Updates:
September 1
September 3
September 7
September 8
October 6
November 21

September 1, 2005

To the communities we serve,

As a results of numerous calls from caring Hampton Roads citizens, the Peninsula SPCA will be collecting donations to help with disaster rescue, recovery and care of animals victims of Hurricane Katrina.

In addition, there are several organizations across the United States that are down south leading the charge. I can't recommend which organizations are better than others - that is a personal choice. However, a former Board member, Karen Bohlke, is on the outskirts of the New Orleans disaster area as we speak, with Noah's Wish. They are not being allowed to enter the disaster area right now, as the emphasis is still on rescuing people who are stranded. It is unknown when they will be able to enter the area, but Karen will be there until at least September 14. If you would like to donate to Noah's Wish through Paypal, you can do so at NoahsWish.org.

Other organizations you may wish to consider are:

Code 3 Associates: Their forte is large animal rescue, but they also help companion animals. Donations can be mailed to: Code 3 Associates, PO Box 1128, Erie, Colorado 80516. I have known Nan Stuart, their Director of Training, for over 20 years. Jan also actively participates in the rescue projects and is scheduled to arrive in the disaster are on Thursday, September 1.

Humane Society of the United States

American Humane Association

ASPCA


Look over these websites and decide for yourself where you feel your donations will do the most good. Bless the animals and the children, for they have no voice and no choice.

Deborah Biggs,
Executive Director

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September 3, 2005

We received a request today through another organization from David Marcantel at Lake Charles Animal Control. His facility is serving as a supply distribution center for the animal shelters impacted in Louisiana. They are set up to accept donated supplies and then they will distribute them in the region as they are called for by rescuers and shelters. David says his largest need at the moment is for the large size "airline kennels/crates", but they are also in need of bowls, food, leashes, collars and other supplies.

We, of course, are also collecting cash donations to help. We received $160 today! At this time, I do not know what it will cost to ship but please tell everyone you know of the needs and ask they deliver to our shelter. I would prefer to not send food, as it weighs the most and costs the most to ship, unless we can find someone willing to ship it/take it there. Many dog food manufacturers always donate to these requests, and I believe several have already made commitments.

We are also recommending non-breakable bowls, if that is what people wish to donate. The SPCA, after talking with David's staff today, will be making immediate arrangements on Tuesday to have our supplier send two cases of the disposable food trays we use at our facility.

We are hoping that we can ship the large crates with other supplies in them through UPS, Fed-Ex or USPS, without boxing them up. I will follow up with shippers and our own Red Cross on Tuesday to see if we can piggy-back on their shipments. Those that want to ship on their own:

Lake Charles Animal Control
5500-A Swift Plant Road
Lake Charles, LA 70615

I realize with the holiday, many of you are reading this on Tuesday. The help, however, will be needed on an on-going basis. Please send this e-mail to all you feel can provide any of these supplies.

Also, my dear friend, John McLemore, former City Council member in Santa Clara, CA, is volunteering with the Red Cross and on his way to New Orleans. I received the following from John today: "It is ironic to call these Americans "refugees" but that is exactly what they are. I'm a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves, and I remembered how we studied for years how to handle refugees in Europe, SouthEast Asia, Africa, Korea, and Kuwait and Iraq, etc. Another ironic twist for me is that when I was an Army Reservist and activated in 1990 in Desert Storm to serve in King George the First's war in the Kuwait/Iraq area, the very first place I was sent off to be trained in logistics was to New Orleans for two weeks.... and now I have a chance to return to New Orleans to help again in a different effort....."

Please keep John and all the others volunteering to help in the disaster zone in your thoughts and prayers. Bless the animals and the children, for they have no voice and no choice.

Best regards,
Deborah Biggs

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September 7, 2005 - From Ginger Zarske, Animal Resource Foundation (ARF)

Greetings Arf Friends,

I just got a call from Linda Buchert of Animal Aid Society in Yorktown. The Salvation Army has contacted her with requsts to foster animals whose people have relocated to this area temporarily and have pets that can't stay with them.

So far, she's only had calls for 2 dogs, and she's been able to find foster homes for them, but she is starting a list of folks who may be able to help if needed.

If you have room in your home for a temporary canine or feline Hurricane victim, please reply to me, or call Linda at 757-898-6733.

She is contacting all of our local vets and they are also volunteering to kennel animals who need temporary housing. Dr. Durmeyer of Salty Paws Vet clinic is organizing a horse rescue expedition and if you can house horses or want to help with that effort, please contact her at 757-223-1900.

Thanks!
Ginger Zarske
arf_va@hotmail.com

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September 8, 2005

Our Peninsula SPCA, along with sponsorship from the Peninsula Veterinary Association and Pine Meadow Veterinary Hospital, sent two Board members -- Karen DeAngeles, DVM, and Meredith Hines (pictured waving good-bye) to Slidell, Louisiana on to assist Noah's Wish in their rescue and recovery efforts for the animals. Another SPCA volunteer, Karen Bohlke of Re-Max Select in Hampton, has been in Louisiana with Noah's Wish since the hurricane ended.

They took veterinary medical supplies, flea and tick treatments, shampoos, crates, food, treats, toys, non-breakable food and water bowls, disposable animal feeding bowls, disposable litter pans and other supplies needed to help the animals and people of Slidell, La. They are the only organization there, as the national animal organizations have their hands full with the New Orleans area. Although their sign says "New Orleans Bound," they did this as many do not know where Slidell is on a map.


We wish them Godspeed and much luck and pray for their safe return. We will be sending a 25' truck, courtesy of Penske Truck Rentals, on or about Sept. 14 with another round of supplies. We continue to collect cash and supplies and have collected $5,100 to date. Call us at 757-595-1399 to make a donation.

Best Regards, Deborah Biggs


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October 6, 2005

While our two Board members, Karen DeAngelis and Meredith Hines, were in Slidell, LA with Noah's Wish, several other Board members amassed a large amount of needed supplies to be sent to their site. With the help of Perry Davis, who arranged transportation, and the Katrina fund, the SPCA was able to send a truck FULL of crates, cages, food, treats, toys, leashes, collars, and bowls, to Slidell, LA! We want to give a very special thank you to Steve Anslow who drove this truck to Slidell and back BY HIMSELF!

At this time, all of our Board members are back in Virginia safe and sound. The Noah's Wish shelter in Slidell, LA has continued to rescue stranded animals and are now sheltering over 900 animals. Given their need for volunteer manpower, two of our Board members are headed back to Slidell. Meredith Hines (pictured bathing a rescued dog in Slidell) and Pat Wright will be heading back to Noah's Wish on October 9. We are very proud of the effort our Board members and SPCA staff have put into helping the gulf region with their animal rescue efforts.

We are also very proud of YOU, our community, for donating the much-needed funds and supplies for this effort!

Best regards, Deborah Biggs

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November 21, 2005

Pat Wright and Meredith Hines safely returned from their trip to Slidell and the Noah's Wish shelter will be closing this week! All adoptable animals will be sent to shelters across the country to find their new families. Animals whose families are not able to care for them at this time, will be placed in foster care until their families are back on their feet. For a complete report from Noah's Wish, click here.

Pat and Meredith each welcomed rescued animals into their families. Pat welcomed a 4 lb. elderly poodle, who has been named Mikey. (Pictured on his ride home.) Despite his small size and the harrowing experience he survived, Mikey has no problem showing his younger brother, a Bull Dog named Deezel, exactly who is in charge!


Meredith welcomed a young Himalayan into her family, who she named Daisy. (Pictured in the mobile ICU in Slidell). Daisy suffered greatly and was matted to the skin, dehydrated and malnourished when Noah's Wish rescued her 4 weeks after the storm. Unfortunately, she was not able to recover from this trauma as she was also suffering from a severe cardiac condition. Daisy passed away on October 15 in Meredith's arms. She will always be loved and missed.