Update October 4, 2005

Katrina Update – October 4th


I can’t believe it is October already, I think we lost September. We have been busy the past few days trying to maintain two fronts. Doll has been in Waveland setting up our new operation at the Waveland Animal Shelter. The shelter was flooded and sadly animals perished. How tragic that these small shelters didn’t call out for help evacuating. Maybe the good of all of this will be the creation of thorough evacuation plans for everything living thing.

IDA volunteers have been cleaning the shelter and preparing it for animals that are being brought in every day. They are also helping care for the animals, walking, feeding, cleaning cages, and giving them much needed love and attention. Volunteers also assist the local citizens of Waveland in the use of the IDA laptop with wireless internet to facilitate the search for their lost pets. 

Our volunteers have been a true blessing for us. Eric Phelps, husband of Kristie, an IDA editor from Virginia; Jeff House and Jordana Screbenski, of New York (this is their second trip); Elka Guenter, of California.; and Eva Hoerler, also of California. Without these wonderful people we would not be able to help these precious animals. We can never thank them enough for the personal sacrifice of their time and money to help IDA fulfill our mission. 

Connie Durkee, IDA Northwest Regional Assistant, is currently in Mississippi running the operation in Waveland as Doll prepares for a trip to California, and Debbie continues to make runs into New Orleans trapping dogs and cats. Connie spent a week in Gonzalez, LA, working with HSUS going door to door in New Orleans to rescue animals stranded in homes. She graciously offered to stay another week to help us in Waveland. 

We plan on returning to New Orleans Wednesday morning to trap some more animals. Maria Alvarez and Ulla Kloke have worked miracles feeding the abandoned/stranded animals in New Orleans. They are the true heroes because they did not do this for recognition or for the TV cameras. They have worked and continue to do so, with silent devotion to these animals. 


Another group of rescues from Waveland is in route to Cleveland, MS, to be cared for and fostered by Sherry Norquist and her staff and volunteers at the Cleveland/Bolivar County Animal Shelter. This amazing group of people have jumped into action, welcoming animals in all conditions with welcoming, loving arms. The first to be transferred to their facility were dogs and cats brought out of New Orleans on Sunday. Doll arrived early the next morning with 20 plus animals from the Waveland Animal Shelter. They are currently awaiting another load from Waveland that Connie will deliver Wednesday morning after a brief stop at the Jackson Airport to pick up an incoming volunteer. During a telephone conversation with Sherry tonight I once again expressed my heartfelt gratitude at their can-do attitude and desire to help us and the animals. 


I will close for now. It is late and we have an early departure later this morning to New Orleans. More will soon follow.

Debbie Young




Read Project Hope’s Doll Stanley’s first hand account of Hurricane Katrina and the animal relief efforts