6/24/06: Category 5 Miracles, 10 Months After The Storm
Gulf Coast Rescue Needs & News
http://www.KinshipCircle.org
TO SEE PAST GULF COAST NEWSLETTERS, VISIT:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/gulfcoast/newsletters/default.html

IN THIS ALERT:

1. SMALL BITES
2. Spay/Louisiana Looking For A Few Good Volunteers
3. Spay/Neuter Aid In St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Orleans, Jefferson
4. Equine Disaster Preparedness Forum
5. Smile Time: Happy Hurricane Rescue Story
6. Animal Rescue Volunteers Rush to Get Certified As First Responders
7. Hurricane Dog Reunited With Owners Via Court Case – Austin, TX
8. Reuniting Katrina Pets With Their Families
9. Molly, a Katrina Pony, Gets a New Leg
10. Rescue Group Answering Machine

1. SMALL BITES
Formerly called News Bits, but renamed Small Bites to remind everyone to send small-bite food, or cat food, when donating for Gulf Coast animals.

KATRINA WAS HERE.
In a few months our stunning Katrina animal rescue book, KATRINA WAS HERE, will be released. Full of incredible photos and stories, it is dedicated to all the rescuers who showed up on the Gulf, no matter what the risk.

We have asked the publishers for a special price for friends and rescuers. They are offering a one time, sign-up so you can buy the book directly,   wholesale, at great savings over the bookstore price. (This usually this means about 30 to 40% off the store price.)

This link will take you to our site where you can register for a copies at the discounted price. You pay nothing now, but are guaranteed the discount if you decide to buy when the book comes out.

UPDATE: TERMINALLY ILL WOMAN SEEKS HOME FOR PETS IN LOUISIANA
6/17/06 - [GULF COAST] Hurricane Rescue: Now & Future
Lilla Whitehead, lilandneal@hotmail.com writes: On Wednesday, June 21, fellow animal rescuer June Day lost her battle to cancer.  June's only concern in her final days was that her animals be safe and loved. I am happy to say that we were able to fulfill her wish in less than 10 days from my original email plea for help.

Capital Area Animal Welfare Society (CAAWS) in Baton Rouge took in 5 cats and 2 dogs; two of Ethlyn's friends each took a dog; and, Operation Kindness in Texas is taking the remaining 2 dogs. Sadly, one of the cats escaped the house earlier in the week and was killed. She is now at peace with June.

Ethlyn received numerous phone calls and emails from people all over the country who wanted to help. The outpouring of compassion and concern for a complete stranger and her pets was truly amazing. Since Ethlyn is attending June's service and does not have email access today, she asked that I update you all and give you her thanks.

From Ethlyn: Could you please send out an email like your original one thanking everyone for their concern and offers of help? I tried to respond r o most of them, but I know there were some that fell thru the cracks and I want everyone to know how much I appreciate them. I don't know what I would have done without all of you.

June's obituary asked that donations be made to animal rescue groups in lieu of flowers. Below are the addresses for groups mentioned in June's obituary.   If you have a few dollars to spare, please donate to one of these groups or to your favorite rescue group.

Capital Area Animal Welfare Society (CAAWS)
6357 Quinn Dr. * Baton Rouge, LA 70817 * 225-752-5801
http://www.caaws.org

Operation Kindness
3201 Earhart Dr. * Carrollton, TX 75006 * 972-418-PAWS
http://www.operationkindness.org

Save Our Strays Rescue (SOS)
P.O. Box 267 * Plaquemine, LA 70765-0267 * 225-687-7994
http://sos.rescuegroups.org/

Cat Haven, Inc.
P.O. Box 86231 * Baton Rouge, LA 70879-8231 * 225-346-4238
http://www.cathaven.org

SOURCE: Lilla Whitehead, lilandneal@hotmail.com

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UPDATE: BELLE CHASSE, LA - FeLV KITTENS NEED HOME ASAP
6/22/06 – Feline Leuk Kittens Need Home By End of Friday, 6/23
RAMONA BILLOT, ramonabillot@yahoo.com writes: Brenda, GREAT NEWS!!!! Thanks to the email (Kinship Circle) sent out, someone responded today and these kittens are being saved by a group in Alabama. THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR SPREADING THE WORD!!!!

SOURCE: RAMONA BILLOT, ramonabillot@yahoo.com

POST-KATRINA FERAL CATS IN EXTREMELY TOXIC SITUATIONS.
SEEKING FERAL COLONY FOR RELOCATION
Renee Baumy <baumyr@usmi.com> writes: If we could just get a few people with land to take a couple of cats it would save these cats’ lives. There are so many cats that are being TNR but the places they are coming from are in terrible shape and there is nothing for them to live on. Some of these areas (my feeding section for one – St Bernard Parish/Chalmette) are considered TOXIC. Some of the cats I have rescued there have been really sick but treatable. They will be spayed/neutered and vet checked before they are released to their new area. Transportation will not be a problem. We will figure something out even if I have to transport myself.

If you, or anyone you know, can relocate feral cats to their property, CONTACT: Renee Baumy at both emails below
baumyr@usmi.com, purrfect7@bellsouth.net
Or call 601-749-8705

SOURCE: renee baumy <baumyr@usmi.com>, Gretchen Sauder <lynnaron@sbcglobal.net>, lAlexandra.Kelsey@bracewellgiuliani.com

CRITICAL NEED: RVs, TRAILERS FOR STAFF HOUSING AT SHELTER
Holly Quaglia <hollyq24@yahoo.com> writes: I'll be heading back south (more south) to Mississippi and hoping maybe someone out there can help us. I'll be working with a humane society transplanted to Mississippi after losing their Louisiana facility in the storm. We are desperately looking for some too-good-to-be-true deals on RV's and/or trailers (remember...non-profit shelter so can't be spending $100K on one of those super dooper mobile mansions) that staff can live in with their own animal companions so they can care for the animals on site as well as those who may arrive should southeastern Louisiana need to evacuate.

If you know of anyone who is selling theirs or maybe a great dealership who would be willing to sell to a non-prof animal society at COST please let me know ASAP... Willing to drive anywhere in the country to get them if the deal is good enough!
CONTACT: Holly Quaglia
757-641-4527 or hollyq24@yahoo.com
Interested in:
- RV's and/or Trailers (pull-behind or goose-necks)

...About 10 years ago, Marcus got his first pit bull terrier and immediately became enamored with the breed. "A friend of mine, a guy I went to school with, gave me a pit bull. A white pit bull named Sheba."

Marcus hooked up with some older buddies who'd long participated in organized dogfighting. He'd always known about the sport — "It was cool, I thought" — and, now that he had a pit bull, thought he'd try it out.

Sheba proved herself a lousy fighter in her first bout. "The dog just bit her, and she hollered," recalls Marcus, a clean-shaven man in a Bob Marley T-shirt, stretching out in a booth at an Uptown McDonald's. "She didn't want to fight, and she just punked out."

Despite Sheba's failings, Marcus was hooked. He read everything he could get his hands on about organized dogfighting: the desirable bloodlines, recommended training regimens, the characteristics of a good fighting dog. "I ended up getting into it pretty heavy," he says.

As for Sheba: "I let the dog go. I gave her to the SPCA. She wasn't a fighter, and she didn't serve me any purpose...”

SOURCE: Marnie Reeder, starbright60@webtv.net

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REMEMBERING SHANNON MOORE
http://memoriesofshannon.blogspot.com/
GUEST BOOK FOR SHANNON HARTWICK MOORE
http://www.legacy.com/NOLA/Guestbook.asp?Page=Guestbook&PersonID=18017409

2. Spay/Louisiana Looking For A Few Good Volunteers
SOURCE: Julie Becker <julie@spaylouisiana.org>

Julie Becker <julie@spaylouisiana.org> writes: Want to put your penmanship to work for an excellent cause? Spay/Louisiana has immediate openings for one or more volunteers to provide clerical support for our spay/neuter voucher program serving residents of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemine and St. Bernard Parishes.

Work from home. Ideal candidates are...
Available on a weekly basis for several hours each week. You work from home, and set your own schedule. You receive pre-approved applications, transfer the application onto a provided form, then mail vouchers and usage instructions to pet owners and feral cat caregivers. You also help mail or deliver program materials to our voucher distribution partners in various locations around the four-parish area.

Job requirements
-  Legible handwriting
-  Resident of the GNO area
-  Pleasant personality and patience
-  Empathy for the client population, and desire to assist those in need
-  Your own computer, reliable internet access and
    reliable transportation are a plus.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Julie Becker, julie@spaylouisiana.org or 504-FIX-PETS

To learn more about Spay/Louisiana:
http://spaylouisiana.org
Spay/Louisiana

P. O. Box 11149; Jefferson Louisiana, 70181
504-FIX-PETS

3. Spay/Neuter Aid In St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Orleans, Jefferson
SOURCE: Spay/Louisiana <postmaster@spaylouisiana.org>
Julie Becker, julie@spaylouisiana.org writes 6/18: Our spay/neuter vouchers are printed and we're just about ready to roll. We have sent invitations to participate to every veterinary hospital and clinic in the voucher program service area and are in the process of making follow-up phone calls to each facility. Next week, the first vouchers will be delivered to St. Bernard Parish Animal Shelter, and will be issued by the shelter on behalf of the Friends of the St. Bernard Animal Shelter.

If your agency has already signed up as a voucher distribution partner, we'll contact you this week to arrange a date to deliver vouchers and review the distribution criteria.

If your agency has not yet signed up, please consider it! Even if spay/neuter assistance is not something your agency normally provides, this is an easy way to get started at no cost to you. (In fact, we'll pay you a small amount, as partial compensation for your time and effort.)

If you are already offering financial assistance for spay/neuter, we hope you'll consider using this project to expand and compliment your important existing efforts. We've already heard some creative ways to do that - for example, one agency that assists feral cat caregivers will distribute vouchers and use their own funding to help with our co-payment requirement when multiple cats need surgery.

The program is open to shelters and 501c3 nonprofit agencies that are providing services to residents of St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. Agreements are available online:
http://spaylouisiana.org/distributionagreement.pdf

As a distribution partner in the Spay/Louisiana Voucher Program, your agency must agree to:
*   Be identified as a distribution partner on Spay/Louisiana's website and
    in printed materials promoting the voucher program.
*   Promote voucher availability at your agency events or during the course
    of normal agency operations.
*   Distribute vouchers only to qualified applicants. (Complete instructions
    and training will be provided).
*   Return the original first page of completed voucher forms to
    Spay/Louisiana within 30 days of issuing the voucher.
*   Provide monthly reports of cat and dog intake and sterilization data.
*   Allow Spay/Louisiana to publish your agency's intake data in a monthly
    total report for the region.

Vouchers may be used to provide spay/neuter surgery for:
*   Owned cats and dogs living in hurricane-impacted and low-income
    households within St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Orleans and Jefferson Parishes.
*   Stray or feral cats in these areas.
*   Fostered and sheltered animals are not eligible for this program.

All St. Bernard Parish and Plaquemines Parish households qualify for this assistance. In addition, vouchers can be issued to hurricane-impacted Orleans and Jefferson Parish households with damage assessments over $11,000, or over 30% of their 2005 gross household income. Vouchers can also be issued to households that currently receive federal or state assistance including HCV, TANF, Medicaid, SSI, food stamps or WIC. Caretakers of feral and free-roaming cats within the four-parish area may use spay/neuter vouchers as part of colony management and TNR efforts.

Qualified households will be issued a voucher for surgery, along with a list of veterinarians that accept Spay/Louisiana vouchers.
*   Families can make an appointment for surgery at any participating hospital or clinic.
*   Voucher recipients will pay the veterinarian just $10 per cat or $20 per dog.
*   Participating veterinarians have generously agreed to accept a reduction
    in usual fees for this surgery. Spay/Louisiana will pay the balance.

This program will provide up to 8,000 surgeries over the next 10 months. The number of vouchers available each month will be determined by the combined surgical capacity among participating veterinarians.

For more information about the voucher program, visit:
http://spaylouisiana.org/voucherprogram.html

ABOUT SPAY/LOUISIANA - Spay/Louisiana's mission is to help end pet overpopulation in Louisiana by increasing access to high-quality sterilization surgery for cats and dogs that are most likely to add to our state¹s homeless pet population. Spay/Louisiana began in 2002, as a grassroots effort to identify spay/neuter and animal care, control and welfare resources across Louisiana. The results of that on-going effort are used to provide referrals to spay/neuter assistance programs across Louisiana, and are published in the Louisiana Animal Welfare Directory. In 2005, referral information was provided for pets living in 32 of Louisiana's 64 parishes.

QUESTIONS? CONTACT:
Julie Becker, Spay/Louisiana Executive Director
Julie@jspaylouisiana.org
Box 11149; Jefferson, LA 70181
504-FIX-PETS; 504-780-9827 (fax)
http://spaylouisiana.org

4. Equine Disaster Preparedness Forum
SOURCE: autobrokers70039@aol.com, Ravenwoodfarmdun@aol.com

WHEN: Saturday,  July 8, 2006 * 10:00  am to 3:00 pm

WHERE: Mandarin  Community  Center
12447 Mandarin Road, Jacksonville,  FL 32223

Equine Disaster Preparedness Forum Topic Outline
*   Are you prepared?
*   Disaster preparedness for the horse owner
*   Hurricane Planning - When to evacuate - What do I take - Where do I  go
*   Basic emergency medical needs for injured/stressed horses
*   How do I become involved in my community after a disaster?
*   Saving the “whole” family
*   Pack your own emergency first aid kit - How to ID your horse

Guest  Speakers
Dr. John Wade, Avid Microchip ID
Jerry Finch, HfH
Florida  - S.A.R.T.
D.A.R.T.
Emergency Preparedness Division, City of Jax
C.E.R.T.
Area  Veterinarians

REGISTRATION
Free to the public and your donations are tax deductible
Pre-registration is requested to guarantee your seat.

Register today!
Call North Florida Horse Rescue/Habitat for Horses, Inc., 904-626-1990
Or register online: http://www.NorthFloridaHorseRescue.com

5. Smile Time: Happy Hurricane Rescue Story
SOURCE: Robert M Wood <geauxwood@earthlink.net>, Jastrix121@aol.com,
John & Rose Jarvis <jonnros@blomand.net>

Robert M Wood <geauxwood@earthlink.net> writes: Thanks to my cousin Jimmy for forwarding these precious pictures of 4 dogs (strange to each other) and one cat (who knew none of the dogs)..."rescue good!" I'll bet most of the animals rescued reacted better than a lot of those in "the dome!” And God bless all of those people who waded into the wreckage (with no regard for their own personal safety) and did this kind of rescue!  mew

John & Rose Jarvis  <jonnros@blomand.net> writes: The story begins with the rescuers finding this poor little guy they named Ralphie that someone had already taken under their wing but weren't equipped to adopt.



Ralphie, scared and nearly starved, joined the rescuers...


I wouldn't think anything could live through this, but we were wrong...


This little lady survived that wreckage.


Here she is just placed in the car - scared, but safe :)


and no longer alone!


Instant friends, they comforted each other in the car...


Add two more beagles found after that...


The more the merrier...


Uh oh - a new traveler is added to the mix!
(note: the cat coming over the seat needing shelter...)


How is this going to work???

It's going to work just fine, thank you!


Life is Good!


Hope this brings a little sunshine to your day!

6. Animal Rescue Volunteers Rush to Get Certified As First Responders
SOURCE: Mutt Blog, amanda@muttshack.org
http://www.muttshack.org/muttblog.html

amanda@muttshack.org writes: For the first time ever, in response to new standards in animal rescue, animal rescue volunteers are garnering animal rescue credentials and standing by, vaccinated and prepared - ready to work shoulder to shoulder with Emergency Responders under a single command.

In order to respond more effectively in a disaster, many States are demanding a minimum standard of preparedness and training and animal rescuers have taken up the challenge long before the passage of new State and Federal Pet Evacuation laws.

In the State of Louisiana, animal rescue organizations are affiliating with local parishes under Memoranda of Understanding so that they will be most effective under an overarching Incident Command structure. Volunteers are must be affiliated with a rescue group in order to deploy into the disaster area and therefore rescue groups share the responsibility to get their volunteers fully trained.

MuttShack Animal Rescue offers online training utilizing a combination of FEMA <http://www.muttshack.org/Animal_Rescue_Certification_Prospectus.htm> classes and online White Papers and lectures as coursework for the MuttShack Animal Rescue First Responder Certificate.

While certain FEMA classes are already mandatory for participation in animal rescue in the State of Louisiana, MuttShack’s First Responder Certification   <http://www.muttshack.org/Animal_Rescue_Certification_Prospectus.htm> is more comprehensive, literally a mini-university degree in response training.

MuttShack Certified students stand toe to toe with the likes of any other first responders in emergency response services like Firemen, Red Cross and Military but with the attention and focus on animals - from household pets, to large animals and wildlife.

"Speaking a common language with other disaster responders is critical, as is knowing the incident command structure. We need to respond in a unified and responsible manner. The animals deserve that," says Amanda St. John, Founder of MuttShack.

The certification classes are offered to MuttShack animal rescue volunteers free and online. Course material can be downloaded and studied in PDF or word document format or online on the FEMA website   <http://training.fema.gov/EMIweb/IS/crslist.asp>. The first tutorial How to Do a Course Online <http://training.fema.gov/VCNew/firstVC.asp> is straightforward enough so that anyone can learn how to study online. Thereafter students get to study courses such as Animals in Disaster, Incident Command and others.

Once the substantive course material has been perused, there is an online exam. Success comes in a small white and blue envelope in the mail bearing a Certificate of Completion of the course. Students collect their certificates and aggregate them into various Certificates of Completion, such as the Professional Development Series, and ultimately the MuttShack Animal Rescue First Responder Course <http://www.muttshack.org/Animal_Rescue_Certification_Prospectus.htm>

More than 100 students have signed up and have formed a Yahoo Student Group   <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Animal_Rescue_Certification/> that meets and chats daily, about strategies to complete courses, troubleshooting on computer issues and general camaraderie. Expert student weather watchers give updates on the weather and warnings of impending deployment. Valuable information is shared such as what vaccinations are required, deployment logistics as well as where to get the best hands on training including aggressive animal behavior training, Red Cross First Aid and CPR training...

To join MuttShack Animal Rescue Program:
http://www.muttshack.org/Animal_Rescue_Certification.htm
To complete MuttShack Registration Form:
http://www.muttshack.org/Animal_Rescue_Disaster_Certification_Registration.htm  
MuttShack Animal Rescue:http://www.muttshack.org

7. Hurricane Dog Reunited With Owners Via Court Case – Austin, TX
SOURCE: Marnie Reeder, starbright60@webtv.net

Hurricane dog reunited with owners
http://www.kvue.com/news/local/stories/061606kvuehurricanedog-cb.916a1706.html
June 16, 2006 * By OLGA CAMPOS / KVUE News

A dog rescued from the flood waters of Hurricane Katrina is now back with its original owners, but it wasn't an easy reunion. The year-old Rottweiler hadn't seen its owners in months — not since it was rescued from flood waters in New Orleans. But at least the trauma of separation is now over.

A Central Texas family who adopted Precious agreed to give her back rather than fight for ownership in court. The Taylor family filed a lawsuit claiming the operator of an Austin Rottweiler rescue group allowed the dog to be adopted rather than return it to its owners.

Attorney Scott Hendler says it's a nationwide problem facing other hurricane evacuees trying to reclaim their pets.

"There were sections of New Orleans that were very low income and wiped out when the levy broke. I think a lot of these rescue groups were making assumptions that these people weren't fit to care for these animals. And that's just wrong," he said.

Precious is now headed to San Antonio where the Taylors and their other dogs who survived Hurricane Katrina now call home.

Congress is considering requiring states to come up with evacuation plans to follow during natural disasters that would include pets.

8. Reuniting Katrina Pets With Their Families
SOURCE: NEWS From STEALTH VOLUNTEERS, donna@vermonters.com

Contact: Donna Thomas at 504-305-8638 or donna@vermonters.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE * June 21, 2006

New Orleans Judge Orders Return Of Iraq Veterans Katrina Dog
Judge In St. Bernard Parish Orders Return Of Another Dog In Similar Case
NATIONAL — Judges in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish today ordered the return by two Texas animal shelters of two dogs rescued in the wake of Katrina.

Army First Lieutenant Japheth (Jay) Johnson of New Orleans, veteran of the Iraq war, brought suit today against the SPCA of Texas. Stealth Volunteers, with Louisiana attorneys Sal Gutierrez and Mary Hand and Massachusetts attorney, Steven M. Wise, announced today at 11am at Chateau Sonesta Hotel on Iberville St., New Orleans, that Lt. Johnson had received an injunction requiring the return of his dog, Missy. They also announced that Linda Charles, a New Orleans resident in similar circumstances, today received an injunction issued by a St. Bernard Parish judge ordering the Humane Society of North Texas to return her dog, Precious. City of New Orleans Council member Cynthia Willard-Lewis sent a representative in support of Johnson and Charles, her constituents.

Missy is one of many companion animals rescued in the wake of Hurricane Katrina that are now being withheld from their owners by shelters who took them in. Louisiana attorneys Sal Gutierrez and Mary Hand and animal rights attorney, Steven M. Wise (whose admission pro hac vice Attorneys Gutierrez and Hand will move) are filing suit on behalf of Lt. Johnson and Linda Charles.

When Hurricane Katrina hit, Lt. Johnson was serving his country in Iraq, having left Missy in the care of his mother at their Ninth Ward home. Ms. Johnson was forced to leave Missy behind when mandatory evacuation was ordered. Two weeks later, Missy was rescued near the Johnson's home and brought to the emergency animal shelter at the Lamar Dixon facility in Gonzales, LA. The next day, Missy, who had an embedded identification chip (AVID chip) that identified her owner's name, address, and telephone number, was transported by truck to the in Texas animal shelter.

On September 15th Lt. Johnson returned from Iraq and began to search for his dog, with no clear idea of where to begin amidst the chaos left by Katrina. Eventually HSUS helped him to place a "lost" report on Petfinder.com. Soon after, a Stealth Volunteer identified Missy from the "found" report. Another Stealth Volunteer confirmed from AVID registered phone number data that this was, indeed, Lt. Johnson's dog, Missy.

The Texas shelter has been contacted several times by Lt. Johnson, his mother, and by Stealth Volunteers, but the shelter has refused to return Missy or give Lt. Johnson information that would bring his little dog back home.

"The plight of Lt. Johnson and Missy is emblematic of a number of cases where shelters throughout the country temporarily provided aid to rescued Katrina companion animals, then refused to return them to their original families, who remain stymied in their attempts to rebuild their lives," stated Wise.

Sal Gutierrez and Mary Hand are respected New Orleans attorneys. They may be reached for comment at (985) 674-8455.

Steven Wise is the author of "Rattling the Cage: Toward Legal Rights for Animals," and past president of The Animal Legal Defense Fund. He has taught "Animal Rights Law" at the Harvard, Vermont, John Marshall, and St. Thomas Law Schools.  Mr. Wise is currently the president of The Center for the Expansion of Fundamental Rights, and resides in Florida.  He may be reached for comment at (954) 648-9864.

Stealth Volunteers is a grassroots organization responsible for more than a thousand reunions of Katrina pets with their families. Stealth Volunteer representative, Donna Thomas, is available for comment by phone 504-305-8638 or donna@vermonters.com.

Lt. Japheth (Jay) Johnson, Linda Charles, and Attorneys Wise, Gutierrez, and Hand are available for interviews.

Councilmember Cynthia Willard-Lewis may be reached at (504) 658-1050.

9. Molly, a Katrina Pony, Gets a New Leg
SOURCE: J2468@webtv.net

Molly the Pony Gets a New Leg, VIDEO:
http://www.wwltv.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/showVideo.php?vidId=68061&amp;cat

Welcome to: http://www.muttshack.org and its sister organization, Pony Paradise!
——————————————————
From: The Advocate * Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Pony gets rare prosthetic limb
Surgeon performs rare surgery; equine has prosthetic limb
By KRISTIN GRANT, Special to The Advocate, Published: May 12, 2006

A team headed by a veterinary surgeon at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine performed the extremely rare operation of amputating a pony's front limb in January and replacing it with an artificial leg, school officials said Thursday.

Based on the patient's progress, the surgery was a success, the officials said.

Director Rustin M. Moore of LSU's Equine Health Studies Program, a board-certified veterinary surgeon, said Thursday he performed the operation on a pony of the Americas, a crossbreed between a Shetland pony and Appaloosa.

Prior to the surgery, the pony, named Molly, remained stranded in a partially collapsed barn near St. Rose in St. Charles Parish for two and a half weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana.

She was moved to the nearby farm of Kaye Harris, a St. Rose resident who took in several rescued animals after the Aug. 29 hurricane.

At the farm, Molly was attacked by a rescued pit bull terrier. She was lying down, and the pit bull was lunging at her, Harris said during a return visit to the School of Veterinary Medicine with Molly on Thursday.

"And as I got closer, I could see the dog had latched on to her jaw, and began ripping her jaw off. I just leapt in and got the dog off of her."

As a result of the attack, Molly sustained injuries to all four legs, her belly and her jaw, Harris said. The pony's right, front leg was so mangled that raw bone was exposed.

The usual course of action taken when a horse or pony loses use of a front leg is to put the horse down, school official said.

Amputation is not commonly done on a horse or pony, Moore said, and the main reason is that adult horses are not very good at living on three legs, because the opposite leg of the one missing usually fails.

Nonetheless, Harris said she persuaded Molly's local veterinarian, Allison Barca, to pursue the unusual treatment of amputation.

Because amputation is nearly unheard of in equine medicine, Barca brought the case to LSU's School of Veterinary Medicine for consideration.

Experts assessed many factors, ranging from Molly's size, behavior, and attitude to how to cover the costs of such a surgery, Moore said. For the team to go forward with the surgery, every component had to fall into place, he said.
After hours of consultation, including conferring with experts from around the nation, Moore and his LSU colleagues agreed to perform the surgery.

"There was a fair bit of skepticism in doing it among everyone, not just here, but everyone, Moore said, and I admit I had a degree of cautious skepticism, but that was before I met Molly.

"It was basically her attitude, her personality, and her drive that showed me she was the right patient, Moore said of the injured pony.

"It became pretty evident just watching her that if there was ever an ideal candidate to do it on, and if you could find the money to do it, then she was the one."

So, on Jan. 16, while most businesses were closed for the Martin Luther King Day holiday, students, surgery residents, anesthesiologists, and scrub nurses gathered with Moore in the operating room in the Large Animal Clinic at LSU.

"We ended up doing it on a holiday, which was the only day I could fit it into my schedule,  Moore said, and our staff was willing to come in on a holiday to do it. Particularly for a holiday, it was a pretty full room."

Moore performed the surgery, amputating Molly's leg just below the knee. Moore said that when Molly recovered from the anesthesia, she immediately began using her temporary prosthesis.

She was able to walk and even lie down using this long, stiff leg, which she couldn't bend.

Four months later, now fitted with a custom-made prosthesis supplied by a commercial firm, Molly trots around her pasture and functions normally.

"I don't know that she ever has to come back here unless she has a problem now, Moore said. We'd like her to come back, but not for medical reasons just to visit because we like her."

The success of Molly's rare surgery offers hope for other horses with similar conditions. "I wouldn't hesitate to do it on another one, even a full-size horse, if everything was right,  Moore said."

Moore asserted that a critical factor in ensuring a horse meets the criteria for such a procedure does not involve the horse at all.

If you don't have a committed owner who's willing to comply with what's needed, like taking off the prosthesis twice a day for the rest of the horse's life, it will not work.

Kaye Harris is that person. Harris' commitment to saving Molly's life is having a ripple effect. Since the surgery, Molly has been working with children with disabilities, demonstrating how she thrives with her own prosthetic limb, Harris said.

"The medical part is one thing, and yes, you learn things from that, Moore said, but it taught me how much one little pony can impact so many people, and really, I think her impact is just now starting to be felt as she is starting to go out and be a therapy horse."

Molly's owner said she has been inspired to start a retirement foundation for ponies called Pony Paradise.

And as for Molly, her turbulent life may have finally taken a turn for the better. "Molly has a whole new future, she's always happy as a clam, she has a really good life, and it's going to be useful," Harris said.

"And you know what? I think she knows it."
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Molly's Foundation Details
Foundation Name: Pony Paradise
Foundation Purpose: To provide a comfortable retirement home for horses and ponies that have earned their rest.

To have them be a part of an ongoing educational opportunity for children in the greater New Orleans area in order to increase awareness and appreciation of horses and ponies and their partnership with humans.

10. Rescue Group Answering Machine
SOURCE: Bettina R., brosmar@hotmail.com

Rescue Group Answering Machine
Author unknown

Hello: You have reached 123-4567, Tender Hearts Rescue. Due to the high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to the following options and choose the one that best describes you or your situation:

Press 1 if you think we are veterinarians and want free medical advice.

Press 2 if you know we are a rescue organization but want to save money and have us give you free, untrained medical advice anyway.

Press 3 if you make $200,000 a year but still want us to pay to spay the "stray" in your yard (house).

Press 4 if you have a 10-year-old dog or cat and your 15-year-old son has suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home right away.

Press 5 if you have dogs or cats, had a baby and want to get rid of your dogs.cats because you are the only person in the world to have a baby and dogs or cat at the same time.

Press 6 if your dog or cat is sick and needs a vet but you need the money for your vacation.

Press 7 if you just got a brand new puppy or kitten and your old dog or cat is having problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away.

Press 8 if your little puppy or kitten has grown up and is no longer small and cute and you want to trade it in for a new model.

Press 9 if you are elderly and want to adopt a cute puppy or kitten who is not active and is going to outlive you.

Press 10 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for their elderly dog or cat because it doesn't fit your lifestyle.

Press 11 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your 150- pound, 8-year-old dog or 10-year-old declawed, never-seen-a- vet cat with dental problems.

Press 12 if you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home today and pick up the dog or cat you no longer want.

Press 13 if you have been feeding and caring for a "stray" for the last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it's not your dog or cat.

Press 14 if you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up before I have to go to work so you can drop a dog  or cat off on your way to work.

Press 15 to leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know you have left a dog/cat in our yard in the middle of January, which is in fact, better than just leaving the dog/cat with no message.

Press 16 if you are going to get angry because we are not going to take your dog or cat that you have had for fifteen years, because it is not our responsibility.

Press 17 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old dog or cat to be euthanized because we won't take it.

Press 18 if you're going to get angry because the staff had the audacity to go on vacation and leave the rescue in care of a trusted volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet.

Press 19 if you want one of our perfectly trained, housebroken, kid- and cat-friendly purebred tiny dogs that we have an abundance of.

Press 20 if you want us to take your dog that has a slight aggression problem, i.e. has only bitten a few people and killed your neighbor's cats.

Press 21 if you have already called once and been told we don't take personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this time with a different answer.

Press 22 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge, of course.

Press 23 if it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to deliver

an eight week old puppy or kitten to your house by 6:30 am before your kids wake up.

Press 24 if you have bought your children a duckling, chick or baby bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute.

Press 25 if you want us to take your female dog or cat who has already had ten litters, but you can't spay her because she is pregnant again and it is against your religion.

Press 26 if you're trying to make one of our younger volunteers feel bad and take your personal pet off your hands.

Press 27 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but are not willing to accept the responsibility that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture.

Press 28 if your two-year-old male dog is marking all over your house but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered.

Press 29 if you previously had an outdoor-only dog or cat and are calling because she is suddenly pregnant.

Press 30 if you have done "everything" to housebreak your dog and have had no success but you don't want to crate the dog because it is cruel.

Press 31 if you didn't listen to the message asking for an evening phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are also working and you are angry because no one called you back.

Press 32 if you need a puppy or kitten immediately and cannot wait because today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born.

Press 33 if your dog's or cat's coat doesn't match your new furniture and you need a different color or breed.

Press 34 if your new love doesn't like your dog or cat and you are too stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next month anyway).

Press 35 if you went through all these 'presses' and didn't hear enough. This will connect you to the sounds of tears being shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog or cat while the vet mercifully frees him from of the grief of missing his family.

********************************************************************************************
Shannon Moore July 22, 1969 ~ May 31, 2006
http://memoriesofshannon.blogspot.com/

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Caring about innocent animals caught in Katrina’s wrath
doesn’t diminish human suffering. It makes us human.
********************************************************************************************

TO SUBSCRIBE TO KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF LIST:
info@kinshipcircle.org or disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
IN YOUR EMAIL, STATE:
—SUBSCRIBE TO KC ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF LIST
—IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF LOUISIANA

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——-Original Message——-
From: Kinship Circle  
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 11:34  AM
To: 7. KINSHIP CIRCLE Animal Disaster Relief List
Subject: [GULF COAST] Volunteers Still Needed in New Orleans


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********************************************************************************************
BEAR WITNESS.  SPEAK.  DEMAND.  ACT.
Kinship Circle - Action Campaigns I Literature I Voice For Animals
Nonprofit animal advocacy group working in animal disaster relief and campaigns
Brenda Shoss, president: info@kinshipcircle.org or disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
http://www.KinshipCircle.org

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