Update August 16, 2006

IDA Continues to Transport Animals from Hurricane-Ravaged Mississippi
IDA's Connie Durkee drives homeless animals from Waveland shelter to Seattle

Ever since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf States in August 2005, IDA has been helping animals affected by the storm and its aftermath. Even now, IDA staff and volunteers from all over the country continue to transport homeless animals from Mississippi, Louisiana and other storm-ravaged areas to animal shelters in other regions where they can have a chance to start over with new families.

Connie Durkee - who works in IDA's Northwest office in Portland, Ore. - recently made another run from Waveland, Miss. to Seattle, Wash. Here is the story of that trip as told in Connie's own words.

I thought I had experienced a lot in my life until I drove 20 dogs, 5 puppies, 23 kittens and 2 adult cats across the country from Waveland, Miss. to Seattle, Wash. I definitely got a new perspective on what the human and animal body can endure!

At the end of July, I went back to Waveland for the fifth time to help with another transport of animals out of the Waveland Animal Shelter to the Pacific Northwest. This time I was involved in every aspect of the transport. Myself and two other IDA volunteers had researched and found the rescue groups that would take the animals, and I was there to help drive them back along with William, the vet tech who works at the Waveland shelter. I hand-picked the animals that would come, which was a truly joyful experience for those coming with us but also an extremely heart-wrenching experience given that we had to leave others behind.

I spent two days at the Waveland shelter helping with the animals before we hit the road. We left Waveland at two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon and made our first stop, Rock Springs, Wyo. at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. This particular no-kill facility had a big two-acre enclosure, so we were able to let all the dogs out to run and play while we dropped off three dogs and six kittens.

We left Rock Springs around ten that night and headed for our next destination, Seattle. With two drivers, we were able to take turns sleeping, but once we hit Utah around midnight, we were both really tired so we pulled into a rest area and got a couple of hours sleep. We reached Seattle at two in the afternoon on Thursday, left animals at four locations in and around the area and then headed south for Portland. I live in Battle Ground, Wash., so my husband met us at the Battle Ground exit off of I-5. This allowed me to take the seven kittens, two cats and one remaining dog to my house for the night. I drove them to Albany, Ore. the next day.

By that time, we had been in that van for 56 hours and were ready to get out! The animals were such troopers the whole way! We checked them every time we stopped for gas and gave them some water and food, and walked them when we could. It was a very long trip but incredibly worthwhile and rewarding. Seeing the animals go to these wonderful rescue groups and knowing they will find their forever, happy homes is a feeling I have trouble describing. Their future in Waveland is uncertain, so I know I'm doing something good for them.

We are planning another transport for the end of August. We'll see how many more we can bring back then.

What You Can Do:

IDA is still accepting donations to help us continue our relief work. As an illustration of the financial resources needed to rescue animals, rental of a vehicle and gas for one week costs upwards of $1,000. To donate, send checks made payable to IDA with a note reading "for hurricane relief" to In Defense of Animals, 3010 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael, CA 94901. You can also donate online using your credit card.