Stray Rescue of St. Louis Joins IDA's Project Hope to Provide Hurricane Relief to Mississippi Animal Victims

Local Group Travels to Mississippi to Administer Urgently Needed Aid

Jackson, Miss.— Local rescue organization Stray Rescue of St. Louis has joined Project Hope, a project of the international animal protection organization, In Defense of Animals (IDA), in its efforts to help Mississippi animals affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The group, headed by Stray Rescue founder Randy Grim, is traveling in a four vehicle caravan equipped with medical supplies and antibiotics, parasite treatment, leashes, bowls, towels, crates and food. They will join IDA’s Project Hope today in Jackson. From there, the groups will travel to the southern region of the state, round up stray dogs and cats, and transport them to local shelters. All animals will be fed, cleaned up and registered as swiftly as possible and listed on www.petfinder.com and www.pets911.com. Stray Rescue will bring back displaced animals to make room for the shelters already overcrowded with stray and abandoned animals.

The IDA/Project Hope team received a generous donation of supplies for the rescue operation – including food, carriers and crates to house the animals - from PETsMART Charities and their supporters - but remains in desperate need of veterinary supplies including peroxide, antibiotic cream, disinfectant, and flea and tick medication.

"We are so thankful to Stray Rescue for coming through for animals in need in the South, as well as for the good work they do all year long for the animals of St. Louis," said Elliot M. Katz, DVM. "IDA’s Project Hope has been on the ground since the day after the storm hit and while many families have lost their homes and all their possessions, they are eternally grateful for the care taken to reunite them with their animal companions. There are thousands of animals roaming the streets and they need all the help they can get."

IDA has established a Hurricane Katrina Animal Relief Fund to finance transportation, food for animals and volunteers, and to repair damage done by the storm. Any funds exceeding the Project Hope team’s expenses will be donated directly to the Louisiana SPCA in New Orleans. IDA is accepting donations to support its relief efforts on its web site www.IDAUSA.org or by mail. Send checks to: Hurricane Relief, c/o In Defense of Animals, 131 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941.