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Hurricane Katrina

Because Of Reagan


Clifton, Samantha and their son Justin hadn't seen Reagan since they fled their home to ride out Katrina at Loyola University. Four days post-storm, the Lores made the first of several NOLA searches for Reagan and two more cats. They departed with empty carriers each time.

But a will to reunite shaped fate. An ARNO feeder identified Reagan, tracked down the Lores and alerted a trapping team. By December end, Samantha's mother Rebecca Dickerson got a wide-eyed Reagan from Celebration Station. This time a carrier full of love rode back to Baton Rouge, where the Lores awaited Regan's homecoming.

ARNO's Food/Water Program is vital for animals left behind. But there is no program without food! For 4 straight days, volunteers had no food. Animals rely upon us. Resident feeders (many who lost their own homes, cars, jobs) borrow vehicles just to feed animals. Most can't afford to buy enough to cover their sections. Your donation gives each animal another chance. Just like Reagan.

Jan 5 2006


jessica higgins of arno with rescue dog and Best Friends staff 900x504
On Ground To February
National ARNO (led by Jane Garrison, Pia Salk, David Meyer) continues animal aid through Jan into Feb. Our database still overflows with animal sightings. Under homes. In sewers. On ledges. They struggle on empty streets. Food sources vanished with evacuees. Yet more are hungry, with the endless litters. Some live in buildings to be bulldozed. Please open your heart to animals.


ARNO/Best Friends New Site

Volunteers Report To
Celebration Station
5959 Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Metairie, LA 70003
(Kirschman's Furniture across street)
504-887-2115

  1. ARNO Volunteers: Attend 6:00pm orientation meeting. Food/Water volunteers report to Cadi Schiffer. Trap/Rescue volunteers report to Jessica Higgins. Cat Trappers call Jane Garrison pre-trip: 843-343-8887.

  2. ARNO Volunteers: Attend 7:30am assignment meeting. If you arrive after meeting call Jane Garrison for assignment: 843-343-8887

  3. All Volunteers: Check in with Juliette, Best Friends, to fill out CS forms. If you want to do food/water or trap/rescue (in field), clearly state this.

  4. Directions To Staging Area: Fly to New Orleans or Baton Rouge. Rent vehicle with room for gear. Celebration Station is at I-10 and Veterans Memorial Blvd. From NOLA airport, Veterans Memorial Blvd. is first or second exit off I-10, traveling east.

Donate Supplies And Funding

Contribute To ARNO Via Save-A-Pet
1-800-Save-A-Pet
P.O. Box 7
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Check memo: Animal Rescue New Orleans
Tax-deductible via Save-A-Pet, 501c3 nonprofit

Donate Toward Veterinary Care, Spay/Neuter
Southern Animal Foundation
1823 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-671-8235, animallover@southernanimalfoundation.org

Send Supplies For ARNO
Supply Needs/Delivery Coordinator: Colleen Kessler, 225-298-9513

Send Shipments To:
Attn: Animal Rescue New Orleans, c/o Celebration Station
5959 Veterans Memorial Blvd
Metairie, LA 70003

Supply Needs
    Rescue, Sheltering, Care
    • Dry And Wet Dog/Cat Food
    • Pop-Top Can Cat Food or Mackerel (traps)
    • Deep Aluminum Trays, Litter Boxes, Basins, Buckets (to hold food/water)
    • Slip Leashes, Paper Collars (intake ID)
    • Large/Medium Plastic Crates (transport)
    • Humane Large Dog Traps and Cat Traps
    • Combo Locks-6ft Chains (traps not stolen)
    • Catch Poles, Crowbars
    • Towels and Sheets
    • Fresh Water (gallon), Pedialyte
    • Grooming Clippers (do not send cordless)
    • Meaty Bones (reduces stress)
    • Bite-Proof Thick Gloves
    • Car Glass Chalk To Mark Rescue Vehicles
    • Spray Paint, Flashlights, Space Heaters
    • GPS Units, Street Mapping Capability
    Gift Cards, Volunteer Stuff
    • Wal-Mart, Office Depot, Home Depot
    • Gas Station Gift Cards: BP, Shell
    • Bottled Water, Gatorade, Energy Bars, Snacks, Food Gift Cards
      Send Gift Cards To: Cadi Schiffer or Jessica Higgins
      Animal Rescue New Orleans, c/o Celebration Station
      5959 Veterans Memorial Blvd
      Metairie, LA 70003
    Veterinary Items
    • Dewormer (Strongid)
    • Capstar, Frontline, Revolution
    • Any Heartworm Preventive
    • Any Antibiotics
    • Gauze, Vet Wrap
    Administrative
    • Print Cartridges, Copier Toner, Copy Paper
    • Laminated Maps: Mississippi (Gulf Coast) & Louisiana (New Orleans)
    • Pens, Note Pads, Spiral Notebooks
    • Tape, Paper Clips, Staples, Staplers
    Wish List
    • Notebook Computers, Laptops, Generators
    • RVs, SUVs, Vans, Pick-Up Trucks
two cats cuddle in a hammock 492x250

Food For Animals

We need dry/wet food for cats and dogs. Ship to:
Attn Animal Rescue New Orleans
Cadi Schiffer, Celebration Station
5959 Veterans Memorial Blvd
Metairie, LA 70003
Email Kate Danaher details about what you donate.

Food/Water Volunteers

For the next 6 to 8 weeks, at least 50 teams of two volunteers each are needed to distribute food/water in NOLA alone. ARNO feeders not only help sustain life, but also sight and record animals that lead to miraculous reunions. We rely upon these sightings to track and humanely trap animals, some of whom may be injured or in areas slated for demolition.

Louisiana Resident Feeders
Locals are needed to commit to regular food/water drops in assigned sections of the city.

  1. Email Information To: Brenda Shoss
    • Full name
    • Street, city, state, zip:
    • Cell phone, land phone:
    • Email address:

  2. Availability: Specify days you can dispense food/water each week.

  3. Clarify NOLA Areas: Will you go to any f/w section? St. Bernard Parish, New Orleans East?

  4. Type Resident Feeder in email subject.

Visiting Feeders
Out-state volunteers are welcome on ARNO teams.

  1. Email Information To: Brenda Shoss
    • Full name
    • Street, city, state, zip:
    • Cell phone, land phone:
    • Email address:
    • Your experience with animals:

  2. ARRIVE/DEPART dates:

  3. Type Hurricane Volunteer in email subject.

  4. If you are an Animal Control Officer, Veterinarian, Vet Tech or Trapper, state this in email subject line. For example, Hurricane Volunteer: Vet Tech

ARNO Contact List

On-Site  ~  Louisiana
Long-Term Food/Water Program, LA Residents
Brenda Shoss, info@kinshipcircle.org

On-Site General Admin Director
and Trapping Coordinator
Jessica Higgins, 925-209-8813

On-Site Food/Water Director
Cadi Schiffer, 225-298-9518

Best Friends Volunteer Manager
Juliette, 225-298-9515

Best Friends Animal Care & Admin
Ed Fritz, 435-644-3965, ex. 4471


ARNO  ~  National
ARNO Cofounders/Directors
Jane Garrison, 843-343-8887
Pia Salk, 225-298-9508
David Meyer

Nationwide Volunteer Coordinators
Kate Danaher  /  Brenda Shoss

Food/Water Program Assignments Director
Brenda Shoss

ARNO Trapping Coordinator
DOGS  ~  Pia Salk, 225-298-9508
CATS  ~  Jane Garrison, 843-343-8887

Trapping Questions/Concerns
Pia Salk, 225-298-9508

Supply Donations
Colleen Kessler, 225-298-9513

Foster/Adopt!

Best Friends: Adopt  ■  Foster
Adopt-A-Pet: Adopt

Transport from Tylertown to foster/adopt locales:
Amy Hogg
Hurricane Foster Coordinator
435-644-3965 x4186, fax: 435-644-2701
Must provide vet references.

Volunteer Travel, Lodging

Please try to arrange yourself. For help and info on rideshares, email: Shanah Lia Richardson

Lodging Options
Celebration Station House
    An empty commercial building (formerly an arcade) serves as on-site lodging for volunteers.
    • Large, carpeted indoor space for volunteers
    • Bathrooms available. No showers
    • Electricity, heat
    • Full kitchen, no cooks hired yet
    • Bring bedding (cot, sleeping bag, air mattress)
    • Travel self-sustaining

Resident Homes

Vacation Rental By Owner

FEMA Tent
    • In St. Bernard, 20 minutes from NOLA
    • 1 Melvin Bernard Hwy  /  Chalmette, LA 70043
    • Cots, laundry, food, first aid
    • Electricity, bathrooms, showers
    • Say you are with Animal Rescue New Orleans.
    • Sign in/out of FEMA tent daily or we may lose privileges. Check into FEMA tent by 8:00pm.

Hotels Volunteers Told Us About

Hotel Directories And Travel Packages


Air Travel
Fly into New Orleans or Baton Rouge. Rent vehicle with room for supplies. Vans and SUVs are best. Direct contact with airlines may yield best rates. Check for deals, but also ask for a Katrina-related volunteer rate.
*Airlines known for discounted flights


Trains And Buses
Amtrak: Now operating into New Orleans. Weekly low-cost Hot Deals at their home page.
Greyhound: Limited schedule into New Orleans.


Vehicle Rental
Check for existing deals, but also ask for a Katrina-related volunteer rate.