Rescue for Ruffugees: Animal Rescue from LA to L.A.

2005-11-09T16:59:00.000-08:00

Dogs and Cats from Louisiana and Los Angeles for Adoption
Pet Related Vendor Booths

DECEMBER 11, 2005
Barker Hangar, Santa Monica Airport
11:00am - 4:00pm
Click here for directions

Please do not bring your own pets!

If you are interested in having a vendor booth at this event, visit www.newleash.org.

2005-11-09T16:52:00.000-08:00

2005-10-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

Fantastic Slide Show
Title: Hurricane Katrina Rescue Ruffugees
By: Second Chance at Love Humane Society
Date: Oct 11, 2005
http://www.photoshow.net/_72c068db7fd473b/favorites
Watch show: http://www.photoshow.net/watch/bR9ia9Xx

2005-10-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

MORE ANIMALS COMING TONIGHT! NEED RESCUE GROUPS AND VOLUNTEERS AT LAX!!

Today was scheduled D day for the remaining Gonzales animals. Bobby has worked all night to get a plane off the ground today. There are 86 dogs and 20 cats at the airport boarding a plane as I write this email. They are anticipated to arrive at LAX today sometime between 3 and 5p.m.

This is not ideal but we are doing everything we can to save these animals. We have 44 dogs and 20 cats unaccounted for at this time.

We need 2 things - volunteers to come and help process these animals, transport them to boarding facilities and rescue groups to take on a dog or cat or two.

I know many of you are at maximum capacity but if you can share this information with other well respected groups that you have relationships with, it would be appreciated.

If you are able to volunteer later today to help or take an animal, please let me know. You can get up to date arrival time status at 888-4-LA-Pets.

The animals will be coming into 5701 West Imperial Highway, Air Services International Group - the sign will say ASIG.

Thanks!

Kim
Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees

2005-10-10T07:24:00.000-07:00

Round 3 Arrivals - What a great day!

A huge round of applause for everyone involved in Friday's arrivals! It was a wonderful day. For those of you who weren't able to be with us, here is a brief rundown of the day.

We arrived in the a.m. at the hangar at Van Nuys Airport to set up. Due to thunderstorms, we were anticipating a 1:00 arrival of Bobby and the caravan. We had tents set up in the parking lot for each rescue group, medical stations set up inside the hangar. As 1:00 approached, the media arrived ready to get great shots of the caravan's arrival. Things got a bit delayed due to an accident on the 15 but everyone held tight and waited patiently. At about 3:15, the caravan rolled in and off came the weary rescuers and 30 beautiful pups and 5 great kitties.

A shitzu, chi's, hounds, german sheps, a sharpei - you name the breed and they were there. Each as sweet as the next!

All are now safely with rescue groups getting the TLC they need!

Thank you all for your help and support - with these latest arrivals, we are now up to 155 Katrina animals being fostered by L.A rescue groups.

Please continue to read the blog - there will be more to come. I will be sure to keep you updated on reuniting animals with their owners, our plans for a super adoption once the hold is up and the animals are available for adoption.

Next steps - anyone interested in helping to prepare a grant to receive funds to supply the owners with heartworm prevention meds please contact me. We are also discussing putting a Katrina calendar and holiday cards together - if you would like to be part of these teams please contact me as well. I'm also looking for folks to help organize flights back to LA as we reunite owners with their animals. So, if you are interested in continuing to volunteer please let me know, our work is far from done!!

It was my greatest pleasure meeting all of you who have worked with Rescue for Ruffugees over the last month. I look forward to continuing to work with each of you in the future.

Warmest regards,

Kim Finger
Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees
www.rescueforruffugees.org

2005-10-06T16:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

We are just about ready to welcome our newest Katrina Ruffugees. We are all very excited for tomorrow’s arrival.

We are very excited about the arrival of this latest group of pups and kitties. Unfortunately due to unexpected problems with the LA shelters, Bobby from New Leash on Life was only able to rescue about 27 dogs and 5 cats. Sadly, he was not given animals at 2 shelter locations that they visited. No explanation that makes sense but on the upside, they rescued 32 animals!

Given that we have fewer animals than originally anticipated, we have many more volunteers who have expressed interest than we need. If you received the volunteer email, you have been randomly selected to participate tomorrow. If you have not, we will keep you on our list as a backup should folks be now unavailable. I wish so much that everyone could be there but need to manage the number of volunteers to make it as stress free for the animals as possible.

Please do keep checking the blog!

Thanks!

Kim Finger
Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees
www.rescueforruffugees.org
www.muchlove.org

2005-10-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

October 4 Update - Prepping for our New Arrivals

Hello All,

Have lots of news to share. First, we have found the owners of 4 cats and 3 dogs that arrived on the 20th. All are still here in Los Angeles but we are making arrangements to return them to their owners once they are back in their homes. Each person I have spoken to has been sooo happy to know that their animals are safe with us! Good job everyone!

We are busily preparing for our Friday arrivals. Bobby of New Leash on Life is planning to arrive back here around 10 a.m. on Friday. Thanks to Bobby's wife Kelly, we have secured a hangar at the Van Nuys airport for conducting the intake/outake.

More details will come in terms of what time volunteers should arrive etc. But, for all of those who emailed to say they are available on Friday, you are in my Friday Volunteer folder and we will be in touch with more info. soon.

As we approach the day, we will send regular email updates in the case that Bobby's return runs late and we will set up a info line in case you are not by a computer you will be able to call in and get the latest updates.

I believe this will be our last group of animals so thank you to all of you for being a part of the ruffugee effort - 3rd time is bound to be a charm!

More to come!

Kim Finger
Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees
www.rescueforruffugees.org
www.muchlove.org

2005-09-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

This e-mail is From Jeanine Curcione with Bichons and Buddies, one of the rescue groups that participated in the first rescue at Centinela Feed. In a few paragraphs, it reinforces the mission of RFR in reuniting the animals with their owners and not just in finding them new homes in Los Angeles.

I received the most heartbreaking call anyone can imagine. Diane Brown, a Louisiana resident, called me after seeing our group listed as one who received a Katrina poodle in the hopes that it was her dog. She told me the horror story of how she, her husband and their young daughter we stuck on the freeway and the buses were sent in to rescue people. The national guard and police were just shoving people on the bus with no concern for families beings separated and of course were not allowing pets. They passed up the first couple of buses not wishing to risk being separated from each other and desparately wanting to take their 8 year old poodle. Max was a rescue from a shelter a couple of years earlier when they lived in Michagan. They sold everything they had and moved to Louisiana in May!

They spent the night on the wet grass on the side of the freeway (along with many other stranded people) and she told of how Max protected them all night and would bark anytime someone came near them. That morning another bus came and she pleaded with the driver to let them take their small poodle on. He consented and she got on the bus with her daughter and her husband who was holding the poodle was behind her. She walked past a national guardsman down the aisle and as her husband got on the bus, he said "I'm not giving up my seat for that dog!" He refused to let the husband on with the dog. When Diane tried to get off the bus with her daughter they refused to let her off and while standing in the doorway of the bus with other people crowded behind him, the husband had to make the onerous choice between his wife and child and his beloved Max. A man standing behind him said, "hand him to me." Feeling he had no choice, he handed over Max and got on the bus. That was the last they saw of him.

He was wearing Michigan tags still and is an apricot neutered poodle about 8 years old with cloudy eyes. He was shaved pretty short unlike this picture when they first got him. She has been searching through thousands of pics in an attempt to find him and they are now back in MI staying temporarily until allowed back to their home which is most likely completely destroyed.

Hearing her story and the anguish in her voice AND the recounting of the callous treatment they received ripped my heart out. I still can't stop crying every time I think about. It's one thing to read all the stories and to know hers is but one of a thousand similar tragedies....it's another to talk to a person and feel that kinship.

When I told her with tears in my voice that I was SO VERY SORRY for all she lost, she said quite simply that all they wanted was their dog back - that everything else can be replaced, but not Max. She told me her husband feels horrible and is terribly depressed because he let Max down. He had promised him that night on the wet grass that they would get through this.

Please, help her find out if Max is alive somewhere. She knows about Petfinder database and mentioned another. What are all the sources that she can look to? Attached is a flyer she made with the picture. Can this be posted ...... where?? Please tell me how to get the word out EVERYWHERE and I'll help this person in any way I can.

Jeanine Curcione
Bichons and Buddies
(www.bichonsandbuddies.com)

2005-09-30T07:33:00.000-07:00

September 30th a.m. Update - They're Here and Safe!

Hello Everyone!

Last night, we had the pleasure of welcoming 21 darling Katrina dogs to Los Angeles.

We also had the pleasure of meeting their rescuers - Michelle, Michelle and Kim. These women are incredible! They pulled in with an enormous truck towing a 38 foot camper/trailer that they purchased just for this rescue effort. They loved and cared for these pups while driving 2 1/2 days nonstop back from New Orleans. By the time they arrived, dogs that were previously listed as "severely dehydrated and underweight" were plumping up and looking great.

We had poodles, american eskimos, an akita, a beagle, several lab mixes and chows.

Thanks to Dr. Wendy Brooks, we were able to do all of the medical processing in her animal hospital. The process was smooth, quick and the animals and people all had a great time!

A sincere thanks to Dr. Erin Wilson, Dr. Habib and Dr. Downing for donating their time last night! To the volunteers, thank you! All of you hung in there through the unexpected delays and I thank you so much. Your help is critical to making this process work.

I'll post pics from the night on the blog as soon as I get them so keep checking for updates.

Now, round 2 down - round 3 to go!

We are expecting Bobby from New Leash on Life to arrive next Friday - Oct. 7th with as many as 100 dogs.

In anticipation of his arrival, we need to secure rescue groups who are willing to take on dogs from this load. If you can commit to taking on some of these animals, please email me.

We also need a large warehouse, horse corral, field, airport hangar or something along these lines to do the intake /outake process. We are ideally looking for a spot on the westside or in the valley. So, if you have a connection, please let me know.

Lastly, Georja from Unleash the Beach held a fantastic fundraiser on Wed. night for the Katrina Animals. Based on her recommendation, some of the proceeds will be donated to the RFR effort specifically for building photo/description books of the animals. These books will be sent to libraries in New Orleans and other public areas as well as hotels where displaced owners are living. Many folks still do not have internet access and our hope is that sending these books will increase the likelihood that we will be able to reunite the animals with their owners. So, if you would like to volunteer to help build these booklets, please let me know.

More to come!

Warm regards,

Kim Finger
Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees
www.rescueforruffugees.blogspot.com
www.muchlove.org

2005-09-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

September 28 p.m. Update

Hello Everyone,

We're expecting our latest round of Louisiana pups tomorrow evening. Once again, thank you to everyone who offered to volunteer tomorrow night. Because we only have 21 dogs coming, I randomly chose 23 volunteers from the large # of folks in the data base. If you received an email letting you know that you have been selected as a volunteer then we'll see you tomorrow. If you did not receive an email to that effect, we have you on the back up list. And thank you again for your support!

I haven't spoken to Michelle today but last I heard from her, she was expecting to arrive tomorrow late afternoon/early evening.

We have quite a range of pups coming - chi's, labs, poms, poodles, puppies - you name it, they are on the van!

Please keep visiting the blog for updates and we'll be sure to post some pics of our newest arrivals asap.

If anyone has experience building websites and would like to take on the task of designing the new www.rescueforruffugees.org site please let me know!

Warm regards to you all!

Kim Finger
Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees
www.rescueforruffugees.blogspot.com
www.muchlove.org

2005-09-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

Sept. 28 a.m. Update - Looks Like Thurs. p.m. is Arrival Day!

Hello Everyone,

I received an email from Michelle late last night and based on how quickly they are driving and pee pit stops for the animals, she is anticipating arriving late Thursday afternoon. As long as nothing changes, let's plan for Thursday around 5 p.m. on or so.

Let me know if you are available - I need to check today for location but will let you know asap. It will either be Mar Vista (near Venice) or North Hollywood.

More to come soon!

Kim
Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees
www.rescueforruffugees.blogspot.com

2005-09-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

September 27 Update - Preparing for the Arrival of our Round 2 Pups!

Hello Everyone,

Thank you soo much to the rescue groups that have emailed me with interest in rescuing the animals coming this week and next. We are almost covered for this weeks arrivals and then we can start planning for Bobby's dogs. So, please let me know if you have not already if you might be able to help. Also, if you have other rescue groups that you could send this info. to that would be great.

To those of you who have emailed me to volunteer - fantastic! It's heartwarming for me when I receive all of your emails. Thank you!

I spoke with Michelle this evening and she was just outside of Dallas. She said they are driving through the night but stopping every 4 hours or so for at least an hour to walk all the dogs. At this point, it is highly doubtful that she will be here on Wed. She is now thinking Thursday or perhaps Thursday evening. So, can you let me know your availability on Thursday and Friday for volunteering.

Rescuers, please alert your folks for Thurs. and Friday.

Some additional good news - I spoke to Carol again this morning - she is the woman that called me yesterday and together we found that we have 2 of her cats. Animal Avengers has 1 of them and so does Modjeska Ranch. So, she is ready and eager to get them back and we are going to begin the process of getting them flown back to LA. Great news!!

Thanks so much everyone!!

More to come tomorrow.

Kim
www.rescueforruffugees.blogspot.com

2005-09-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

More Katrina Dogs Coming to Los Angeles - We Need Your HELP!

Hello Everyone!

We have 2 more groups of Katrina dogs coming to Los Angeles!

The first group of about 22 dogs are scheduled to arrive either tomorrow night (Wed) or Thurs. morning. We will need a small group of volunteers - 20 or so to help with the intake outake of these animals.

We will be conducting the intake outake in Venice if they arrive Wed. evening and in North Hollywood if they arrive Thursday morning. If you can commit to either day, please email me back and let me know. Also please let me know if you were a volunteer last week at the Torrance location.

Bobby from New Leash on Life is heading to New Orleans tomorrow and is anticipating bringing as many as 100 dogs back with him next week Friday - October 7th. We will need a large group of volunteers to help with intake and outake on this day. If you are available to volunteer, please let me know.

These are likely the last of the Katrina dogs to come to Los Angeles. If you can help in any way - donations, volunteering, fostering, or if you have contacts with rescue organizations or vet hospitals that may be able to help, please let me know.

Warmest regards,

Kim
Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees
www.rescueforruffugees.blogspot.com

2005-09-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

Carol got to a computer and unfortunately, only 2 of the cats are hers.

Pistache - Modjeska 001
and Mimi - Animal Avengers 002

So, we wait and hope the rest find their parents as well!

Thanks,

Kim

2005-09-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

Some Cat Owners Have Been Located!

Hi All,

I just got off the phone with Carol Hock and she was crying with joy! We have 4 of her cats -

Modjeska - 001 - Pistache
Animal Avengers - 003 (Calli) & 002 (mimi)
Pooch Heaven - 001 (Boots)

Jamie, it looks like the 4 who came from the same home were these four. The other 3 you have are not cats of hers at least from the descriptions. She will get to a computer as soon as she can and she will look to see if any others are hers. She had 6 total. I know these 4 are hers because of the notes on the paper work - 1216 a, b, c, d

This is great news!

She lost her home and is in a hotel quite possibly until January. I think we may want to look for foster homes for them since it may be a few months before she can take them back. Let me know if that works for you.

Made my day and hopefully yours too!!

2005-09-25T08:07:00.000-07:00

MORE ANIMALS ARE COMING - WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Hello Everyone,

Time is running out for the animals still locked in homes throughout the city of New Orleans. Because of Hurricane Rita and the never ending politics surrounding this issue, I'm not sure at this point if we can anticipate another plane arrival or not.

But, we can't stop helping these animals. I am now joining forces with Bobby Dorafshar of New Leash on Life (his volunteers were the wonderfully talented folks who took the petfinder pics at our RFR event on Tuesday). Bobby is leaving this Wednesday for a second trip to Louisiana to save more animals. He will be doing a caravan trip to Windixie and sending volunteers back with van loads of animals. I will help him on Los Angeles end and help place the animals once they arrive with rescue groups. For now, we need your help. Bobby said they were rounding up 150-200 animals a day when he was there last week.

Please circulate this email to anyone who might be able to help.

1) Bobby needs volunteers to go with him to the devastated areas of New Orleans and help him set up camp and rescue these animals.
Volunteers to Walk/Feed/Groom and clean kennels, Vet Techs, Vets, Volunteers to handle intake, pictures, web posting and data base ON SITE, Communications Manager, Front Line Field Work rescuers , Drivers

2) Bobby needs supplies - medical supplies including IV fluid, Advantage or Frontline, antibiotics, ointment for eye and ear infections, microchips, collars and leashes, name tags for the animals, EZ up canopies, collapsable humane traps, 10-15 walkie talkies (anyone know someone at Nextel?), a trailer to borrow, toy hauler with airconditioning, 2 generators, two 9 horsepower boat engines, 300-500 gallon water tank trailer

Please, if you can donate your time or supplies please email me asap! If you would prefer to make a monetary donation in the case that Bobby has to purchase any of the supplies listed above, please visit http://www.newleash.org/bobby.asp
Bobby has plenty of food and crates already so those items are taken care of.
Thank you for your support!

Continue to check the blog for updates - soon the rescueforruffugees.org website will be up so stay tuned!

Warm regards,

Kim Finger
Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees

2005-09-23T23:06:00.000-07:00

2005-09-23T23:03:00.000-07:00

2005-09-23T22:59:00.000-07:00

2005-09-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

Click Here to see the Rescue For Ruffugees video. No login is required. Feel free to pass the video along to your friends. Apologies for the technical difficulties.

ENJOY!

Alexis Leona
Nuts For Mutts Photo Crew,
New Leash On Life Animal Rescue

2005-09-22T13:31:00.000-07:00

Ruffugees Video Slide Show

2005-09-21T17:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a very special day, one that I will never forget.

Thanks to all of you, the Rescue for Ruffugee Effort was an amazing success. I can't even try to do justice describing it in words, but seeing the attached video will give those of you who were unable to attend a glimpse of our day. And, for those of you who were there, this will be a video reminder for you of your contribution to an amazing event.

A brief summary for the hundreds of you who have emailed me to find out how it went.

In excited anticipation, several of us arrived at the warehouse in the very early morning to arrange the space and prepare for our 4 legged friends to arrive. As it down poured outside, I silently feared a call that would tell me that our plane was held up yet again. I was thrilled to get the call that the animals were on the runway and being weighed. It was to be delayed, but more importantly, the animals were a mere 3 hours from safety in Los Angeles.

We were told a 2:26 p.m. arrival and the team worked diligently preparing the Centinela Pet and Feed warehouse until the moment we had to leave for the airport. With the K9 911 Dobie rescue 48 ft. truck and 2 horse trailers, we headed off to LAX at 1:30 to await their arrival.

While at the airport, an incredible team of about 60 volunteers arrived at the warehouse. They were briefed on the process for the day (as best we had devised it) and jumped in eagerly to do whatever needed to be done. Prepping collars and leashes, setting up medical stations, etc. etc.

Back at the airport, we waited holding our breathe. As the plane arrived, the airport police escorted us onto the runway. In a flurry, the animals started coming down conveyor belts and without hesitation, we began loading them into the vehicles. We were beside ourselves with happiness at their arrival and sadness at their state of health. They were sooo thin, lying in soiled crates and sadly many in crates made for animals less than half their size. As tears welled in our eyes, we focused on getting them in the vehicles and to safety.

We arrived back at the Centinela warehouse and just as quickly began unloading. We knew we had many fewer animals than anticipated but no exact count. I found out today that the plane was smaller than originally scheduled, and that, combined with the crates being loaded with the wrong size animals caused fewer animals to be on the plane. In the end, there were 90 dogs and 13 cats onboard.

Each animal was collared and leashed, assigned to a rescue group and then brought by a handler to the medical processing areas. Our vets and technicians scanned for microchips, chipped those who didn't have one, tested for heartworm and provided prevention meds for those mere 30 dogs that tested negative. After getting their Advantage treatment, they were photographed for petfinder and given food and a walk.

There was so much about this day that I would love to share for those of you who weren't there. Emotions are hard to convey in words. Seeing the animals, knowing what they had been through brought sadness and tears to many but yet, smiles of joy because we knew they were now safe. The number of volunteers who took off work and time out of their schedules to come and help these animals was so heartwarming. As I described it to a friend, it was a love fest. Hugs all over the place.

There are soo many people I need to thank for helping make this event possible. Each of the 20 rescue groups who jumped on board from the first day the email was sent out and stayed excited and onboard with every delay and obstacle. All of the volunteers who helped both before and during the event. The New Leash on Life Crew for making the amazing slide show attached and taking the photos of all of the animals. Dr. Erin Wilson, Dr. Wendy Brooks, Richard, Stephanie and all of the other vet staff - you were amazing! Dobie Rescue for donating their truck and crates, Charles for letting us use his horse trailers, Centinela Pet and Feed for allowing us to make a poopy mess of their warehouse and donating so many supplies and Pedigree for donating 2 tons of food - literally!

Please continue to visit the blog where we will be posting regular updates as well as pictures from the event www.rescueforruffugees.blogspot.com

My belief in humanity has been strengthened thanks to each of you.

My warmest regards,

Kim Finger
Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees
Much Love Animal Rescue
www.muchlove.org

2005-09-20T05:24:00.000-07:00

Today is our day!

Thanks to all of you who have stayed the course, today, finally our animals will be arriving. We're all looking forward to showering these pups and kitties with love and bringing them back to health. Our flight is anticipated to arrive at 12:00 at LAX. The flight yesterday ran several hours late so we must be prepared for a delay as well. We are receiving approximately 150 animals all of which will be scanned for a microchip, microchipped if they don't already have one, heartworm tested, provided heartworm prevention meds if they test negative, advantaged for fleas and have their pictures taken for petfinder. They will then be distributed to the 21 rescue organizations who have so kindly offered to take them into their care. We're looking forward to a wonderful day!

Thank you to all of you. I'm so thrilled to report that I've received over 5000 emails since Friday, September 9th. There has been an outpouring of concern for these animals, donations, volunteer and foster offerings. It has warmed my heart to interact with each of you. Thank you for caring about our 4 legged friends.

My sincerest appreciation to each of you,

Kim Finger
Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees
Much Love Animal Rescue
www.muchlove.org

2005-09-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

It is confirmed, our pups and kitties are coming tomorrow! Rescue groups and volunteers, stay glued to your email and I will get you information shortly regarding what time to be at the Centinela warehouse in Torrance.

We will need no more than 100 volunteers for the day so please email me if you are available tomorrow - to make this quick for me to decipher, just write YES TUES in the subject line. I will send a confirmation email to each person who will be volunteering. If you do not receive a confirmation email from me, it means we had more volunteers than we needed. To keep this as efficient and running as smoothly as possible, we need to limit the volunteer base to 100.

The flight today is coming in 3 hours late but we need to plan as if it will be on time. So, bring a book, cards etc. to keep busy and entertained in the case that it is late.

Scarily, the plane today was shot at under sniper fire. The plane and the animals are fine but they did have to re-route the flight which caused the delay.

There will be 150 total animals on the plane - a mix of cats and dogs.

More to come soon!

Kim
www.rescueforruffugees.blogspot.com

2005-09-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Just received a call from the funder, we are tentatively scheduled for tomorrow! Please be on alert and check your emails regularly for updates. This is not confirmed as yet and I have no idea what the arrival time will be at this point if in fact the plane comes tomorrow.

More to come!

2005-09-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

Sept. 19th a.m. Update

All is progressing more or less smoothly at this point. Planes are scheduled to fly out on Wed. and Thurs. It is still looking like Wed. is our day. Janet with Broken Down Dog Rescue in Alexandria, Louisiana is working with her vet to get rabies vaccines done so they the animals are prepped to fly. She has one vet she is working with and has a large number of animals to process so they are working fast and hard. Janet has transportation lined up to get the animals from her facility to the Baton Rouge Airport so all is moving forward.

We are looking into Burbank and Van Nuys Airport as a possible alternative to LAX - LAX is a large airport with ALOT of security and from what I am being told, they are being a bit difficult in terms of getting approval for the planes to land there.

To the rescue groups, THANK YOU, you have all stayed committed to the Rescue for Ruffugee Effort and I think you for your patience and flexibility.

To those who have offered to volunteer, THANK YOU, everyday more and more folks email me to volunteer their time and donate supplies for these poor animals. What I need from you now is a count of who is available on Wed. and who is not and who is available on Thurs and who is not. I want to ensure that whichever day our animals arrive, we will be ready with volunteers on hand.

PLEASE remember to email me at Kim_Finger@yahoo.com as my gmail account is now inactive.

Warm regards,

Kim
Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees
Much Love Animal Rescue
www.muchlove.org

2005-09-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

Sept. 18 p.m. Update

We continue to move forward. Waiting to hear about the status of transport vehicles to take the animals to the Baton Rouge Airport from Alexandria on Wednesday. Hoping this will be our day. All the logistics have to be worked out though. Dr. Wilson is checking with friends in Houston to see if we can use their trucks to transport the animals to the airport. If you know anyone who knows someone with a horse trailer, stake bed/flat bed truck anywhere near Alexandria, L.A. please tell them to contact me asap.

More to come tomorrow!

Kim

2005-09-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

Dr. Erin Wilson of Animal Surgical and Emergency Center (ASEC) in Los Angeles and her assistant will be flying to Alexandria, Louisiana tomorrow (Monday, Sept. 19th. They will be providing medical care and vaccinations to the animals so that they can be flown out to us hopefully on Wednesday. There are 170 + dogs and 60 cats at this location. We will be taking as many on the plane as possible. Helen Woodward will also be taking animals on this flight.

Things are moving forward!

Thank you Dr. Wilson for helping these animals!

2005-09-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone,

As you can see, this email is coming from a new address - gmail has locked me out of my account due to the bounce back emails so this will be my new RFR email address.

To reduce the likelihood of this happening again, I am requesting that all of you check the blog site twice daily - a.m. and p.m. to get your latest updates. I WILL NOT be sending mass emails after this morning - to get latest info you will need to go to WWW.RESCUEFORRUFFUGEES.BLOGSPOT.COM

Last night, I spoke with funder of this rescue effort. She is very committed to sending a plane here. She has learned alot about rescue groups and feels very comfortable that all of the dogs coming into the care of our reputable groups will be well taken care of.

Later today I anticipate speaking to Janet, my contact in Louisiana. She is facilitating emptying a shelter in Alexandria, Louisiana. There are 170 dogs at this shelter and cats as well I am assuming although I don't have a number count on the cats.

There is concern that we have appropriate measures in place to take care of these animal's medical needs - especially if they test heartworm positive. We will be testing for heartworm on site so you will know if they test positive or negative. We also have a first dose of heartworm prevention meds administered to each dog that tests negative as well as microchipping, advantage treatment and uploading pictures directly to petfinder.com.

I am asking that each group bring the animals to their vet FIRST before placing them in foster care. We need to be sure they are healthy and begin treating them for heartworm should they test positive. If you are not familiar with how heartworm is treated, please visit www.marvistavet.com where you can find detailed information about how it is treated.

Sadly, I received a first hand report from Andrea Devenow, a Much Love volunteer who just returned from Louisiana. Unfortunately, all of the information we have heard about the horrible conditions of the animals is true. She witnessed Rottie Rescue being turned away from the Lamar Dixon Epo Center after they offered to take all of the rotts to their rescue group. Likewise, she saw 10 vet techs be turned away and told they could not be of help although some of the dogs are so severely dehydrated that they cannot stand up and need IV drips that they techs could have provided.

They are currently weighing the animals at the Alexandria shelter, securing crates of the proper size and then our flight will arrive.

I don't want to give false hopes but I do need to assure that the rescue groups, their volunteers and the volunteers from the community are available on the day of arrival. I have been told on Saturday and again yesterday that are plane is scheduled for arrival this Wednesday. Please keep this day on alert, let your vets know and confirm with me that you will be available if Wednesday is our day.

In the meantime, any donated items can be dropped on Mon. or Tues. between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Centinela warehouse located at 2727 Maricopa in Torrance, CA 90503.

Have a great day!

Kim
Coordinator, Rescue for Refugees
Much Love Animal Rescue
www.muchlove.org

2005-09-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

Dobie Rescue Suits Up Their Transport Vehicle in Preparation for the Ruffugees Arrival!

2005-09-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Helen Woodward is sending their folks to Louisiana on Monday

Lots of activity today!

The latest word is that Helen Woodward is sending a number of their folks to Louisiana on Monday. I'm hopeful that they will be able to get me clearer information on who and what organizations are putting up obstacles that are keeping the animals from being transported out of the state. I know many of you have emailed me to find out who the main players are and I will let you know more as I hear.

Helen Woodward is also sending out press releases in an attempt to get the media in Louisiana to cover the story - i.e., the conditions of the animals in the shelters and makeshift base camps as well as the resources that are available to fly these animals out and the obstacles that are being unnecessarily put into place.

So, at this point it has been recommended to me that we hold tight, send our letters to those in power but refrain from any public demonstration until we get our animals here. Given the tenuous state of things we don't want to do anything that could possibly keep our plane from coming.

My apologies for "jumping the gun" earlier. Hearing about the state of the animals, yet knowing there are resources available to change the situation is just so hard to bear. But, waiting it out and staying positive is our best recourse at this point.

Kim

2005-09-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

WE NEED TO START MAKING SOME NOISE

After sending you my last email, it hit me that we need to work together as unified group and start taking action in any way we can. There is money funding this effort, planes on standby to take the animals to safety and groups such as ours all over the country waiting on alert to take these animals into their care.

THEY JUST WON'T RELEASE THE ANIMALS

We need to make our voices heard. We can do this in several ways - one, I've already contacted KCAL9 who would be thrilled to cover a protest. If we get together in a central location with picket signs stating something to the effect of "The planes are ready, we are ready, bring the animals to safety!" 1000 of us together will bring the media to us and bring this issue to light. I need to know from each of you if this is something you would do. We will have more impact as a group, a large group.

I've been in touch with Helen Woodward and they are working to try and get the media in Louisiana to cover this story as well. Show the status of the animals in the base camps, show the planes on the runway and make people aware that these animals are dying unneccessarily.

Lastly, email the government - I've provided below the email that I sent to the white house earlier today along with addresses for other government entities that each of you can contact.

comments@whitehouse.gov, http://www.gov.state.la.us/govemail.asp, http://www.dod.mil/faq/comment.html

http://mccain.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

I am writing to urge the federal and state governments to step in and help with the Hurricane Katrina animal rescue effort. Rescue groups in the Los Angeles area have been waiting on alert for a week to take these animals into our care, provide them with medical care and foster them until their owners are able to take them back into their care. If they are unable to be reunited with their owners we will find them loving and lasting homes in our area. We are frustrated that with planes on standby, independent funding available for this effort and safe locations to fly them to, virtually nothing is being done.

We look forward to helping as soon as the red tape is cleared and the animals become the priority.

Sincerely,

Kim Finger, Ph.D.Coordinator, Rescue for Ruffugees Los Angeles Effort Much Love Animal Rescue
www.muchlove.org

2005-09-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone,

I just now spoke to Bill. The good news is San Francisco's plane did arrive with 140 dogs and 68 cats. Sadly due to putting cats in large size dog crates, 20 dogs did not fit on the plane and had to be returned to the shelter.

But, stay positive - 140 dogs and 68 cats are now safe, warm, fed and watered in SF!

Bill is extremely frustrated (as we all are). He has two C 130's waiting for animals to transport and he cannot get animals. There are difficulties with transporting the animals from the shelters and makeshift camps because New Orleans is seizing the trucks for storgage. He is also having difficulty getting HSUS and SPCA to release these animals.

Senator McCain's office contacted Bill yesterday to say they were flying a plane into Louisiana. No one is quite sure why but hopefully a report on this horrific situation from McCain's people to McCain will help move this forward - hopefully.

There are discussions with FEMA to use the planes they are flying into Louisiana bringing in supplies to carry dogs back on the currently empty return flights.

They are now talking with the Coast Guard as well to use barges to bring boat loads of dogs out of Louisiana.

Bill repeatedly emphasized that between our Rescue for Ruffugee effort and many others like it, he has the ability to place 2000 dogs today if he could just get them to release the animals.

I want to leave off on a positive note, I said to Bill "Well Bill, at least I can go back to my troops and tell them that we are no longer 3rd, now we are 2nd." He in reply said "You're next, I have enough planes to fly to you and others, just need the animals."

So folks we are getting closer, but still waiting. Bill was not at all confident that another plane will go out this weekend but he has attorneys flying in today from D.C. and is hoping to make headway with their arrival. He promised to call me as soon as he has information to share that impacts our flight day/time.

Many folks have contacted me regarding where to bring donations for the Rescue for Ruffugees effort. The Centinela warehouse is closed today and Sunday but you are welcome to drop off donations beginning on Monday between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The address is 2727 Maricopa, Torrance, CA 90503 (off the Crenshaw exit off the 405 freeway).

Once again, I thank you for staying on alert.

Warmest regards,

Kim Finger
Much Love Animal Rescue
www.muchlove.org

2005-09-16T21:52:00.000-07:00

Not a lot of news today...

Hello Everyone,

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to reach Bill directly today to get an update. As I reported yesterday, we are scheduled to be the third plane out of Louisiana. The first of the three is heading to San Francisco and was supposed to take off today. I do know Bill was at the airport earlier today but am unsure if a plane actually took flight. Of course I will get back to you as soon as I get some reliable information.

The good news is since yesterday more rescue groups have joined our Rescue for Ruffugee effort and we can now accomodate 150 dogs and 30 cats. This is fantastic!

As soon as I hear anything I will be in touch!

Thank you for your patience.

Kim
Much Love Animal Rescue
www.muchlove.org

2005-09-15T22:08:00.000-07:00

WE'RE DELAYED BUT WE'RE ON!

Hello Everyone,

First, thank you to each and everyone of you - your passion for this effort is commendable and you are an inspiration. An hour ago, I spoke to Bill McLaughlin - remember, he is the personwho worked for the White House and headed the operation to get the refugees out of Cambodia years ago. He is now overseeing this effort.

As of yesterday the powers that be in Louisiana who were directing the animal initiative have been "relieved" and a new set of folks have been put in charge. These individuals want to be sure the process is safe for the animals and are therefore flying on the next plane out. The plane is scheduled to leave tomorrow for San Francisco. They have chosen the San Francisco Marin Humane Society because they have had 2 flights already and the flight will go smoothly which is critical for keeping these flights going. We have been promised the 3rd flight out of Louisiana.

Bill is hopeful that by tomorrow he will have a day confirmed for us - could be Sat (which I personally doubt) but more likely Sunday. He was clear to say repeatedly that every step of this mission has been full of red tape with bumps in the road. But, he was also clear to report that our process for intake and out take has been approved and that we will get the third plane.

This is great news considering that 4 hours ago, it was questionable if we were getting a plane at all.

Keep positive!

Thanks for your patience.

Kim
Much Love Animal Rescue
www.muchlove.org

2005-09-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

IT LOOKS LIKE FRIDAY IS ARRIVAL DAY!

Ok Crew,

Brighter and Brighter!!

Nedra and I just spoke and they got transport vehicles, animals and a plane. These are animals that Best Friends has rescued through their tremendous efforts. There are 600 total animals and our plane will likely have 125 coming to LAX and 25 or so going to Helen Woodward.

Given the late hour in Mississippi, it is said that the plane will leave early tomorrow morning. No confirmed time and as you all know things change but this is fantastic news!

Once I have confirmation or more information I will be sure to email you asap. I realize you all are juggling schedules and greatly appreciate your flexibility and patience!!

One good thing about a Friday arrival is that Dr. Brooks at Mar Vista Animal Medical Center has solicited on our behalf donated heartworm tests and prevention meds as well as Advantage. So, we anticipate we will be able to test all dogs and give heartworm prevention meds to those who test neg.

Dr. Erin Wilson of ASEC and Stepanie Babcock of Century Veterinary Group will also be donating their time tomorrow to microchip any dog that is not already chipped.

2005-09-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

Things are looking brighter (from Kim Finger.)

Hello All!

Just spoke to Nedra Abramson who works at Helen Woodward Animal Center. They have a plane ready in Gulf Port, Mississippi. These are all Hurricane Katrina victims either from Mississippi or trucked in from Louisiana. There is no lock down in Mississippi and the dogs are ready to go. The hold up is finding ventilated transport vehicles to get the dogs from the shelter to the airport. FEMA has apparently confiscated all such vehicles so they are finding appropriate trucks in the area to use.

The plane may take off today in which case it will be here later this afternoon or tomorrow. I will keep you posted with every new detail that I get.

Rescuers, if you are planning to bring your animals to vet offices and boarding facilities PLEASE call them to make them aware that these animals may be coming tonight and you will need to drop them after hours.

There will be 125 dogs on the plane to LAX! We will need you to be prepared to take your animals on whatever day they arrive.

More to come!

2005-09-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

THE PLANES ARE FUELED AND READY TO FLY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ANIMAL RESCUES ARE READY TO FOSTER THEM BUT YET WHERE ARE THE HURRICANE KATRINA ANIMALS?

Thirty animal rescue groups in Southern California have joined forces to save dogs stranded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. "We have rescue groups on alert, hundreds of volunteers on standby and nearly 1000 individuals who are ready to foster Hurricane Katrina dogs; we just need them to arrive!" says Dr. Kim Finger of Much Love Animal Rescue, the Los Angeles animal rescue group coordinating the arrival of the dogs in L.A.

The shelter lockdown in Louisiana has stalled the flight but the rescues remain positive that it will be lifted shortly and the dogs will be flown to safety here in Los Angeles. "Our goal is to help these poor pups in need. Bringing dogs to Los Angeles frees up necessary shelter space in Louisiana for the hundreds of dogs still being found roaming the streets every day" says Finger.

Ever since the first email was sent out about "Rescue for Ruffugees" what Kim Finger of Much Love Animal Rescue has coined the L.A. rescue mission, we've received about 1000 emails a day from rescue groups and people in the community wanting to open their homes to these animals while we search for their owners. "We have medical care arranged, photographers to take pictures of each animal and provisions in place to fly them back to their home state when their owners are back on their feet and ready to reunite with their beloved pets. We're wasting precious time; just buckle them into the seats, start the engines and get the plane in the air to LAX."

2005-09-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

DONATE TO RESCUE FOR RUFFUGEES! We need your help to offset costs. Donations will be made via PayPal and all credit cards are accepted.

Go to the sidebar at right and click on the link for Much Love Animal Rescue or paste into your browser: http://www.muchlove.org/Ruffugees

2005-09-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

Big thanks to Big Dog for donation over 100 collars and leashes for the New Orleans animals flying into LAX.

2005-09-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of you who have come forward and contacted us to volunteer on the day the animals arrive. I want to give you all an update. At this point we are still 99.9% sure that the plane will be arriving tomorrow. There are road blocks in place that make it difficult for my contacts to confirm that tomorrow is the day. The unfortunate reality of politics. Worst case scenario, I've been told it would be Friday.

We have received a tremendous number of emails and your kindness of heart and generosity is so heart warming! We will be keeping everyone in the database but will be limiting the number of volunteers so as not to make the day to chaotic. We anticipate a need for about 100 volunteers and have received emails from several hundred folks. I will shortly be sending an email to 100 folks who contacted us to let them know that they are on the list for tomorrow or Friday. If you receive that email and CANNOT volunteer on either day, please let me know immediately so I can replace you with another volunteer that is available on that day. If you are available on one day and not the other, please let me know that as well.

If you do not receive a confirming volunteer email today, please hold tight and we will keep you on file as a backup and will be sure to update you as things progress.

Our goal is to save these animals and make this a day that is as a minimally stressful to the animals as possible.

We appreciate all of your warm emails!

2005-09-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hold tight. We are now back to 99% confirmed for tomorrow's arrival. Red tape as usual.

2005-09-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

WE ARE CONFIRMED FOR AIRLINE ARRIVAL THURSDAY, 9/15.

We will need volunteers and rescue groups to be at the Centinela warehouse at the designated time which will be determined once we know flight arrival time. Hopefully today that will be confirmed.

These dogs will be from Lamar Dixon Exposition Center - they are hurricane katrina dogs and will need to be on a 30 day hold.

We have a large group of folks who have offered to volunteer on the day the dogs arrive. In order to determine how many volunteers we need to make this run as smoothly as possible, I need to know how many volunteers are coming with each rescue group to help them with their dogs. Please rescuers, bring only experienced dog handlers. We will have a large number of animals in a warehouse and want to make this a safe and non stressful transition for both the dogs and the people!

For those of you who have emailed with interest in fostering - Please read this carefully. We are thrilled with the overwhelming response. Thank you! Today, I will be sending each rescue group the names and contact information for individuals interested in fostering who live near their shelter/rescue group. The dogs will first go to the rescue group, the individual rescue groups will screen fosters and place dogs in homes as they see fit. Therefore, if you are interested in fostering, hold tight - you do not need to come to Torrance. A rescue group in your area will contact you if they have a katrina dog in their care that is a good fit for you and your family.

There are many more interested fosters than there are dogs coming to L.A. But, our local rescue groups have many dogs in their care who would love to be in a foster home. So, please consider them in the case that a katrina dog is not available for you to foster.

RESCUERS - I need to know your location so I can give you the list of fosters.

The following groups need to send me their location: Ace of Hearts, Amanda, Dobie Rescue, German Shep Rescue, Lab Rescue, Rover Rescue, Second Chance at Love Humane Society, Underdog Rescue.

Don't forget to bring crates, leashes, collars, dog bowls.

Pedigree has generously donated 2 tons of food!!! so, if you need or want food, it will be there to be shared amongst the groups.

2005-09-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

**MEDIA UPDATE**

CBS has expressed interest in sending a reporter to Louisiana to fly back with our dogs! He will be accompanying them, sharing some licks and pets and filming all the while! Hopefully this will go national and some of the Louisanna families missing their pets will know that they are safe in good hands. More on this to come - check back soon.

2005-09-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

Huge thanks once again to Chris at Centinela Feed & Pet Supply for donating their warehouse as the exchange place for the new animals to transfer hands to the rescue groups. You are beyond generous!

Thanks also go to Dr. Jeff Werber of Century Veterinary Group in Los Angeles, who wove his magic and and we will now be receiving 100 donated microchips from Pet Registry! Only 50 more needed!! We've contacted Avid and hope to hear good news soon.

Another big name has jumped on the bandwagon too. Pedigree will be donating dog food for all rescue groups that take on dogs to help assist in their care and to alleviate some of the financial responsibility that comes with their wagging tails and sloppy licks. Thank you to our contacts at Pedigree for their generosity!

2005-09-13T14:40:00.000-07:00

Above is a pic an e-mail sent to the ruffugee camp. These are the dogs arriving in San Francisco today.

***I've left the original text as is below***

Just a hallark moment for the animals.

Thought everyone might appreciate seeing this picture that was just
sent to me, something to help us smile amidst all of the hurricane
tragedy we've seen in the news lately...they look like happy dogs, don't
they?

This picture is from the Baltimore Sun. The plane is carrying nothing
but animals that were rescued from the Gulf region.

2005-09-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

And back and forth it goes. It now sounds like the animals that will be arriving at LAX will indeed be from Lousianna, not Houston. But, it changes every minute so stay posted.

2005-09-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Dobie Rescue, we have transportation for all animals to be sent to the Centinela Feed & Pet Supply warehouse in Torrance for rescue organization collection! Thanks Eric! You're so wonderful.

2005-09-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

We are 99% confirmed that a flight will be coming to LAX on Thursday of this week. Not confirmed as yet but please hold the day for the new arrivals!!

All rescues must be at the Centinela Pet & Feed wharehouse in Torrance. We will update you once we get confirmation of the flight day and time. The address so you can prepare your troops is 2727 Maricopa, Torrance, CA 90503. Off the 405 South, exit Crenshaw, take a right on Maricopa and it is behind the Exxon Refinery.

Please plan to have experienced volunteers accompany you to pick up your dogs.

DON'T FORGET TO BRING - Collars, leashes, crates, dog bowls for food and water.

We have a tremendous amount of folks coming forward with interest in fostering. Lisa Lee of Underdog Rescue has begun telephone screenings. By tomorrow we anticipate sending rescues a list of potential fosters who live in your area of the city.

***There is a possibility as of now that these dogs will be from the Houston Shelter and therefore adoptable immediately. They may change plans in the south and empty the Houston shelter - which has a couple of thousand dogs - to make room for the Louisiana dogs. This way, they will be closer to the owners and easier to get them back into their hands. But, that is just what I have heard and the news changes by the moment.

Check out www.Dailynews.com for an article written on the Ruffugees!

2005-09-12T22:34:00.000-07:00

Latest update: It looks like the airlift will occur on Thursday. This is not confirmed, but is very likely. We hope to give 24 hour notice if at all possible.

2005-09-12T22:27:00.000-07:00

We need donated verikennel crates to replenish the stash coming off the plane with the Louisianna dogs. The South is desperate for kennels so we can't not replenish the plane for future rescue efforts. Please e-mail kim.finger@gmail.com to coordinate!

2005-09-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

I downloaded this from www.animalcenter.org, but this is the image that did it to me from the initial reports. This poor hound surrounded by water and NOWHERE to go. It was shown often on NBC and was the parting shot for one of their Dateline NBC segments.

2005-09-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

The word is spreading and national and local news is catching the fever.

Check out CNN for more info about yesterday's San Diego and Marin arrivals.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/11/katrina.dog.flight.ap/index.html

I was driving to work this a.m and also heard about the rescues coming to L.A. on Indie 103.1 and the need for fosters, etc. The power of e-mails within the rescue community is amazing.

2005-09-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

After being inspired by the "Operation Pet Lift" rescue effort by those at Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego, Kim Finger sent out the following mass e-mail to rescue groups to see if there was any way Los Angeles could help make a similar rescue effort happen. Over 25 groups responded with interest in taking dogs in.

The date of the airlift has yet to be determined, but will occur as early as Tuesday 9/13. Kim has requested if at all possible to have the lift take place on Friday, 9/16 in order to coordinate fosters, volunteers and plan the effort.

We need volunteers for the day of the airlift, fosters, trarnsport crates (which will be returned to you) and donations. Thank you for your interest in helping these four-legged refugees.

E-mail sent 9/11/05

Hello everyone and THANK YOU ALL for your support in this effort. Below is an update on the status of the shipment of Louisiana dogs heading to L.A. and what is needed from all of you. PLEASE READ THIS WHOLE EMAIL AND THEN COMPLETE THE ATTACHMENT.

Earlier this a.m. I spoke with Bill McLaughlin. He worked for the White House and was responsible for transporting the refugees out of Cambodia and now is heading this effort along with the Helen Woodward Animal Center. As of 30 min. ago, 1 plane from Louisiana was enroute to San Diego and then on to San Francisco. These dogs are accounted for.

There is currently a lock down at all of the Louisiana shelters due to overcrowding. They are not letting dogs in or out. Congress and others are meeting right now to decide next steps. By noon PST we should hopefully have that lock down released.

There are 650 dogs at the Lamar Dixie Shelter in Louisiana that will be ready to ship once the hold is lifted. There are 10 flights anticipated over the next 60 days to various locations around the country. They have had 2 vet screenings, are cleared for travel and all will be traveling with a health and vaccination certificate. There is an immediate need to get these dogs out of the area so the 1000 dogs being brought in daily have a place to go.

Because these dogs are hurricane victims, they will need 30 day fosters - they are not adoptable now. We must give owners a chance to claim them. (I'm finding out more details on how logistically and financially we get them back to the owners if and when they are claimed and will send details to you ASAP). If they are not claimed after the 30 day hold, they are then adoptable.

I have asked but have been told that it is unlikely that I will have a breed list - therefore, we may not know what dogs are on the plane before they arrive. I am hoping this will change but am preparing based on this information.

The south is hound heavy. If you've been watching the news, you have seen many of the types of dogs in the hurricane area.

RESCUES - Given that we may not know what is on the plane destined for LA, I need to know if you are open to taking ANY dog that is on the plane - lge, sm, male, female, old, young. IF so, complete the attachment. If you are not open to taking dogs of all shapes and sizes, please let me know and we will keep you on standby in the case that a list of breeds is available prior to take off.

Please note, because there is no shelter affiliated with this effort, any dog that a rescue takes on will be their responsibility. They will be entirely responsible for medical needs, behavioral needs, boarding, food, adopting them out after the 30 days etc. There are no givebacks in this!

You will be responsible for traveling to LAX airport on the day of arrival and retrieving your dogs. You will need to be equipped with your own crates, leashes, collars, etc. I've been told that if the shelter lock down is released, they can arrive at LA as early as Tuesday. I need to know if you have the manpower to be at the airport to get your animals on whichever day this week they ultimately arrive.

There are a large # of individuals who would like to foster dogs, if you would like to screen them as fosters for your rescue organization indicate this on the attachment and I will provide their contact information.

FOSTERS - For those of you working independently who want to foster and are not with a rescue group - thank you! We would like to link you with a rescue group involved in this effort and have you foster directly for them. Please complete the "Foster" attachment and we will provide your information to a rescue group in your area who is looking for fosters.

Once I have all of the completed information, we will determine how many dogs can reasonably be brought to Los Angeles. I am thrilled to work with each of you to make this effort a success! Please complete the attachment as soon as possible so that we can continue to move forward. If you have questions email me and I will get back to you promptly. Please continue to circulate this email to local rescues that may not be aware of this effort so they may join the RESCUE FOR REFUGEES effort.

Warmest regards to you all!

Kim Finger
Much Love Animal Rescue
www.muchlove.org