This narrative will be lengthy. It describes our first rescue mission to the gulf coast to help the animal victims of Katrina. It tells what we learned, what we saw, and how it affected us. It suggests ways for rescues to help based on our experience, and it suggests ways that non-rescuers can help. It is broken down into sections so you can skip the stuff you don’t want to read, or immediately find the text you’re interested in.

Our time in Pearlington, MS

Facts (will change as time goes on)

Suggestions for Rescuers (will change as time goes on)

Tips for Rescuers (will change as time goes on)

Suggestions for non-Rescuers

Thanks to.....

My Thoughts, Observations, and Impressions (in no particular order)

My Message to the Animals

Introduction

Here begins the story of 4 days and 2200+ miles in my life, and the lives of my friends/rescue colleagues. This is written from my perspective, as one can only write from their own perspective. My friends may have slightly different observations and memories, but we all have the same feelings about the situation. We are disgusted by those hampering rescue activities unnecessarily and encouraged and gratified by the response from animal lovers across the world.

Cast of Characters

Carmen – AFH President; she was her usual efficient, determined, take-charge team leader..

Maribel – AFH - steady, calm, and rational. Maribel remains nonplussed even in the face of this disaster. She’s a rock.

Sean – a new AFH volunteer and my new best friend. Sean and I spent the better part of two days in a van together. I found him to be bright, insightful, dedicated, capable, and eager and willing to learn rescue. Thanks to his wife Cynthia for letting us take him over 1,000 miles away for the weekend.

The girls – four women who jumped into this rescue effort, packed up their Jeep, followed us into the disaster area, and pitched in to help. Particular thanks to Randy, who brought approximately 20 new foster parents into our rescue system. She’s a dynamo. Randy, Rosalie, Taryn and Danielle stayed behind to help Kendra (below).

Kendra - with the Pontchartrain Humane Society in Mandeville, Louisiana. AFH has adopted this Humane Society as our “little sister”. We plan to support them on an ongoing basis by moving dogs to new homes through our rescue/transport network. We will also assist with donations and any items they may need – not just now – but going forward for as long as we are needed.

Sam - Pontchartrain Humane Society in Mandeville, Louisiana – a smiling man who managed the staging area for the animals. His organizational skills, combined with his dedication, steady demeanor, and obvious concern for the animals make us want to help even more. Sam lost everything he owned to Katrina, but he was spending his time helping the animals rather than starting on rebuilding his own life.

Dr. Ann – amazing vet who came in from Florida and managed the medical section of the staging animal. Amid chaos, she took care of all animals entering the facility. She always had a smile on her face and patiently answered question after question posed to her.

Rescuers – dozens of them – all ready to do whatever is necessary.

Local people – stopping by to help. One guy came by in a truck offering everyone ice. It may not sound like much but in the heat and dirt, it was appreciated.

The local and not so local cops and sheriffs – some pitched in to unload our vans. One let me plug my cell phone into his cigarette lighter to charge.

Donors – everyone who gave money, goods, and support.

Random Acts of Kindness – people in convenience stores where we stopped to rest who gave us donations and encouragement; a guy working in a convenience store who gave us free drinks and filled up our coolers with ice; people waving and smiling as we drove by them.

The Beginning

The beginning..... the most devastating natural disaster in US history

Thursday, 9/8/05 – distressed by a lack of first-hand knowledge coming out of the gulf region regarding animal rescue efforts, and driven to be part of helping to save the thousands of animals needing help, A Forever Home (AFH) ( www.aforeverhome.org) decides to pack up 2 vans with food and other supplies and head to the region. We had no idea where we were going, what we would find, if we would have access to affected areas, how we could help, how we would be received..... basically, we knew nothing but the fact that we had to do something. There were thousands of animals dead, stranded, injured, lost, starving, displaced, suffering, and in need – just because they happened to live in the path of a hurricane named Katrina. We were going wherever we were needed to do whatever was needed. We left at 4 pm on Friday, September 9 th.

Our Day in Pearlington, MS

On Saturday, September 10 th at approximately 2 pm, with only two hours before we would reach the affected area, we got in contact with Kendra at the Pontchartrain Humane Society in Mandeville, Louisiana. We had been trying for over 24 hours to contact her, but with power out and cell phone towers down, we didn’t have much hope. This was the start of a lucky streak and a new friendship. When we explained what we wanted to do, and what we were able to do (with the support of hundreds of rescue colleagues and animal lovers), Kendra gratitude was enough to bring us close to tears.

Kendra directed us to a staging area in a tiny town called Pearlington, Mississippi. We were advised to go there and contact Sam, who was managing activity there. On our way down Interstate 59, it was surreal. First there were just a few trees down here and there. As we went on, mile by mile, more and more trees were down. As the devastation got worse and worse the farther we headed south, our shock and disbelief grew proportionally. In my mind, it was like one of those end of the world movies, where a wide camera shot shows nothing but decimated fields.

We arrived at the staging area and introduced ourselves to Sam, who directed us to pull our vans in and start unloading. We unloaded hundreds of pounds of food to add to the stockpile already there. We brought leashes and collars, water bowls, treats, latex gloves, hand sanitizers, and other necessary supplies.

For the rest of the day and evening we hung around waiting for animals to arrive. Unfortunately, not many did, although rumor had it that hundreds were expected.

We left that night with 11 dogs in our van, headed back home to Virginia. Andrea and Donald with the Washington Humane Society had driven to the area but were unable to locate any animals to remove. They contacted us, and they were able to share the burden by taking some of the animals that we otherwise would have taken in addition the 11. When we left for the day, all animals were spoken for. We also left the area with solid information that would assist us in our next trip, and that we could share with fellow rescuers and concerned parties. That information follows.

Facts

We know that there are conflicting news reports about the gulf area. It is all true; however it is not all true for the entire area. Geography defines truth. For example, you may see on the news that Gonzales, Louisiana has over 2,000 animals and is short on supplies, and assume that this is the case all through the region. It’s not. There are places where things are terrible, places where they are so-so, and places where they have things under control for the moment.

The truth one day might not be true the next day. For example, an area might send out an urgent appeal for food one day. This appeal gets forwarded over and over and over again via email. By the time you get it, the appeal may be two weeks old and there may be a surplus of food in that area. The point is that things change so quickly right now, until things are stabilized, that circumstances change frequently.

Communication is poor. A number of locations didn’t have electricity during our visit but work is being done around the clock to remedy that. Phones are out in places, including cell phones, sometimes completely and sometime sporadically.

There are areas where animal rescuers can’t go. This makes sense. It is reasonable and right to send only experienced rescue personal into disaster areas. I believe that paramedics and similar personnel were/are the only ones allowed in certain areas, particularly where there is still flooding. It doesn’t make sense for us to fight this. There are enough animals all over Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama that need our help and endangering our own safety doesn’t make sense.

Suggestions for Rescuers

My first, and strongest recommendation, is that you find a shelter, SPCA, humane society, and/or rescue in the affected areas and “adopt them”, like we did with Kendra (above). You can search Petfinder.com by city and/or state and just start trying to make contact. We took the chance and drove down hoping to connect with someone. We got lucky. To drive down without a plan definitely wasn’t the most efficient thing to do, but we figured that we would consider this a rescue/fact finding mission. One goal was to share what we learned with other rescues. We learned that establishing a relationship and working one-on-one with a shelter/group worked best. It allows you to concentrate your efforts in one place and enables you to make sure they have what they need, whether it be food, medical supplies, monetary donations, or anything else. You can also focus any fundraising activities toward them and help them with their expenses. Finally, it’s more personal because you have the chance to get to know people and maintain a relationship with them going forward. Spreading yourself too thin by trying to save the world doesn’t benefit any one shelter/group and it’s more work for you.

Our preference was to find a smaller, more rural shelter to work with. It’s not that the large staging areas don’t need or deserve the help, but they are getting all the publicity, so people will naturally start helping them. The smaller, rural, poorer communities are sometimes ignored. That’s why we chose to work with a smaller organization that was off the beaten path and not getting any publicity.

Some tips for rescues heading to the gulf coast area.

The following items will/may be useful. As of the time of our trip, it was impossible to purchase the items you would need locally. Note that needs vary by location.

Water – lots of it – for the animals and for you
Ice – fill up those coolers
Gasoline – you can get gas fairly easily but gas up when you’re an hour from your destination
Latex gloves – you’ll possibly be handling sick animals
Face masks – if you’re in an area where there is a lot of animal waste and/or raw sewage
Bug spray – bug spray – bug spray
First aid kits – human and animal
Paper collars to label animals
Hand sanitizers
Paper towels
Appropriate clothes & shoes – leave the sandals home
Newspapers for lining your crates
Dog & cat food
Leashes and collars
Trash bags
Shirt boxes (to use in cat carriers as disposable litter boxes)
Dog crate
Cat carriers
Dog shampoo (in case you are able to bathe them before transport – most are very dirty)
Medical supplies

Tips for Rescuers

Be flexible. If you go there with a particular plan (unless you connect with a shelter as suggested above and they agree to that plan), you may find that your plan isn’t realistic. You may plan on removing 10 dogs but be asked to spend your day building enclosures, providing care, or doing any number of things.

Be organized. Have your team leader communicate clearly to all team members and the team leader of the group you are helping. You will then have a clear understanding of what is needed. Your shelter will know what you are able and willing to do. Having six people from your rescue trying to talk to/strategize with six people from the shelter is counterproductive.

Be patient. In our case, there was a lot of down time. If you expect to drive in, fill your van with animals and leave, that may not happen (again, unless your newly adopted shelter and you had this planned before you arrived).

Hotels are likely very difficult to find, if any are available at all. Don’t expect to drive up to a hotel and get a room. Plan ahead and make a reservation (if you can get one) or be prepared to rough it in your vehicle or a tent. There are curfews in place in some areas so you will need to remove yourself and your vehicles from an area. You likely can’t camp/sleep where you’re working. We had to drive 8 hours to find someplace to sleep on our way home.

Suggestions for non-Rescuers

Donate money to a rescue that is helping the effort, the ASPCA, or any other legitimate organization.

If you are unable to donate money, consider donating blood to the Red Cross.

Be patient. We know that hundreds of people want to help. You call and email us asking what you can do to help. Please note that we are spending every moment coordinating rescues – which is a huge job. We may not be able to respond as quickly as we normally do.

Please don’t be offended if you receive a form letter type response. Since rescues are overwhelmed, it is helpful to reply with a standard reply which addresses the questions we receive frequently.

Don’t stop. Rescue is ongoing. We all appreciate your support during times of crisis, but there is a pet overpopulation crisis every day, all across the world.

So many of you have offered to do three primary things to help.

The first is to donate money. This is the best way for you to help, since every dog will require basic medical services, and many will have problems requiring further care. Care is expensive.

We are receiving numerous offers of foster care. Sometimes this is more valuable to a rescue than monetary donations. The number of animals we can save is directly tied to the number of foster homes we have. Please know that there is a screening process for foster homes. We need to match prospective foster animals with appropriate foster homes (i.e., you may not be able to foster the type of dog you want because of your living situation). For example, we would not place a feisty large dog in a home with small children who could be accidentally knocked over. We wouldn’t place a nervous dog in a home with small active children because it’s not conducive to the dog becoming comfortable. We wouldn’t place a large strong dog in a home where someone was unable to control it. We know that many people have hopes of helping a particular dog, but we also know that those of you who are wonderful enough to offer to open your homes want the best for all of our dogs. We know that you’ll understand.

Travel to the gulf coast. We are overwhelmed by and grateful for the numerous offers from people who want to travel with us to pick up animals. While we will possibly be able to use this generous help down the road a bit, right now it’s more appropriate and efficient to only take along experienced rescuers who can work independently. This is not to say that anyone offering to travel is incompetent. It’s just that until we get a smooth running system in place to locate and move dogs, it’s more efficient and safer for experienced rescue people to go. This allows us to develop a strategy for how to most efficiently and effectively help the most animals. As time goes on, we can possibly train some people to come along, but right now it’s just not the right time. I know that a lot of you will be disappointed, but as I mentioned above, we know that all of you only want what is best for these poor animals, and hope you agree with what we believe to be best for them.

Thanks (my personal thank you list)

I know that I am going to forget someone. Please forgive me. We are overwhelmed with the responses we have received to our appeal for help.

In no particular order.....

A Forever Home Board of Directors for taking the lead, running the effort, and committing what will be thousands of man hours and dollars to this relief effort – and ongoing rescue.

My personal friends, rescue colleagues, co-workers, and friends, who donated money, supplies, time, and emotional support.

Dawn and Karen for the herculean effort required to screen foster homes and coordinate placement of dogs.

All of the fosters – existing and new. We hope the new volunteers find the satisfaction we have found in rescue and stick with us after the Katrina crisis is under control.

Our media friends – WINC-FM, WARW-FM, Z104 on the radio; Mary in New York at the newspaper.

Our new volunteers who made the road trip with us – Randy, Sean, Rosalie, Taryn and Danielle.

Our rescue colleagues

Kendra and – Pontchartrain Humane Society

Jean and her group, Puppymill Rescue, who not only covered the cost of gas for our travel, but is donating $100 toward medical bills for each dog we bring back.

Everyone who recruited their friends, family, and coworkers to send donations.

Lillian and Don – for everything – since the moment we met you

Lisa – a nurse we met on our way to the gulf coast whose story was an inspiration to us

The strangers who handed us donations along our route.

The convenience store clerk

The pregnant woman and her husband who had very little but gave us $50.

Dr. Ann – the vet at the staging area

Everyone who donated food, bowls, leashes, collars, treats, water, and all the other supplies

PETCO – who donated food and let donors drop off their donations at the store in Chantilly

My Thoughts, Observations, and Impressions (in no particular order)

This is the most devastating thing I have ever seen. The affected people lost everything – homes, family members (including pets), clothes, photos, valuable papers..... I think about that while I’m typing this and looking at my dogs on my bed and then turning to my personal photos on the wall.....

I am obsessed with the thought that these poor, innocent animals are wandering aimlessly, trapped somewhere, being housed in staging areas, and even being rescued by strangers (us). They look at us with trusting eyes, some wagging their tails. Some look at us with uncertainty – maybe wondering where their family is and wanting to know who we are.

Do they think their families deserted them? If so, do they wonder why?

Are they holding out hope that their family will return for them? Does every sound indicate the possibility of a family member showing up to take them home?

What are they thinking? I’m sure they’re wondering why their dinner wasn’t on the table last night, or the night before that, or the night before that. It’s because there’s no longer a table to put food on, or a human to put the food there. Maybe they haven’t eaten in days.

Do they know that there is a good possibility that their families are dead?

They’re swimming in sewage.

They’re wounded – some with serious injuries – others with various wounds.

They have fleas and ticks.

Some are suffering.

Some are trapped in buildings, on rooftops, under collapsed buildings, in their homes – when their familes fled.

Why can’t I make them understand that they weren’t deserted and they are loved – we love them. Why don’t I have the ability to communicate what I want to say in a manner they will understand? Why don’t I speak dog? It makes me crazy that we can’t communicate.

Will a comfy bed, a pat on the head, clean water, good food, a safe home, and a family to love them ever be part of their lives again?

I hope my rescue friends are handling this better than I am, because I am haunted.... and I suspect I will be for a long time to come. Carmen says I had an epiphany. She may be right.

My Message to the Animals

Do you have memories? I have always hoped that you do, so you can remember all the wonderful times you’ve had with your families over the years. After my first trip to the gulf coast, I’ve changed my mind and I hope you have no memory of anything before the day that you are placed in a foster home. I don’t want you to recall going through the hell of losing your family, spending days, perhaps weeks, scavaging for food and feeling abandoned, scared, and hungry.

I wish I could guarantee you all a long happy life free of any memories of this tragedy called Katrina.

I wish I could promise all of you a forever home.

Tonight, whether you are sleeping in the streets, under collapsed buildings, in a ditch or field, I’m not sleeping because I’m thinking about you and trying to figure out how to help you. If you are sick or injured, I’m crying for you. If you are near death, I hope it comes quickly to end your suffering.

For those of you that we saved, I’m supposed to feel that you’re the lucky ones, but I don’t. I don’t believe that losing your family and the life you knew makes you lucky. I think it’s incredibly sad, unfair, and unbearable.

To all of you, I hope you’re not living with my nightmares......

Your friend

Patti Stinson

9/12/05

PS: I am on the phone with Carmen right now to finalize this document. Her most vivid memory was not just the animals – but how the human victims of Katrina were right there with us working to save the animal victims of Katrina, even though they had lost everything themselves. The humans had haunted looks in their eyes as they told their incredibly sad stories, yet their love for the animals shone through. They are some amazing people.

Check www.aforeverhome.org for updates to our mission.