Update November 23, 2005


Hurricane Relief Update November 23, 2005

IDA Animal Relief Team Helps Needy Cats and Dogs in Post-Hurricane South IDA's Project Hope Animal Relief Team Coordinates with Other Groups to Save the Lives of Animals in Abandoned Towns


Last Wednesday, IDA contractor Eric Phelps and volunteer Val Mizuhara spent the day trapping cats at an abandoned trailer park that was scheduled to be bulldozed. Working with Alley Cat Allies and other groups, they helped to trap more than 100 homeless felines in the area. Many of these cats were friendly and approached the rescuers with cries of relief, but others were somewhat more anxious about the arrival of humans after many weeks of isolation and reticent to interact. Eric had to squeeze inside the wall of one trailer in pursuit of a frightened cat who disappeared into the insulation, but finally got hold of the emaciated creature. The cats were relocated to a rescue facility in Bogalusa, La. where they were given food, shelter and veterinary care.

On their way out of town, they visited the shelter in Waveland, Miss. and picked up some more animals to make room for new arrivals. One of their charges was a dog with an extremely bloated stomach. There was speculation that perhaps she was getting ready to give birth, but she showed no other signs of pregnancy. Wanting to solve the mystery of her condition and relieve her suffering, Eric and Val asked the shelter director if the dog had been checked out by a vet. The director said veterinary care was still not available, so they took her back to Virginia with three cats and six
other dogs. A veterinarian there was able to solve the mystery for them: the poor creature's stomach had expanded because she was suffering from the advanced stages of severe heartworm infestation. Everyone was sad that this dog had to be euthanized, but also glad that at least she had a warm,
comfortable place to sleep and loving companionship during her final hours. Many thanks are due to Doctors Hawley and Gross of Vet Centers of America for providing exceptional veterinary care to five animals and not charging a single cent. It is people like them and our generous members who have enabled IDA to continue our important rescue and relief work in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Fortunately, other endings were much happier. Hugo was a 100-pound Great Pyrenees who had lost one-fifth of his body weight since the hurricanes had struck. His home was destroyed in the disaster, and Hugo's guardian surrendered him because he no longer had the ability or the resources to care for his canine companion. Val and Eric dropped Hugo off at a Great
Pyrenees rescue group in Richmond, Va. where he will have a chance to be adopted into a loving home. Blossom, a Catahoula, was flown to a new family in the San Francisco Bay Area. Two of the cats who accompanied Eric and Val from Mississippi were placed directly in homes - one with an IDA member - and others were taken to shelters and rescue groups where they will meet new families and start new lives.

Upon returning to Virginia, Eric and Val, joined by IDA's Kristie Phelps, gave a talk and screened a video about their experiences at a Norfolk movie theatre. They met their objective of sending a clear message to the crowd that the crisis for animals in the post-hurricane South is far from over, and help in the form of volunteers and donations are still very much needed.




- Click here to urge Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and other state officials to allow out-of-state veterinarians to provide much-needed services for the animals who have survived the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

- Volunteers are still needed to transport rescued animals. Please contact hurricanekatrinainquiries@idausa.org or (757) 553-8623 for more information on volunteering with IDA's Project Hope team.

- Foster homes for rescued pets are needed, as are adoptive homes for animals already at risk in overcrowded shelters across the country. Project Hope needs more shelters outside of the disaster zone to take homeless animals rescued from New Orleans. Please contact hurricanekatrinainquiries@idausa.org if you can provide space for needy animals.

- Give to IDA's Hurricane Katrina Animal Relief Fund. Money is still desperately needed for food, medical supplies and transportation costs. To donate, send checks made payable to IDA with a note reading "for hurricane relief" to In Defense of Animals, 131 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941.
Click here and scroll down to donate online using your credit card.