homes or no-kill sheltering?
* Can you transport animals in your own roomy vehicle?
Transporters & Foster/Adopt Coordinators, Contact:
Mary Karr: 206-947-3374 or Amanda St. John: 818-272-1671
NOTE: Denham Springs is the only No-Kill Municipal Shelter in Louisiana
animals due to Gustav and Ike. Hurricane survivors and pre-storm animals
MUST find a way out, if this shelter is to maintain its no-kill status.
Animals must leave Denham Springs, Louisiana for foster/adoptive homes, so
new rescues can move in.
TRANSPORTERS NEEDED AS SOON AS MON., 9/22/08, FOR ROUND TRIP:
* Excellent drivers who can walk and handle animals.
* Drivers come to Denham Springs Animal Shelter.
* Transport: About 40 dogs + unknown number of cats through Arizona to San Francisco area.
* MuttShack using 3 cargo vans for trip and needs 6 drivers.
* 5 drivers return cargo vans to Denham Springs.
CAN YOU HELP MOVE THESE DOGS & CATS TO A BETTER LIFE?
CONTACT IMMEDIATELY: MARY KARR, 206-947-3374
PLEASE HELP GIVE STORM SURVIVORS A SECOND CHANCE:
* Can you transport from/to elsewhere in U.S.?
* Can you help coordinate foster homes or no-kill sheltering?
* Can you transport animals in your own roomy vehicle?
Transporters & Foster/Adopt Coordinators, Contact:
Mary Karr: 206-947-3374 or Amanda St. John: 818-272-1671
NOTE: Denham Springs is the only No-Kill Municipal Shelter in Louisiana
Spindletop Refuge
[Editor's Note: I am starting with a small group located in Texas. Even before the hurricanes hit they were in need and I personally sent a donation to help them obtain a generator. Now there are big damages and more generator problems]
Hello to all of our Friends and Supporters,
I wanted to send an update to everyone that has inquired, donated and helped through hurricanes Gustav and Ike. First and foremost, thank you so much for thinking of the dogs here at Spindletop. They have benefited in spirit as well as in comfort due to your prayers and generosity.
Now that the storms are over I can share a brief summary of the preparations we took for Gustav, which never came but the cost were realized in preparing for its arrival, and the heavy blow Ike delivered, leaving substantial damage to our property and buildings.
Following this update are a few pictures of the damage caused by Ike. The lama in one of the photos sustained some minor injuries but has been seen by a veterinarian who came to Spindletop to examine him. He is recovering and doing very well. Please note that the gate he is standing behind is a gate made to contain steer; it is extremely long yet damaged by the storm.
The Preparation
With Gustav, we moved both the rescued dogs and rescued horses to higher ground and breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't show up. Not even nine days later we were doing the same thing, except this time we had to relocate some of the animals to go to other sanctuaries for safety reasons. With Ike, we were up against the clock and had moved all the animals literally in the nick of time. The winds were already gusting around 40 mph when we got the last group of dogs secured and sheltered from harm’s way. The “fire drill” with Gustav left us tired and both emotionally and financially stressed. With Ike, we waited to make sure he was actually coming . Gustav and Ike have been very hard on the dogs.
As is becoming customary, John Richardson flew into the storm bringing Connie Anderson (both from New Jersey). John was monumental in helping us with the Rita evacuation, over 300 dogs, more than half of them being Katrina dogs in the care of Spindletop. John and Connie took time off from their own animal related jobs, their families and their animals. They couldn't come too soon either, as we had waited to confirm Ike was happening and on his way. At the time of their arrival, Spindletop was working with a skeleton crew due to the fact some of the employees have young children and needed to stay with their families during the storm. Connie was monumental in helping with the dogs in the house which, in effect, freed up one person to help with the remaining dogs.
We placed 43 dogs in my mother's house (we’ll pretend she was thrilled about that) and the rest were moved into the boarding/evaluation kennel in the front of the property, which is normally an indoor/outdoor kennel that holds 24 dogs. Given the situation with Ike, all dogs were crated and stacked in order to accommodate additional dogs. This proved to be a good move as Ike poured three feet of water into the rescue kennel, caused major damage to the overhead doors and caused severe roof damage by the time all was said and done.
The Aftermath
The rescue kennel will be a total loss; there was almost a foot of mud from the water. We lost all of the tarps that covered our temporary exercise pens, two regular exercise pens, all dog toys and water buckets.
We had three heavy duty tents that housed our supplies (crates, washer/dryer, tools, blankets, toys, etc.); Ike took the tents with most of the things in them. Several of our emergency purpose crates simply vanished.
We have lost a lot of our perimeter fencing due to downed trees and every one of our pastures for the rescue horses are damaged, some severely.
We are still working with a skeleton crew as most of our employees had damage to their own property and need to attend to their problems along with extended family who were hit hard by the storm.
We depended on generators as we anticipated the loss of electricity; we were told we would be without electricity for approximately one month but luckily electricity came on at night Sunday, September 22nd. We hope it stays on! Phone service is spotty at best and we just recently started receiving regular mail. Currently, only a few banks are open for business. We are now able to get gasoline locally now, but there is such a demand that the lines are extremely long. Spindletop was depending on the use of gasoline and propane, costing approximately $200 daily, hopefully with the electricity back on we can save some money here. Originally we had to travel to Brenham for provisions, but grocery and feed stores located closer to us are opening. This is important as it will help reduce our already high gas cost. The stores have non perishables that do not last long due to demand.
I’ve hired laborers to fix the perimeter fencing. Spindletop cannot be fully functional with the dogs until the fencing is repaired. Several trees need to be cut down before we can repair the fencing. They are beginning work Saturday…and will have to share one chainsaw!
As if walking the dogs and assessing the grounds isn’t difficult enough, the water brought a new concern; snakes. Yes, snakes. The most cost effective way to deter the snakes from parts of the property, most importantly the shelters for the people and animals, is placing cinnamon sticks around the perimeter of the structures you want to deter the snakes from.
Ike has left us with a lot of work to do. I, along with the staff and animals at Spindletop, would like to ask for your support as we try to recover from the damage Ike left behind. The animals, of course, are being kept top priority given the current conditions but we need to get back to normal operating conditions as soon as possible.
Below is a short list of items desperately needed:
Cash donations
Cinnamon sticks
12x12 tarps
Gift cards for Walmart or Sams
Zip ties
Toys for dogs*
*All toys were lost in the winds. The purchase of toys is an expense we cannot incur ahead of the others listed above, but toys would certainly keep the dogs occupied and happy.
[Editor's Notes: There were addresses to donate to them here that I deleted. I am not affiliated with this or any of these groups and it is poor practice for anyone to go through a secondary source like me to donate funds. All you have to do is to go to their website to get the physical address and paypal button]
As always, our priority is the welfare of the animals at Spindletop. Again, thank you for your well wishes, concern and support. Any assistance with the above items would be genuinely and immensely appreciated. Spindletop is a non-profit organization (501(c)(3): 26-1200402).
I will send updates as progress is made with procuring provisions and making repairs here at Spindletop.
Sincerely,
Leah Purcell
Hello to all of our Friends and Supporters,
I wanted to send an update to everyone that has inquired, donated and helped through hurricanes Gustav and Ike. First and foremost, thank you so much for thinking of the dogs here at Spindletop. They have benefited in spirit as well as in comfort due to your prayers and generosity.
Now that the storms are over I can share a brief summary of the preparations we took for Gustav, which never came but the cost were realized in preparing for its arrival, and the heavy blow Ike delivered, leaving substantial damage to our property and buildings.
Following this update are a few pictures of the damage caused by Ike. The lama in one of the photos sustained some minor injuries but has been seen by a veterinarian who came to Spindletop to examine him. He is recovering and doing very well. Please note that the gate he is standing behind is a gate made to contain steer; it is extremely long yet damaged by the storm.
The Preparation
With Gustav, we moved both the rescued dogs and rescued horses to higher ground and breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't show up. Not even nine days later we were doing the same thing, except this time we had to relocate some of the animals to go to other sanctuaries for safety reasons. With Ike, we were up against the clock and had moved all the animals literally in the nick of time. The winds were already gusting around 40 mph when we got the last group of dogs secured and sheltered from harm’s way. The “fire drill” with Gustav left us tired and both emotionally and financially stressed. With Ike, we waited to make sure he was actually coming . Gustav and Ike have been very hard on the dogs.
As is becoming customary, John Richardson flew into the storm bringing Connie Anderson (both from New Jersey). John was monumental in helping us with the Rita evacuation, over 300 dogs, more than half of them being Katrina dogs in the care of Spindletop. John and Connie took time off from their own animal related jobs, their families and their animals. They couldn't come too soon either, as we had waited to confirm Ike was happening and on his way. At the time of their arrival, Spindletop was working with a skeleton crew due to the fact some of the employees have young children and needed to stay with their families during the storm. Connie was monumental in helping with the dogs in the house which, in effect, freed up one person to help with the remaining dogs.
We placed 43 dogs in my mother's house (we’ll pretend she was thrilled about that) and the rest were moved into the boarding/evaluation kennel in the front of the property, which is normally an indoor/outdoor kennel that holds 24 dogs. Given the situation with Ike, all dogs were crated and stacked in order to accommodate additional dogs. This proved to be a good move as Ike poured three feet of water into the rescue kennel, caused major damage to the overhead doors and caused severe roof damage by the time all was said and done.
The Aftermath
The rescue kennel will be a total loss; there was almost a foot of mud from the water. We lost all of the tarps that covered our temporary exercise pens, two regular exercise pens, all dog toys and water buckets.
We had three heavy duty tents that housed our supplies (crates, washer/dryer, tools, blankets, toys, etc.); Ike took the tents with most of the things in them. Several of our emergency purpose crates simply vanished.
We have lost a lot of our perimeter fencing due to downed trees and every one of our pastures for the rescue horses are damaged, some severely.
We are still working with a skeleton crew as most of our employees had damage to their own property and need to attend to their problems along with extended family who were hit hard by the storm.
We depended on generators as we anticipated the loss of electricity; we were told we would be without electricity for approximately one month but luckily electricity came on at night Sunday, September 22nd. We hope it stays on! Phone service is spotty at best and we just recently started receiving regular mail. Currently, only a few banks are open for business. We are now able to get gasoline locally now, but there is such a demand that the lines are extremely long. Spindletop was depending on the use of gasoline and propane, costing approximately $200 daily, hopefully with the electricity back on we can save some money here. Originally we had to travel to Brenham for provisions, but grocery and feed stores located closer to us are opening. This is important as it will help reduce our already high gas cost. The stores have non perishables that do not last long due to demand.
I’ve hired laborers to fix the perimeter fencing. Spindletop cannot be fully functional with the dogs until the fencing is repaired. Several trees need to be cut down before we can repair the fencing. They are beginning work Saturday…and will have to share one chainsaw!
As if walking the dogs and assessing the grounds isn’t difficult enough, the water brought a new concern; snakes. Yes, snakes. The most cost effective way to deter the snakes from parts of the property, most importantly the shelters for the people and animals, is placing cinnamon sticks around the perimeter of the structures you want to deter the snakes from.
Ike has left us with a lot of work to do. I, along with the staff and animals at Spindletop, would like to ask for your support as we try to recover from the damage Ike left behind. The animals, of course, are being kept top priority given the current conditions but we need to get back to normal operating conditions as soon as possible.
Below is a short list of items desperately needed:
Cash donations
Cinnamon sticks
12x12 tarps
Gift cards for Walmart or Sams
Zip ties
Toys for dogs*
*All toys were lost in the winds. The purchase of toys is an expense we cannot incur ahead of the others listed above, but toys would certainly keep the dogs occupied and happy.
[Editor's Notes: There were addresses to donate to them here that I deleted. I am not affiliated with this or any of these groups and it is poor practice for anyone to go through a secondary source like me to donate funds. All you have to do is to go to their website to get the physical address and paypal button]
As always, our priority is the welfare of the animals at Spindletop. Again, thank you for your well wishes, concern and support. Any assistance with the above items would be genuinely and immensely appreciated. Spindletop is a non-profit organization (501(c)(3): 26-1200402).
I will send updates as progress is made with procuring provisions and making repairs here at Spindletop.
Sincerely,
Leah Purcell
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