Evacuees are happiest in momentary reunions with animals on the Red Cross evacuation campus in New Jersey. Photo (C) Kinship Circle, Hurricane Irene 2011
Kinship Circle’s Mary Kelly (foreground, in blue shirt) comforts evacuee companion animals in a basement at a Red Cross Shelter in Richland, New Jersey, as Hurricane Irene approaches. Photo (C) Kinship Circle, Hurricane Irene 2011
Photo (C) Kinship Circle, Hurricane Irene 2011
Photo (C) Kinship Circle, Hurricane Irene 2011
PHOTOS ABOVE AND BELOW: Wide-eyed animals weather Irene in a secure basement under the care of Kinship Circle’s Mary Kelly and Bill Allman, who worked with four local veterinarians. Photos from Bill Allman for Kinship Circle, Hurricane Irene 2011
Atlantic County, NJ Office of Emergency Preparedness (EMA) formally requested Kinship Circle’s aid for an animal sheltering complex at the Red Cross Co-Shelter, on the grounds of Saint Augustine College Prep School in Richland. They also asked for volunteers to staff an emergency site at a nearby racetrack, where Atlantic County Animal Shelter had evacuated. Monmouth County Emergency Operating Center (EOC) contacted us to help with companion animal care at Red Cross Shelters in Colts Neck and Hamilton, NJ. We’re happy that so many New Jersey Red Cross facilities accommodate companion animals in disaster plans! Photo (C) Kinship Circle, Hurricane Irene 2011
Happy, safe, together. Atlantic County, New Jersey
Red Cross Co-Shelter — where Kinship Circle cared for evacuee animals, under MOU with Atlantic County Office of Emergency Preparedness. Photo (C) Kinship Circle, Hurricane Irene 2011
Cats hunker down in a shelter basement with Kinship Circle’s Mary Kelly and Bill Allman. SEE MORE IRENE ANIMAL PHOTOS
NASA footage captured by the GOES-13 satellite shows the storm moving across the Caribbean. Hurricane Irene: NASA Captures Footage Of Storm Plowing Through Caribbean
Official NHC track of Hurricane Irene. MyFox Hurricane, Hurricane Irene Maintains Strength as it Pounds Bahamas
A resident rides through flooding after Hurricane Irene passed over Nagua on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. Hundreds were forced to take refuge in churches, schools or relatives’ homes. Roberto Guzman, AP, Weaker Irene still a threat
People walk along a battered beach in Nagua. Hurricane Irene still lashes the northern coast of Hispaniola island, which the Dominican Republic shares with Haiti. The Cat 2 hurricane skirted the Dominican Republic with sustained winds of 160 km per hour. Erika Santelices/AFP/Getty
Jim Abel shops for hurricane supplies in West Palm Beach, FL. Joe Raedle, Getty Images, Residents Stock Up On Supplies
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IN THIS DISASTER WATCH:
SEPTEMBER 1, 2011
Gratitude For Kinship Circle Responders On Ground With Just 48-Hour Notice
Mary Landford, DVM — among 4 local veterinarians leading New Jersey animal shelter operations — and Kathy Kelsey, Atlantic County Animal Shelter Manager, expressed gratitude for Kinship Circle volunteers. They were confident in Mary Kelly and Bill Allman’s capable oversight. Dr. Landford even said our volunteers gave her "freedom to actually go home and take a shower without worrying about the animals."
If this disaster served as a pilot for future models, she added, "it worked!" Despite traumatic circustances, evacuees were all smiles when united with their animals.
Dr. Langford had extra kudos for Mary Kelly, Kinship Circle’s Outstanding Volunteer Sep 2011. She praised Mary’s people and management skills. "Mary made evacuees smile because of the care she gave their animals."
Kinship Circle thanks all its Hurricane Irene volunteers, including those on standby. Disasters are unpredictable! We look forward to calling upon these skilled individuals the next time animals need us.
AUGUST 28, 2011
Hurricane Irene, The Morning After
Trees are down. Roads submerged by flash floods. "It was a scary night," says Kinship Circle’s Mary Kelly from a conservatory basement on Saint Augustine College Preparatory School grounds that serve as an evacuee site. Mary and Bill Allman spent the night underground with animals. They describe loud bumps and thumps as Irene made New Jersey landfall from 4:00-6:00am.
Bill drove through Irene’s outer band, barely dodging falling trees, to get to the shelter. No one slept. But no barking or caterwauls either. Just a restless quiet, broken by occasional whines. The animals — Maltese, Chihuahuas, Schnauzers, Poodles…many kitties — were scared, but grateful for soothing voices. Tornado warning sirens blasted throughout the night into Sunday morning.
One black-white cat was particularly freaked out. Smashed into the back of her cage, she tried to chomp Mary’s hand if offered water or comfort. Yet when her family (sheltered separately in a people-only area) stopped by, the cat morphed into Ms. Sweetheart. She purred and wrapped her paws in a feline hug. A lot of crying and clinging ensued between the family and their kitty.
Irene currently lingers in some parts of New Jersey. Residents are rescued by boat from flooded homes. Heavy rains, a swollen Hudson River and high tides leave the unevacuated at risk. Cities closer to shore are below sea level and on watch for more flooding.
New Jersey’s Governor calls inland floods his state’s biggest problem now. Kinship Circle volunteers will remain on the ground until the evacuee site in Richland closes out. We are on standby for help elsewhere, due to floodwaters.
CLICK HERE to register as a volunteer for Kinship Circle Disaster Animal Response Team
AUGUST 27, 2011
Kinship Circle Is On The Ground As Irene Roars Ashore In North Atlantic States
Volunteers and animals are hunkered down for Irene’s hit. Mary Kelly, Kinship Circle’s Team Leader in New Jersey, reports that animals at the Red Cross Shelter (formerly housed in a pole barn) are now secure in a conservatory basement on the grounds of the Prep School serving as an evacuee site.
Mary reports: "We are safe and dry. Some cats were frantic, but all the companion animals have begun to settle in to their temporary digs."
Kinship Circle is deployed to New Jersey for animal operations at an Atlantic County Red Cross shelter — and on call for surplus animals at a nearby racetrack serving as an animal shelter.
In addition, we received an Emergency Declaration Assistance notice that requests our aid at two Monmouth, NJ evacuee shelters with animals. We’re assembling standby teams, if more help is needed elsewhere in northeast U.S. states.
IF YOU CAN QUICKLY DEPLOY TO NEW JERSEY — OR WANT TO SIGN-UP AS AN VOLUNTEER ON STANDBY, CONTACT:
We monitor Irene daily and communicate with FEMA, state EMAs, VMAT, SART and CART, shelters and other NGOs to track animal impacts. Evacuations alone cause animal distress. Animal shelters are overloaded. Red Cross shelters that allow animals need help.
AUGUST 24-25, 2011
On Call With Emergency Agencies As Storm Brews Over Atlantic
Current consensus on national VOAD calls that our Disaster Management Director Bonnie Morrison joins is that Hurricane Irene may gain momentum as it heads northeast into New England. Bonnie is compiling a directory of animal shelters in potentially effected states, along with contacts for state emergency divisions and VOADs (most of which Kinship Circle is a member).
The storm could intensify over the next day or so, swerving north toward the Carolinas on Saturday, predicts the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters expect Irene to slam North Carolina’s Outer Banks with strong winds and then progress northeastward, ultimately touching down by the Connecticut-Rhode Island border Sunday/Monday (Aug 28-29, 2011). From there, Irene looks set to twist up eastern Massachusetts into central Maine — where official reports anticipate it will maintain hurricane level force.
Kinship Circle monitors Irene day by day, as track forecasts can be off by up to 250 miles. North Carolina’s Outer Banks is currently under evacuation orders. FEMA is staging from Ft. Bragg, with relief supplies for human victims throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
IRENE MAY CAUSE FLOODING IN MID-ATLANTIC STATES: According to the National Hurrican Center, storms have unloaded 5-10 inches of rain on mid-Atlantic U.S. states. New England has accumulated 1-5 inches.
IRENE PLOWS THROUGH PUERTO RICO: Puerto Rico, an island U.S. territory, experienced its worst floods in recent history. The disaster may force them to open a reservoir, releasing waters that could harm 7,000+ people. Initial reports show extensive damage to trees and power lines, with over 800,000 homes without electricity. Kinship Circle will continue to monitor this situation for information about animal victims.
 
Register To Be A Disaster Animal Response Volunteer
When disasters strike, lives are at stake. Animals are scared, alone and hurt. Kinship Circle Disaster Animal Response Team is YOU. Your compassion. Your skills. Your stamina.
KINSHIP CIRCLE SEEKS:
- Independently trained volunteers with experience in disaster rescue, animal handling, sheltering, animal first aid, veterinary, photography and documentation, leadership skills.
- Flexibililty to travel to disaster zones for 1-2 weeks.
- Team players who follow FEMA Incident Command System and Kinship Circle protocol.
- Self-sustainability in rugged post-disaster settings.
- CLICK HERE to register as a volunteer for Kinship Circle Disaster Animal Response Team.
Already on Kinship Circle’s Disaster Animal Response Team? Tell us about your new certs, training and experience so we can update your disaster profile and highlight your name for future animal aid deployments.
CONTACT: Disaster Management Director Bonnie Morrison
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2011
Irene Rumors & Animal News
▶ IRENE RUMOR — The City of Rocky Mount Animal Control in North Carolina plans to kill all its animals before Hurricane Irene arrives. A widely circulating email implies that most animals drowned during the last hurricane — so the shelter plans to euthanize animals before Hurricane Irene even hits.
▶ NOT TRUE, CITY SAYS — "The city of Rocky Mount is reaching out to let networkers know that the rumors are not true. An email states that all or most animals at the shelter will be euthanized this week in anticipation of Hurricane Irene. This is NOT true. Our shelter is located very close to the Tar River, and a significant storm may cause some flooding in that area. Therefore, we may need to transport animals from our shelter to other local shelters. Our staff have been in talks with other shelters this week to make necessary arrangements out of consideration for the animals’ safety."
"If you receive an email that contains untrue information about the Rocky Mount Animal Shelter, please respond to the sender with this accurate information and refer them to our Facebook page — www.facebook.com/citybeat."
SOURCE: Does Irene mean death for shelter animals?
▶ IRENE ANIMAL NEWS — Pitt County Animal Shelter in North Carolina announced it will house companion animals if guardians must evacuate due to Hurricane Irene. Animals are required to have rabies tags, immunization papers, and an ID tag on the collar. The shelter recommends bringing labeled collars, leashes, crates and carriers. Guardians must provide special-diet food for any animal who needs it. To ease anixiety, leave familiar blankets, towels or bedding with animals.
Pitt County Animal Shelter
4550 County Home Road
Greenville, NC 27858
(Right next to the Farmer's Market)
phone: 252-902-1725
www.pittfriends.petfinder.com
SOURCE: Shelter Opening Doors To Pets In Hurricane
▶ IRENE ANIMAL NEWS — Kinship Circle has spoken directly to the Marion County Animal Shelter in South Carolina and they have informed us about their current evacuation plans:
- If evacuation is mandatory, the shelter has secured an emergency location — Eastern Carolina Agricultural Fairgrounds in Florence, SC — for their animals.
- Marion County Shelter would potentially move 50-70 dogs. Though they currently house 150-175 dogs, some are en route to rescue and adoption. Also, the shelter plans to evacuate only those dogs "housed outside."
- Shelter staff are forming their decision late tonight, 8/25/11, as to whether they need to evacuate.
Marion County Animal Shelter
123 Dog and Cat Court
Mullins, SC 29574
phone: 843-423-8370
email: Kris, Kucsmak@gmail.com
website: www.petfinder.com/shelters/SC41.html
www.animalshelter.org/shelters/South_Carolina.asp
▶ IRENE ANIMAL NEWS — PUERTO RICO: Second Chance Animal Rescue reports 75-mile winds as Irene struck Puerto Rico. The shelter cares for 90 animals. "We will do whatever it takes to keep them safe. Over 800,000 homes are without power, including our shelter in the mountains of Villalba.
We made it through safely, but now realize how important it is to reinforce our fencing, trim large trees and have enough strong crates to keep everyone safe. Most importantly, we need to maintain an ample allotment of food, medical supplies and water to sustain us should our roads become washed away…"
Second Chance Rescue Team
HC-01 Box 3547
Villalba, Puerto Rico 00766
Mullins, SC 29574
phone: 787-847-5222
email: SatoHeart@yahoo.com
website: www.scarpr.org/home.html
SOURCE: Friends of Second Chance Animal Rescue
A man walks away from Los Yayales beach after watching the sea surge due to the approach of Hurricane Irene to Nagua, in the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. Hurricane Irene roared off the Dominican Republic’s resort-dotted northern coast, whipping up high waves and torrential downpours on a track that could slam it into the U.S. Southeast as a major storm by the end of the week. AP Photo, Roberto Guzman, Irene Passed Over Dominican Republic Monday
ABOUT KINSHIP CIRCLE
KINSHIP CIRCLE DISASTER ANIMAL RESPONSE TEAM is a 501c3 nonprofit that activates trained volunteers for animal disaster victims. Our responders reflect a wide range of skills, certification and experience. Some of the many disasters we’ve responded to include:
Kinship Circle sponsors teams to work in agreement with organizations in the
affected region. We provide both skilled extra hands and leadership
qualities within the local framework, with volunteers credentialed in:
- Search and Rescue
- Technical Rescue
- Ground Assessment
- Field First Aid and Animal Transport
- Veterinary Training and Veterinary Treatment Experience
- Emergency Sheltering
- Shelter In Place (food/water stations, mapping, documentation)
- Specialized Training (wildlife rehab certification, water rescue, large animal rescue, etc.)
website: www.kinshipcircle.org
facebook: kinshipcircle
email: info@kinshipcircle.org
mobile: 314-795-2646
DONATE TO KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID FUND:
♥ DONATE ONLINE
♥ DONATE BY MAIL
Kinship Circle
Animal Disaster Aid Fund
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130 USA
SEE MORE HURRICANE IRENE PHOTOS BELOW
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