BAYOU RESCUE

ASPCA Aids Animal Victims of Midwest Flooding

Last Friday, June 20, the ASPCA awarded a $12,000 grant to the Morgan County Animal Shelter in Martinsville, IN, in response to urgent needs caused by devastating flooding. The grant will assist with the care and medical treatment of more than 250 dogs and cats whose owners were displaced.

According to the ASPCA's Disaster Readiness Manager, Tiffany Mahaffey, the Morgan County Animal shelter has used the PetSmart Charities Rescue Waggin' program to transfer all of its adoptable animals to other parts of the country in order to house the community's displaced pets. With the help of the ASPCA and C-Specialties, an Indiana-based animal supply company, the Morgan County Animal Shelter has been able to provide low-cost vaccines and medications to the owned animals in its care.

"In addition to helping animals whose owners have been displaced," Mahaffey explains, "the ASPCA grant will help the Morgan County Animal Shelter continue to supply pet food to local Red Cross and FEMA shelters for those who were able to take their animals with them when they evacuated."

When Pigs Swim - Happy tails

From: KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
Communicating during disasters to mobilize volunteers, supplies, and other
resources for animal victims. http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

RELIEF GLOBAL
6/26/08: The Lucky Ones... Iowa Flood Pigs

   
Photos courtesy of Molly Wald, Best Friends Animal Society.
http://www.bestfriends.org
http://flickr.com/photos/mollywald/sets/72157605698148806/

When Kinship Circle began working with Iowa Dept. of Agriculture/Veterinary
Response to coordinate volunteers for Iowa animal flood victims -- we soon
learned about the pig tragedy. Hog farms had filled with water, with pigs
trapped in crates and others adrift over a wide swath of southeast Iowa. As
many as 40,000 pigs were evacuated. An estimated 4,000 pigs died. Still
others swam for their lives in rapid waters. Some managed to hoist their
bodies atop levees, only to be shot dead by officials concerned they’d
destroy sandbags. Residents and officials herded some on to barges, to ferry
them back to owners. Many carcasses remain as waters recede.

But pigs are smart. And some escaped to dry ground. Reports came in daily:
Pigs spotted by churches, in homes, near levees, on rooftops. Early during
this operation, Kinship Circle called Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading
farm animal protection organization, to ask if their Emergency Rescue Team
could come to Iowa. Within 24 hours, they were on the road from Watkins
Glen, New York to Oakville, Iowa.

On conference call with state officials, we learned that pigs currently
stranded, when found, could be taken to a temporary holding area... And once
in Farm Sanctuary’s custody, receive immediate care and transport to
sanctuary. That’s right: sanctuary.

IOWA Updates from Kinship Circle

IF YOU ARE A BAYOU RESCUE VOLUNTEER AND ARE ABLE TO DEPLOY TO ASSIST IN IOWA EFFORTS, PLEASE EMAIL: info@bayourescue.org

This update from:  KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
Communicating during disasters to mobilize volunteers, supplies, and other
resources for animal victims. http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

RELIEF GLOBAL
6/20/08: IOWA FLOOD - Notes From The Water’s Edge
KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK has been asked by the Iowa Dept.
of Agriculture/Veterinary Response Coordinator to support rescue operations
for Iowa animal flood victims and send volunteers where needed.

 
PHOTOS: Louisa County, Oakville area, Iowa. Credit: Molly Wald
View more photos from rescue operations 6/18 and 6/19/08:
http://flickr.com/photos/mollywald/sets/7

1. NOTES: Oakville Area (Louisa County) Flood=

      
A rescue and a reunion. Photo credit: Molly Wald

OAKVILLE AREA (LOUISA COUNTY) FLOOD:
 6/19/08: A boat crew assessed the scope of trapped animals. About 25 animals
    were rescued from flooded areas and five were reunited with their families.
    Some residents on boats also retrieved stranded animals. Oakville animals
    were brought to Mediapolis Veterinary Clinic and Des Moines County Animal
    Shelter, in Burlington, Iowa area. Neither shelter is in overflow yet. Boat
    rescuers expect to leave Oakville  6/20, to set-up at Lee County Fairgrounds
    staging area for assessment of animal situation in southeast Iowa.

   
LEFT PHOTO: Chewy is saved and reunited with his family. RIGHT PHOTO: A
rescued cat awaits transport to a flood shelter. Photo credits: Robyn Urman

    One lucky dog, about 6 years old, was found in the rafters of a flooded home
    -- where she’d crawled to escape floodwaters. At first the evacuated house
    appeared empty. Then the walls began to tremble a bit, as this relieved girl
    wagged her tail enthusiastically. “Chewy” was reunited with her family later
    that day, after a rescuer at the scene covered vet bills for a bleeding
    front paw. Considering her ordeal, Chewy’s in good shape...and happy to be
    back with her people

 Kinship Circle sent a PSA to Iowa TV/radio and newspapers, on behalf of Iowa
    Dept. of Agriculture, alerting residents to the rescue operations in
    Oakville and where to check for their companions. The announcement also
    included an Iowa hotline for residents to request rescue of animals trapped
    in flooded homes. We hope the publicity will lead rescuers to more animals.

    6/20/08: Already this morning, six cats and a puppy are out of harm’s way.
    Calls continue to come in about animals stranded in flooded neighborhoods.

2. NOTES: Southeast Iowa Floods


SOUTHEAST IOWA / FORT MONTROSE, ARGYLE, KEOKUK, BURLINGTON... FLOODS:
    6/20/08: Burlington, in southeast Iowa, was among the last Iowa areas to
    fill with water...making waters too dangerous for search and rescue until
    now. Boat teams left Oakville late this afternoon to operate from a “surge
    shelter” for assessment and rescue.

    Though we do not yet know the full scope of need here, we know at least
    40-50 animals had been rescued and that Southeast Iowa Animal Protection
    League is networking foster homes and shelters to house them. We’ve directed
    some volunteers to the staging area at Lee County Fairgrounds.

    COVERAGE OF DEVESTATION IN SOUTHEAST IOWA:
    http://www.thehawkeye.com/

Atta boy!

Leo, previously one of Michael Vick's dogs, got a second chance and is making the most of it. He transcended his lot in life in a mere 5 weeks and is now a therapy dog working with cancer patients and at-risk teens.

Iowa, Wisconsin & Indiana Updates and Volunteer Opportunities

From: Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network
Communicating during disasters to mobilize volunteers, supplies, and other
resources for animal victims. http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

RELIEF GLOBAL
6/15/08: IOWA FLOOD: Emergency Volunteers Needed

At least 24,000 evacuations so far

83 of Iowa’s 99 counties are declared disaster zones

KINSHIP CIRCLE is working with Iowa Dept. of Agriculture Veterinary Response Coordinator, Mark Shearer, and Iowa State Veterinarian David Schmitt. We have been asked to coordinate out-of-state volunteers at key counties where flooding has occurred or is anticipated. Anyone willing to deploy must be flexible and realize we have no control over how floods proceed.

TO VOLUNTEER:
1. RESPOND TO: kinshipcircle@accessus.net  -OR- 
pawsitivedirections@yahoo.com (DO NOT SEND YOUR INFO TO BOTH) 

• YOUR NAME
• PHONE NUMBER (cell you’ll have with you):
• FULL PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
• BRIEF, COUPLE SENTENCES RE: YOUR ANIMAL DISASTER AID EXPERIENCE:
• DATES YOU CAN BE IN IOWA NEXT WEEK:

2. YOU MUST CONTACT ON-GROUND ORGANIZER IN IOWA, LISTED BELOW, BEFORE SHOWING UP.

• DO NOT CONTACT THEM UNTIL YOUR ARRIVAL DATE IS FIRM
• They can answer questions about specific driving directions to staging area.

1. VOLUNTEER NOW: Johnson County Fairgrounds 
CONTACT MISHA GOODMAN when your travel plans are firm: 319-621-3274
 --  Staging area for evacuated Iowa City Shelter animals + flood rescues/drop-offs
    --  Could need volunteers up to 3 WEEKS from today (6/14), depending upon floods.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
 Johnson County Fairgrounds; 4265 Oakcrest Hill Road; Iowa City, Iowa 52246

VOLUNTEERS:
   --  Indoor area to sleep + cooking facility at Johnson County Fairgrounds.
    --  Recommended bring sleeping bags or pads (they might get cots).
    --  Can bring a tent, but not mandatory.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS FROM CEDAR RAPIDS AIRPORT:
   
VOLUNTEERS WHO CAN BE IN IOWA WEEK OF JUNE 16:
   CONTACT MISHA GOODMAN + REPORT TO FAIRGROUNDS: 319-621-3274 

SUPPLY NEEDS AT THIS TIME: 
   Large, collapsible dog crates * Large wire dog crates
    Small cat litter pans * Cat toys
    Vaccine (dog and cat)
    Ceramic bowls (prefer large rodent food bowls for cat food/water)
    C/D cat food * I/D dog food
    Leather gloves * Shampoo

SEND SUPPLIES TO:
   DROP-OFF: Johnson County 4-H Fairgrounds, BARN #1
    Contact Misha Goodman, if you intend to deliver supplies: 319-621-3274
    MAIL: Johnson County Agricultural Association
    4261 Oak Crest Hill Road SE; Iowa City, IA 52246
    MARK PACKAGE: Iowa City Animal Shelter, Misha Goodman

SEND MONETARY DONATIONS TO:
   DONATE ONLINE OR BY MAIL:
    http://www.facf.org/support/
    Friends of the Animal Center Foundation
    (Support group for Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center)
    PO Box 1345; Iowa City, Iowa 52244
    ph: 319-887-6083; email: info@facf.org
   
2. VOUNTEER: Washington, Iowa Staging Area 

GROUND CONTACT IS AMBER TALBOTT: 319-461-9708, 319-653-6713
   --  DO NOT CONTACT HER YET. Bring her phone numbers with you to Iowa.
 --  She is setting up a staging area at WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
    --  ANTICIPATED: Overflow of animals from Columbus Junction (18 miles east
        of Washington), where a levee broke.
    --  ANTICIPATED: Animals from Oakville (44 miles east of Washington) and Fredonia.
    --  Columbus Junction, Oakville and Fredonia have been evacuated. Latter two
        towns are only accessible by boat and under National Guard protection. We
        have conflicting reports that evacuees were ordered to release animals.

WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS IS 30 MILES SOUTH OF IOWA CITY (#1 in this alert):
   --  Be prepared to MOVE from staging area in Johnson County to Washington County Fairgrounds.
    --  Have a working cell phone with you.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS FOR VOLUNTEERS WHEN/IF STAGING AREA IS OFFICIAL:
 PAWS & More Animal Shelter
    1004 1/2 West Madison Street; Washington, Iowa 52353
    DRIVING DIRECTIONS: http://www.pawsandmore.petfinder.com  


Brandon Smith carries his cats Fry and Bender to dry land from their flooded
home 6/11/08. Getty Images. Evacuations ordered in Columbus Junction,
Fredonia: http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/19944364.html

3. VOLUNTEER: Lee County Fairgrounds
 
PRE-STAGING AREA IN DONNELLSON, IOWA – WHERE RIVER IS EXPECTED TO CREST
   --  THIS STAGING AREA IS NOT YET SET-UP. Iowa Ag Dept. officials are
        assessing flood course and ANTICIPATE heavy flooding here.
   --  IF ALREADY IN IOWA, you may check about needs at this potential staging area
        by contacting Rich Crook: 435-689-1162
   --  Please DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT call Rich on the ground unless you are
        already in Iowa on standby to move to these expected emergency zones.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS FOR POTENIAL LEE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS STAGING AREA:
 Hwy. 218, Lee County Fairgrounds
    (North edge of Donnellson, Iowa, on Highway 218)
    City: Fort Madison, Iowa
    http://www.leecountyfairiowa.com

4. Possible Volunteers Needed Week Of June 23

KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE, EQUINE CENTER
 --  Overflow staging area for CEDAR RAPIDS ANIMAL CONTROL
    --  UAN/EARS and HSUS are already here. DO NOT NEED VOLUNTEERS WEEK OF 6/17.
    **  May need volunteers following WEEK OF JUNE 23. **
    --  I am in touch with head coordinator there and will keep you posted.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS + ADDRESS FOR MONETARY DONATIONS:
   Kirkwood Foundation
    C/O Friends Of Cedar Rapids Shelters
    6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW; Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406
. 
5. NEWS: Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter Evacuated 

Cats await transport from evacuated Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter..

ANIMAL SHELTER EVACUATED:
 http://www.kcrg.com/younews/19883114.html
 6/13/08: The evacuation of the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter began around
    1:30pm Wednesday (6/11). Staff had been boated in for days previously by the
    CR Fire Department to care for the animals... Volunteers were alerted and
    streamed down the only road left to access the area laden with carriers. At
    this time, cats were brought by boat to a raised piece of road where trucks
    waited to take them the rest of the way through a channel of water crossing
    the road. From there they were put in a stock trailer and transported to KCC
    who had offered their beef cattle barn as a make-shift shelter.

    Next came the small dogs. With 27 big dogs left to bring out, the fire
    department decided that the water crossing the road was too deep for animal
    control trucks to drive through safely. Hearts sank with the fear that
    animals would be left behind, but...CRFD and CRAS staff new it was time to
    get creative. The rest of the dogs were boated out through a neighboring
    farm field that was now part of the river. It was slow going even with 3
    boats operating non-stop as the larger dogs had to be brought out virtually
    one by one so as not to cause an incident between two animals...
 
6. NEWS: Indiana Flood Dogs “Pour” Into Wisconsin  

WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY - DOGS FROM FLOODED AREAS IN INDIANA:
    http://www.wihumane.org/news/default.aspx
    Forty canine flood victims arrived this week at the Wisconsin Humane Society
    from areas in Indiana. Due to heavy storms, Indiana shelters have been
    inundated with victims displaced by the flooding. Some shelters are
    surrounded by flooded streets that have become impassable, as well.
 
7. NEWS: Indiana/Help Morgan County Humane 

UPDATE - 6/14/08, INDIANA FLOODS:
    http://www.mchumanesoc.org/
    Monetary donations are needed for veterinary costs, medication, and grooming
    of animals that are displaced due to Indiana flooding.

DONATE TO MORGAN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY:
   ONLINE: http://www.mchumanesoc.org
    BY MAIL: Morgan County Humane Society
    690 West Mitchell Ave.; Martinsville, IN  46151

$ Assistance in Indiana, from E.A.R.S.

UAN is offering financial assistance grants of up to $500 to help victims of the flooding in Indiana care for their pets. LifeLine Crisis Relief Grants can help flood victims with expenses for the following:
*Veterinary care to treat injury or illness caused by flooding
*Temporary boarding for those whose homes are damaged or destroyed
*Transporting pets to a temporary living situation for those whose homes are damaged or destroyed Click here for more information

Eastern NC Wildfire Spreads

...and brings smoke far inland.  The fire is affecting wildlife in that area, bringing wild animals such as bears into yards.  Certainly not their choice habitat.
Read the News and Observer article

Composite photo by Modis

Noah's Wish to Indiana

After reading posts written by a woman witnessing people with animals being turned away at emergency shelters, overstressed animal shelters, and other scenes in this flood disaster - she reported TODAY that Noah's wish was finally invited in!

Read the Noah's Wish update

ASPCA Assists Animals Left Behind in Midwest

Thank you ASPCA, for your work in the flooding in the midwest, further complicated by a 42,000 oil spill!

Read ASPCA update here

Tiffany Mahaffey, the ASPCA's Disaster Preparedness Manager, cuddles a sweet black kitty who is happy to be alive. This kitten was washed ashore from the floodwaters of Coffeyville. Rescued by two little boys and an ASPCA team, he was dehydrated and on the brink of death. His rescuers gave him fluids and nursed him back to health--they expect him to be just fine! Photo & text from ASPCA website

Oprah goes Vegan

....Read the MSNBC article  or Oprah's own blog

She also spoke out about puppy mills in April.

You go O!