[News] New Orleans Dogs Go West 1 Attachment(s) (Originally found by simonandhallie, thanks!) SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- The first major airlift of dogs from the hurricane-battered Gulf Coast left Louisiana on Sunday, carrying about 80 pets to new temporary homes in California. The Continental Airlines flight from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was chartered for about $50,000 by Texas oil tycoon Boone Pickens and his wife, Madeleine, in a movement dubbed "Operation Pet Lift." Some dogs were placed in cages in the cargo section while others rode in the passenger cabin, where they barked and wagged their tails. "They'd been in cages far too long. We felt like they needed to be free so they sat on our laps, and we played with them the whole way," said Christine Penrod, Madeleine Pickens' sister, who accompanied the animals on the flight. About half the dogs were headed for San Diego, with the rest bound for San Francisco. Sunday's move was organized by PetRelocation.com, based in Austin, Texas. "The goal was to help rescue 200 dogs," Pickens' spokesman Jay Rosser said. "They're overjoyed that they were able to rescue 80, but clearly disappointed and dismayed at the bureaucracy, which prevented them from taking the full 200." Organizers complained that some legal requirements were impractical, such as waiting out a 30-day quarantine before transporting the animals. Kelly Harrington, director of disaster response services for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said a makeshift shelter for up to several thousand dogs had been set up at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, Louisiana, about 45 miles northwest of New Orleans. She hoped additional dogs would be flown out in the coming days, but said the effort was taking time. "Every animal has to be vet checked, vaccinated and microchipped ... so we can track these animals in case an owner does find them," Harrington said. Petfinder.com was setting up a database of pet pictures to help reunite owners with lost animals. Andrew Rowan, executive vice president of operations for the Humane Society United States, said animals must be moved out of the Gonzales facility quickly to make room for "maybe 50,000 or more dogs and cats in New Orleans that need to be rescued." "There are vans and cars and trucks all over the place," he said. "Dogs are barking, cats are meowing. It's a tremendous logistical operation to provide the care that these animals need." The Humane Society's Dave Pauli, director of the Gonzales facility, said 200 animals were shipped out Sunday by truck to Houston, but rescue teams expected to bring in about 300 more in the afternoon. About 200 animals have been reunited with their owners at the facility. "That's what keeps us going," Pauli said. "Every one of them brings a tear to your eyes and makes these sleepless nights worth it." http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/11/kat....ap/index.html |
Thanks for posting this, FastEddie. I donated to one of those dog-rescue groups, and I get a thrill every time I see a pet owner reunited with his pet or a pet saved and relocated like this. I think it's just a travesty that pet owners were not allowed to take their pets on rescue buses. That needs to be addressed before the next disaster. |
Alaska yorkie, that's a great picture of Eddie. He's gorgeous |
Quote:
|
The more I hear about dogs not allowed on refugee buses and dogs not allowed on special relocation planes because of quarantine requirements, the more I think some laws need to change. Where do we start? |
Thank you for the information! For anyone in the Central Florida area the Orlando SPCA just arrived back from New Orleans with displaced animals. They are looking for both temporary foster homes and forever home,for more details here is ther information: Call 407-351-7722, visit the shelter located at 2727 Conroy Road in Orlando. :) |
Kuddos to these people. There were too many pets that were left behind. I hope that they all find good homes and spend the rest of their lives in love and comfort! |
Thank God! I've been so worried about all of those poor animals down there. I've been more concerned with them than the human, because they are just stuck in places where their owners left them! I would never leave any of my pets, and we have 5 dogs and 2 cats. They would all go with me or we would all stay together here. :animal36 :aimeeyork |
They brought some to Atlanta as well. |
Poor animals, poor doggies. :lol tears |
That is just wonderful! These ppl rock. We gave some $$ to the Humane Society for the orphans left behind for Katrina. JM |
aww poor doggies! i'd take everyone one of them if i could! |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:50 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use