After Katrina

Watching the news tonight now BBC1 and USA looks like it is in turmoil - the Mayor has taken to the airways but what have they done to help them old people left with no water no food babies sleeping with their mothers on the streets, New Orleans looks like a third world country. Dead bodies left lying in the streets. Old peoples homes with no electricity no water, the nurses there crying because they cannot help them.

No wonder the united nations have offered help.

I watched it as well Kazz and it is truly unbelievable.

But I saw the Mayor of New Orleans blaming all and sundry for not helping but as I understand it, because they are in a Hurricane area and an area at risk from flooding they are supposed to have funds and emergency plans set in place for just this very thing, I think once the smoke has cleared questions should be asked about where these funds are, what the money has been spent on and what happened to the plan! These people are suffering and it would be a great shame if it turned out that money that should have been there for them isnt!

Aww i think its awful have they started a charity for it ....

... i havent seen it on the news but saw bullitins about it whilst browsing the net ...

I can't believe how badly the whole thing as been managed
The pictures coming out just horrendous ...children and the elderly sick people with no food and water for five days There should have been emergency centers set up with tents/food and water within hours of the disaster ..those poor people I dread to think what happened to any pets

From what I've read many pets have been abandoned in their homes and now owners are unable to reach them. Think a fund has been set up to help the rescue mission.

Can't believe such a powerful country could treat it's people in such a way, absolutely dreadful.

I was quite shocked that members of the 'public' have been shooting at rescue helicopters from the ground.Its gangs like this who are hindering rescue attempts-forcing the goverment to pull the choppers out.

On the news earlier,it reconed that just under 500,000 people have been made homeless and to get all of these into tempory accomodation quickly is a tall order.

For such a massive operation-this will take time.

I just can't believe that this is happening and that so many people have been left on their own. Unfortunately, the looting - there are always people that will take advantage and try to impose their own type of rule. It sickens me but I do recognise it.

Apart from their immediate survival I also worry for their futures - they have lost everything, I can't imagine how I would cope with no bank cards, no pin numbers to get money from the bank, no ID to prove who I am ... when I think how often I am asked to produce proof ...

My thoughts are with all the victims. I really hope and pray that they get the help/food/water that they so desperatly need.

the situation is really desperate out there - and its many small charities that are trying their best to get in and help the humans and animals but their funds are limited I will try and post some more info on it that I am getting from people I know there

HURRICANE KATRINA UPDATE AND APPEAL

We thank all of who have contacted our organization in the wake of
the Hurricane Katrina. In the midst of so much devastation, here is
a bit of good news: under extraordinarily difficult circumstances,
we were able to safely evacuate all of our sanctuary animals north,
to Tyler Town, Mississippi. A handful of Humane Society workers
are now living adjacent to the St. Francis Animal Sanctuary in that
city.

While we escaped the catastrophic conditions in New Orleans, the
approximately 500 animals now in joint custody of the two groups are
now in a living situation, where there is no electricity, phone
service or adequate supplies. We are now finally able to access
water from a well. Generators, pet food, animal care supplies and
clothing/ food for our workers, who have effectively been made
homeless, are needed. We are operating at 115 Obed Magee Road in
Tyler Town, Mississippi, 39667.

Meanwhile, in the nearby city of New Orleans, the crisis continues.
Alongside the devastating, heartbreaking human tragedy, pets and
homeless animals are left to fend for themselves and are suffering
and dying on the streets. We know of many rescuers and animal
caretakers, who stayed behind to care for their animals, and are at
great risk. Maddie Bernard, the founder of "Used Dogs" recently
was able to contact us, and she described the gangs of armed and
dangerous criminals moving along her street, where she is hiding
with her animals. Pam Casey, one of the co-founders of "Spay Mart"
stayed behind with her husband to care for hundreds of cats. The
last time we had contact with them, they were hiding in the dark,
protecting themselves from violent gangs and hoping to acquire a
truck, so they could flee. Dr. Brian Ghere and Dr. Missy Jackson,
both veterinarians, armed themselves and went into the city and
successfully rescued the animals trapped at the Southern Animal
Foundation Clinic. Dr. James Riopelle, a past President of the
Coalition of Louisiana Animal Activists, is trapped at the Mercy
Boggs Hospital with 100 companion animals. The need for our
immediate help is overwhelming.

With our own pets, our sanctuary animals secured, we plan to join
with other agencies to assist with rescue efforts of animals in New
Orleans. Anyone wishing to volunteer to help hands-on can reach
Johnna Harris on her cell phone at (504) 512-8777.

For those wishing to donate, we will put funds to use for supplies,
housing and and relocating animals associated with the rescue
effort. We cannot adequately provide for volunteers at our
Mississippi location, until we have adequate, but we will eventually
need volunteers to help with the intake/care of animals in
Mississippi. We'll especially need building supplies to put up
temporary housing.

Until we can set up a new post office account, donations can be sent
to:

Humane Society of Louisiana
c/o 1103 Sharon Copley Rd
Wadsworth, OH 44281
Bless you for caring, and thank you so much for supporting us at
this very difficult time.

Dana Nesbitt
President
Humane Society of Louisiana,