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September 9, 2005 Update
I know many of you are wondering what is happening regarding our efforts
to help the dogs in the hurricane disaster area. The past 10 days have
been some of the most exhausting and exhilarating days of my life. Exhausting
from the point of view that the confusion and lack of communication from
officials organizing the disaster relief is enormous and exhilarating
because of the tremendous generosity offered to us from well over one
thousand people who have registered to volunteer or help via our web site.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all of you for your support,
especially those who responded from far away places!!
So here is the scoop. Listed below is what Stray Rescue has done so far
to organize the relief effort in St. Louis and this information has been
supplied to the American Red Cross and FEMA as well as the very large
animal rescue groups on the ground down south:
- Housing for rescue animals - we have
identified and have on standby enough foster homes and kennel space
to house over 400 animals, including birds, horses, hamsters as well
as dogs and cats. Kennels who have offered to support our efforts
includes Williamsburg, Country Acres, Kennelwood, Petropolis, West
Inn, Baronwood, Doddridge, Happy Tails, White House, Dog House, Inc.,
Landmark Sorenson, and Cedar Valley
- Storage - A semi tractor trailer has
been loaned to Stray Rescue to house the donations of food, crates,
kennels, etc.
- Transportation - a legion of volunteers
are on standby to drive either to the disaster area and/or transport
rescued animals throughout the St. Louis area to local veterinarian
clinics, kennels, foster homes, etc.
- Veterinarian Care - numerous veterinarian
clinics have offered to help care for the medical needs of these animals
and are prepared to handle any medical condition needed. A big thank
you goes to Hillside Animal Hospital, Chippewa Animal Hospital, Petropolis,
Douglas Veterinary Services, and Webster Groves Animals Hospital.
- Drop Off Locations - the following retail
merchants have offered their stores as drop off locations for donations
and are currently accepting donations:
- Petropolis - 16830 Chesterfield Airport Road
- Canine Cookies and Cream - 1125 Cave Springs Estate Dr., St.
Peters
- DogGone Delights - 11824 Tesson Ferry Rd.
- Wolfgang's Pet Shop - 330 N. Euclid Ave.
- St. Louis Airport Relief Center - At
this time, the officials operating the airport hangar that has been
transformed into a housing center for 2000 refugees is allowing these
people to bring their pets. Jenn Foster, Director of Operations for
Stray Rescue, is coordinating the effort to make sure these animals
are supplied with food, crates, bedding, toys and transported to veterinarian
clinics for medical care. If necessary, we are prepared to house these
animals within our network.
We are still working with the HSUS, FEMA and the Amercian Red Cross
to bring animals from the disaster area to St. Louis. As you have read
in the newspapers, the amount of confusion and lack of coordination
is tremendous. At this time, all animals rescued are being quarantined
for a minimum of 15 days because of the contaminated water, etc. We
are expecting a small number of animals to come within the next week,
but a much larger number to come within the next 2-4 weeks as the relief
organizations operating down there become more organized, animals are
not reclaimed or are relinquished by their guardians.
In the meantime, I will be heading to Grenada, Mississippi on September
12 to work with In Defense of Animal's Project Hope sanctuary which
has taken in a huge number of rescued animals and is in dire need of
help and supplies. I will be taking a cargo van of supplies to them
and bringing back as many animals as possible. Once I establish a system
of communication and get a handle on the situation, additional trips
with more supplies will be planned.
At this time, here are a few things you can do to help our effort these
animals:
- Donate money - this will be used to
pay for medical care, transportation costs, supplies, housing needs,
etc. You can send a check or donate online via our web site. If
you want your donation to be used only for the hurricane victims,
please write this on the memo line of your check or make a notation
when donating online.
- Drop off supplies at the above locations.
- If interested in fostering an animal or volunteering, fill out
our online
volunteer/foster parent application form and we will get in
touch with you when you are needed.
- Saturday and Sunday, September 10 & 11
- from 8am to 4pm. volunteers will be at our shelter at Manchester
shelter located at the corner of Manchester and Macklind, next to
Hillside Animal Hospital to receive monetary gifts and donations
of supplies. Urgently needed for my trip to Mississippi is Frontline
Flea & Tick Control, Heartguard, Insect Repellent (Off with Deet),
wire crates (best for air circulation) and rubber waders. The following
is needed for dogs cared for in the St. Louis area: dog food, treats,
toys, dog beds, crates, cat food, cat litter, cat toys, towels,
etc.
- The following organizations are hosting benefits to raise money
for Noah's Wish:
- September 10 from 1-4pm. Wolfgangs Pet Stop is hosting a Pooch
Pizza Party
- September 24 from 7-10pm. Wolfgangs Pet Stop is hosting a Pet
Fashion Show.
I will keep you updated as much as possible. Many thanks goes to my wonderful volunteers helping to coordinate this effort. There are so many of you that I am afraid to name names for fear of missing someone. It is amazing how much we accomplish without having a central office from which to work. Stray Rescue is primarily run by a network of volunteers who constantly inspire me because of their dedication and commitment to helping the animals. Please accept my heartfelt thanks for all your time and energy dedicated to this disaster response.
Woof!
Randy Grim
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