Saving the pets, one by one
Posted: Wednesday, September 7 at 05:14 pm CT by Mike Brunker
SLIDELL, La. – We’ve written and photographed some surprisingly positive people during our travels among Katrina’s outcasts, but the inhabitants of the animal rescue center here take upbeat to a new level. The tail-wagging alone seems sufficient to cool the warehouse that is home to more than 400 pets and other animals left behind when their owners raced to safety.
The shelter is run by staff and volunteers from Noah’s Wish, a Northern California-based non-profit that aims to apply the Red Cross disaster model to animals. Based on what we’ve seen here today, it works amazing well.
Zona Marchand hugs her dogs Game (left) and Kira before leaving them at the Noah's Wish emergency animal shelter in Slidell, La. Wednesday. The Marchand family's home was completely destroyed and they have moved into a motel in Baton Rouge, where 10 people share their room. "It's like having to leave my children," she says. Marchand was unsure when they would be reunited and the shelter will care for the pets until then. (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com)
Slidell’s abandoned dogs, cats, rabbits, squirrels, birds and reptiles benefited from a relationship established several years ago between Noah’s Wish and the city’s animal control agency. That enabled the two paid members of Noah’s Wish – director Terri Crisp and training manager Sheri Thompson – to mobilize volunteers even before the storm made landfall and to have the center open one week ago today, just two days after the storm hit.
“We knew this was coming one day … and (the preparation) is what allowed us to set up so quickly … and allowed the animals to survive,” says Crisp.
Touring the metal warehouse housing most of the animals, we are stunned by the sophistication of the operation, particularly since the Noah’s Wish response team travels light and then quickly assembles a rescue center and shelter in the disaster zone, relying on local humane societies, pet stores and individual contributions for such supplies as food, water and cages.
A massive fan pumps fresh air into the building, which has a triage center for animals that require medical care manned by two veterinarians and four veterinary technicians.
Throughout the rest of the building, volunteers rush to and fro along narrow walkways between stacked cages of cats and smaller animals and bigger ones for dogs, maintaining complex schedules for exercise and bathroom breaks that would make an air traffic control officer dizzy. The volunteers, who undergo a three-day training session and annual refresher course, pay their own way to work the disasters.
In one corner, a brilliantly colored green-wing macaw stands tall in its cage, taking in the scene and occasionally crying out the only word it seems to know: “Mama!”
“Mama’s coming,” volunteers assure the bird
Outside, another “mama” is in tears, saying goodbye to her two dogs. Zona Marchand says it feels like she’s giving away her children, but all 10 members of her family are living in a hotel in Baton Rouge and they can’t care for the animals until they repair their badly damaged house.
Fortunately for Marchand and others in Slidell whose pets have been left to fend for themselves after the storm, Noah’s Wish will arrange for foster care for as long as it’s needed and promises to find permanent homes for the animals that go unclaimed. No animals will be euthanized unless it’s medically necessary, they vow.
“They’ve lost so much,” Thompson says of the owners. “We don’t want to have to tell them they’ve lost something else.”
During our visit to the rescue center, we told of our encounter at a Red Cross shelter with Bill Harris, the Slidell man who says he escaped death thanks to his “miracle” cat, Miss Kitty. After hearing his story, an obviously moved Crisp arranges for us to accompany an animal control officer and a Noah’s Wish volunteer to go check Harris’ condominium and see if we can find any sign of the missing feline. Check back later and we’ll tell you what we found there.
Fans blow cool air into the kennels at the Noah's Wish shelter in Slidell, Miss., Wednesday. Temperatures in Slidell reach the mid-90s Wednesday and shelter workers were constantly watering the animals to keep them cool. (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com)
'Miss Kitty? Are you there?'
TRACKBACKS
Dear Mike Brunker,
Thank you for reporting this story of animal love and rescue. This is such an important issue. Many people really do need to be evacuated, but say they will not leave without their beloved pets. I would be saying the same thing to someone in authority, so I can relate. There are grass-roots petitions with almost 9,000 signatures on them--just since last night--and your story is being widely circulated on NOLA.COM/animal rescue. Everyone is so grateful that you are bringing this very emotional, very American and public-health issue to the attention of the public who has not stopped to think of this, or, who has the feeling "what can I do??" So many people are volunteering to either drive from way West or way up North (or locally in MO or LA or wherever) to a staging area to get animals and foster or adopt them--but they have to be saved first. I saw a news story on TV with a video of four of the saddest looking dogs on top of a car-roof with flood waters still up high swirling about the car. The media taped them and moved on--got the story to break everyone's hearts and did nothing (at least not on camera--if they rescued these dogs, God will bless them.)
So, you are being talked about and heralded as someone who cares about the plight of animals. People in LA and MO, etc. have been left with virtually nothing except maybe a pet they have raised from birth or have been wonderful enough to adopt. Can we really just sit by while they are forced to leave home (what's left :( and also suffer the ever-lasting trauma of leaving their buddies behind? I can't. I know people who are going to be sneaking in to LA and I am really afraid for them when they meet up with the National Guard or police.
Please keep these rescue stories in the news and put the word out that there has to be some way for people to get their pets out as well as themselves in a forced evacuation situation (which I believe really is necessary given the disease and safety issues.) But, I will say this--you couldn't get ME to leave and leave my kitties behind. We are a family and they depend on me. How could I leave and just say "good luck guys." I couldn't. Hope you can do more. Thanks for what you already have done though, very much appreciated. Sincerely, Linda Burns/Michigan
Linda Burns, Southfield, MI (Sent Sep 7, 2005 5:48:27 PM)
http://www.noahswish.org has a paypal link for donations. They are a small group and all money goes directly to the care of the animals. Every little donation helps and really makes a difference for them!
Kim McDaniel (Sent Sep 7, 2005 5:49:37 PM)
For some of us, our pets are our family. Bless the people of the Gulf States, their desperate animal friends, and the fine volunteers who are trying so heroically to rescue members of both groups. Please tell us how we can contribute to Noah's wish and other legitimate animal rescue groups making a difference.
Kathryn D'Alessandro, Bartonsville PA (Sent Sep 7, 2005 5:53:08 PM)
How do we donate to Noah's Wish? What kinds of donations does this organization accept?
C. Matherne (Sent Sep 7, 2005 5:55:02 PM)
THANK YOU so much for the coverage on the animals as other networks are seemingly downplaying the importance of these amazing life forms to our human lives. I, like so many Americans are devestated by the response to the people and animals needing rescued. It makes me ill to hear of the survivors having to make such an inhumane decision to willingly leave a living breathing animal to starve to death or face the elements of nature, alone. What I'm getting from the government is that what would normally be seen as animal abuse is now being seen okay?? The human psyche cannot fathom that. What I want to ask the law enforcements in these ravished areas is simple- arn't we going to be using animals for search and rescue at some point, don't we use animals to lift peoples spirits in times of devestation, didn't some of these animals possibly help keep some of these people alive and safe until their rescue?? Answer to all- YES. When or if they completely evacuate New Orleans of people, what they're gonna have is a mess of emaciated or dead animals added to the human loss. Even if your not an animal lover, there is something seriously wrong with turning our backs.
Again, THANK YOU for the coverage.
* I am in no way underestamating the animal rescue workers- In fact I think their heros!!!
Melissa Wind, Ft. Collins, CO (Sent Sep 7, 2005 5:55:29 PM)
I know I could'nt leave my animals either, but I am sooooooooo proud of those that have given their time to help the animals because they really do depend on us.
So god bless you for all the hard work you do. It really is a story from the Bible.....
Joanne Dormer: Sydney, Australia (Sent Sep 7, 2005 5:55:34 PM)
I will send anything you guys need. Whether it be money or food, cages, supplies contact me and let me know what will work best for you. Started a drive here at work for Noah's Wish. God Bless you for taking care of the animals....
Lynn Nebel, Baltimore, MD (Sent Sep 7, 2005 5:56:23 PM)
I would be willing to foster a dog until the family gets back on their feet. We have two medium sized dogs already and we would all love the company. I have a hard time watching the TV seeing all the animals. I was crying while reading this article. I couldn't even imagine leaving my babies! Please email me if you have a need for a foster home around the Atlanta area. We have a big fenced in backyard for them all to play in. Please email me at allisonwlloyd@adelphia.net.
Allison, Suwanee, GA (Sent Sep 7, 2005 5:58:43 PM)
If nothing else I hope this prompts discussion on making a plan way ahead of schedule (we have one at our house in Florida) of how and WHERE you can evacuate with your pets. They give us so much every day we need to give them protection when it is needed
Ben Akers (Sent Sep 7, 2005 5:59:03 PM)
God Bless Noah's Wish! Thank God someone is caring for the animals! It's unthinkable to tell someone that they can't save their pet or take their pet with them to a shelter. The stories of people having to leave their pets are heartbreaking. I pray that we can get the government, National Guard and the military to rethink this strategy the next time around.
Lynne Steinert, St. Louis, MO (Sent Sep 7, 2005 5:59:27 PM)
Please keep the animal stories in the news! So many of them have been left behind, and our government has failed on so many levels (except the Coast Guard), that is up to us private citizens and companies to step in and help whenever and however we can.
Keep up the good work animal rescuers! And keep up the animal stories MSNBC!
Dr. Robin Douglas (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:00:27 PM)
It is so nice to read this article because I have been so upset about the thousands of dogs and cats that are now homeless and dead. I really can understand why so many people don't want to leave NewOrleans because they don't want toleave their pets behind...Ithink there needs to be a lot more people and places like Noahs Ark.....Thank God for you.
Kathy Cowhig, Milford, MAssachusetts (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:01:07 PM)
i live i chicago and if i can take in any animals i will. i know that chicago is far, but some of the rescued people have come here for shelter. My name is lynn and my e-mail is lynn@masonryteam.com or call me 312-515-0124. thank you and just love your pets while there are with you.
lynn b, (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:01:21 PM)
Willing to help with transportation costs and find foster homes for pets until they can be reunited with their owners. God bless you for the great work you are doing to help all these animals that can't help themselves.
Mark Tiemens, Sioux City, IA (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:02:07 PM)
i live i chicago and if i can take in any animals i will. i know that chicago is far, but some of the rescued people have come here for shelter. My name is lynn and my e-mail is lynn@masonryteam.com or call me 312-515-0124. thank you and just love your pets while there are with you.
lynn b, (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:02:08 PM)
Outside of having friends and family in this area, my first thoughts were of the poor, terrified animals. I told my family that I certainly would go directly there to rescue them myself, if I had the means.
I live in Oregon and would certainly foster or adopt some animals if it would help.
My prayers to St Francis obviously have been working ... through your organization.
Theresa Jones, Sutherlin, OR (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:02:36 PM)
Thank you so so much for doing the wonderful job you do! I have been in tears everyday wondering about the fate of these abandoned pets. You can just see the fright their eyes, wondering where their people are. I look at my 2 dogs, 2 cats and 5 Betta's and know I could never leave them behind. This has forced me to face reality and see that I really need to prepare myself and my pets for when a disater hits my area. Thank God for Noah's Wish and the USHS!! EVERYONE DONATE SOMETHING PLEASE, even $5 would help. Thank you.
Rhonda Delgadillo (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:02:52 PM)
I have to turn the channel when reports come on about the animals left behind in Katrina's wake. It breaks my heart to think of those poor animals left to die alone and I cry for the owners who were forced to leave them. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping save some of these precious family members.
Melissa S., Palm Bay, FL (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:03:52 PM)
You are such a wonderful organization and it brings tears to my eyes to think of all of these poor animals. I could NEVER leave mine behind, either, so I understand how the "hold-outs" feel. I would die trying to save them!
I pray that our government will create or financially support organizations like Noah's Wish for situations such as this in the future. It's unthinkable that people wanting to evacuate to a safe place have nowhere to take these animals. Just unthinkable!!
I have made donations to both the ASPCA (www.aspca.org) and HSUS (www.hsus.org) and will be making a donation to Noah's Wish as soon as the website is back up. Keep up the good work and God bless you and the poor animals!
Nicole Williams, Charlotte, NC (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:05:24 PM)
i live in chiago and i can foster smaller animals. i know people that were rescued came to chicago for shelter. contact me at lynn@masonryteam.com or call 847-727-6726
lynn b. (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:05:26 PM)
I just can't understand why people aren't allowed to bring thier pets with them. I saw a National Guardsman on tv that said that it's againt thier policy to allow animals on the boats. Who cares about policies & procedures?! These poor, innocent souls are being left to fend for themselves. It's a sad day when we let our loyal, furry friends suffer because of policy.
Jennifer, California (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:05:37 PM)
Thank God for Noah's Wish, with their help and foresight there is a little less suffering during this horrible time. I can help foster dogs if you need more homes. I do have 1 dog and 1 rat and they are best friends, I'm sure they would love some more company! Keep up the good work and keep your faith!
MJ Bennie, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:06:07 PM)
I am crying right now why???? Why would people in charge of the disaster in New Orleans not help these animals????WHY?Do they have to simply have a voice to be heard or do we think if we do not have to look at them they will quietly die?It is so sad we have seperated ourselves from being animals.Because we are ALL animals!!!!!We have the ability to have empathy and do things no ther animal on Earth can and we simply ignore these stranded animals.I am saddened by this.I know ther are ALOT of people leaving my area and headed for N.O. area but they wont get in.Shame on these people stopping them from rescuing these animals!!!!!!!!SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!!!!! The Mayor needs to get on live t.v. and raise hell for these animals like he did for the people!!!!May God open these peoples minds and make them understand they deserve to LIVE!
Wolf Eyes,Pensacola,Florida (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:06:34 PM)
i live in chiago and i can foster smaller animals. i know people that were rescued came to chicago for shelter. contact me at lynn@masonryteam.com or call 847-727-6726
lynn b. (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:06:44 PM)
I live in Canada, and we are all devastated at what we are seeing on the news every night. It is so inspiring to see a foundation that has their act together, and is helping those animals.
What is the best way to make a donation to Noah's Wish? I do not use a credit card, and would very much like to donate.
Shelley Murray (Sent Sep 7, 2005 6:07:50 PM)
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