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8/21/06: One Year Later: Animals Of The Storm ANIMAL ISSUE OF THE WEEK IN THIS ALERT:
1. SMALL BITES Need Transport: SBP, New Orleans to Newton, NJ (or vicinity)
REPLY TO: susankiwikiwi@hotmail.com SOURCE: susankiwikiwi@hotmail.com, karensrescuelist@yahoogroups.com NOLA Roaming Pets in Need SOURCE: LeAnne G., yepitsme770@yahoo.com karensrescuelist@yahoogroups.com VIDEO: Left To Die YouTube - Left To Die ONE YEAR AGO... KATRINA HURRICANE. SOURCE: Posted by: "allen_lorena"lsa2112@msn.com BOOK: Saving the Pets of Katrina: From Rescues to Reunions
REPLY TO: Cathy Scott, cathyscott3@cox.net SOURCE: Cathy Scott, journalist and author, <cathyscott3@cox.net> ONLINE MEMORIAL: The Pets of Katrina: One Year Later This memorial website is scheduled for launch on September 1, 2006, and can be found at: Looking for stories to add. SOURCE: http://www.unconditionalfriends.com/main.php Katrina Pets Memorial Wall In NOLA 8/29/06 This wall will first "travel" to five major cities around the U.S. and then, find a permanent installation at a museum in New Orleans. We hope this wall will honor the memory of all of these pets, help heal the losses that have been suffered, and will also serve to remind everyone to never allow this to happen again. We thank all of you for your efforts to help those affected by the storm. The unveiling of the wall will be in New Orleans on August 29, 2006 and all are welcome to attend. REPLY TO: Claire Hutchinson, hutcc144@its.nicholls.edu SOURCE: Maria Alvarez, Stewardship For Strays <tipster@bellsouth.net> Katrina-Effected ARF Still Needs Outside Aid ADOPTIONS: CAN YOU HELP? CONTACT: SOURCE: Julia Fischer, ARF <ggnu@bellsouth.net> Plaquemines Parish — Feral Cat TNR Program SOURCE: ramonabillot@yahoo.com Services for the Dearly Departed Pets Jazz funeral marches traditionally start with a dirge for the mourners' sorrow, then move into an uptempo celebration of the loved one's life and salvation. This time, the march stepped off to a slow rendition of "Just a Closer Walk With Thee." There was a bit of silence. The drums rattled briskly, and the band swung into "Just a Little While to Stay Here." Copyright 2006 Associated Press. SOURCE: http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=5304395 Carriers For Pets Program To Help Evacuate Pets SOURCE: tmfabian@sbcglobal.net Multi-Breed Rescue Groups, Nationwide SOURCE: Cougy@aol.com karenotoolehere REMINDER: Check Posts About Missing & Found Animals 2. Gorgeous Blind Calico, Katrina Survivor, Needs Home If you can help this special needs girl, REPLY TO:  
renee baumy <baumyr@usmi.com> writes, 8/18: We rescued this little Calico girl from a devastated area over the weekend. She appears to be around 1 yr old. She may have been born right before the storm or right after the storm. She was either blind at birth or, we tend to believe, that she was blinded by all the chemicals in the water in that area due to Hurricane Katrina. She is blind in both eyes. When we saw her at one of our feeding stations she was scared and trying to run away from us and bumping into everything. I truly do not know how she has survived. She needs a VERY special home. She is extremely sweet and loving. She is eating good and tested NEGATIVE for everything! Poor thing doesn’t know what’s really going on so we’d like to get her into a permanent home ASAP. She is presently at the ARNO warehouse (where these pictures were taken). PLEASE...if you know anyone that could give this beautiful girl a forever, loving home please let me know. IF YOU CAN HELP THIS CAT, REPLY TO: 3. Main Coon Mama and 5 Kittens at Roicy Kill Shelter in LA Please donate to Main Coon Rescue to help rescue an abandoned Main Coon Mama and her 5 kittens: http://www.mainecoonrescue.net/ Look at these beautiful cats! These are the 5 little kitties born to the beautiful Maine Coon mix mama. They are sad to be separated from her, and are just little guys. The little family was found abandoned at a house when the new homeowners moved in. The new residents got a new house, but these babies lost theirs. There are 4 blacks and 1 tabby...the most overlooked cats at the shelter are black and tabby....so please notice these. http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=6861509 This beautiful and sweet mama cat was taking great care of her kitties and had a home....till the people moved away and left her, another cat, and her kittens behind when they moved. So, when the new people showed up, her presence was no longer required and they have ended up here. She is very, very sad to be away from her kitties, and we are hoping that someone will reward her for being such a good mama by committing to take good care of her for a change. IF YOU CAN FOSTER THESE CATS 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. Roicy Duhon Animal Control Center * Lafayette, LA 4. Remote Reunion Campaign Remote Reunion Campaign: http://www.arches.uga.edu/~rrhudy/bfrr/ - If these animals now, or have previously been, in your care...and you can provide ANY leads as to their whereabouts, please contact the specific volunteers listed on the website. (Please check this site at regular intervals in case additional lost/missing pets are added. They will be clearly marked and dated). - If Katrina pets were transferred elsewhere from your facility, please forward this email to those locations. If you would prefer that we contact those sites directly, please email Valerie Sharma (psharma@austin.rr.com) and include location names. Please also direct to Valerie questions/comments about this remote reunion campaign. - If ANY Katrina pets remain in your care, please consider posting them in the "found" section of our website; we are hopeful that their owners will find them there. To do this, or to request direct assistance in locating owners, please contact Halle Amick (amick@med.unc.edu). If you have questions, thoughts, or suggestions about any Best Friends Lost and Found Volunteer effort, please contact Mary Miller, Best Friends Lost and Found Volunteers Coordinator (lostandfoundvol@bestfriends.org). "PRINCESS" LOST IN THE SYSTEM  Breed: Chihuahua/Dachshund/Terrier DESCRIPTION: Princess is brownish/reddish with some dark feathering along her back and into her tail. Her tail is stocky, like a terrier's and her coat is wiry. LAST SEEN: St. Bernard Parish High School; She escaped or was rescued before the shootings there, probably taken to Lamar-Dixon, and has become lost since. CONTACT: Halle Amick 919-451-9571 or amick@med.unc.edu VIEW OTHER DOGS LOST IN THE SYSTEM: "MANET" LOST IN THE SYSTEM 
Breed: Domestic Shorthair - Tabby/Tiger DESCRIPTION: Manet is a brown & black striped tabby/tiger kitty. She is very sweet & affectionate. Manet has a microchip #465B556976. Last seen: She was rescued from Amelia St (Orleans Parish) New Orleans, 70115 by a neighbor and taken to Lamar-Dixon on 9/8/05. The upper picture at left is of Manet; the lower picture is of a cat rescued after Katrina that the owner believes to be Manet (PF40077). NOTE: Although the record states that this cat was taken to Santa Barbara, that shelter says this is not the case. The whereabouts of PF40077/A002902 are unknown. Potential Match Found IDs: PF33270 (also listed as 0001-1233 and A001480) and PF40077(also listed as A002902 and LA21999) Petfinder potential match found links: CONTACT: Helene Jorgensen 202-332-5218 or fulton4321@hotmail.com VIEW OTHER CATS LOST IN THE SYSTEM: 5. Book Honors Animal Rescuers, Unsung Heroes of Katrina Hi Brenda, Our book, RESCUED: Saving Animals from Disaster, has been published and will be in bookstores by the end of August. After you posted on Kinship Circle our request for volunteers to interview for the book, we received hundreds of emails. Many of those people and a reference to Kinship Circle are in this book. One thing we think will be especially helpful to volunteers is that we interviewed people who specialize in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and included information that we hope will help these wonderfully devoted animal rescuers. If you want to read more about the endorsements, etc., go to: To get copies of the book to give to volunteers, or sell as a fundraiser, or list as a recommended book on your website, call Ami Parkerson at 1-800-972-6657, ext. 20. She can explain the options for deep discounts for multiple books. Contact: Linda or Allen Anderson - rescuedsaving@aol.com, 952-925-3309 New Book Honors Animal Rescuers – the Unsung Heroes of Hurricane Katrina The Andersons and their publisher are donating a portion of the proceeds from RESCUED to animal advocate organizations. They believe their comprehensive book honoring animal rescuers and volunteers is a meaningful addition to animal shelters or organizations’ gift shops, online stores, and websites and for use as a fundraiser. Animal rescuers can read about experiences of others and give the book to friends, families, and coworkers to help them understand why saving lives of animals is such important work. For RESCUED, the Andersons interviewed hundreds of volunteers, Gulf Coast residents, animal organization leaders, and animal-advocate celebrities. Allen Anderson says, “Animal rescuers don’t get keys to the city for their tireless work. They get licks, kisses, grateful eyes, and wagging tails. The animals keep volunteers going through conditions that you couldn’t pay people to endure. When they reunite a pet with a family member again or find a good new home for a homeless animal, the rescuers say this is reward enough. Volunteers and animal organizations are amazing in their compassion and dedication. They show human beings at their very best. We honor them with our book and give information to pet owners and volunteers that will save lives and lessen stressful conditions in future disasters.” Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster tells about:
“Compelling, fascinating, and most important — highly moral.” — Ben Stein, author, actor, commentator “American Humane applauds the Andersons' tireless efforts to pay homage to the hundreds of individuals from scores of animal welfare groups who gave so much to rescue the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina.” — Marie Belew Wheatley, President & CEO, American Humane Association “RESCUED is a wonderful tribute to all the individuals, organizations, and government entities that give their all to save and protect animals every single day. It should be a required read for anyone considering entering the world of animal welfare or animal rescue.” — Susana Della Maddalena, PetSmart Charities Executive Director 6. RIP – Roger, Another Katrina Animal Rescuer, Gone Here at Pasado's, we were in the throes of organizing the Disaster Summit. Those who we met, and connected souls with in New Orleans during the aftermath of Katrina, would be attending... We were at a meeting with volunteers, at someone's home, enjoying home-made cookies and snacks everyone brought. Casual conversation was filling time until the meeting began. And then the phone rang. Kim, one of the Katrina PasadoRescuers, who answered the phone, let out a wail: Roger, a gentle soul, with an enormous spirit, who rescued beside us in New Orleans, chose to take his life. The meeting stopped. The world stopped. Sobs began and the question: Why must someone so good, have to die?  
It has been several days now since we heard the news. We still don't have the answer to that question. As men try to rig airliners with explosives, attempting to bring down thousands of people in fiery death, a quiet man, who tried to save life, one body at a time, is gone. It just makes no sense to any of us. Those who knew him were sure that holding the Summit, planning for the future rescue of animals, is how he'd like to be honored. So we carried on, welcomed those who came, and announced that the Summit- the good that would come from it - was in Roger's memory. That night, a memorial was held for Roger in his home-town of Winthrop, Washington. An upscale "cow-town", not unlike what you might find in the fields of Montana. Winthrop, nestled in the idyllic Methow Valley, is a dry and dusty village rising on the Eastside of the Cascade Mountains. It's the opposite of everything its better-known brother to the West - Seattle, is known for: covered in snow in the winter and rolling dry hills that you can see to the horizon in the sweltering heat of the summer. This is where those who knew him would gather that night. The Perseid, one of the largest meteor showers that frequents earth's skies, just happened to fall on this night. It is a site to behold if you've ever been witness. We have. One chilly night, or rather early, early morning, volunteers, wrapped in blankets - and dogs on our laps to keep us warm, watched as giant meteors streamed across Pasado's sanctuary. Tails, miles long, burst across the sky at rapid intervals. It was an amazing night. Was it the universe's plan to organize a spectacular event in the night sky for Roger? We'd like to think so. The following emails came in with the photos you see here
7. Livingston Parish Pet Evacuation Center Possible By BRETT TROXLER, 2theadvocate.com Staff, Published: Aug 17, 2006 From a report by News 2's John Pastorek — Plans are in the works to build a pet evacuation center in Livingston Parish to help alleviate evacuees' chaos and confusion over their missing pets in future hurricane evacuations. In the weeks following Hurricane Katrina, volunteers from all over the country poured into the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzles to help with thousands of evacuated dogs, cats, exotic birds and even horses. Maurice Durbin of the parish Animan Shelter Committee said she witnessed firsthand the confusion, and she is all for building the pet evacuation center in Livingston. The building would be located next to the parish's new animal shelter, which is being built off Highway 190. "I think people will be more willing to leave their homes and seek safety if they know they have a place for their animals," Durbin said. The Denham Springs Animal Shelter, already overcrowded with many animals, would also benefit from the new center. "It would do a lot for us," said shelter Director Paula Neames. "As it is, we don't have room for any more (animals). So I really don't know what we would do in the event of a hurricane." The town of Livingston donated land for the new shelter and may be willing to do the same for the pet evacuation center. The center would be paid for with state funds, along with donations from humane societies and Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals around the country. As reported on WBRZ News 2 Louisiana at 5 p.m. 8. FOUND: “Unknown,” Sweet Rottweiler Mix PET DETAIL: Unknown 
DESCRIPTION: LAST KNOWN LOCATION: IF YOU RECOGNIZE THIS DOG, OR WANT TO INQUIRE ABOUT HER, SOURCE: http://disaster.petfinder.com/emergency/rescue/reportDetail.cgi?id=63338 9. FOUND: Jackson, Lab-Doberman Mix PET DETAIL: 
DESCRIPTION: LAST KNOWN LOCATION: IF YOU RECOGNIZE JACKSON, OR WANT TO INQUIRE ABOUT HIM, SOURCE: http://disaster.petfinder.com/emergency/rescue/reportDetail.cgi?id=63146 10. Unchaining the Avondale Pits - UPDATE & REQUEST FOR HELP! We finally have a criminal court date: 9 a.m. on September 27, 2006. Court will be held at 2nd Parish Court, Division B. If you can attend, please do. Case name will be against Davis. ORIGINAL PICTURES: CURRENTLY: Spice (white pitty) is also doing well, but is still at JPAS Mrs. Phoenix + pups are doing well and recovering from some parasites, also still at JPAS. There are 5 pups left from the 11 pup litter. RECAP OF THEIR STORY: We were doing a reunion (that went horribly wrong) and found these chained dogs next door. Not just chainS — logging chainS — you guys know what I mean. We (Anne Bell) contacted JPAS, Bert Smith sent an ACO out. They gave the guy a week to correct all the infractions. Apparently no one went back. I called weekly to HSLA and JPAS trying to get someone to listen / respond. No one did. Finally, I posted their plight and the pics I had on the Dogs Deserve Better Yahoo! Group. That was on a Monday. Thanks to many voices, especially those in LA who had the right contacts, the dogs were finally seized that Thursday. A huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who championed this cause, a special squeeze to Lise, Rebecca, Rene and Christine for being so instrumental in getting those wheels moving down there!!! And, of course, a GIGANTIC thank you to SAF and their staff. Since then, Phoenix has been with SAF receiving HW treatment and the other 2 dogs + pups have stayed at JPAS. I know we're all strapped, but I'm begging for help at this point. I had planned to contribute a considerable amount toward this, but since then, the tendons in my dog's knee blew out and well, I'm broke now and can't cover as much of this as I had planned to. Phoenix and Spice will go to Villalobos as soon as court is over. I need to find placement for Mrs. Phoenix and her pups. I’ve exhausted what seems like every possible place I could contact, and everyone is full. Villalobos offered placement for her in case nothing else can be secured, but they are also quite full being the only Pit Rescue for the L.A. area. So, what we need (I'm begging): All donations can be sent to me through Pay Pal: thaleia@triad.rr.com What we've raised so far: $25 paypal; $100 donation from t-shirts; $30 donation to SAF. We need a lot more to help get these furbabies on their way! Once the court decision comes through and the dogs are released I will be setting up air transport (if it's cool enough now) and coordinating with Elena and Anne to get the other dogs over for shots and Health Certificates. Please, if you can send something to help these animals get to a place where
they will continue to live free of chains, know love, know play and be able
to use their minds…..it would be much appreciated! 11. Humane Society Offers Aid for China Dogs By ALEXA OLESEN, Associated Press Writer, Aug 9 "There are far better ways of addressing rabies control to promote the safety of your citizens, the good reputation of China and the welfare of dogs," Wayne Pacelle, president of The Humane Society of the United States, said in an open letter to China's ambassador in Washington. An official with the Ministry of Agriculture's media affairs office declined to immediately comment and asked to first see a Chinese translation of the Humane Society's statement. He refused to give his name. Officials in Mouding, a county in the southern province of Yunnan, last month clubbed to death more than 50,000 dogs after rabies killed three people in the area. The killings provoked unusually pointed criticism in Chinese state media, while the activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called for a boycott of Chinese products. The official newspaper Legal Daily published an editorial calling the killings an "extraordinarily crude, cold-blooded and lazy way for the government to deal with epidemic disease." The main Xinhua News Agency said in a separate editorial that the slaughter was "the only way out of a bad situation." The U.S. Humane Society said the money was conditional on China agreeing to stop the mass killing of dogs and accepting the group's help in establishing a nationwide rabies control program that relies on vaccinations. The government says 70 percent of rural households have dogs, but just 3 percent are vaccinated against the disease. The Beijing Morning Post on Wednesday reported that Qingdao, a major port city in Shandong province, was carrying out a campaign to vaccinate 40,000 dogs between now and the end of September. The newspaper said owners who did not comply would be fined. The Chinese Health Ministry reported 2,375 rabies deaths last year nationwide. Rabies infections in China have soared as newly prosperous families buy dogs as pets. The rabies virus attacks the nervous system and usually kills humans within a week of the development of symptoms. KINSHIP CIRCLE LETTER CAMPAIGN TO CHINESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS: 12. Katrina Survivor Reunited With Beloved Dog August 11, 2006 — After nearly a year, two Hurricane Katrina survivors are finally back together. Walter Williams was forced to leave his dogs, Patches and Lobo, behind when he fled New Orleans before Katrina made landfall. After relocating to Houston and getting his own life in order, Williams was finally able to track down his dog Patches through a Web site. "I want both but I'm glad at least I can get one back. At least one," said Williams. He and Patches were reunited Friday at Memorial Park. Williams gave the dog a hug and good belly rub. "It's like you haven't seen your child because that is what she is to me," said Williams.  
KHOU / Williams and his dog were reunited at Memorial Park. The pair seemed happy to see each other. When Williams unleashed Patches, she took off running with a look of joy on her face. But she quickly returned to Williams side, reluctant to let him out of her sight. Best Friends Animal Rescue and Spindletop Refuge helped make the reunion possible. Patches has been staying for the last few months at Spindletop, a Houston-based rescue group specializing in American pit bulls and American Staffordshire terriers. Walter has big plans for Patches once he gets her home: The couch and the bed. "I want to make her real happy and comfortable. I want to help her forget all about Katrina." Williams says he plans to spend a lot of time with his pet to make up for lost time. He hasn't given up hope of also finding Lobo one day. Video of the reunion available at: 13. Spike Lee Slams Katrina Effort Film director Spike Lee has criticised the Hurricane Katrina rescue effort ahead of the premiere of his documentary about the disaster. "The devastation here was not brought on solely by Mother Nature. People in charge were not doing their job," he said at a New Orleans press conference. "People are still in dire straits, we want to put the focus back here." When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts will air in two two-hour segments on US TV next week. Cathartic experience The premiere took place on Wednesday at the New Orleans Coliseum. One evacuee who was back in New Orleans to try to find a new home said she felt "spiritually drawn" to attend. "I wanted to come to this so bad. I needed to come," Mildred White, 59, told the Associated Press news agency. "I feel like I haven't had a good cleansing. I feel like this will be cleansing for me, like going to a funeral." Lee has been criticised by some who saw previews of his film for not including more representation from Mississippi Gulf Coast residents and New Orleans's white population. Lee said there was diversity in the film "but because of the historical significance, we chose to focus here. That was my vision. I wanted to concentrate on New Orleans". The film will be shown in its entirety on HBO on 29 August, the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. 14. Meryl Streep To Narrate Hurricane Film Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep is to narrate a documentary about Hurricane Katrina and its disastrous impact on Louisiana. Director Greg MacGillivray said her "ability to connect with audiences and the depth she brings to everything she does makes her the ideal narrator". Streep previously supplied a voiceover for his 1995 film, The Living Sea. Hurricane on the Bayou will open in New Orleans on 29 August, the first anniversary of the disaster. It will then be screened around the world later this year and will be shown exclusively in Imax cinemas. 'Spirit and vitality' Producer and songwriter Allen Toussaint, blues singer Tab Benoit and 14-year-old fiddle player Amanda Shaw will appear in the film. In addition to recording last year's destruction, it will celebrate the region's rich musical heritage and the "spirit and vitality of this land of survivors". Streep's voice can currently be heard in animated movie The Ant Bully, released in the UK on Friday. In the US, she can also be seen playing a tyrannical fashion magazine editor in film comedy The Devil Wears Prada. 15. After You Cry, Tell Someone Why They Must Spay/Neuter This was posted on Craig's List for Raleigh, N.C. It is very hard to read... This is a very sad letter from a person doing a necessary but very, very sad job. Much could stop with just spay/neuter. Sometimes humans are SOOOOOO backward and stupid! Eindy, GA Yes, I Gas Dogs and Cats for a Living. There is not much work here, and working for the county provides good pay and benefits for a person like me without a higher education. I'm the person you all write about how horrible I am. I'm the one that gasses the dogs and cats and makes them suffer. I'm the one that pulls their dead corpses out smelling of Carbon Monoxide and throws them into green plastic bags. But I'm also the one that hates my job and hates what I have to do. First off, all you people out there that judge me, don't. God is judging me, and I know I'm going to Hell. Yes, I'm going to hell. I wont lie, it's despicable, cold, cruel and I feel like a serial killer. I'm not all to blame, if the law would mandate spay and neuter, lots of these dogs and cats wouldn't be here for me to gas. I'm the devil, I know it, but I want you people to see that there is another side to me the devil Gas Chamber man. The shelter usually gasses on Friday morning. Friday's are the day that most people look forward to, this is the day that I hate, and wish that time will stand still on Thursday night. Thursday night, late, after nobody's around, my friend and I go through a fast food line, and buy 50 dollars worth of cheeseburgers and fries, and chicken. I'm not allowed to feed the dogs on Thursday, for I'm told that they will make a mess in the gas chamber, and why waste the food. So, Thursday night, with the lights still closed, I go into the saddest room that anyone can ev ery imagine, and let all the doomed dogs out out their cages. I have never been bit, and in all my years doing this, the dogs have never fought over the food. My buddy and I, open each wrapper of cheeseburger and chicken sandwich, and feed them to the skinny, starving dogs. They swallow the food so fast, that I don't believe they even taste it. There tails are wagging, and some don't even go for the food, they roll on their backs wanting a scratch on their bellies. They start running, jumping and kissing me and my buddy. They go back to their food, and come back to us. All their eyes are on us with such trust and hope, and their tails wag so fast, that I have come out with black and blues on my thighs.. They devour the food, then it's time for them to devour some love and peace. My buddy and I sit down on the dirty, pee stained concrete floor, and we let the dogs jump on us. They lick us, they put their butts in the air to play, and they play with each other. Some lick each other, but most are glued on me and my buddy. I look into the eyes of each dog. I give each dog a name. They will not die without a name. I give each dog 5 minutes of unconditional love and touch. I talk to them, and tell them that I'm so sorry that tomorrow they will die a gruesome, long, torturous death at the hands of me in the gas chamber. Some tilt their heads to try to understand. I tell them, that they will be in a better place, and I beg them not to hate me. I tell them that I know I'm going to hell, but they will all be playing with all the dogs and cats in heaven. After about 30 minutes, I take each dog individually, into their feces filled concrete jail cell, and pet them and scratch them under their chins. Some give me their paw, and I just want to die. I just want to die. I close the jail cell on each dog, and ask them to forgive me. As my buddy and I are walking out, we watch as every dog is smiling at us and them don't even mov e their heads. They will sleep, with a full belly, and a false sense of security. As we walk out of the doomed dog room, my buddy and I go to the cat room. We take our box, and put the very friendly kittens and pregnant cats in our box. The shelter doesn't keep tabs on the cats, like they do the dogs. As I hand pick which cats are going to make it out, I feel like I'm playing God, deciding whose going to live and die. We take the cats into my truck, and put them on blankets in the back. Usually, as soon as we start to drive away, there are purring cats sitting on our necks or rubbing against us. My buddy and I take our one way two hour trip to a county that is very wealthy and they use injection to kill animals. We go to exclusive neighborhoods, and let one or two cats out at a time. They don't want to run, they want to stay with us. We shoo them away, which makes me feel sad. I tell them that these rich people will adopt them, and if worse comes to worse and they do get put down, they will be put down with a painless needle being cradled by a loving veterinarian. After the last cat is free, we drive back to our town. It's about 5 in the morning now, about two hours until I have to gas my best friends. I go home, take a shower, take my 4 anti-anxiety pills and drive to work.. I don't eat, I can't eat. It's now time, to put these animals in the gas chamber. I put my ear plugs in, and when I go to the collect the dogs, the dogs are so excited to see me, that they jump up to kiss me and think they are going to play. I put them in the rolling cage and take them to the gas chamber. They know. They just know. They can smell the death.. They can smell the fear. They start whimpering, the second I put them in the box. The boss tells me to squeeze in as many as I can to save on gas. He watches. He knows I hate him, he knows I hate my job. I do as I'm told. He watches until all the dogs, and cats (thrown in together) are fighting and screaming. The sounds is very muffled to me because of my ear plugs. He walks out, I turn the gas on, and walk out. I walk out as fast as I can. I walk into the bathroom, and I take a pin and draw blood from my hand. Why? The pain and blood takes my brain off of what I just did. In 40 minutes, I have to go back and unload the dead animals. I pray that none survived, which happens when I overstuff the chamber. I pull them out with thick gloves, and the smell of carbon monoxide makes me sick. So does the vomit and blood, and all the bowel movements. I pull them out, put them in plastic bags. They are in heaven now, I tell myself. I then start cleaning up the mess, the mess, that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not spay or neutering your animals. The mess that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not demanding that a vet come in and do this humanely. You ARE THE TAXPAYERS, DEMAND that this practice STOP! So, don't call me the monster, the devil, the gasser, call the politicians, the shelter directors, and the county people the devil. Heck, call the governor, tell him to make it stop. As usual, I will take sleeping pills tonight to drown out the screams I heard in the past, before I discovered the ear plugs. I will jump and twitch in my sleep, and I believe I'm starting to hallucinate. This is my life. Don't judge me. Believe me, I judge myself enough. ******************************************************************************************** ******************************************************************************************** ******************************************************************************************** TO UNSUBSCRIBE: * Select a Kinship Circle ALERT received in your mailbox. ——-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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