7/1/06: Have You Seen Me Since The Storm?
Gulf Coast Rescue Needs & News
http://www.KinshipCircle.org
TO SEE PAST GULF COAST NEWSLETTERS, VISIT:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/default.html
IN THIS ALERT:
- SMALL BITES
- Additional F/W Group In NOLA – Southern Animal Foundation
- USED DOGS Needs A Few Serious Volunteers
- St. Charles Parish Shelter Still Really Needs Help
- Horses Need Homes. Katrina Wiped Out Stables.
- Has Anyone Seen George? Missing Cat From MS
- Do You Recognize Me? Katrina Rescue Cat
- Save Sweet Senior Dog In West Monroe, LA
- Abused Cat Needs Kind Heart – Pearl, MS
- Have You Seen Red? Cat Lost In Chalmette, LA
- Stop Jacksonville Florida Animal Control 3-Day Hold
- Request: Photos/Footage Of Hurricane-Stricken Horses
- Katrina Victim Sues To Get Poodle – Different Viewpoints
- Katrina Charity Dog Art
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.
IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS...
On the morning of June 27, 2006, Louisiana’s Governor Blanco signed the Pet Evacuation Bill into law.
Cathy Wells <wellsc@legis.state.la.us> writes, 6/27: Yes, she signed it!! Act 615. Thank you for all of your efforts, time, and patience in getting the email messages out. This bill would not have passed without your assistance and all of the emails your readers wrote to legislators.
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UPDATE: FREE CAT/DOG FOOD COUPOUNS!
http://www.nutroproducts.com/yourfamily/
Nutro products is offering a free bag of food for filling out a short questionnaire. You can help http://www.AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com by spreading the word and collecting the coupons! One per household, but if you get a load of friends on the task every bit helps!
Mail coupons to: Animal Rescue New Orleans
1219 Coliseum St. * New Orleans, LA 70130
SOURCE: dedelow@cox.net
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NEARLY 200 COCKATIELS NEED HOMES
nycompanionbirdclub@yahoo.com writes, 6/26: Someone has dropped off almost 200 cockatiels at a Petco. Our club has found homes for a few, but it barely made a dent. If anyone can help, here is the situation.
Please contact:
Petco in Middletown, NY phone
ph: 845 692 6691
If you need more info, feel free to contact me also.
Anna: nycompanionbirdclub@yahoo.com
SOURCE: Manhattan Bird Club, nycompanionbirdclub@yahoo.com
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UPDATE: AVONDALE PITS
Mary, fmblngtwrdxtc@gmail.com writes, 6/26: Wanted to pass on these pics that Elena sent of the mama & her babies. She's skinny but beautiful! We still need to find a foster / rescue for her & the pups, so if you have any ideas, please send them my way!
The latest update on the case is that the "owner" signed 2 of 3 citations, refusing to sign the one for Phoenix because it was his brother's dog. Not what he told the ACO 2/25. So, they sent it to the DA as a refusal, and are trying to get an early court date. Phoenix is at SAF (yay!) and has started his HW treatment. Starfish!
BACKGROUND — Two rescuers in New Orleans happened upon two dogs at an address in Avondale, LA in late February while working with Villalobos staff facilitating a reunion. The dogs were chained on very short, heavy and padlocked chains. The dogs had no food, water or shelter. One dog was severely emaciated and his skin rubbed raw rom the padlock and chain. While pictures show a doghouse present for the other dog, we watched him attempt to go into the house and he could not reach it due to the short chain...
A lengthy legal battle ensued, but the dogs were removed, none have been euthanized, and Phoenix is at Southern Animal Foundation. READ MORE: webpage: http://www.geocities.com/unchainingtheavondalepits/index.html?
blog: http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-62ClVFgkdaX3ZzRbUYUDtNFXru_oPC96m2r4QZ82knXL
SOURCE: Mary, fmblngtwrdxtc@gmail.com
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BOOK SIGNING WITH ANDERSON COOPER
artloverlibra@gmail.com writes, 6/25: Today I went to Anderson Cooper's book signing at Octavia bookstore Uptown. I went with Leigh and Beth-two fellow rescuers. We gave him a t-shirt from our cause and some info and we thanked him for the coverage he has given to the animals. He is too cute! Celeste
SOURCE: celeste gilbert <artloverlibra@gmail.com>
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MY CITY OF RUINS – MUSIC VIDEO
Lilla Whitehead, lilandneal@hotmail.com writes: In some ways, it seems like only yesterday... Pam Leavy, tundraleap@msn.com writes: Bruce Springsteen played this music/video on the stage Jazz Fest when he sang this song.
My City of Ruins, Go to URL:
http://www.loganbabin.com/City%20of%20Ruins.wmv
SOURCE: lilandneal@hotmail.com, tundraleap@msn.com
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[FILM ON DVD] DARK WATER RISING:
The Truth About Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescues
Mike Shiley, Producer/Director, writes 6/26: I am pleased to announce a private DVD release and pre-theatrical sale of DARK WATER RISING: The Truth about Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescues. This is the only documentary film made about animal rescues of Hurricane Katrina.
About DARK WATER RISING:
50,000+ dogs and cats were left behind in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The pets (mostly dogs) who survived the flood were locked in houses and chained to fences without food and water for up to six weeks.
A small group of brave rescuers from around the world risked their lives to sledgehammer down doors, brave toxic floodwaters and dodge corrupt cops in a race against time to rescue up to 10,000 trapped and starving animals. Some rescuers worked with the official rescue organization, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), while others joined a more aggressive rescue outfit, code named Winn Dixie.
This film also tells uplifting stories of hope and survival as pets are reunited with their owners while other lucky pets find loving new homes. These hard earned lessons will help our nation understand the need for animal evacuation plans in natural disasters. Join me for a behind-the-scenes look at the grim reality of the life and death struggles on the toxic streets of New Orleans.
You may already know me from my other documentary film called, INSIDE IRAQ: THE UNTOLD STORIES http://www.InsideIraqTheMovie.com
A one-time opportunity to own the DVD before theatrical release.
CHECK OUT THE TRAILER: http://darkwaterrising.com/trailer.html
ORDER THE DVD: http://www.filmbaby.com/product_info.php?products_id=997
NOTE FROM KINSHIP CIRCLE: I’ve already purchased/viewed this amazing film. You will be mesmerized. Perhaps angry. Definitely moved. Get it.
SOURCE: Mike Shiley, Producer/Director, http://darkwaterrising.com/
Kim Upham, OskiFan@mac.com
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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. Additional F/W Group In NOLA – Southern Animal Foundation
SOURCE: Deanna Theis <itsgwiff@yahoo.com>
Deanna Theis, itsgwiff@yahoo.com, writes 6/30: Southern Animal Foundation (SAF) is organizing a new food/water group to work in conjunction with our trappers. We have recognized an obvious need that has been overlooked, and have had numerous people contact us, wanting to help rejuvenate this effort. Our focus is mainly cats, as we are inundated with cats coming in for TNR, and a large majority of the females are pregnant again.
CAT food, gift cards, and monetary donations will help us kick start this effort. SAF is a 501c3 non profit and your donations are tax deductible. SAF has a location to store the food, and will be getting info out into the community about reporting stray/feral cats. We plan on starting section by section, monitoring (and moving, if necessary) f/w stations, while trapping out that area. Non-populated areas will most likely take first priority.
TO HELP TRAP/FEED * ASK QUESTIONS * MAKE SUGGESTIONS
CONTACT - cell: 504-975-PETS, itsgwiff@yahoo.com
Southern Animal Foundation (SAF): 504-671-8235
3. USED DOGS Needs A Few Serious Volunteers
SOURCE: Madalin Bernard, k9kitten@cox.net
USED DOGS - (In Algiers, just outside of Algiers Point)
Madalin Bernard - 504-442-DOGS (3647), k9kitten@cox.net
Petfinder: http://www.useddogs.petfinder.com
Madalin Bernard, k9kitten@cox.net, writes 6/30: I need a few serious volunteers, who have experience with pit bulls, want to help work on basic obedience and help clean. I really would die to have someone who would be able to come regularly. Even if it was just once a week. I am quite literally at this point working by myself. I could also use someone to help with some computer stuff and a mailing list, but that's not as much of a priority. I am hoping for maybe someone who lives over in this part of town.
I try to limit my intake to Algiers. I consider myself not a breed rescue, but a neighborhood rescue. That said, most of my dogs are pit bull or pit bull mixes. The dogs here are all medium to large. I occasionally get smaller dogs, but the only ones who do well here, are the tougher small ones. This is not the ideal place for the toy type little dog. It's just too rambunctious. And that is my present dilemma.
I have a little Shih Tzu, Buddy, who really needs a foster home. He is going blind and I am stretched too thin having him here. He is really very sweet. His owners were completely flooded, but they are planning to move back in their home at the end of this year.
It is possible that I could keep the Shih Tzu here, if I could get some assistance giving him his eye drops. Also I would like someone to spend a little time with him. With his eyesight, and the nature of the other dogs here, poor little Buddy has to be 100% supervised when he sniffs around the yard. And I have trouble finding real quality time for him. He has his own little 20 x 15 kennel in the shady grass. He comes into the AC sometimes in a crate. He has a regular Friday date with a friend but he needs more. I have no experience with a dog going blind. And it is very stressful for me, due to the demands from all the other dogs.
I am so stretched and exhausted, and I know everyone here is, but I could really use just a little help. I have worked really hard building (work in progress, but mostly done) a little oasis here for homeless dogs, and hardly anybody has seen it. I have designed it specifically to make the dogs happy. It is very un-sheltery. Not that there us anything wrong with shelters, they are definitely needed. The way I work is harder in some ways and easier in other ways. The dogs here are so happy.And sometimes in this business, it really great to see happy dogs.
IF YOU CAN HELP, CONTACT:
USED DOGS - (In Algiers, just outside of Algiers Point)
Madalin Bernard - 504-442-DOGS (3647), k9kitten@cox.net
Petfinder: http://www.useddogs.petfinder.com
4. St. Charles Parish Shelter Still Really Needs Help
Overflow situation in aftermath of hurricanes
SOURCE: Suzy, astrostar29@cox.net
astrostar29@cox.net writes 6/30: There are a lot of new photos of dogs and cats in URGENT need of help. This of course is not all the photos of the dogs and cats that are there. Many of these sweet dogs and cats will be PTS if they can not get the help they need.
VIEW ANIMALS:
*Petfinder list does not show all animals
http://tinyurl.com/pr8ja
[COPY & PASTE LINK INTO YOUR BROWSER IF CLICKING DOESN’T WORK]
CONTACT & LOCATION
http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/LA24.html
985-785-9136 or 985-783-5010
13875 Frere Street off of River Road directly under the I-310 Bridge in Luling
Open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Humane Society is available Saturdays at the animal shelter, for adoptions only, from 12 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The St. Charles Parish Humane Society visits the PetSmart every Saturday and Sunday with new dogs and cats.
PETsMART * 6851 Veterans Blvd., Metairie * 504-455-2222
5. Horses Need Homes. Katrina Wiped Out Stables.
You won’t believe it, but...FEMA Won’t Help
SOURCE: rrsighthound@aol.com, autobrokers70039@aol.com, Ravenwoodfarmdun@aol.com
Ravenwoodfarmdun@aol.com writes 6/27: North Florida Horse Rescue/Habitat for Horses received a call from a Dan Durson from Mississippi. She and her partner Edmund Malley ran a boarding stable that was wiped out during Katrina. They were on leased property and have lost everything and cannot get any assistance from FEMA. They have several older horses that they need to place in homes as they have had to go elsewhere for work. The horses are located in Kiln, MS.
This has been assigned to me from HFH since MS is my territory but it is so far for me to help someone who needs to place an older horse. Do you know of anyone who can help me with this?
CONTACT:
Chris Dunn, President, North Florida Horse Rescue, Inc.
Southeast Regional Rep and Emergency Coordinator, Habitat for Horses
5860 Trawick Road; Keystone Heights, FL 32656
352-478-2412 or 904-626-1990
Ravenwoodfarmdun@aol.com
http://www.northfloridahorserescue.com/
http://www.habitatforhorses.org/
Our mission is to provide and secure the safety and well being of all horses before, during and after a disaster, to educate the public about responsible horse ownership and to increase public awareness of the necessity to microchip for identification
6. Has Anyone Seen George? Missing Cat From MS
ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT GEORGE, CONTACT:
Elaine Chichizola, Volunteer, Best Friend Animal Society
echichizola1@comcast.net or 201-410-7280
LAST SEEN:
August 29, the day after the hurricane. George was being boarded in the area of Ocean Springs, MS around the area of Dogwood Drive. George may be trying to find his way home to Biloxi, MS.
DESCRIPTION:
George is large boy with green eyes, all four paws are white, and he has two patches of white on his stomach. He has a lump on his right side which the vet believes was caused by a pellet gun. If you rub his right side you can feel were the pellet entered his side.
PHOTOS:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yepitsme770/178397060/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yepitsme770/178397101/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yepitsme770/178397075/
Elaine Chichizola, echichizola1@comcast.net, writes: We are looking for the rescue groups who may have rescued animals in this area. Please help us reunite George with his mom. Thank you, Elaine Chichizola, Volunteer, Best Friend Animal Society
IF YOU HAVE GEORGE, OR TIPS TO LEAD TO HIS RETURN, CONTACT:
Elaine Chichizola, Volunteer, Best Friend Animal Society:
echichizola1@comcast.net or 201-410-7280
SOURCE: echichizola1@comcast.net, yepitsme770@yahoo.com
7. Do You Recognize Me? Katrina Rescue Cat
ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CAT, CONTACT:
SpayMart@yahoo.com, 504-838-9167
LAST SEEN:
This kitty was rescued within weeks of Katrina and transported to Jefferson Feed and Garden Supplies for processing (New Orleans). He was wearing a pink and white flea collar, same color, etc as one of our other Katrina rescues.
DESCRIPTION:
Katrina Rescue #2/Cat: Tuxedo,Domestic Short Hair
Size: Small * Age: Adult * Sex: Male
He is a bit skiddish, and has somewhat of an attitude.
PHOTO:
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=5343771&ptmpl=1
sandra@spaymart.org writes: Please contact spaymart@yahoo.com if you recognize this Katrina pet. She is up for adoption.
IF YOU RECOGNIZE THIS CAT OR WANT TO INQUIRE ABOUT HIM,
CONTACT: SpayMart@yahoo.com, 504-838-9167
SOURCE: SpayMart, Inc., Metairie, LA. SpayMart is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the number of euthanized animals.
http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/LA37.html
8. Save Sweet Senior Dog In West Monroe, LA
SOURCE: Lilla Whitehead <lilandneal@hotmail.com>, catdogbirdz@yahoo.com
Elvis - Senior dog (Spitz/Spaniel? mix)
Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter
West Monroe, LA shelter in northeast Louisiana
ELVIS PROFILE: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=6494897
catdogbirdz@yahoo.com writes 6/24: I know senior dogs are hard to place but I thought I would just see if anyone could take this one or if you know of anyone who might be able to help. I'm not sure if Elvis is a spitz mix or maybe a spaniel mix...but he was surrendered to the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter in West Monroe by his owner. The owner did not give the shelter any information on him so they went ahead but put him up for adoption, they did not think he was a senior dog. I called the vet's office on his rabies tag and found out that he was 13 years old (he doesn't look or act that old), neutered, current on shots until October 2006 and he's heartworm negative.
Now that the shelter knows how old he is, I imagine they will put him to sleep. Their adoptions are really slow right now and since this is "the pound," they stay full all of the time.
IF ANYONE CAN HELP ELVIS, CONTACT:
Christy Primm, PAWS of NE Louisiana
West Monroe, LA
christyprimm@yahoo.com or 318-348-4944
9. Abused Cat Needs Kind Heart – Pearl, MS
SOURCE: nancyjwl@yahoo.com, shop4onex4@cox.net, katie.walter@comcast.net
nancyjwl@yahoo.com writes 6/30: I live in an apartment complex in Pearl, Mississippi. [Pearl, Mississippi which is around 6 miles SE of Jackson, MS.] There is a cat that has taken up residence on my patio. He/She is in a sad state. Eyes are matted closed, and was told by another neighbor she had boiling water thrown at her, so her fur is in a bad way. I have put on gloves and tried to wash her face, but she will not let me. She has never hissed or bit or slapped at me.
Yesterday I held a bowl of milk and an egg at her face, since she did not see me, and she drank it all. I also have can dog food she has eaten. Trying to keep her fresh water out. I have a dog, and do not, unfortunately, have the funds to take a stray cat to the vet. After checking with humane shelter, was told they would probably euthanize her, talked to CARES in Clinton, and they have no room... She really seems sweet, just needs some love. Thank you very much. ~Nancy~
IF YOU CAN CARE FOR THIS KITTY, CONTACT:
Nancy, nancyjwl@yahoo.com
10. Have You Seen Red? Cat Lost In Chalmette, LA
ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT RED, CONTACT:
(Red’s guardian) Minnie Poloma, 504-559-2878 or epoloma@aol.com
LAST SEEN:
Red disappeared on Monday March 27th from 2804 Lloyds Ave in Chalmette, Louisiana. I have put out posters in the area with his picture on it and an ad in the local paper.
DESCRIPTION:
I've attached a picture of Red taken after Katrina. He is a large orange neutered male with white on his stomach and paws. He has a very small notch out of one of his ears, I think it is the right one. He is very ticklish on his back by his tail.
Minnie Poloma, epoloma@aol.com, writes 6/30: Any help you can give me in finding my cat Red will be greatly appreciated... Please send this info on to whoever you think could help.
IF YOU HAVE RED, OR TIPS TO LEAD TO HIS RETURN, CONTACT:
(Red’s guardian) Minnie Poloma, 504-559-2878 or epoloma@aol.com
SOURCE: yepitsme770@yahoo.com, epoloma@aol.com
11. Stop Jacksonville Florida Animal Control 3-Day Hold
SOURCE: EdgyinJax@aol.com
News4Jax.com - Family - Unwanted Pets' Days Are Numbered
City Proposes Cutting Stay From 7 Days To 3
http://www.news4jax.com/family/9434191/detail.html
June 27, 2006 / JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A proposed change in procedures at
Jacksonville Animal Care and Control would mean pet owners would have less
than half the time to claim their animal and likely result in more dogs and
cats being put to sleep.
Animal Care and Control head David Flagler says he has no other choice to
but to reduce the amount of time some animals stay at the shelter.
Unclaimed Pets Could Be Put To Sleep Sooner
<http://www.news4jax.com/family/9434191/detail.html> The head of the city agency that picks up strays and takes unwanted pets said that other than adoption, this is the only option left to make room for all the animals coming in.
"Our choice is that we double, triple, quadruple animals up. That creates an inhumane environment for the dogs that are in our care," director David Flagler said.
More than 2,500 dogs and cats were brought to the city's animal shelter so far in June, and only 244 were adopted. That means over 2,000 animals were put down — the highest number ever.
One of the pressures on animal control is that the Jacksonville Humane Society changed to a no-kill shelter last year, so they have less room for animals people choose to give up.
The proposed new rule would be implemented as a three-layer process. Animals without identification would go first — after three days. Animals with a collar would get five days. Those with a license or other identification would be given seven days
"Any form of collar — even if someone tied a piece of twine around an animal's neck — would indicate that its had contact with someone," Flagler said.
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Animal advocates said the city is going too far if they start putting stray dogs down in just three days.
"I am very bothered by that, as an animal lover and dog owner," one dog owner told Channel 4's Jim Piggott.
Flagler urged pet owners to put some type of identification on their pet and contact animal control quickly if the animal is lost. Animal Care and Control also posts photos online of pets that were picked up, so people can browse for lost pets or an animal they'd like to adopt.
The mayor's office is reviewing this plan and said it knows the tougher rules will become an emotional issue. The City Council would have to approve it as well.
View Animal Care and Control Pets:
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Environmental+Resource+Management/Animal+Care+and+Control/Pets+Online.htm
TO VOICE YOUR OPINION ABOUT REDUCED HOLD FOR ANIMALS AT JACKSONVILLE ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL, CALL OR EMAIL:
* Contact EdgyinJax@aol.com if problems with contact info or other questions. Kinship Circle DID NOT compose this alert.
Mayor Office: 904-630-CITY (2489), jpeyton@coj.net
District 1: Lake Ray - LRay@coj.net, 904-630-1389
District 2: Lynette Self - LSelf@coj.net, 904-630-1392
District 3: Richard Clark - RClark@coj.net, 904-630-1386
District 4: Suzanne Jenkins - SuzanneJ@coj.net, 904-630-1394
District 5: Art Shad - AShad@coj.net, 904-630-1382
District 6: Sharon Copeland - SCopelan@coj.net, 904-630-1388
District 7: Pat Lockett-Felder - PFelder@coj.net, 904-630-1384
District 8: Gwen Yates - GYates@coj.net, 904-630-1385
District 9: Reggie Fullwood - ReggieF@coj.net, 904-630-1395
District 10: Mia Jones - MJones@coj.net, 904-630-1684
District 11: Warren Alvarez - WAlvarez@coj.net, 904-630-1383
District 12: Daniel Davis - DDavis@coj.net, 904-630-1380
District 13: Arthur Graham - ArtG@coj.net, 904-630-1397
District 14: Michael Corrigan - Corrigan@coj.net, 904-630-1390
At Large Council Members
Group 1: Ronnie Fussell - RonnieF@coj.net, 904-630-1393
Group 2: Elaine Brown - ElaineB@coj.net, 904-630-1381
Group 3: Lad Daniels - LDaniels@coj.net, 904-630-1396
Group 4: Kevin Hyde - KHyde@coj.net, 904-630-1398
Group 5: Glorious J. Johnson - GloriousJ@coj.net, 904-630-1387
12. Request: Photos/Footage Of Hurricane-Stricken Horses
SOURCE: Marnie Reeder, starbright60@webtv.net
FROM: United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., Gretchen Luther
6/29/06: Skinner & Company Requests Photos and Footage of Hurricanes and
Horses for Documentary
http://www.usef.org/content/newsDisplay/viewPR.php?id=1392
Skinner & Company of Louisville, KY, is producing an importantdocumentary film to raise awareness of equine rescue in disastersituations, specifically focusing on the aftermath of hurricanes Katrinaand Rita. Skinner & Company is requesting that anyone who has videosand/or photographs of the following, or knows of someone else, please contact them at the contact information below.
Some ideas of video/film/or photos that the company would like to see:
—Actual storm/hurricane footage from your area
—Shots of horses before, during and after the storms/surges
—Actual equine rescues and especially any footage of reunions of horses with their families after the storms
—Sadly, any stories of equine casualties, farm/barns/property before and damages after the storm; and
—Any equine rescue or reunion stories that you think are unique, miraculous, or that would be interesting to other horse lovers or to the general television viewing public.
Skinner & Company will accept all formats and will return your footageand stills to you.
According to the company, if the materials are used, you or your familywill be included in the credits, and you will be given a DVD copy of thefootage that is used, along with a free DVD copy of the finished documentary.
If you have an unusual equine rescue/reunion story to share, Skinner & Company may be interested in interviewing you.
They want to hear from horse lovers of all ages, but if you are a minorplease make sure you discuss this with your parents or guardians as thecompany will need their permission to work with you.
FOR QUESTIONS, OR TO SUBMIT MATERIALS, CONTACT:
Gretchen A. Luther, Skinner & Company, Inc.
ph: 502-583-4492; fax: 502-583-4499
gretchen@skinnercompany.com
635 W. Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202
13. Katrina Victim Sues To Get Poodle – Different Viewpoints
SOURCE: INDCALPET@aol.com
Katrina victim, 86, sues to have his rescued poodle returned
New Orleans man just wants his dog back
Sunday, June 25, 2006 * By Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
When Malvin Cavalier fled to the Superdome as Hurricane Katrina bore down on his home in the 9th Ward of New Orleans, he left a bucket of food and pail of water on the front porch for his poodle, Bandit. "I figured, 'I'll be in the Superdome, the storm hits, I'll be back in a couple of days, go back home and Bandit'll be there and everything will be normal again,' " Mr. Cavalier said.
That was Aug. 28.
Today, Mr. Cavalier is living in an apartment in Houston, waiting for a new home in New Orleans. Bandit was last seen somewhere in the Pittsburgh area, brought here by the head of a local animal rights group and given to a woman whose attorney has suggested Mr. Malvin, 86, was unfit to care for the animal. "It's my dog. She has no right to it. That's just stealing," Mr. Cavalier said.
The battle pits Mr. Cavalier, a retired sheet-metal worker and widower, against Lisa Fox, whose last address was in McCandless. Mr. Cavalier's attorney has been unable to find her.
Eric Rice, an Annapolis, Md., businessman who joined in animal rescues after Katrina, said he has encountered hundreds of cases of shelters that put up pets for adoption without first attempting to find owners, as well as cases of advocacy groups that simply assume any pet left behind was neglected. "There's a set of animal rescue people out there that are so far into the animal side of it that they're not into the people side of it," said Mr. Rice, who has used his Web site, ericsdogblog.com <http://ericsdogblog.com/>, to reunite pets and their owners.
In his lawsuit, Mr. Cavalier says Ms. Fox obtained the dog from Peter McKosky, a leader in Voices for Animals of Western Pennsylvania. Mr. McKosky, the complaint adds, picked up Bandit along with other animals at a rescue center set up after thousands of pets were recovered amid the wreckage of the city.
The complaint says Mr. McKosky was supposed to take his finds to Chenoa Manor, a Chester County rescue shelter, pending reunification with their owners. Mr. McKosky has since left his home in Belle Vernon, according to his father, who says he has not been in touch. He did not return several messages left on his cell phone requesting comment.
Other long-distance custody fights have erupted over pets left behind during Katrina, often by owners who were told not to take their pets with them to the Superdome. "It's a fairly national problem," said Scott Hendler, an Austin, Texas, lawyer who last week had a Rottweiler puppy returned to Catherine and William Taylor. Mr. Hendler filed suit in Texas after a rescue group there, called Rottielove, failed to return the puppy to the Taylors and instead arranged for a Texas woman to adopt it.
"It was just a question of the rescuers deciding for themselves that the puppy would be better off with a family that could take it now instead of waiting three weeks until the original owners were in a position to reclaim it," Mr. Hendler said. "The original owners had three or four dogs. I think there were lots of assumptions made about their ability to care for the animals that weren't legitimate."
Similar disputes over unreturned pets have arisen in New Jersey and Illinois. The Louisiana attorney general's office has assigned a deputy to attempt to negotiate the return of pets whose rescuers have decided to keep them. No one has kept a definite record of how many pets were displaced by Katrina. Before the storm, according to an estimate by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the animal population of the Gulf area was 205,000 dogs, 230,000 cats, 46,000 birds and 2,000 horses.
At least 4,926 animals went through one staging area for rescued pets in Gonzales, La. An estimated 15,000 animals were rescued by more than 400 groups. The mix of emotions and ideology that often accompany pets and the groups that advocate for them has put Mimi Hunley, the deputy attorney general in Louisiana assigned to deal with the disputes, in a difficult spot. Louisiana will not file suit on behalf of individuals and cannot file a class action because so many organizations are involved in the pet rescues.
"In these particular cases, there's not one defendant. There's just various shelters all over the country," Ms. Hunley said. She has negotiated for the return of at least 15 animals.
Bandit was among the early cases, and one that ended in frustration. "I reached a point in the negotiations where I was not accomplishing anything with these people. I did not feel I was making any headway," she said.
At the time, the negotiations were taking place between Carolyn Flamm, a Pittsburgh lawyer who, she said, represented Ms. Fox and Voices for Animals, and Sandra Bauer, a Canadian animal rights activist who is affiliated with a group called Stealth Rescue. Ms. Bauer's group had been attempting to reunite pets and their owners.
"It sort of spiraled out of control," Ms. Hunley said. Ms. Bauer found a lawyer for Mr. Cavalier and negotiations stopped. Ms. Bauer declined to comment about the fight.
Ms. Flamm declined to discuss the matter other than to say further negotiations were scheduled. "We are attempting settlement negotiations and I think there's a good chance we will settle this amicably," she said. She declined to say whether Bandit was still in the Pittsburgh area.
Voices for Animals of Western Pennsylvania has gained attention by picketing restaurants that serve goose liver pate and setting up protests outside the Shrine Circus, which it views as an abuser of animals. The group promotes a meat-free diet, objects to hunting and protested last year's Bassmaster Classic Fishing Tournament on Pittsburgh's three rivers.
Its Web site offers this statement of beliefs: "We envision a society where animals are viewed as respected members of our communities, rather then being seen as mere human-owned commodities. Our goal is to educate the Western Pennsylvania community about issues affecting animals and encourage ethical and sustainable lifestyle choices that reflect an underlying ethic of compassion and respect for all sentient beings — regardless of race, class, sexual orientation, gender, age or species."
According to the lawsuit, Bandit came into the hands of Voices for Animals when Mr. McKosky traveled to Gonzales, La., where displaced pets were being sheltered.
"Mr. McKosky represented himself as an authorized agent" of Chenoa, and left with numerous pets. Instead of taking Bandit to Chenoa, the complaint says, "Mr. McKosky retained possession of Bandit for himself" and later "refused to return Bandit, suggesting that the elderly Mr. Cavalier was irresponsible in 'abandoning' Bandit, and thus an undeserving owner."
One member of Stealth Rescuers, Cindi Nicotera, a Harrisburg, Pa., librarian, said she first contacted Mr. McKosky about a pet cat she believes the group also took from New Orleans after Katrina. "He just went off and said those people don't deserve to have these pets and none of these pets is going back to New Orleans. He was screaming at me most of the time," Mrs. Nicotera said. "He's going on about how he would never leave his animals."
Mr. Cavalier said he was forbidden to take his dog with him to the Superdome. Instead, he left of food and water and propped his front door open to allow Bandit to move in and out at will. "I didn't have any idea I'd be in the Superdome six days, sir. I didn't know the levee was going to break," he said.
According to the complaint, Mr. McKosky gave Bandit to Voices for Animals in the fall or winter last year and the group, in turn, gave the dog to Ms. Fox. Mr. Cavalier, who says Bandit is the last remnant of the life he shared with his wife, who died in 2003 after 54 years of marriage, has a new home waiting in the 9th Ward, once the government sets up a mobile home on his now-cleared lot. "I'm going to try to get my dog back and take my dog with me everywhere I go," he said. "Before this year's out, I'm going home to New Orleans, and I'll have Bandit with me."
Dennis Roddy can be reached at droddy@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1965.
OTHER VIEWPOINTS:
Zelda Penzel, zpenzel@nyc.rr.com, writes: This rush to feel sorry for an old fellow is all well and good, but the welfare of the animal should be of primary concern.
Gary Whitten, whitteng@con2inc.com writes: I traveled to New Orleans in Sept. and again in January to try to rescue animals left behind by their owners. In some cases people really made an attempt to do everything reasonable to see to the welfare of their pets. But, in way too many cases, people abandoned their pets with little or no concern for their fates and, even after the storm was over, when I and others traveled from all over the country to try to rescue animals we had no knowledge of, many of their owners were in the vicinity (e.g. Houston, where I flew in to and rented a car to get to New Orleans) and still made no effort to try to save their own pets.
We saw cases of dogs chained inside their own houses, one case where a dog was chained, under garbage, in the back yard on a chain shorter than the depth of the high water mark and he was, somehow, still alive. Many of the dogs we rescued from inside closed houses had no visible food or water - no sign their owners had made any effort to provide for them. We found a new mother dog left behind in a closet, starving herself to try to keep her new puppies alive and again in January, we found another new mother whose "owner" kept her in his damaged, water-soaked garage and was not giving her or her days old puppies either food or water. We found her on the desolate, abandoned streets, trying to scrounge for food for her and her puppies.
My feeling is that anyone leaving their pets behind, trapped in a situation where they would very likely die, is, at the least, suspect and the burden of proof that they are worthy to care for any animal lies with them. I, for one, would not rush to return a pet to someone who may, very likely, have not had a reasonable level of concern or taken a reasonable amount of responsibility for their pet, until there is a strong indication otherwise.
A man who "left a bucket of food and pail of water on the front porch for his poodle, Bandit", assuming that his poodle would do just fine in a category 4 or 5 hurricane in an area well below sea level did not, to my mind, demonstrate enough concern to deserve, automatically, getting the dog again, no questions asked. There were some very admirable people who had no way to get their pets out and, therefore, stayed behind with them. But way too many just didn't care very much, let others do for their pet what they should have done, and then, when it was all over, decided they wanted their pet back. I think the worthiness of the pet owner needs to be evaluated on a case by case basis to avoid giving the pet back to someone irresponsible who may well put that pet in harms way again in the future. I think it is a mistake to just return a pet to someone who left their pet behind without looking more deeply into their ability, commitment and willingness to properly care for a pet. Animals should not be treated like property - there is more to consider than just legal "ownership."
14. Katrina Charity Dog Art
SOURCE: Susan Meyer, susankiwikiwi@hotmail.com
"New Leash on Life," painting by Katrina dog-artist Ruthie
CHARITY AUCTION for Dog Rescue
http://tinyurl.com/mhj7o
"New Leash on Life" was painted by dog-artist Ruthie. Ruthie was rescued from the devastation in New Orleans after Katrina.
Ruthie paints with her paws as she pauses and reflects on what she has survived. This beautiful original painting in shades of yellow, blue and green, is derivative of Russian Fauvist Painter Marc Chagall. The colors and quality of the strokes have an ethereal feel. Chagall often painted spiritual themes. Ruthie relates to spiritual images after having survived Katrina.
Ruthie is able to reflect back now that she has been rescued by Harlequin Haven from the frightening aftermath of Katrina. Ruthie hopes that she is adopted into a forever home and that the sadness caused by Hurricane Katrina becomes a distant memory.
This beautiful original 8 x 10" painting comes already framed and matted and ready to add to your collection. Original one-of-a-kind work of art. Comes with CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
All proceeds from Ruthie's paintings go to care for Ruthie and the other dogs at Harlequin Haven.
Open up your heart for the dogs at the Rescue and bid generously! 100% of your bid helps our dogs in need!
Please help us to help dogs like Ruthie, a homeless Katrina survivor. Read her story at http://www.hhdane.com/mix/ruthie.htm
Ruthie begs people to take a stand against irresponsible breeding by refusing to buy from Petland or any pet store that sells puppies, and by spaying or neutering their own pets.
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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.
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