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7/30/06: From Floodwaters To An Uncertain Fate ANIMAL ISSUE OF THE WEEK IN THIS ALERT:
Help St. John Dogs The shelter is located just 30 minutes from the New Orleans area. Please go by today and save a life — SOURCE: http://neworleans.craigslist.org/pet/187270280.html ARNO still needs (more than a few) good men & women TO VOLUNTEER FOR ARNO: —If you are interested in participating in evacuation/disaster volunteerism SOURCE: http://www.AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com Plaquemines Parish — Feral Cat TNR Program SOURCE: ramonabillot@yahoo.com Workshop For NOLA Animal Rescuers I would like to answer the call of so many local animal rescuers and provide them with the support they are requesting in the form of a 2 day workshop. This would occur on or near the anniversary of the hurricane as this is a time that many emotions are stirred. I can only do this if one or more organizations can sponsor/co-sponsor the event. Please consider who might be able to offer some financial backing so that I can arrange for the needed professionals and related costs. Thank you and hopefully I can offer this needed forum for those who could really use the support! In Kinship, Pia See attached for a description/schedule and budget. SOURCE: Pia Salk <piapia@adelphia.net> I Want To Live & Other Katrina Videos Jan. 2006 — SOMEBODY’S PRAYING musical slideshow January to March 2006 — YOU RAISE ME UP musical slideshow
Best Friends joined Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) and Southern Animal
Foundation (SAF) in late Dec., working in conjunction with LASPCA, to help
get more animals off the streets of New Orleans. During the months of
Jan.-Feb., approximately 2,000 animals were rescued. Although some were
feral, most were former pets, friendly and loving. All were spayed/neutered,
vaccinated, etc. Adoptions days were held for the friendly easily adoptable
animals. Many were transported throughout the U.S. There are so many still
on the streets, reproducing now. Reunions continue to take place; pets are
still being found living in the rubble, feeding on the foods drops left by
dedicated volunteers. We thank all the volunteers who continue to come to our aid. Volunteers/donations are always needed: SOURCE: Pam Leavy, Baton Rouge, Louisiana <tundraleap@msn.com> New K9 Amber Alert Site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K9AmberAlert/ SOURCE: bubyenow@ix.netcom.com Have You Asked Your Senators To Support PETS Act? SOURCE: info@kinshipcircle.org REMINDER: Check Posts About Missing & Found Animals
Brittany Spaniel Mix Notes: 7/28/06 - TRINA is a KATRINA survivor. She was found on Grand Isle during the storm. She was rescued before she drowned but her rescuer can no longer keep her so she was taken to the St. John Animal Shelter. Trina is very sweet and well socialized. She is used to being part of a family and is eager to have a new one. Trina is past the puppy stage and will be a great addition to any family and she is already housebroken. The shelter is very full right now so they will have to start putting dogs to sleep soon. Please save Trina from certain death... IF YOU CAN SAVE TRINA, REPLY TO: MORE SURVIVORS & OTHER ANIMALS WHO NEED HELP:
Reply to: comm-187972067@craigslist.org http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=6656913
Notes: HELD OVER...ONE LEFT! This is the last little white tabby from a litter of several. All the others were adopted. This little one is running out of time. To make sure that this sweet cat is safe, come to the shelter before 5 PM on Monday, July 31. The shelter will make every effort to hold over, but this is a very small facility with limited cat cages. The unwanted animals come in each day, and there are many animals in stray hold awaiting their turn to go to adoption. The kittens get more time, but they often get sick if they stay too long. IF YOU CAN FOSTER THIS CAT FOR AN AREA RESCUE GROUP FOR A MINIMUM OF 60 DAYS, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT rescuerealtor@cox.net. YOU MUST BE WITHIN A SHORT DRIVE OF LAFAYETTE, BATON ROUGE OR NOLA. CAN YOU SAVE THIS KITTEN?
Shepherd Mix Notes: HURRICANE KATRINA RESCUE! Prissy is in need of a forever home. She is heartworm negative, spayed and up to date on her shots. She is only about 2 years old and a wonderful dog. She was plucked from the floodwaters of Katrina and her owners were never located. Please open your heart and home to beautiful Prissy. She has been through enough and she deserves a home of her own. If you are interested in meeting Prissy, please e-mail claverie@cox.net for information and an adoption application. TO MEET PRISSY, GET ADOPTION APP., CONTACT: MORE SURVIVORS & OTHER ANIMALS WHO NEED HELP: 5. Help Katrina-Stressed ARF, In Alabama ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION (ARF) NEED FOOD / NEED TRANSPORTS: ADOPTIONS VIEW ANIMALS: http://www.animalrescuemobile.org ARF can provide photos/bios of all animals and provide references from past groups who will attest to ARF’s high standards. ARF WILL ATTEMPT TO MEET RESCUE GROUPS PART WAY OR ARRANGE A TRANSPORT. IF YOU CAN ADOPT, DONATE TIME OR SUPPLIES, CONTACT: Donna Dickson - dkdickson@thomasbealle.com CIRCUMSTANCES From Sept. - Nov. of 2005 Kinship Circle united with Animal Rescue
Foundation (ARF) of Mobile, under the banner Grassroots Effort For Animals
of the Storm. ARF/Kinship Circle sent people and provisions to nearly 80
rescue missions across Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama...
ARF/Kinship Circle - Grassroots Effort for Animals of the Storm:
ARF worked tirelessly to save animals in other storm states, pulling from MS, LA and Texas (after Rita). Donations to ARF/Kinship Circle funded hurricane relief in MS, LA and TX. ARF itself spent thousands to maintain our storage facility in Mobile and sent its own food/supplies to hurricane missions in immediate need. ARF SAVED NO SUPPLIES OR FUNDS FOR ITSELF. ARF currently cares for more than 200-300 animals each day. Animals are in dire straits and ARF — the only true no-kill shelter in Mobile — is struggling for help. CONTACT: Donna Dickson - dkdickson@thomasbealle.com 6. FOUND: Ray Crockett, Blind Rottweiler PET DETAIL: LAST KNOWN LOCATION: DESCRIPTION:
IF YOU RECOGNIZE RAY CROCKETT OR WANT TO INQUIRE ABOUT HIM, CALL PETFINDER’S SOURCE: http://disaster.petfinder.com/emergency/rescue/reportDetail.cgi?id=63192
7. FOUND: Lincoln, Silky Terrier, Terrebonne Parish, LA PET DETAIL: LAST SEEN: DESCRIPTION:
IF YOU RECOGNIZE LINCOLN OR WANT TO INQUIRE ABOUT HIM, CALL PETFINDER’S SOURCE: http://disaster.petfinder.com/emergency/rescue/reportDetail.cgi?id=63256 8. FOUND: “Teddy Bear Kitty” PET DETAIL: LAST KNOWN LOCATION: DESCRIPTION:
IF YOU RECOGNIZE THIS CAT OR WANT TO INQUIRE ABOUT HIM, SOURCE: http://disaster.petfinder.com/emergency/rescue/reportDetail.cgi?id=63255 9. FOUND: Angus, Tuxedo Cat, Helena St. New Orleans PET DETAIL: LAST KNOWN LOCATION: DESCRIPTION:
IF YOU RECOGNIZE ANGUS OR WANT TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS CAT, CALL PETFINDER’S SOURCE: http://tinyurl.com/zwhes 9. T. Boone Pickens Rides to the Rescue By CATHY BOOTH THOMAS Pickens, who owns a ranch in West Texas, says more than 100,000 horses are slaughtered in the U.S. every year for consumption as a "delicacy" by diners in Europe, mostly France and Belgium, as well as Japan — an idea that repulses and outrages him. "I can't imagine slaughtering a horse [to eat]," says Pickens, "It's absolutely un-American." The horses are slaughtered at one of three plants, two in Texas and one in Illinois, all owned by a Belgian entrepreneur. "We don't eat horsemeat here, so it does seem peculiar that someone from Belgium owns the kill plant and the meat is sent to Europe," he says. "Why not in their own countries? Why come to America to do the dirty deal?" Pickens, best known as the founder of BP Capital and Mesa Petroleum, admits horse slaughtering was not high on his agenda until his wife, Madeleine, who raises thoroughbred horses, got involved. "My wife is a great animal lover. I'm more passive. She's more aggressive," he says, with a laugh. Paula Bacon, the mayor of Kaufman, Texas — where one of the plants, Dallas Crown, is located — alerted them to the problem. "Paula Bacon told me the kill plant had $12 million in gross revenues and only pays $5 in taxes but it clogs the sewage system up." A court ordered the plant to shut down by Sept. 30 for failure to pay fines in the thousands of dollars. Pickens is equally riled that the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) oversees and spends millions in taxpayer dollars supervising these plants — Dallas Crown in Kaufman as well as Beltex Corporation in Fort Worth, and Cavel International in DeKalb, Ill. — although selling horsemeat is banned in a lot of states. "It's incredible to me that our money is wasted on meat being shipped out of the country," he says. So what did Pickens, a major Republican contributor, do? He picked up the phone and called his representative, Republican Joe Barton of Texas, and alerted him to the issue — only to find out that a number of old buddies were against banning the slaughter, including the Texas Southwest Cattlemen's Association, the Texas A&M Extension Service and former Democratic Congressman Charlie Stenholm, who was hired as a lobbyist by slaughter proponents. "Somebody is putting money into this for a lobbyist to be on it," says Pickens. He warned Barton that people were getting worked up over the issue. "I told him when you get women like my wife and Paula Bacon involved, you give ‘em an axe and they'll do some chopping." So Barton called a hearing Tuesday before a House of Representatives Energy & Commerce subcommittee. (A commerce subcommittee since proponents contend that banning horse slaughtering for food sales violates commerce laws.) The House Majority leader, John Boehner, has said the House will vote on the bill after summer recess. Even more outrageous to Pickens is the fact that many sellers have no idea that their horses are going to slaughter to become food. "They're thinking their horse will go to some nice family. But those killer buyers, when they buy at auction, it's just a matter of hours before the horse is slaughtered," he says. Opponents of horse slaughtering claim that many of the horses sold for consumption are young foals as well as old racehorses and "summer camp" ponies. When California voted by referendum in 1998 to ban the slaughter of horses for consumption, Pickens notes that horse theft fell by 34%. "You know they are killing a lot of stolen horses." Independent surveys done in years past indicate that a majority of the public is against horse slaughtering. Because of the lack of publicity the issue has attracted, Pickens calls it "America's dirty little secret." The Texas oilman, 78, hopes his wife's passion for saving horses turns out as well as her push to get animals out of New Orleans after Katrina. Of the 800 animals airlifted out after the storm, he says over 70% have since been reunited with their owners. If he had been told to leave his dog, Murdock, behind in the storm waters, says Pickens, "I'd yell at them to pitch me an inner tube, and I'd take my chances with Murdock." Is this is a kinder, gentler Pickens than we're used to seeing? He laughs and says, "That side has always been there. Just unrecognized by some people." 10. Aid For People Without Funds For Vet Care Here is a list of organizations who can help owners that cannot afford vet care. A couple are for rescue organizations and homeless pets. American Animal Hospital Association And some animals, brought to clinics by Good Samaritans, don't have an owner
to pay for treatment. Whatever the situation, the fact remains the same:
When sick or injured animals are unable to receive veterinary care, they
suffer. Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for
sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is
experiencing financial hardship. Angels 4 Animals Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP) Help-A-Pet IMOM The Pet Fund United Animal Nations UK Assistance with Veterinary Bills 11. Heat Warning: Is Your Dog In Danger? On the evening of the Fourth of July, Hogar, a 16-month-old bulldog, went outside with his owner for a game of catch. It wasn’t especially hot in their Detroit suburb. But, with the humidity high, Hogar panted fiercely as he chased a Frisbee (think stampeding canine cannonball). After about 15 minutes, Hogar came inside, drank some water and flopped onto the floor. No one thought much of it. Then Vicki Hodgson (Hogar’s grandma, as it were) noticed that his chest was heaving, his mouth was gaping and his eyes were brick- red. Hogar was in serious trouble. How Dogs Handle Heat This summer, record high temperatures have zapped the energy from both people and their pets. For dogs especially, heat stroke is not uncommon. “Once a dog’s body temperature reaches 107,” warns Dr. Eric Hartelius, a veterinarian in New York, “the cells of the body start to come apart. There is hope—if we get to the animal quickly. But the longer they are hot, and the hotter they are, the less hope there is.” Why do dogs get so hot? They don’t have an efficient system for handling the heat, and most don’t realize that they should decrease their energy level as temperatures rise. While humans sweat all over, dogs pant to evaporate moisture from the tongue and inside the mouth. And since they pant often—even when not overheated—most owners fail to recognize the problem. Remember: A dog’s mouth is his air-conditioning system. So the danger signals emerge as soon as he turns that air conditioner on high. Panting becomes very fast, and the mouth opens wide to allow maximum air flow. The tongue hangs low, widens and thins out to create as much surface area as possible (think “slice of bologna”), while the gums, eyes and tongue may turn brick-red as blood rushes to the area. Also look for wide, panicky eyes; stumbling; restlessness; unresponsiveness; and refusal of food and water. Any dog can get overheated, but the most susceptible are overweight, have a heavy coat or a big body (bullmastiff, Rottweiler, some Labradors) or are excitable and anxious. Short-nosed breeds (bulldogs, boxers and pugs) have especially poor cooling systems. We caretakers must be mindful of our dogs’ vulnerabilities. “Every year, well-intentioned owners jog their dogs to death,” says Beth Lockwood, executive director of the SPCA of Pinellas County in Florida. “Dogs that can normally do the route get into trouble when the heat and humidity climb. We advise exercising dogs either very early or very late.” Remain Vigilant As we head toward fall and the heat begins to subside, be aware that the danger remains—especially when your pet is in the car. Recently, a dog almost died in the parking lot of the Houston SPCA in Texas. “It was the last thing that the owner would have wanted,” says Patricia Mercer, president of the shelter. “She parked in the shade with the windows cracked open.” Still, in 10 minutes, it was 118 degrees inside the car. Swift action by the SPCA staff saved the dog. Similarly, Grandma Vicki responded rapidly when she realized Hogar the bulldog was in trouble. “I immediately got cold, wet towels and started wrapping him,” she recalls. “I switched the towels when they stopped feeling cold. I concentrated on his belly and around his neck and chest. Now and then, I scooped a handful of water and put it in his mouth.” Vicki may well have saved Hogar’s life. And your own care and caution may save your pet. Pay attention to the changes in your dog’s habits and actions. Those behaviors can tell you a lot, now that you know the signs. IF YOUR DOG IS TOO HOT: The authors are noted animal experts, trainers and lecturers. 12. Mikko’s Miracle: From A Grateful Katrina Evacuee 7.22.2006
As we drove into the outskirts of New Orleans, nostalgia rose like the tide at sunset. I had the strongest urge to visit our home – now gutted and overrun with grass. I drove to the exit and approached stealthily; it was 10:30 p.m. The main thoroughfare of Elysian Fields once bustling was now quiet and bleak. My daughter and I circled the block slowly as we talked about the neighborhood. Dim lights peered out from FEMA trailers on the neighboring streets. The Baptist church on the opposite corner had been razed. The starch contrast of newly refurbished dwellings, a bare frame blackened by fire and smoke, and vacant homes still marked with scarlet colored spray paint, decorated the scene before us. As we spoke in hushed tones and surveyed the new beginnings my eyes darted to a small figure frozen in anticipation on the neighboring lawn as our vehicle approached. I halted my daughter in mid sentence with one ghastly phrase, “Epiphany, that’s Mikko.” She screamed, “Where, Momma? Where?” I stopped the car and rolled the window down. I began calling his name. The queerest look came over his face. I’ll never forget it. It was as if he was searching through his memory for a time when he didn’t have to scrounge through a deserted, hurricane ravaged neighborhood for food and water; fend off predators, disease and harsh elements; and a lady and a girl loved him, gave him a home and called him Mikko. He began to meow. Epiphany jumped out of the car and walked to him. He was skittish and untrusting but she kept calling his name. He threw himself onto the ground and began squirming the way he would when he wanted someone to pet and scratch him. I sat in the car in total shock. It took us a while, but we got him into the car, calmed him down, drove 15 miles to get a cat carrier from my cousin, purchased cat food and a litter box from the only store open at 11:30 p.m. (Walgreens on Airline Hwy), and settled at a pet-friendly W Hotel located downtown. Whew! Thank God for Starwood points. The veterinarian gave him a clean bill of health the next morning, updated his vaccinations, and boarded him for us until we got back from Atlanta three days later. We drove Mikko back to Houston. He is adjusting well. He has been pretty jumpy, but I remember Gus reacted the same way when I rescued him after the storm. Oh yeah, Gus. Ummm… I think Gus had gotten adjusted to our house being a one-cat-home again. We adopted Gus one year before Mikko. He had always viewed Mikko as a disgusting little brother who followed him around and mimicked his every move. Mikko weighs about 9 lbs. At 17 lbs., Gus is almost double his size. It’s been challenging to re-introduce them. But I believe Gus now realizes that Mikko is here to stay. Mikko has staked new territory – on a rug underneath my bed. He has also taken to prancing around on rooftops of houses in Houston – a feat that makes my daughter quite nervous, but one I’m sure he acquired during his tenure in post-hurricane New Orleans. Those of you reading this may or may not understand exactly what happened with pet-owners prior to Katrina. Many of them were not able to transport or evacuate their pets. I was one such pet owner. I am an event manager. I had traveled to Miami on business the Wednesday before the storm. My daughter attends middle school in Orlando, Florida and had transitioned to her father’s house at the beginning of August. Neither she, nor I were in New Orleans and our cats’ care had been entrusted to my father and my friend. I was only to be gone away on business one week. Hurricane Katrina hit the coast of Miami on Thursday afternoon. I was there. It was accompanied by strong winds and rain. On Friday, as I sat at my computer and perused the Weather Channel, I saw that Hurricane Katrina had re-entered the Gulf of Mexico on a northwestward path. I remember thinking nonchalantly, “That doesn’t look good.” I closed my computer to head out the door for a busy weekend of preparing for award show after parties. I heard of the residential panic in New Orleans through a casual call to a friend to rave about the celebrity presence in Miami. The news sent me into a tailspin. I began calling family and friends to gather information on their evacuation plan. I am the youngest of five children. My mother is deceased. I was told that my brother would pick up my father, and my sister would follow them in the vehicle with my sister-in-law and their kids. My sister and brother-in-law who have five kids were evacuating to Dallas. My brother who is a New Orleans Police Officer would stay behind to serve, protect and defend. His wife and kids had already evacuated to a small town 120 miles west of New Orleans. Everyone was busy preparing to leave. No one would take my cats. I am grateful my brother evacuated my father, a task that in my absence would have probably gone undone had it not been for his generosity. I am grateful that at my request he pulled open the staircase to the attic in my house. He also gathered my photos, memorabilia and computer hard drive and transported them in a plastic bag out of the city that would soon be submerged. I am, however, most grateful for my friend, Wendy, who stopped at my house, placed all my cat food and a huge pot filled with fresh water in the attic. She led the cats to the stairs to peak their curiosity thereby laying out the hurricane escape route the veterinarian would later quote, “That probably saved their lives.” She and her family took initial refuge in the Federal Reserve Bank where her husband is employed. I am most grateful for Debbie, the animal control officer from Dallas who volunteered to rescue pets in New Orleans. I met her while searching for my cats at the pet shelter in Gonzales, Louisiana two and a half weeks after the disaster. She took my card. She went to my house. She climbed over the debris left from 5 feet of water to get to the aforementioned staircase, ascend and give me the news that my cats were not dead in the attic. Debbie called for my cats but they would not come at her calling. She also marked my house as an SPCA feeding post, and left a pail of fresh water and a large bag of cat food under the carport. I am grateful for each person who went to my house and called out my cats’ names in an effort to rescue them for me. I am grateful for my neighbors, whoever they are, wherever they are, who continue to feed stray cats and dogs, separated from their loved ones by this horrific tragedy. And, I am most grateful for you who are reading this letter; you who sent my missing cat messages to everyone in your email list; you, who forwarded pictures, initiated rescue efforts, searched Pet Finders listings and reports, reunited families and pets, fostered pets, facilitated adoptions and you, who prayed for the safe return, rescue, or care of the animals/pets affected by the disaster in the Gulf Coast region. May God bless you and keep you. Yvette, Epiphany, Gus & Mikko From: Cadi Schiffer <cadi@arusa.org> 7/23
Here are some more photos that Yvette (Mikko’s owner) sent me. Mikko is
pictured in the first 3 shots, Gus in the 4th. A couple of cuties, eh? Happy   
13. Kinship Circle Slammed In Bizarre Online Attack 2. kinship circle/animal rights ABOUT KERRIN WINTER CHURCHILL: REPLY FROM: Kinship Circle <disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org> 7/27 I have nothing to hide: I am a Midwest mom to a five-year-old boy. I am also mom to two dogs and two cats. My houseful of companion animals (there have been periods over the current four) brings me joy, comfort and endless smiles. If you know who these extremists are that will ban us from loving and living with our companion animals, please do let me know. They should most definitely be stopped. In fact, my beloved dog Stanley, who died this past Christmas, was my inspiration for Kinship Circle... and my PERSONAL choice to lead a vegan lifestyle. I do not preach nor proselytize. I only share what I know with others in educational formats (fact sheets, columns, letter campaigns). No one is forced to participate. All lifestyle choices are personal, as they should be, or they have no meaning for the person who makes them. Lastly, you are apparently unaware of Kinship Circle’s significant and ongoing involvement in the Gulf Coast animal relief effort... I am sorry you believe our nonprofit organization is something it is not. I hope I have allayed your fears. Sincerely, STANLEY - July 2, 1991 to Dec. 27, 2005 REPLY FROM: HHERO <hopefulhaven@yahoo.com> 7/27 REPLY FROM: jmilam@bak.rr.com, 7/27
Winston, put the crack pipe down for a moment and clear your head. You are
so far off the mark that it is not even worth debating. You truly need to do
some serious research of this site and then make an apology. Carol
... Jeez, I must have caught some of the fumes off of Kerrin's pipe or bong,
because I called her "Winston". lol Carol REPLY FROM: <ericrice3@comcast.net> 7/27 I have never seen a single item in the Kinship Circle newsletter that was extremist or said you should not have a pet unless you abuse or neglect such. I'd say 90% of that letter is about situations of animals that need some help and is trying to help them. You have bad info. Go after some other group and apologize. REPLY FROM: Julia Fisher, ARF <ggnu@bellsouth.net> 7/28 Dear Kerrin, I do not usually get involved with e-mail "boomerang" writing, particularly when it comes to animal issues. Things get hot. Lines get hazy. We all believe in what we are personally doing for animals. I know you are a caring animal lover as well, or you would not have taken your precious time to voice your opinions and concerns. I would however, like to bend your ear for a moment and tell my tale of Kinship Circle. I am an active member of the Animal Rescue Foundation in Mobile, Alabama. Please feel free to check out our website at <http://www.animalrescuemobile.org> . I know, I know, EVERYONE has a website, nowadays. We are a 501(c)3 organization and the only true "no kill" group here. 100% driven by volunteers of ALL walks of life, education and financial station. I was first introduced to Brenda and Kinship Circle the day after Katrina struck here. We worked day and night tirelessly doing the Hurricane animal relief you know all about. I won't bore you with the details. What I WOULD like to emphasize is that I had investigated her and Kinship Circle before I allied myself with them. This much I knew. They were credible, well informed, passionate, dynamic, capable of accomplishing big things with small numbers in 'en mass, articulate, had a gorgeous website and powerful allies who believed in their causes. I knew most of them were vegans/vegetarians and thought of the possibility that they could be one of those "extremist" groups that are almost scary. Those willing to create mayhem and disorder in the name of saving animals that are in mayhem and disorder themselves. I just didn't know, and in all honesty, it crossed my mind more than once. BUT they were willing to help when others weren't. And more than just a little. In mammoth proportions. I LOVE animals, as we all do in these causes, but I also love people. I am 44 years old and have been in the medical field for more than 25 years. I walk a strange tightrope. I have been rescuing creatures ever since I was a little kid and saved flies that boys had ripped the wings off of and tried to nurse them back. My family showed Collies and German Shepherds (a no no in some circles, who hates breeders) and rode horses competitively for years. I am an Omnivore AND due to ovarian cancer 2 years ago, I am forced into a horrible dilemma. I have to take Premarin!! I was quiet when they told me I had cancer, but screamed and cried like a madwoman when I had to choose to take Premarin (from your e-mail address, I am guessing you are a horse lover as well- so you can appreciate my quandary) I take it knowing that I try to continue to make up for it by saving animals. A horrible justification, but one I have to make. THEN I CAME TO KNOW BRENDA SHOSS AND THE KINSHIP CIRCLE PEOPLE... They came to my home in droves morning, noon and night, using my home and family as a Bed and Breakfast on the way to and from New Orleans etc.. NONE of them ever questioned my different life style, my choices, my meals. They were not only gracious and grateful, they gave me and my family their friendship and open acceptance with no sermons or weird looks. My husband and I looked forward to their return back to us on their way back up from New Orleans. We gave them pet names. When I told Brenda about my eating and Premarin taking habits, she just told me, " Thank you for trusting me with private things about you. How can I judge you when you haven't judged me?". She became "real" to me with those words. She cared about people, as well as animals. They were all warm, open and loving. They love animals, each and every one. They faced the horrible conditions of New Orleans and each came back exhausted, elated that they had somehow helped, each bringing back some animals that they had saved. They were all realists in our all too real world. Not living on pink cotton candy clouds dreaming that everyone will live on Tofu and Hummus( which I personally love). They just want to try to make changes for what they believe in with all of their hearts, yet allowing others the freedom to do the same. They saw the good in me, not the Premarin or the steak in my freezer. I started keeping vegan yummies right next to my husband's Slim Jims. They never blinked an eye as they grabbed Bumble Bars and ran. Brenda Shoss and Kinship Circle accept. They don't label. What did I find
out about Kinship Circle? They are just like me. Thank you for listening to
me, Kerrin. I know you are a kind and generous soul. How can you not be? You
love animals. I applaud your willingness to act on behalf of animals and the
people who love them, but please note that I believe you are mistaken as I
was. Good luck and hope this finds you well. Julia Fischer- ARF Mobile REPLY FROM: Denise Wilson <shun911sgirl@hotmail.com> 7/28 During hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Brenda was instrumental in getting the word out to everyone on supplies and help that was needed in the areas that were devastated. I am not sure where you are located, Ms. Churchhill, but I am in Texas. Only about 1 hour from the Louisiana boarder. I can tell you from first hand experience, that these two catastrophes have impacted our societies and will have an everlasting effect. Not only do we STILL harbor animals that are victims of these storms, we also harbor our animals who were moved so we could make room for rescued animals. To think that the remarks below were made about an organization like Kinship Circle is ridiculous and I would like to see where you came up with the idea that they are an extremist group.. Kinship Circle is always first in getting contact information to everyone about issues and injustices against animals. I am shocked at your statements and would like to know from what sources you
gathered your information. Thank you, Denise Wilson REPLY FROM: Gretchen Sauder <lynnaron@sbcglobal.net> 7/27 Dear Kerrin, In regards to Kinship Circle and your public website that has apparently informed a reader that says Kinship is out to outlaw citizens from having pets - I wonder where you get your information. It is absurd and I think you owe her a very public apology and on your website. I am appalled that you would even "go there" with her and insult her well-meaning intentions and her messages to a national group of people who were initially involved in helping Katrina animals from the over-crowding and death sentences that animals still face in LA and MS. The shelters are over-filled down there, there are not enough people running the cities and towns. The animals are running loose and breeding. People are trying to feed them and trap them, it is a huge huge problem. Sending animals out to other Shelters in cities across America that could take them has only opened our eyes to the over-crowding in other shelters and the little time that some pets have left. I have been involved in Katrina since day 1 and I live in Houston, TX where all the evacuees came, so I think I can speak very intelligently about this matter. Brenda Shoss is doing a fine job of keeping it together for a group of volunteers that have gone down to help ALL the victims of Katrina. I certainly have read enough from the battles on the internet and the misunderstandings that have occurred. The internet is a dangerous thing and a good thing, but I would be very careful about who and what you say as it gets passed around and around and like the telephone game -things get completely turned upside down. I don't know why the groups that love animals have to fight and battle each other, the one mission here is to love and protect animals and to be adult, responsible and knowledgeable about it before anyone goes out and publicly displays anger toward another group. That is not productive and not appropriate when we all start insulting each other. Groups all over should work together on ideas to help out where our government could not or maybe still cannot help the pet overpopulation matter and stop the killing of beautiful animals in shelters, the death of which if you knew the numbers would turn your stomach. People who breed animals for a living should re-think this matter before they start in on all the people that simply cannot bear all the homeless, animal turn-ins, and starving pets that were abandoned or left behind IN ANY city in America. You obviously have not visited enough shelters, or been educated on the horse slaughter going on in this country. But you are better informed now I suspect. Gretchen Sauder, Houston, Texas Gretchen has asked Kinship Circle to note that she has suspended her networking role, for personal reasons, and has “designated” Kinship Circle as a source of information for news and needs concerning Gulf Coast animals. ******************************************************************************************** ******************************************************************************************** TO SUBSCRIBE TO KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF LIST: TO UNSUBSCRIBE: * Select a Kinship Circle ALERT received in your mailbox. Make sure the “To” line from our original alert is in your email, LIKE THIS: ——-Original Message——- ******************************************************************************************** Kinship Circle is a non-profit organization. *DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct. *Kinship Circle cannot guarantee the validity of email addresses. During a campaign, recipients may change or disable their email addresses. |
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