IDA's Project Hope Warns Focus on Animals in Disaster Zones Imperils Others in Need
Many Animals Were Victims Before Katrina Hit

Grenada, Mississippi - While In Defense of Animals (IDA) has teams working in the regions hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina, their Project Hope Sanctuary, in Grenada, Mississippi, is voicing a plea for animals who have been forgotten in the wake of Katrina.

"In times of disaster, people rush aid to the people and animals initially impacted by such events," says IDA/Project Hope Director Doll Stanley. "There is a huge downside, however, to focusing all of our noble efforts only on disaster relief."

"We have been working within the disaster region since the morning prior to Katrina’s touch-down," she continues. "Now it’s time to take a breath and assess how much more we must do. We will not abandon the disaster efforts but we must continue to rescue the animals who were desperate for our aid before the hurricane hit and who remain lodged in their plight."

Although Stanley remains exceptionally grateful to the individuals and companies who sent money and truckloads of food and supplies, she humbly asks for continued support of IDA/Project Hope’s routine, everyday efforts as well.

IDA/Project Hope rescues thousands of abandoned and abused animals in rural Mississippi and its surrounding areas each year. When warnings came of the impending hurricane, Stanley and her team were among the first on the ground, building a staging area and rescuing the first animals from the disaster. When Katrina struck, their cruelty investigations, mounting veterinary bills and staggering fuel costs didn’t take a back seat to the new emergencies.

"None of us can sustain our life-giving work unless the generous hearts that are aiding Katrina victims are dedicated enough to double their efforts to see that the previously abandoned and forgotten animals are now victim to Katrina too. No disaster, not Katrina, nor Rita, nor any to follow should sway our hearts to the detriment of the other imperiled animals," she says.

On Sunday morning, when Stanley made a brief visit to the Carroll County sanctuary to replenish supplies, she rescued a dog who was foraging through the fast food bags tossed from passing cars and eating the carrion of stricken animals "in a roadside hell." She named the dog "Katrina Too" and said that the name held a promise that no suffering animals would ever be forgotten as long as she and IDA/Project Hope were around.

To help with IDA/Project Hope’s continued efforts, donations may be sent to In Defense of Animals, Rt. 1 Box 128, Grenada, MS, 38901 or by going to www.idausa.org Please remember to write "IDA/Project Hope" on the check or in the "In Honor Of" section of the online donation form.