Dear Friends of the Humane Society of Louisiana:
Luckily, our emergency facility and the animals and staff members rode out the storm in Tylertown successfully. One of our portable buildings was destroyed and there was some other minor damage, but no injuries. Volunteers, staff and some rescuers who evacuated with their animals to our site remain with us now, as we continue to field calls from our contacts and review reports from around the region. As repairs are underway at our site, our mission will be to offer urgently needed help, where it is most needed.
For those of you who have already given us financial assistance, we are deeply appreciative of your kind help! We were very touched by the outpouring of support that allowed us to make sure we had everything we needed during the evacuation. You will all be contacted individually at our earliest opportunity. Thank you very much.
Others of you have asked about ongoing needs in our area, so here is an update on our situation.
VOLUNTEERS:
We are in the process of actively assessing the needs of animals here in Louisiana following Gustav. For those of you wanting to come and assist, you can be assured that there will be a need for help, particularly from the very initial reports about areas west of New Orleans, where Gustav came ashore. As our small staff shifts into emergency response mode, assistance with our own shelter animals is also needed. We anticipate a need for help distributing supplies, assistance, and other support to agencies and groups in our area, using our Tylertown site as a base. We are analyzing incoming information constantly to assess other ways in which we will be able to help.
If you are a former Camp Katrina volunteer--you will know we have very limited space, but we may be able to provide the most basic accommodations (in the form of a shelter or roof over your head) in the main house or in one of our portable buildings. We will do our very best to provide for any other volunteers. If you want to head to Tylertown and you can be completely self sufficient on the site--in a tent, trailer or other such accommodation--we will welcome you to stay on our property. We may be able to arrange for other accommodations for volunteers, but such arrangements must be cleared by us in advance. Unlike our Katrina relief effort, we at least having running water and electricity at Tylertown, and there should soon be easy access to food and accommodations at hotels, as evacuees from New Orleans begin to return home over the next several days.
PET ADOPTIONS/HANDS-ON ASSISTANCE
We almost certainly will need the support of rescue groups and sanctuaries wanting to assist by taking animals from our area into their program. Also, individuals wanting to help by adopting or fostering an animal may fill out an application on our web site at www.HumaneLA.org. Most of the rescue groups from southern Louisiana have adoption sites at www.Petfinder.com. Anyone adopting from these groups will surely be assisting, by providing them with more space to assist animals impacted by Gustav. If you are looking for a specific type of animal, please indicate that on your adoption application.
SUPPLIES:
HSL will be collecting and distributing supplies for groups and individuals in the areas impacted by Hurricane Gustav; we will publicize specific needs on our web site as we receive them, but at present, we are welcoming the donation of supplies and equipment listed on our web site.
Monetary gifts are particularly needed, as contributions can be used to address specific emergency needs as they arise, such as: veterinary expenses, animal transport costs, direct aid to rescue organizations and our chapters, volunteer program costs, equipment, shelter operating costs and more. Donations can be made online at www.HumaneLA.org or by calling 1-888-6-HUMANE.
Please note: during hurricane Katrina; animal relief agencies sadly reported that SO much of the animal food, which was generously donated for local relief, was lost. A lack of storage space too often resulted in it being damaged by the elements or rodents. While donations of food will certainly be needed, the best way to help feed our animals is to make a monetary contribution, so that supplies may be purchased as needed. Unlike during Hurricane Katrina, our Tylertown facility only briefly lost electricity, and we expect that nearby stores will be back in operation soon. We plan to purchase supplies as we need them, thereby eliminating waste and extending our resources as far as possible
In the event that you are only able to donate food---canned food and cat litter would be the best choices, as they can better sustain poor conditions where they may be stored. Gift cards for Petsmart, Walmart and Petco are also a great choice for helping us feed local animals in need.
Our basic supply list can be found on our web site at www.HumaneLA.org. Supplies should be sent to: Humane Society of Louisiana/Gustav Relief Effort, 115 Obed Magee Road, Tylertown Mississippi, 39667
If you need to discuss the donation of supplies and/or equipment with us please contact Jennifer Rowan at 1-601-876-2781 or by contacting us at info@humanela.org.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO RESPOND TO YOU AS QUICKLY AS WE MIGHT LIKE!
To all of our members and supporters who have been directly impacted by the storm, we wish you the best as you return to your homes and begin the recovery process.
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