Update September 27, 2006

IDA Helps with Spay/Neuter Clinic in Waveland, Miss.
Nearly 250 cats and dogs sterilized over a three-day period

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 members continue to help make life better for the animals and guardians in the region.

Connie Durkee—who works in IDA's Northwest office in Portland, Ore.—has made several trips to Mississippi since Hurricane Katrina to transport animals from the Waveland Animal Shelter to new homes in other states. Recently, she visited Waveland to help out with a three-day spay/neuter marathon being organized by a few rescue groups. Here is the story of that experience as told in Connie's own words.

I just returned from my sixth trip to Mississippi since Hurricane Katrina and I can honestly say that it was the most rewarding trip of them all. The Waveland Animal Shelter, along with Chris McLaughlin of Animal Rescue Front, had teamed up with PAWS of Chicago, Southern Animal Foundation (SAF) of New Orleans and Friends of the Animal Shelter of Hancock County to plan a three-day spay/neuter marathon at the Waveland Animal Shelter. I went to volunteer my services since I was familiar with how the shelter runs from my previous trips and I used to be a vet tech, so I could help out in almost any department. We worked 12 to 13 hours a day for three days straight, but boy was it worth it! The clinic was a huge success.

Dr. Jackie Broome of Gulfport, Miss. succeeded in spaying and neutering 244 dogs and cats in those three days. The response from the locals was totally overwhelming and rewarding. They were so grateful and all the appointments filled up quickly, leaving over 300 people on a waiting list for the next clinic, which will hopefully be soon.

PAWS of Chicago drove many of the dogs and cats back with them to Illinois and with the other volunteers there from other rescue groups, we were able to get most of the dogs transported out and all of the cats transported out of the shelter! To see an empty cat room in the Waveland Shelter is a beautiful thing! (I brought back two kittens on the plane and they are now living in Tillamook, Ore. You just can't leave the Waveland Shelter empty handed!)

The local rescue groups are working with Dr. Broome and the Waveland Animal Shelter to continue these clinics in an attempt to get a grip on the overpopulation crisis there. Even before the storm, people failed to have their dogs and cats spayed and neutered. In the wake of the storm, the unaltered animals, having been on their own for weeks, bred--adding to what was already a catastrophic situation. They are determined, and I believe that in time they will succeed.

This trip feels like a farewell for me. On my other trips to Waveland, I left feeling depressed and hopeless. But after this trip, I no longer feel that way.

What You Can Do:

- IDA is still accepting donations to help us continue our relief work in the Gulf region. 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.

- View animals from the Waveland Animal Shelter available for adoption at PAWS Chicago.