One person has been confirmed dead so far but more than 1m are thought to have been affected by the floods. Dramatic rooftop helicopter rescues are being seen on television. Mexican President Felipe Calderon called it "one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the country."

The heavy rains began at the weekend, forcing rivers to burst their banks in the largely low-lying state. The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Mexico says it is the humanitarian crisis that now concerns the Mexican authorities. "We are just like New Orleans," Tabasco governor Andres Granier said. "All the water that comes in has to be pumped out."

Soldiers and sailors in combat gear clutched automatic weapons to ward off looters and other criminals as rescuers worked into the night Saturday. Various media said eight people had died, one in Tabasco state and seven in neighboring Chiapas state, but state officials could not confirm the reports. About 80 percent of Tabasco was under water, but some rivers receded slightly Saturday. Villahermosa, the state's capital and largest city, remained largely flooded.

...Abandoned dogs yelped from rooftops, and snakes slithered perilously through the water near people wading to safety.

“We are stunned by the lack of information in the media on this disaster’s impact on animals,” said Paul Berry, chief executive officer of Best Friends Animal Society. “We’ll do a thorough assessment and report findings ASAP, so other international organizations can determine how best they can help.”

...Best Friends’ rapid response manager Rich Crook met with Mexico’s minister of health to discuss current recovery plans. Next step: meet with military officials and tour the disaster area by military helicopter to determine what is needed to help animals survive the flooding.

Estimates are hundreds of thousands of Tabasco residents are homeless and living in shelters. Another 80,000 others are trapped in remote areas of the state. Many residents are trying to get to their homes to remove clothing and personal belongings, including pets who may have been stranded...

Best Friends is still assessing the logistics of the disaster site, and working with government officials and local animal organizations in a collaborative effort. Rich feels no single organization can successfully manage the effort at the flood site.

He believes “we’ll need all hands on deck” once an operations area exists in conjunction with local government and local groups. At that time, vets, vet techs, and other experienced volunteers will likely be needed.

HOWEVER, I’ve received no additional request for deployment of volunteers.

If you’d like your name added to the potential volunteers list I am keeping for BF’s Richard Crook, please send the following info to kinshipcircle@accessus.net
• Your phone number (cell is best)
• Brief credentials (ACO, vet/vet assistant, disaster certification, Katrina experience...)
• Your FIRST and LAST name
• Your PHYSICAL ADDRESS

To date:
- 3 human deaths.
- More than 20,000 people trapped in their homes.
- Thousands more displaced as refugees.
- An enormous number of farm animals have died or are still trapped by the flood waters.
- Companion animals unable to evacuate with owners face hunger, adverse health conditions.

In Tabasco, IFAW is working with local authorities, as well as other institutions and organizations. Preliminary agreements have been established with the Pro-Animal Committee, the coalition UNAM-ILPH-DST, the Veterinary School of Tabasco, the University of Tabasco, and Secretary of Development of Agriculture and Forestry of the State of Tabasco. IFAW is collaborating with these groups to help domestic and farm animals affected by the floods. The scale of the disaster is enormous.

IFAW is also helping to send two mobile clinics from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) with specialized personnel to give medical attention to production, farm, and companion animals. The clinics are critically important in responding to trapped animals, especially in areas where help has yet to arrive.

"We fear that many of these animals have been semi-submerged in water for days, and will probably present sicknesses like pododermatitis (lesions in legs), parasitosis, respiratory and digestive problems," said Dr. Francisco Galindo of IFAW.

IFAW is also working with local authorities to conduct a census of companion animals at evacuation centers...set up for refugees. That information will be used to facilitate medical attention and food for the affected animals.

GEPDA is a non-profit association created in Mexico City in 2000 and legally incorporated in 2005, by a group of professionals dedicated to promoting the application of humanistic principals to the protection and defense of animals. Volunteers in Mexico, United States and Canada.

PHOTOS: http://groups.msn.com/ceridhihijosdelaluz/ayuda.msnw

All the humanitarian aid is for people, who have undergone much... The animals also are victims of this misfortune. Many have died, drowned, or have been taken far from their families...or left by their own owners.

All aid is welcome but what it is needed more is:
Bags of croquetas or tins of food, for dogs and cats
Food for birds
Garrafones of water
Blankets
mamilitas
containers for food
sand tables
palitas
sand [litter?] for cat
containers for food, strap, etc.

All this will be taken to the center of storing located in the station of firemen in the central axis near the meter vestibules.

The victims are soliciting food for their animals of company, reason why we do a call again to them so that they collaborate with us reuniting to food for dogs and cats (croquetas and tins).

If you cannot take food you can deposit your support to the banking account below. The money will be used for the purchase of food and medicines for animals.

If you need deductible receipt taxes, contact and send the card of deposit [to] Claudia Monroy — fax: (+5255) 5513-9850 • cmonroy@endesu.org.mx

No cuenta bancaria: 7820399
[BANK]: Banamex, Suc: 241
[NAME]: Espacios Naturales y Desarrollo Sustentable A.C

This action this being coordinated between several organizations: Committee Pro Natural Animal, Spaces, Veterinary Medicine Faculty of the UNAM, Foundation Antonio Independent Animal Haghenbeck and Protectores and Indigenista Aid.

Thank you very much by your aid!
Marcela Romero, Official of Campaigns, Bottom the International for the Protection of the Animals and its Habitat

THE FELINE POPULATION IN THE ORGANIZATION IS VERY HIGH, WE SOLICITD TO THEM TAKE IT INTO ACCOUNT FOR ITS FOOD CONTRIBUTION FOR CATS. SINCE MORE FOOD FOR DOGS And LITTLE FOR CATS IS RECEIVED GENERALLY. THANKS

PHOTO: http://groups.msn.com/ceridhihijosdelaluz/ayuda.msnw

Los damnificados están solicitando que se les apoye con alimento para sus animales de compañía, por lo que nuevamente les hacemos un llamado para que colaboren con nosotros reuniendo alimento para perros y gatos (croquetas y latas).

Si no puedes llevar alimento puedes depositar tu apoyo a la cuenta bancaria de abajo. El dinero será utilizado para la compra de alimento y medicamentos para animales.

Si necesitas recibo deducible de impuestos, ponte en contacto y envía la ficha de depósito a Claudia
Monroy — fax: (+5255) 5513-9850 • cmonroy@endesu.org.mx

No cuenta bancaria: 7820399
[BANK]: Banamex, Suc: 241
[NAME]: Espacios Naturales y Desarrollo Sustentable A.C

Esta acción esta siendo coordinada entre varias organizaciones: Comité Pro Animal, Espacios Naturales, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria de la UNAM, Fundación Antonio Haghenbeck y Protectores Independientes de Animales y Ayuda Indigenista.

¡Muchas gracias por tu ayuda!
Marcela Romero, Oficial de Campañas, Fondo Internacional para la Protección de los Animales y su Hábitat

Hola a todos,
Para los que quieran hacer donativos a la cuenta mencionada más abajo y les sea más fácil hacerlo por internet les hago llegar nuestro número CLABE

00 21 80 02 41 78 20 39 92

En Banamex a nombre de Espacios Naturales y Desarrollo Sustentable A.C.

Muchas gracias por su interés y apoyo.
Claudia Monroy, Directora de Proyectos

LA POBLACIÓN FELINA EN LA ENTIDAD ES MUY ALTA, LES SOLICITAMOS LO TOMEN EN CUENTA PARA SU APORTACIÓN EN ALIMENTO PARA GATOS. YA QUE GENERALMENTE SE RECIBE MÁS ALIMENTO PARA PERROS Y POCO PARA GATOS. GRACIAS

BEAR WITNESS.  SPEAK.   DEMAND.   ACT.
Action Campaigns  I  Literature  I  Voice For Animals
Nonprofit working in animal protection/cruelty + animal disaster relief campaigns
Brenda Shoss, president • Janet Enoch, vice-president
info@kinshipcircle.org or kinshipcircle@accessus.net
www.KinshipCircle.org • www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/default.html