9/12 TAKE ACTION!!! -- Last chance for many pets, "Monday's Promise"

[nicknameless]

PLEASE help to save the lives of these stranded pets!
(Cross-posted from nola.com)

Pet rescues in NOLA have been hampered by police and inaction by the Governor.
Military personnel REALLY want help. They're feeding stranded pets when they can.
But they need formal orders to be able to conduct animal rescues.
The following is what we were told to do to bring that about.

"MONDAYS PROMISE" -- 1000 CALLS TO THE WHITE HOUSE, MONDAY 9/12

Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: [phone]
[e-mail]

I was told by someone in Homeland Security yesterday, that believe it or not, the way to get this solved is to have 1000 people call the White House to demand that the military go in and save these animals.

Now that they have evacuated so many humans, its TIME, NOW, to save their best friends. The death toll of humans is much lower than expected, but not evacuating the pets has made the animal death toll unimaginable. AMERICA DOES NOT ABANDON IT'S PETS WHILE WATCHING THEM SUFFER A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH. This is cruelty to animals, which humans caused by leaving them, then not rescuing them. NOW HUMANS MUST SAVE THEM.

FLOODING THE WHITE HOUSE WITH CALLS ON MONDAY WILL GUARANTEE a call from the White House to the field to save the animals.

SPREAD THE WORD and thank you for standing up for the animals. You have saved many so far, and, many to come!

Focus all of your anger and energy on the WHITE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

Additional information about "Monday's Promise"
(Also from nola.com)

7196. CREDIBLE INFORMATION ON SEVERAL TOPICS
by sfattorney, 9/11/05 21:39 ET

Hi all, I am the san francisco attorney who has been in and out of this forum for several days now. My main focus was trying to get the Governor to request help to rescue the dogs and cats ... her request was needed before national guard OR the feds could help.

A John Minnick from the Dept of Homeland Security was helpful to several of us a few days ago. He is the one who told us to BOMBARD THE WHITEHOUSE TOMORROW WITH THOUSANDS OF CALLS.

John is FINALLY down in Louisiana. He was sent there last night by his bosses. He and I just finished speaking. He told me not to give up. He said that the problem is the Governor. She needs to hear from the Whitehouse and DHS that the dogs must be rescued.

THE ONLY WAY THIS WILL OCCUR IS IF WE ALL CALL THE WHITEHOUSE. He also said that there is NO TRUTH TO THE RUMOR THAT THE DOGS WILL BE SHOT. I TRUST HIM COMPLETELY. He and I have spent a lot of time on the phone, as I plan to involve myself in disaster planning for my area when this whole hellish ordeal is over. For now, please remember to call tomorrow, and also please do not call John on his cell phone, which is posted on this site. Having to take all of our calls keeps him from being the animal advocate that he is trying to be.

Just know that the Governor has DONE NOTHING to help animals. This is straight from John and also apparent from my several conversations with people on her inner staff - Andy Copland, "Terry" and others. She is useless and will not act without SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE FROM WASHINGTON, WHICH FIRST REQUIRES US TO LIGHT UP THE WHITEHOUSE SWITCHBOARD.

As John put it, even if we can now only save 25% of what we could have saved Friday, it's better than nothing. The DOD wants to help. It is killing the fed guys down there not to be able to make animal rescue a priority.

Focus all of your anger and energy on the STATE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. SEE THE "MONDAY MORNING PROMISE" LISTING FOR THE PHONE NUMBERS AND CALL, CALL, CALL!!

When calling the White House, leave a message with whatever person will actually speak to you on the phone. It is essential to convey the urgency and the need for your message to be relayed to the White House and to DHS (Department of Homeland Security) ASAP. Every call to this message center is logged and presented to the White House so don't think it doesn't matter. I doubt that John Minnick would tell me to do this several times if it were for naught.

LA Governor Blanco's office:
225-925-7339
866-310-7617
225-342-7015
225-925-1938

FEMA on the ground:
225-267-2500

[I_Make_Mistakes]

1. I think the saving of pets is worth hours of therapy. This is such an

easy way to save tons of money a years of treatment in therapy, that I am kicking for the morning crew (and to have a link). A pet is 2 zillions times better than a teddy bear, they will no doubt try to supply.

[incapsulated]

2. Will Do n/t

[nicknameless]

3. Now for some GOOD news:

This is from a report by the absolute ANGELS of GulfSails. These people are REAL heroes -- they're doing WATER RESCUES -- the most critical work right now.

Back at our HQ at the launch, the area was crawling with 82nd Airborne, LAPD Cops, paramedics from Chicago, Doctors from Minnesota, Cajuns wearing white shrimp boots and talking French, reporters, SWAT... everyone you can imagine.

We literally would have these 82nd Airborne guys and Search & Rescue guys coming over to us thanking US. These guys told us over and over again that it was killing them to see and hear these stranded pets, but being unable to do anything about it. They were saving humans. They told us they'd drive by and throw MRE's to dogs and cats. These guys were coming up to us and asking "Are you sure that cat over there has water?" It was incredible.

Read their story (towards the middle of their webpage) and see the great rescue pictures. GulfSails! :hug:

http://www.gulfsails.blogspot.com/

[leftchick]

7. thank you

I needed this. I will make phone calls from three different phones today to the WH.

[nicknameless]

8. Hi leftchick!

Thank you! :hug:

They're thinking that 1,000 calls will make the difference.
Did you see the video of Miss Kitty? Wonderful!

[leftchick]

9. not yet

I will later today and kick this. I need to get my boys ready for school right now.

keep up the fight nick! you are the best!

:hug:
lc

[nicknameless]

10. Have a great day!

:hug: &

(edited cuz that "loveya" smilie creeps me out)

[nicknameless]

4. A MUST-READ!!! "Miss Kitty" -- She saved her Dad, and was later rescued.

Be sure and watch the video clip too -- and have lots of tissues handy for the happy tears. :)

http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/050910/290/frqt5.html

Saturday September 10, 09:43 PM
Katrina Survivor Reuinted With Cat in Hospital Room

SLIDELL (Stockholm: ORES.ST - news) , La., Sept. 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Volunteers from the animal rescue organization Noah's Wish and Slidell animal control officers reunited a 59-year-old Katrina survivor with his beloved cat "Miss Kitty" in a Mississippi hospital room yesterday.

Slidell resident Bill Harris was trapped in his home by rising floodwaters for three days. Harris stood on a chair in five feet of water with his beloved cat in one arm and a two-way radio in the other. For three days, Harris desperately called for help on the radio. When rescuers finally arrived, Harris, who suffers from chronic kidney failure, was forced to leave the cat behind. Fortunately, an MSNBC crew covering the Katrina disaster learned of Harris' ordeal and went to the animal rescue group Noah's Wish for help. The not-for-profit organization is working with Slidell Animal Control to rescue pets in the aftermath of Katrina. After days of searching, a cat wearing a black collar and matching the description Harris gave was humanely trapped.

Excited that they had found "Miss Kitty," Slidell animal control officer Horace Troullier and Donna Wackerbauer, a Noah's Wish volunteer from Canada, drove the cat over 70 miles from Slidell to Hattiesburg, Mississippi where Harris had been admitted to Forest General Hospital. "I was holding "Miss Kitty" in my arms when I walked into Mr. Harris' hospital room," said Wackerbauer. "When she saw her owner, "Miss Kitty" jumped out of my arms, onto her owner and burrowed her head into him. It was like she was saying, "Yeah! I got my daddy back!'"

During the three-day ordeal, Harris said that "Miss Kitty" meowed to keep him awake whenever he began to drift in and out of consciousness.

"It was the most exciting rescue I have ever been a part of," said Troullier. "This is what it's all about." A 15-year veteran of Slidell Animal Control, Troullier lost everything when his house flooded and he does not have insurance. Nevertheless, the dedicated animal control officer has been working around the clock for two weeks straight.

Harris is suffering from internal bleeding of the kidneys and stomach and will require surgery. But his spirits are high from spending time with "Miss Kitty" before Troullier and Wackerbauer returned the cat to the Noah's Wish animal rescue center in Slidell, where she will be cared for until he is released from the hospital.

Joe Bruncszk, a producer from Washington DC, videotaped the reunion. The videotape will be available in the evening of 9/10/05 at www.msnbc.com in the Katrina Blog. Photos will be available on www.noahswish.org on 9/12/05.

[nicknameless]

5. More about the shootings ... that allegedly aren't occurring ...

1st-hand report from Kelsey in SB

From Kelsey's comments:

"The report I got from Dr. White who has been rescuing in St. Bernard Parish is that even though he has brought at least 40 dogs, 1 squirrel (a pet) and a Muskovie Duck-Saturday night and another 35 Sunday night, It is a DIRE problem.

His words: "There is an unending supply of dogs in St. Bernard Parish and they are dying."

The shoot to kill order has been given, by local officials, but the National Guardsmen don't want to do it. He asked me to put out a plea to ALL ANIMAL RESCUE GROUPS...WE DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP. COME DOWN AND GET SOME.

I have seen other groups, but why are they not going to where the greatest need is? Please contact St. Bernard Sheriff's Department about housing some, and we mean lots, of these animals. I saw a load of Min-Pins and Skipperkees -- I know it's spelled wrong -- Saturday. These are pure bred small dogs. Our housing capabilities locally are stretched and the State animal shelters that were set up for the Katrina survivors are filling up quickly. Please spread the word to any animal rescuers and potential foster families that we need them."

[nicknameless]

6. Kick

[leftchick]

11. kick

where are all of the DU Animal lovers????

:(

[mopaul]

13. me, i love animals, glad to hear they are saving as many as they can

[justiceischeap]

12. If you need inspiration, listen to these audio clips

There are a group of folks from PETA down there doing rescues and they are relaying the days events via voicemail and it's posted on one of their sites.

http://www.helpinganimals.com/f-reports.asp

And you can read a summarized version of the audio here.

http://www.helpinganimals.com/f-latestnews.asp

[leftchick]

14. thanks

I needed this. It has been a rollercoaster week for the animals and my nerves. They have been in my dreams all week.

[mirandapriestly]

31. I donated to PETA emergency and was worried that I had made the wrong

decision, but it sounds like they are down there. So thanks for that. The animals suffering upset sme horribly.

[leftchick]

47. PETA is doing a Great Job!

it upsets me too. :hug:

[demo dutch]

15. FEMA's email to me in response to Pet rescue --see below

Note..
"Owners of animals that are trapped inside houses or are on rooftops should call the Humane Society, who will dispatch the information to their teams in the field.
Has it even occurred to FEMA that evacuees may not have any access to phones or email while they are in shelters?

The incompetence doesn't seems to end!

See below:

-----Original Message-----
From: FEMA-Correspondence-Unit
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 5:09 PM
Subject: Pets in Hurricane Katrina

We share your concern for animals and pets affected by Hurricane Katrina and hope the following information is helpful to you.

RESCUE
FEMA is not in a position to grant or withhold permission to enter areas. FEMA has not issued an order that animals could not be taken in evacuations. State and local law enforcement agencies control access to the areas and the evacuation. It is our understanding that Governor Blanco has now allowed animal rescue groups into the Louisiana disaster areas.

The Humane Society of the United States has deployed its Disaster Animal Response Teams to the affected areas to begin a multi-state animal rescue and recovery effort. If you know of an animal in the affected areas that needs rescue, please call the Humane Society’s Disaster Call Center at 1-800-HUMANE-1. You may also call 888-259-5431. For further information, including how to donate and latest press releases, please visit [e-mail].

Owners of animals that are trapped inside houses or are on rooftops should call the Humane Society, who will dispatch the information to their teams in the field. They can also contact the Louisiana State Veterinarian’s Office, which is coordinating information about animals stranded in Louisiana. You may also call 888-773-6489 or e-mail [e-mail] to leave information about the number of animals, species and location. Residents of other affected states may call [phone]. If you have animals that are being boarded in any of the veterinary clinics identified at www.vetmed.lsu.edu, you may call toll free 888-773-6489 for information about your pets. Please note the number may be out of order due to the hurricane.

Equine evacuation information is available for horse owners in coastal states by calling Bonnie Clark, Louisiana Horseman’s Guide publisher, at [phone] or [phone] or by e-mail at [e-mail].

LOST PETS
If you are looking for your lost pet, please note that many shelters across the United States are housing animals affected by Hurricane Katrina. To help in your search, please contact the Humane Society who can assist in determining the placement of animals from various locations in the disaster areas.

The main database of pets rescued and identified is being compiled by animal foundations and will be posted at www.petfinder.com. This website also lists other shelter and hotline information.

The following organizations are sheltering pets and helping owners find their lost pets:

The Louisiana State University, Shreveport
www.petfinder.com
www.uan.org
http://www.noahswish.org/Hurricane%20Katrina.htm

For information on Louisiana’s animal and pet evacuation and recovery plan, please visit www.veterinarypartner.com/content.plx?C=32&A=2123.

Please note that animal rescue groups brought many animals from Louisiana to Texas. For more information about animal relocations, please contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASCPA) and the Humane Society.

Please visit the following websites for more information:

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer Be sure to see the Hurricane Rescue Diary which lists various staging areas for animals, and the TEMPORARY SHELTER LISTS link to the left.

http://www.spcahouston.org/spcahouston/Default.asp
http://www.spca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Homepage_Template_2004

If you are seeking shelter for pets or horses in Mississippi, please call the Mississippi Animal Rescue League at [phone] or visit “Planning for Animals in Disaster” at http:// www.mbah.state.ms, or call the Animal Health Emergency Hotline: [phone].

Mississippi Animal Rescue League
4395 South Drive
Jackson, MS 39209
Phone: [phone]

http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/MS41.html

To shelter pets or horses in Mississippi, please call the Mississippi Animal Rescue League at [phone] or visit “Planning for Animals in Disaster” at www.mbah.state.ms, or call the Animal Health Emergency Hotline: [phone].

[leftchick]

17. I don't think they have rescued many horses either

:(

[latebloomer]

16. kick

will call after 9 AM-- comment line opens then.

[DixieDem]

18. kick! n/t

[Coventina]

19. Kick for our best friends

:kick:

[leftchick]

20. come on you all!

I just made my call! Did you?

:)

[nicknameless]

21. Kick! Let's get these poor pets rescued!

:kick:

[G_j]

22. called

they took my comments, hope it helps

[nicknameless]

23. Can we please get this on the Greatest page where more can see it & call?

:)

[leftchick]

46. sheesh I forgot to nominate!!!

I did now!

:)

[nicknameless]

65. Thanks!

Another kick for these stranded and starving furbabies
:kick:

[ernstbass]

24. Kick

[nicknameless]

28. Thank you, ernstbass!

For your help on both threads :hug:

[Dastard Stepchild]

25. I called. :)

The lady I spoke to was perfunctury, but pleasant. She asked for the state I was calling from... hopefully the response to this lets the administration know that people all over the US are taking this issue very seriously.

[nicknameless]

26. We all know that * is a partisan POS, so maybe put partisan spin

on your phone calls.

If you call Blanco's office, you might want to do the same thing.
The right is opposed to her, since they're morons, but she's outraging the left as well.

[electropop]

34. No need for spin

Keep it simple: "I am calling to ask the President to order the military in New Orleans to rescue animals." Or something to that effect.

[nicknameless]

41. Partisanship and vote-swaying is an extra good nudge.

Blanco wants to stay in office, and the repugs want her out.

[nicknameless]

27. We made it! I love DUers!

:hug:

[Lisa0825]

30. yay! it made greatest!:-) (nt)

[nicknameless]

45. !!!

[progressivebydesign]

29. Kick for our pet buddies!!!

I am making the calls right now!!

[electropop]

32. Done!

The operator was very friendly. Be polite - she's not W, has probably been there through 4 administrations.

And please donate to the animal rescue charity of your choice. I chose Noah's Wish.

[nicknameless]

33. Once the comment line closes for the day, send emails! (Addy at top of OP)

Let's flood them with emails too. :)

[nicknameless]

35. PLEASE make phone calls tomorrow too!

The more we light up the switchboards, the better!

[electropop]

36. Done! (WH call and email)

At Blanco's office, a young man answered; I gave the comment, and he said "hold on" but then it rang and rang - end of day I guess. Anybody got an addy for Blanco?

[nicknameless]

37. Thanks electropop! :)

You could try again, lots of people answering that line. MANY are very nice animal lovers :D

I'll check nola.com for Gov's email address.

[nicknameless]

39. To email Blanco, you have to do it from this link at her website:

http://www.gov.state.la.us/govemail.asp

[Pierogi_Pincher]

64. Email to Gov. Blanco--DONE! and....

will put in call to WH Tuesday.

(Just emailed WH also.)

[electropop]

70. Done:

"Please request Federal military help with animal rescues. They are eager to do it, and it is the morally right thing to do. Show us you have a heart."

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

38. Called. nt

[nicknameless]

40. NEW -- request of WH:

Ask Them to take action on their own -- and not wait for Gov. Blanco.

Ask WH to initiate pet rescue!

All agencies under the Dept. of Homeland Security need to act --
The Coast Guard, FEMA, and ALL divisions of the military!

[nicknameless]

42. KEEP CALLING -- TOMORROW AND ON -- UNTIL THESE PETS ARE RESCUED !!!

Ask WH to take action on their own -- and not wait for Gov. Blanco.

Ask WH to initiate pet rescue!

All agencies under the Dept. of Homeland Security need to act --
The Coast Guard, FEMA, and ALL divisions of the military!

[hyphenate]

43. Doing what I can!

Donated money to all the animal charities working there, and also called the number a couple of days ago, but I couldn't get through. I'll try a few more phone calls as well tomorrow.

[nicknameless]

44. Thank you!

And flood them with emails too. :)

[leftchick]

48. Anderson Cooper to do Red Tape Story of Pets Next!

I hope he addresses this issue!

[nicknameless]

49. I don't get CNN, please post what he says.

:)

[leftchick]

50. he talked with the HSUS problem with getting animals out of LA

It seems it has eased a bit but still a problem getting the animals processed out. very sad.

:grr:

[nicknameless]

51. Too many roadblocks! :(

Thanks for letting me know what was said.

[lindisfarne]

52. kick n/t

[redacted]

53. KICK

[kimpossible]

54. Done

Kicked and nominated

[CAcyclist]

55. This IS NOT The Governors Fault

The fault is FEMA. They are supposed to get federal veterinarians from APHIS, but THEY are not.

Homeland Security is just trying to get us to shift the blame from the federal shoulders where it squarely belongs and onto the governor. THEY are the ones that need to get off their asses and no amount of blaming Blanco is going to solve the problem.

Here is a couple of emails I got from a vet in the field who is desperate for help:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4750121&mesg_id=4750749

[leftchick]

56. we need to hold them all accountable

the Governor's office is not helping at this point. To be silent is to assume consent....

[CAcyclist]

57. My Point Is To Hold The People Who Have The Means To Help

Accountable - that's the feds. Going after Blanco is just a waste of time - first, it's transparent that the feds are trying to redirect blame onto her and onto Nagin and second, in every other scenerio where we see help being held up, its FEMA and their red tape doing it, so chances are its FEMA here.

[nicknameless]

59. Many of us are wishing that Nagin would order the Chief of Police to

have their people help with rescues too.

[nicknameless]

58. It has been said that she could have dispatched National Guard, etc.

to help with rescues, but she hasn't done it -- despite her phones ringing off the hook with people begging her to.

[redacted]

60. Done, and here's a copy of my email to the White House:

Since it's now 9:30 PM on the East Coast their comment line is closed. However, I included the text below in an email message that I just sent. (You're welcome to use portions in your own communications with the White House.)

****Excerpts follow****

Several physicians in our community are dog owners, and we would all urge the White House to put immediate pressure on the Governor of Louisiana to order our military in the New Orleans area to start evacuating and rescuing companion animals. Here's why.

If stray companion animals aren't evacuated, rescued, or at least kept alive through food and water rations, the public health emergency will rapidly worsen because of dead animal remains floating in the water and decomposing in the streets, which leads to diseases like Hepatitis-A, Hepatitis-B, and cholera, and those diseases kill people.

Short-term priorities are obviously crucial with precious scarce resources for people, but let's not be too shortsighted about making the crisis more lethal a couple of days from now. In many past disasters, deaths from infectious diseases have killed more than deaths from the original tragic event, and a necessary way to stop the disease spread is to do whatever is necessary to prevent needless companion animal deaths.

Moreover, an uncontrolled infectious disease situation will without question contaminate the human evacuees who will be moved to other areas of the nation, and that can force complicated and expensive isolation facilities and procedures to be instituted in hundreds of local communities to contain the disease spread. These infections will spread at an exponential rate without regard to race, class, gender, ethnicity, income, or any other way of classifying segments of the human population, and will especially place health care providers across the nation at grave risk at a time when their expertise is needed most. It will be much less expensive--and far less agonizing--to save the animal lives in the first place than to attempt control of the disease spread across the nation in the weeks to come.

Companion animals cannot survive much longer than about ten days without food and clean water. Their time is running out, just as our time is also running out to contain the public health emergency. Please, without delay, demand that the Governor of Louisiana order our military in the New Orleans area to start evacuating and rescuing companion animals.

/signature and street address/

[nicknameless]

61. That's good! I've been adding shameless political spin to mine :)

Priority #1 with so many politicians is staying in power.
Blanco wants to stay in office and Bush wants her out.

Blanco is insane to put her constituents through this. The hurricane, the flood, plus malevolence by BushCo has cost these people sooo much.

To take away their furbabies too, is unconscionable. Blanco could and should have the National Guard doing animal rescues.

On a Federal level, USCG, FEMA and military could be/should be sent too.

I'm just hoping that one side or the other will figure this out and get the rescues going so that they can be seen as the heroes. ... parenthetically making the other side the bad guys.

[DixieDem]

67. Excellent letter!!! n/t

[Laurab]

62. Kick from an animal lover n/t

[rumpel]

63. kicked an e-mailed WH requesting executive order in honor of Barney

[nicknameless]

69. !

:D

[leftchick]

66. kick

:kick:

[nicknameless]

68. Another kick

:kick:

[chavi]

71. Thank you for the info!!!

I just called/emailed every number in this post. Is there anything else that I can do to help?

[nicknameless]

72. Well, we've all been calling multiple times to the numbers that don't take

personal information. We don't want to appear on the same list multiple times, but if they don't ask: CALL, CALL, CALL! (with a little time in between, of course, so your voice won't be recognized.)

New approaches to rescuing these guys are being looked at too, like ideas to buy some time, such as feeding stations for the babies that are stranded, but can't be caught.

Thanks for all you're doing, and welcome to DU! :hi:

[chavi]

73. AHA!!! Good idea...

Signing off to make more calls!

[fleabert]

74. this number went thru and I spoke with someone at Blanco's office

225-342-7015

he told me he would pass on the request.

[DixieDem]

75. Kick! n/t

[nicknameless]

76. CAUSE FOR HOPE !!!!!!!

:bounce: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :bounce:

We could have some VERY GOOD NEWS coming tomorrow!





THANK YOU, DUers!
:hug:

[AgadorSparticus]

77. I will fax the WH a letter and call in the morning. Will call Blanco

an FEMA as well. :kick: