Hurricane Katrina
Sigh... As we sit in our nice warm home with our pets safe and sound. It is hard to imagine how Hurricane Katrina has impacted the lives of not only humans, but their beloved pets. I applaud the heroic efforts of all those trying to save every last animal.

I am sure that many of you have already donated to the Hurricane relief Efforts, but if you are even slightly an animal lover. I encourage you to help support the various animal rescue efforts:

• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is helping local animal groups in Austin, Texas, which are housing pets of flood evacuees who are in a Red Cross shelter. It is sending teams of veterinarians and technicians to Jackson, along with a mobile vet clinic.


• The Muttshack - A group of students at LSU set up an ad-hoc rescue center at the LSU AgCenter/Parker Coliseum housing animals in crates, the "tent home" for dogs. But rescuers can bring large numbers of animals and crate them while they are waiting to be reunited with their owners.


• The Houston SPCA, is housing more than 600 animals evacuated from flood areas.


• The American Humane Association, has received 2,000 requests for animal rescues from the flood-ravaged region and has sent its Animal Emergency Services rescue rig to join other responders in Mississippi.


• Noah's Wish is working in conjunction with Slidell Animal Control in Slidell, LA. Their 65 member team has been setting up the emergency shelter, as the animal control facility was flooded with ten feet of water, and responding to rescue requests from victims and law enforcement personnel.


• American Humane Society or 303-792-9900


• American Veterinary Medical Association Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams or 800-248-2862 ext. 6689


• Best Friends Animal Society Hurricane Relief Fund or 435-644-2001 ext. 104


• Humane Society of the United States Disaster Animal Response Team or 800-HUMANE-1


• Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals


• Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association or 800-524-2996


• United Animal Nations or 916-429-2457

We are looking for a shelter to take Jolie's air crate down to the area and have submitted an application for fostering and/or adopting a homeless pet from the area.

The organizations say donations of money and supplies are needed, as are volunteers to help in disaster relief, to provide transportation for animals and to offer temporary or permanent homes for animals. Please make a donation to your favorite organization today.