> >From a CT shelter volunteer that just came back from New
>Orleans:
>
>Hi All,
>I got home late last night from Louisana. I'm still trying
>to process everything I've seen and done, not to mention
>trying to get the stench out of my clothes!
>
>We went to the LSU temporary shelter, which is well run
>and organized. They really have their act together and
>it's a great place to volunteer. Next stop was the Lamar
>Dixon Expo Center (aka Gonzales), the large "clearing
>house" facility. LA SPCA, HSUS, ASPCA, and VMAT are in a
>power struggle over who is in charge. It is total chaos.
>They don't have anywhere near enough people to care for
>the 2000 animals (average) and are turning away rescue
>groups bringing more animals in after sitting in line for
>hours.
>
>This place is HUGE, and the left hand doesn't know what
>the right hand is doing. Dogs and cats sit for days
>waiting for vet care even if illness is obvious. Many do
>not get out of their crates for 2+ days. There is no
>leadership, no system, and the animals are suffering. Vet
>care is obtained when they get the chance, and only after
>a request is put in the "inbox", which happens to be a
>bucket.
>
>Volunteers are so burnt out they are in tears. There are
>some very sick animals who are put in makeshift "wards"
>in the barns. No bleach bucket outside for shoes, and no
>where near any acceptable level of sanitation. "Triage"
>doesn't happened regularly, not enough vets & vet techs.
>The Parvo stalls are in the middle of
>everything......people in & out of them constantly, and
>going directly in stalls w/"healthy" dogs.
>
>All dogs & cats are kept in crates of all kinds. We got
>yelled at by VMAT for moving a puppy into a wire crate
>instead of a veri-kennel after being told to do so by
>HSUS. Don't know if it was because she was a pit pup and
>therefore most likely not going to make it out of that
>hellhole after all she'd been thru- she was air-vacced
>off the 610 bridge- or what. There are huge buses, vans,
>RV's, tents everywhere, representives of different states
>for each large group. Animal Planet had their bus there,
>and PETA was driving in as we were leaving. That's all
>well & good, but the "negotiations" for control is
>disgusting. Whoever gets the gov't "grant" (aka
>"Contract") runs the show, and makes some nice $$.
>
>There are pallets of food, water, crates, etc from
>Walmart, Petco, Petsmart, and a bunch of others. They just
>don't have enough people to clean & walk all these dogs,
>let alone feed, water, and med. They DESPERATELY need
>more people to do the basic stuff. We hooked up w/Pasado
>Animal Rescue & did door to door searches for animal
>survivors in New Orleans. It is mind-blowing how many
>pets are still alive, though many are going down hill
>fast.
>
>Wednesday we did water rescue in an area that was still
>flooded, and pulled over a dozen dogs out of houses where
>they were trapped. We found animals alive in homes that
>were boarded up & barricaded, having to break in using
>any means necessary to get to them. The stench is unreal,
>and most homes are booby-traps- furniture and appliances
>thrown everywhere by the flood waters, the mold, sludge
>and god knows what makes walking in very dangerous. You DO
>NOT want to fall and get that stuff on you.
>
>The situation changes hour by hour, let alone day by day.
>They are beginning to release animals to rescues at
>least.From what I saw, at least 50% of the dog population
>is Pitbull/Pit-mixes, approx 25% Rotties & Chows, and the
>remaining 25% every breed you can imagine. Some of the
>rescues are taking Pits & Rotties, tho Lamar Dixon may
>not be allowing them out, Pasado & LSU are. I know there
>are other groups as well. Save A Dog is still there and
>flying in volunteers. They are also doing door to door
>rescue in the city now. IF ANYONE CAN GO PLEASE LET ME
>KNOW!
>
>Hotels are not an option. If you go, plan on sleeping in
>a tent (bring your own), or your vehicle. Personally, I
>recommend the vehicle.....Fire Ants are everywhere, and
>from personal experience, they will find you. I spent 2
>nights sleeping in a horse stall before they realized I
>was there (the ants), but once they did, it was all over.
>Their bite is EXTREMELY painful and leaves blisters that
>turn into something resembling a pimple. Nothing seems to
>kill them. Showers are a luxury, if you can get one.
>Bring your own food & water, medical supplies, Rubbing
>Alcohol, bleach, etc to decontaminate yourself after
>handling the animals, who are still covered with dry toxic
>sewage.
>
>This effort will be going on for months, and people will
>be needed all the way thru. Right now, the dogs & cats
>(and every other creature you can imagine) are critical.
>Many are dehydrated and starving, and it is a VERY ugly
>scene. I hope things will improve. If anyone goes now, be
>prepared to separate your personal feelings from what
>needs to be done just to get these animals some help.
>Hopefully it will improve over the next few weeks/months,
>and someone will be in charge and get things somewhat
>organized.
>
>For those who can't turn off their feelings and just do
>the job as best they can, don't go now. Wait until it
>gets better. If you have a strong stomach, and can stay
>focused on just taking care of one at a time, you are
>needed now.
>
>Feral dog packs and cat colonies were well established in
>New Orleans prior to the hurricane......now they are
>feeding off each other, and whatever they can find. It is
>truly horrible. The animal population problem is beyond
>belief. Out of some 300 dogs Pasado Rescue pulled, only
>TWO males were neutered, and I think ONE female.
>
>There are dogs who were severely neglected prior to the
>hurricane, mange is very prevalent, and god only knows
>what else. Most of the Pits have had there ears cropped
>back to their heads...."Home Jobs" done with scissors or
>knives. The whole thing is just surreal. I did not dream
>at all while I was down there, probably due to
>exhaustion- we were up at 6 am and lucky to get to bed by
>3 or 4 am. The nightmares are starting now, and I can't
>get the images out of my mind. I try to focus on the ones
>we've saved, and pray they get into homes.
>
>Enough for now, this is too long as it is, and I'm
>starting to cry again.
>Barbara Pepper