Update February 21, 2007
Although almost a year and a half has passed since Hurricane Katrina first tore a path of destruction through the Gulf states, IDA is still helping the animals affected by this tragedy. Sadly, homeless animals still wander the streets, scared and starving. Uncounted numbers of dogs and cats, the offspring of animals who were never spayed or neutered, have been born since the storm struck, feeding what was already a massive crisis to begin with.
Update February 20, 2007
I am lucky enough to have been given the opportunity by IDA to participate in yet another transport of dogs and cats out of Mississippi. This will be the seventh transport I’ve been a part of since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in August 2006. Jackie Broome, DVM and her assistant Sherry agreed to meet my sister Peggy and I in Phoenix this time because Denver seemed too precarious due to possible adverse weather conditions.
Update September 27, 2006
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.
Update August 30, 2006
It was exactly one year ago yesterday, Tuesday, August 29th, that Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast region. The Category 5 storm killed at least 1,800 people and caused over $80 billion in damages, making it the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.
Update August 16, 2006
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.
Update May 10, 2006
Ever since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf States in August of last year, 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.
Update January 4, 2006
IDA employees spent the week between Christmas and New Years on the ground in New Orleans doing food and water drops for the many animals roaming the streets. Many have been humanely trapped and brought to shelters, yet countless others are still scavenging to avoid starvation. Workers spotted many animals (who were once loving companions) waiting for humans to leave so they could feast on the food left behind. Rescuers were often flagged down while driving around doing food and water drops. On several occasions, IDA workers provided food to residents who have been caring for roving cats and dogs in their neighborhoods left homeless by the storm.
Update December 27, 2005
Even though volunteers are currently at a minimum as many people are spending time with family, IDA dispatched aid to the Hurricane ravaged Gulf States in time for the Christmas holiday. Husband and wife team and IDA employees Kristie and Eric Phelps were joined by volunteer Val Mizuhara to help animals in their time of need. They found they were able to administer assistance earlier than expected. On two separate occasions, the team came across groups of dogs running loose along the highways during the eighteen-hour drive south from Virginia.
Update December 21, 2005After spending the week assisting with repairs on a sanctuary damaged by Hurricane Katrina in Picayune, Miss., IDA contractor Eric Phelps and employee Connie Durkee transported 25 dogs and cats from the Gulf area 1,100 miles north to the Maryland SPCA in Baltimore.
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Update December 14, 2005
The tractor-trailer full of food donated by the Colorado Humane Society and transported cross-country by IDA supporter Christina Davis arrived at the Harrison County Fairgrounds in Lyman, Miss. early this week. Animal relief workers were ecstatic to receive the much-needed load of food, especially since many of the distribution points - including FEMA centers and smaller drop sites - are shutting down. This means that guardians whose homes were destroyed in the storm are no longer able to receive life-sustaining supplies for their animal companions from these places. In addition, triage centers and staging areas for animal rescue are closing throughout the region, even though many animals are still being recovered in the area, including increasing numbers of puppies and kittens.
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Update December 7, 2005
In response to desperate pleas, IDA's rescue efforts in Biloxi, Miss. continue. While the nation's attention was focused largely on the tragedy in New Orleans, many other areas along the Gulf Coast were devastated after experiencing the brunt of Hurricane Katrina. In Biloxi, where barge casinos once lined the Gulf Coast, the giant boats now sit blocks back from the shore among the ruins of the city, and animals scavenge through the rubble in vacant lots in search of something to eat. IDA representatives Eric Phelps and Lisa Martin spent the week trapping animals here who were once friendly, loving companions, but who had quickly adjusted to life on the streets, shying from human contact.
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Update December 1, 2005
IDA's Project Hope animal rescue team continues their lifesaving efforts in areas devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They have recently turned their attention to animals in the Gulfport-Biloxi area, which has been largely forgotten and ignored. The situation there is much like that in New Orleans: packs of former companion animals now run wild in the streets, reproducing at an accelerated rate and evading human contact. IDA team members are on the ground setting up food and water stations and trapping surviving animals to move them out of the area before it is bulldozed. The animals in Gulfport-Biloxi are in terrible shape after fending for themselves on the abandoned streets for so long. Most animals are starving and/or sick and in desperate need of veterinary care, and many have heartworm or are pregnant.
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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.
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Update November 17, 2005
IDA's Project Hope Animal Rescue Team Among Handful of Groups in New Orleans
Urge Louisiana's Governor to Allow Out-of-State Vets to Help Sick and Injured Animals
Volunteers for IDA's Project Hope animal relief team report that the crisis for animals in New Orleans is far from over. Thousands of animals who have escaped out of the broken windows or doors of hurricane-damaged homes now roam the streets with nothing to eat. Hundreds of residential and commercial blocks where communities and businesses once thrived are now completely deserted except for former companion animals suffering from starvation, dehydration, disease and untreated injuries.
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Update November 9, 2005
IDA's Matt Rossell and his partner, Leslie Hemstreet, recently returned from New Orleans after three weeks of rescue efforts to provide relief for the thousands of dogs and cats still seeking shelter in the flood ravaged city. This husband-wife team returned to Portland, Oregon with five dogs and six cats who were among dozens of animal companions they personally rescued. Eight weeks after the devastating Hurricane Katrina, rescue workers are still pulling emaciated animals from destroyed homes.
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Update November 7, 2005
Very depressing day...
Today we found 3 dead cats at 3 separate houses. These were cats who had
only died in the past few days. Two of the cats were found dead on their
front porches next to empty food and water bowls.
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Update October 31, 2005
I departed for Waveland, Mississippi on Saturday, October 22. In tow was 2,000 pounds of dog and cat food and litter generously donated by businesses in the Tidewater, Virginia area.
I
spent the week at the Waveland city shelter, which serves Hancock County
and some of the hardest hit areas in Mississippi. Driving through town,
one would think the storm hit just yesterday.
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Update October 25, 2005
Relief organizations are no longer giving out maps for people to check specific homes in New Orleans for surviving animals, so rather than search and rescue, much of our effort goes toward finding strays and feeding animals that are at large in the area. We continue to put food and water out all over areas of New Orleans where we know animals are still living.
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Update October
15, 2005
Everyone has the same question… How was it? And my answer is always the same. It was an unforgettable experience. The scale of the destruction was hard to comprehend. The animals’ resilience, their desire to live and their capacity to love were/are awe-inspiring. So much so, I still well-up with tears just writing this. The people I met were truly remarkable.
Undoubtedly some of the most kind, compassionate and committed people you will ever meet. Coming from all over the United States, Canada and the world, and all with one goal in mind. To help the animals any way they could.
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Update October 11, 2005
We had an exciting start to this past week. One of the dogs caught in New Orleans was a female that appeared to perhaps have puppies. After searching and monitoring her behavior and condition, we decided she was probably in false pregnancy or had lost the puppies. She did not seem to be producing milk. The fact that we were well passed curfew hastened our decision to take a chance and bring her with us. After stopping to trap a cat, I never have been good with curfews, we exited New Orleans and drove back to Jackson, MS, in the wee hours of the morning.
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Update October 4, 2005
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.
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Update September 29, 2005
This has been a week of two steps forward and one step back. We have been working our way to Waveland to set back up following Hurricane Rita. After arriving in Waveland on Wednesday morning, we discovered FEMA is taking over our previous location and all animal operations are moving to the old Waveland animal shelter. Now on to plan C I think. The Waveland ACO has offered us space in the back of their temporary facility to place our tables, photos, computer, etc. There may even be room for an air mattress or two at night. Unfortunately there seems to be no room to relocate our large tent so we are turning it back in.
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Update September 24, 2005
I have fallen woefully behind in keeping you updated on our activities. Sometimes it seems the whole world has gone crazy - there are so many needs coming from so many directions.
We set up a tent in Waveland next to the HSUS staging area for Hancock County, MS. The Waveland Animal Control is thrilled to get all the help they can. The total destruction Waveland suffered during Hurricane Katrina left most animals homeless, injured, scared, and hungry. This storm horribly impacted animals from all areas whether pampered and spoiled or feral and used to fending for themselves. No matter where they came from before, they now find themselves thrown into the same sad state.
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Update September 21, 2005
Anita Carswell from IDA’s Mill Valley office reports that she and Doll went to the dispatch center in Gonzales, Louisiana so that Anita could get all the proper paperwork in order, and now they are on their way to Algiers - a section of New Orleans that was hit really hard. The animals there who are still alive are reportedly near death with no clean food or water. Doll and Anita are bringing carriers, food and supplies, and will be rescuing any animals they can find and taking them to triage units set up around the city. Anita and Doll may remain there for several days, depending on how many animals they find.
Update September 10, 2005
Doll Stanley with IDA/Project Hope reports that a man in Waveland was on CNN begging for help for his many horses. IDA's large animal truck is bringing hay down. Another group is going down with a trailer to rescue some of the horses and IDA will take any that are remaining.
The team received word that any dogs taken out of the affected areas have to be held for thirty days unless their guardian has formally surrendered them. There are some special cases, however. Today they came across a pit bull who has undoubtedly been fought. The poor dog has just been eaten up. Randy Grim of Stray Rescue of St. Louis and a team of volunteers will be arriving tomorrow and he will be able to take special cases like this sweet fellow back to St. Louis.
The team also caught up with an emu who has been on the loose with no steady food source. When it got dark, he sat down and Debbie lay down next to him and petted him. They got a blanket over him and managed to get him in a crate. He's being transferred to the Sanctuary today.
Their cell phone reception is spotty, but they'll keep us informed as best they can.
Update September 9, 2005
Project Hope's Debbie Young reports that they finally got some animals out yesterday from some of the hardest hit areas: Waveland and Pearlington. The local animal control officer was in dire straits with no where to put the animals who were rescued from the houses where they were trapped. The Project Hope team brought seventeen dogs back to Jackson where they processed, bathed and fed them.
While in the southern region of the state, they met up with a local group traveling with two U-Haul trailers. The New Orleans DEA was letting the group in at the last minute to get animals out. Because they're not with a major organization, they are getting in places where nobody else can. Rumor has it that this is their last shot to get in to New Orleans because authorities are planning to close off New Orleans to outsiders. The IDA/Project Hope team made a donation of funds and supplies to help the group with their work.
The IDA/Project Hope team got more dog food and hay today-the donations are beginning to come in-and they are planning to set out early tomorrow morning. They have resorted to sleeping in vehicles at this point.
IDA's Valerie Sicignano reports that she is starting to get calls from people in New Orleans who have taken in stray dogs. The callers report that when their friends come to get them out, officials will not allow trucks with rescue workers in. Other callers report they left their homes assuming they could go back and retrieve their animal companions and now they are being prevented from going back into their own homes. These people who have lost all their worldly possessions must now be concerned about their family members who are locked in houses with no food, water, or anyone to look after them. The people are so desperate they have asked for someone to go break their windows just so animals have a shot of getting out.
Other people refuse to evacuate because they don't want to leave their dogs and cats. Reports are that the rescue units will only take people on the boats; no animals.
IDA's Project Hope is accepting volunteers. For more information on volunteering or donating supplies, email Jill@idausa.org or call (415) 388-9641.
Update September 8, 2005
Debbie Young, a member of the Project Hope animal relief team currently in Mississippi, reports that they rescued some animals yesterday from one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. The region's animal control officer is facing a dire situation: he has nowhere to shelter the many animals trapped in ruined houses or roaming the streets. The Project Hope team was able to bring 17 of these distressed animals back to the emergency relief center in Jackson where they are being fed, bathed and registered.
The team also met up with a rescue group that got a last-minute green light to enter New Orleans with their two U-Hauls and get animals out. This may be the last chance that anyone has to save animals in the city of New Orleans before authorities completely close off access. IDA is donating funds from our Hurricane Katrina Animal Relief Fund to this determined group of rescuers, which Debbie testifies is able to get into places that nobody else can.
First thing Friday morning, the Project Hope team will be driving back down into the most devastated areas of southern Mississippi to rescue more animals. They will also deliver more food, and they are gathering donations of hay to distribute to hungry horses. At this point, the group is doing so much driving that they have resorted to sleeping in their vehicles. Debbie promises to send updates on the situation and pictures as soon as she has the opportunity.
Update September 7, 2005
IDA's Project Hope Hurricane Relief Efforts Continue
Rescue Team Helps Animals in Desperate Need in Mississippi Towns Devastated by Storm
For days, Project Hope Director Doll Stanley helped with relief efforts in Jackson while waiting to get her animal rescue team into the areas of Mississippi hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. While her efforts were helpful in Jackson, Doll knew the situation was far worse further South, but was held back by authorities. Today, the National Guard gave them permission to pass on the highway, and they set out in a small convoy of three vehicles to deliver food, water, medical supplies and assistance to the people and animals who need it most.
From the emergency relief center at the County Fairgrounds in Jackson, the Project Hope team drove to Kiln, Miss., in the southwest region of the state in Hancock County. Along the way, they delivered bales of hay and truckloads of dog food for the many desperately hungry animals and picked up stays they found running loose in the streets. They have made an arrangement with a group in Houston, Texas called Citizens for Animal Protection that has agreed to take in as many animals as needed to help free up shelter space in Louisiana and Mississippi. As the Project Hope team passes along the lonely highways, they continue rounding up stray dogs and cats and will transport them to Houston in the next few days.
After a food delivery to a volunteer fire department, the team headed to Waveland, one of the hardest hit areas in the state, and a small town called Pearlington where it is reported that many animals are roaming the streets, separated from their guardians. Doll promises to keep us updated on her activities in these critical areas, and sends a thank you to all those who helped fund her efforts.
Read Project Hope’s Doll Stanley’s first hand account of Hurricane Katrina and the animal relief efforts
IDA will give any funds that exceed the Project Hope team's expenses directly to the Louisiana SPCA in New Orleans, which has been hit hard by the storm. 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 to donate online using your credit card. Please indicate "hurricane" in the first name field in the "in honor of" section of the form.