If you’ve already sent basic info, but want to tell me your DATES you’ll be in Mexico, please email kinshipcircle@accessus.net. I’ll let Richard know when you’ll arrive at Best Friends staging area.

The closest airport to flood site is:
Villahermosa International Airport
Carretera Villahermosa - Macuspana Km 13,
Villahermosa, Edo. de Tabasco
Telephone: (52) 99 - 3356-0157 international airport
MORE HERE: www.asur.com.mx/asur/ingles/aeropuertos/villahermosa/villahermosa.asp

FROM: Karen O’ Toole, Cougy@aol.com
Karen has been in Tabasco since last week, helping with animal aid assessment
90,000 sq miles devastated. Much of it cow land. So the cows are in deep trouble. 1.8 million cows in outlaying areas, not reachable by boats, etc. Not enough boats. Far out of city.

There are 2 main areas of the city still flooded. About 15 ft high, dropping a foot a day in the city, an inch a day in the outlaying areas, cow country.

Been in helicopters and boats surveying area. Have been meeting with govt. officials to get boats, etc. A small group of rescuers here that live in this city, only 5 of them. This is a city that recently electrocuted 50 stray dogs. This small group of rescuers had a protest. Only 100 people showed up. Most of population doesn´t care about animals, as is typical.

Got the university involved to give us students, volunteers, to help distribute food. The local five were doing it all alone.

Pets now 10 days without food-water. Those pets that lived were left on their roofs so they cannot get to the water, which is now dropped and below their level. Water in outlaying farms is fresh water, so at least the animals have that, and TONS of it, but in town the water is getting darker and darker. Motor boats, dead animals, submerged cars etc., polluting it.

Water should be down in about 3 to 4 weeks. But people lost everything and people food has to be brought in, so they’re not feeding pets with anything.

Been in military copters, SO SAD you see cows dead everywhere and those alive are on tiny dry patches in the middle of nowhere, and I mean nowhere. They will never get food. Other cows haven’t found these RARE dry patches and are still standing in deep water, no food around them, no land, nothing but miles of water in every direction. Not a chance in hell for them.

http://network.bestfriends.org/mexicofloodrescue/news/20437.html
VILLA HERMOSA, Mexico — Best Friends Animal Society, the organization that helped rescue 6,000 dogs and cats following Hurricane Katrina, is prepared to launch a rescue effort to reach thousands of companion animals stranded by floodwaters in the Mexican state of Tabasco.

"We've seen dogs swimming for their lives, stranded on concrete blocks, on rooftops, and clinging to anything that will float," said Rich Crook, rapid response manager for Best Friends, the American animal rescue organization. "We're making final arrangements to get as many of them out as we can."

PHOTO LEFT, Rich Crook: Two dogs just rescued from the flood.
http://network.bestfriends.org/mexicofloodrescue/news/20439.html
PHOTO RIGHT, Rich Crook: Flooded street in Villaharmosa.
http://network.bestfriends.org/mexicofloodrescue/news/20440.html

Working with local authorities, Crook has established a staging area/rescue center on the campus of Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco Biological Campus. Four Best Friends rescue teams will be out on the water in the next few days to rescue animals stranded by floodwaters. Those animals suffering from injury or trauma will be brought to the rescue center where they will be treated by volunteer veterinarians.

"Most of the damage is on the northern and southern areas of Villa Hermosa and on the outskirts of the city," Crook said. "We estimate there are 15,000-20,000 animals that will need help."

The most immediate need, Crook said, will be to set up feeding and watering stations for the animals, all of which must be done on the water because houses are submerged to the rooftops.

"We are pleased to be partnering with the university, which has made the campus available for our staging area," Crook said. "This is critical to a rescue of this nature. Having the use of buildings on the campus gives us a place where volunteers can stay and space to care for the animals."

Heavy tropical storm rains inundated the area surrounding Villa Hermosa last week, causing damage to as many as one million homes. Published reports earlier this week said floodwaters had caused $4.7 billion in damage to homes, farmlands and cattle ranches. According to Crook, locals said it took only three hours for the rain to rise over the rooftops.

Paul Berry, chief executive officer of Utah-based Best Friends, said the organization's rapid response teams are trained just for such a rescue operation. "We've been through this in Katrina and there are many similarities here," Berry said. "As we have done in the past, we will work with local groups and lend our expertise where needed."

11/10/07: "Can you help us?" [Day 3: Part 2]
http://network.bestfriends.org/mexicofloodrescue/news/20457.html

11/9/07: Focusing on stranded companion animals
http://network.bestfriends.org/mexicofloodrescue/news/20440.html

11/9/07: Best Friends Team talks with top Mexico leaders about relief needs
http://network.bestfriends.org/mexicofloodrescue/news/20439.html

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2. DATES you volunteered
3. WHERE you volunteered (physical location)
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