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ALBERS ON KATRINA DISASTER - "HOLD TIGHT"
Comments from Diane Albers, President, Florida Association Of Kennel
Clubs, Member Fla. State Agriculture Response Team, Disaster Animal
Rescue Team
In the hurried calls re Louisiana, Mississippi and other Gulf Coast
Disaster Areas, here's a synopsis as of 8/30/05, Tuesday afternoon:
"Hold Tight. You can't get in there now, Martial Law has been
declared. What you can and must do is get organized, set up a collection
point in your area for veterinary supplies and crates. Transportation is
extremely important, large vehicles, trucks, and drivers to move the
animals to Shelter." Diane went on to explain that it will not be
until after the worst dangers like downed wires, buildings collapsing,
and survivors have been rescued that animal rescue teams will be allowed
in.
Diane advises "Please, don't add to the confusion or complicate
the rescue efforts, but DO ORGANIZE help!" She is organizing
convoys from Florida and trying to help arrange similar efforts in
neighboring states, particularly Texas. Her Group is "trying to
locate people who stayed behind because they could not or would not
evacuate and leave horses and other beloved animals to die." The
reality is, some of those people died and not knowing who survived, if
they are injured, where they are, well, it's driving everyone crazy.
Don't clog this line!!!! 800-597-2987 Call only if you can offer:
Shelter - Transportation - Supplies (veterinary, bedding, crates)
Specialty Foods.
Diane is in constant touch with AKC's Dennis Sprung. As in other
times, help is there. AKC has been magnificent in response to Hurricanes
Charlie, Gene, Andrew and other disasters. Dog food was sent by Iams and
Purina and Diane believes other manufacturers can be counted on again to
move food into the stricken area. What wasn't anticipated in Florida was
the need for specialty foods! For example, pigs born to be slaughtered
can only eat special stuff and big cats eat 200 pounds of meat per day!
If there was time for a grim smile it was when she explained a situation
where she finally "delegated" someone to do something she
didn't want to do - feed those big cats!
Diane cautions there will be other unexpected problems. The Florida
group rescued over 18,000 animals during the Charlie, Gene, Andrew
assault. A lot of people really gave the most important thing we have -
our time! Diane mentioned one Beagle gal who drove every day to
designated areas, worked to exhaustion, then drove back to her home town
long enough to get a few hours sleep, then back to care for the animals,
day after grueling day. No single hero here. Just people caring for
people and for animals. Is there a more noble cause?
AGAIN - Organization is critical. Diane said "our military will
bring out the animals as they can. Right now, they are the only ones
allowed in there. Obviously they will bring out people first, but our
military and Guard people are great! Most of them love animals and they
will get as many as they can."
Here's what Diane's group has learned from experience. Hopefully you
are close enough to aid in a massive effort covering the entire Gulf
Coast region from Louisiana up into Georgia. Whether you are or not -
get organized in your own area!!! If you are a member of any dog club,
offer your services. Agility people, field trial enthusiasts, you are
all a tremendous asset!!! Your physical strength and endurance may be
needed. Disasters are not show rings where the worst we worry about is
running into the ring divider or tripping over a mat!
Crates are hard to come by and vitally needed when rescuers move in.
How can the people move their pets? Diane came up with a great idea. Go
to the airlines (yes now) as representative of _______ Disaster Rescue
Organization and ask them to save the crates that people don't take when
they pick up pets. Yes, people leave those crates. Get the name of
Senior Freight Agents, ask them to give you even one crate now, and to
save accumulated crates for your group to pick up once a week. Go to the
hospitals and ask for discarded surgical packs, they don't use
everything in them and there is valuable sterile collectibles."
says Diane. Collect and store water containers, crates and supplies in
your group's warehouse. Yes, warehouse. A moisture-free rental building
to start with.
Get local businessmen to donate space and help. They will!! You'd be
surprised. Especially now when this is on their minds. Next month, you
will have lost the advantage of news coverage.
Contact a trucking firm and ask them to take what you've collected
down to a central collection point at the disaster area. This time, next
time, and if God forbid, your area is hit. And now is the time to remind
each and every one of you that it may not be a natural disaster.
Homeland Security begins with home folks. That's YOU.
Someone must answer the phone. Set up a hotline in your area. It can
be call forwarded around to different volunteers so no one has the whole
burden.
The Detroit Kennel Club puts it all together: www.detroitkennelclub.com/club_news.htm
Animal Relief
In the devastation caused by the hurricanes in Florida, the forgotten
victims are often the dogs. There are two funds which have been
initiated specifically for the benefit of the purebred dogs affected by
the storms. If you wish to help to the canine victims of the Florida
hurricanes, there are two associations that will use your donations to
provide medical supplies, necessary care, and if necessary, re-homing.
AKC/CAR Canine Support & Relief Fund
American Kennel Club
260 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016-2401
Contributions are used to immediately purchase needed equipment and
supplies and deliver them directly to contact centers. Please note on
the check that monies should go toward helping the victims of natural
disasters.
The Florida Association of Kennel Clubs
President: Diane Albers
401 Cardinal Oaks
Lake Mary, Florida 32746
800 597-2987
407-322-8980
dja0218@aol.com
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