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> Hurricane Katrina/Chris is ALIVE and moving to N.O.
Judy Leathers
Registered User
Posts: 3554
(10/14/05 7:40 am)
Reply Re: Going home/China
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Chris, I am so sad to read about China...tears are just welling up...both for you and also China...poor baby...
Kayla always LOVED cats so I know that she has befriended China and they are best of friends...
I hope that you are able to salvage some of your things this week end. I'll check back to see on Monday.
Also, I am so glad that you posted about Kim and Kay. I knew they were going but didn't want to mention it without their permission...
Can you believe it...Amanda and Keith and Kim and Kay made it down to help the poor animals that needed their help so badly... to them all...
Nancy, what a wonderful link you posted for help with the vet bills! ...Judy
paulajmnj
Registered User
Posts: 976
(10/15/05 5:41 am)
Reply Re: Kim and Kay
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Chris,
i am so sorry about China another one of Katrina's victims.how very sad.
with the insurance people and hoping that you find some of your ferals.could be a new group as everything was swept down the street. your group may have been relocated a few streets away. Anyhow good luckwith the salvage operation.
p
restnwolf
Registered User
Posts: 1
(10/15/05 8:10 am)
Reply lakeview
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hi paula found this group from a post u left me on lv group. chris kept mentioning her pet group, just didnt resister and then i remembered u left the e mail address so i thought id visit. great 2 know people like this are all thruout the country. how chris ,david ,and i got together, i really dont know, dont remember. am as curious as everyone else. i think u had something to do w/ it. i guess chris will have 2 tell us. if she gets a movie deal maybe shell let me play myself. my big break. no more alpo surprise. although its an aquired taste and once aquired ur hooked. kinda like oysters. would be good fodder for the tabloids. before stardom he was no "man of means" he ate alpo...................and liked it. steve v
paulajmnj
Registered User
Posts: 977
(10/15/05 2:57 pm)
Reply Steve
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hey steve, glad you came for a visit. Everything back to normal after Rita?well as normal as it ever gets.if you read the threads i think there are 3,Chris is writing the story of her survival during the flood and the rescue of her cat.hopefully she can get it published.look around the site lots of nice people here.
p
Edited by: paulajmnj at: 10/15/05 6:40 pm
Linda IMOM
Committee Volunteer
Posts: 1877
(10/15/05 6:19 pm)
Reply
Re: Kim and Kay
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A BIG Welcome to Steve!
I am so glad to see you here!!!
Collie Hugs - Linda aka ellgee
Please click below to visit my furbabies
community.webshots.com/album/134598199QrXRlg
Please visit Monty's memorial page
www.svcsr.org/notforgot/monty.htm
Although I can't seem to make this "clickable" heres Monty's IMOM forum when he was a PINkid
http://p088.ezboard.com/fimomcommunityfrm3...opicID=88.topic
smalk50
Registered User
Posts: 458
(10/19/05 11:06 am)
Reply Got back from N.O./ Welcome Steve!
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Hi all,
I ended up staying an extra day and didn't return until last night - deliriously tired! I'm just quickly updating a few things now until I can get into the details more later.
Mama Minx is still there - she looks good and allowed me a few fleeting pets before skittering off. I counted 3 other ferals in my back alley and they all looked amazingly good. The food that I was leaving out was always gone so hopefully others are okay too. There was no sign of Emerald and I still fear that she drowned on the first day - but you never know!
In my neighbor Maria's alley - she has yet to see any cats but the food is always gone and the water is clean - which usually means no raccoons.
Maria has moved back to N.O. but in a different area. She will be able to leave out food and water for her missing cats and for my ferals - including Mama Minx. I hated to leave her but she was pretty feral to begin with and I know that she will survive until I can figure out a plan - moving back to La. near the country and trying to relocate all of the ferals? Don't know yet.
On a bright note, I found my camera up in the closet and it still works - I am working on getting the pictures from it - I was taking pictures while the water was coming up in the house! I also found my photo album that I had also put up into the closet! That is fine. I had a pair of DKNY boots that also survived! And about 100-150 of my books are O.K. So, I am pretty pleased at what I was able to salvage from my house.
My Mom's house was a total loss - all three insurance people (along with a very nice FEMA person) seemed to agree that the house was too bad to fix up any kind of way. We are waiting now for them to get their reports in and come to a conclusion. The house had not been opened since the flood - we had to sledgehammer the front door open - mold of ceilings, etc. I was able to recover my Mom's family Bible (from 1901) but it was a soggy mess. I lugged out her wedding present china (from 1936) and am about to try and clean it.
I filled up 3 disposable cameras with photos and will have those developed today - I didn't dare take my good cameras to N.O.
There were lots of people in town - mostly workers and contractors. Metairie (next county/parish over) was packed with locals and most things were open.
And I wanted to welcome my hero Steve - he found his way to this forum! Thank you so much for posting! And as I told you before - you are Pedigree all the way!
I will post more soon - must go and start cleaning, etc. Thanks to all for your good wishes!
Chris
Judy Leathers
Registered User
Posts: 3577
(10/19/05 1:44 pm)
Reply Re: Got back from N.O./ Welcome Steve!
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Chris, I believe it's a miracle that those ferals are still there!! I am so happy to hear that you saw them and now someone is caring for them until you have a plan...UNBELIEVABLE...
Also, I'm glad that you were able to recover some of your things...I know that means alot.
It's hard to believe in all that tragedy that there is still much happiness...I know you were thrilled to find the ferals alive and looking good...
I'm glad that things are settling down and people are beginning to get back to their homes.
I'll keep checking in to see what you're doing and how the kitties all are...I am so happy to read this ! Judy
smalk50
Registered User
Posts: 459
(10/19/05 11:37 pm)
Reply
Home pictures
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Hi,
I've been busy with the new pictures - had to scan the ones from the drugstore - most of them did not come out too well. I had been taking some pictures when the water started coming up during Katrina with my old camera. I put them onto webshots along with a few that I took this past weekend at my house with the diposable cameras. Only one of Mama Minx came out and the ones of the ferals didn't come out at all. But here's what I've got:
During Katrina
I've also been scanning the ones of my Mom's house and that has taken awhile. I'm just about all done with the photos for one day!
Tomorrow, I start on relisting the books online - it still looks like around 150 books that I was able to get okay. And they seem fine - no smell - they didn't get wet! And since I left my house open since my rescue, the mold is not bad at all inside - just on the floor and on the damp areas - none on the walls or ceilings.
I was also able to find a few CafePress items - I did find Catina, Memphis and Oscar's tiles along with some Bumper Stickers that were up in plastic bags in one of the cupboards. I am very lucky to find anything at all here - I don't know what I must have been thinking when that water was coming up! I really don't remember except thinking that the water was going to go down soon - once they got the pumps going - the water was going to go down!
Anyway, I'm exhausted and about to go to bed - I've had no trouble sleeping these last few nights - too tired! I soaked and washed my Mom's wedding China today and tried to dry out her Bible and a few personal papers - I had four big plastic bins of my books that I lugged back inside - poor Mom - she had a catless 4 days and now she's got the cats again, containers of books, smelly relics from our houses and a pile of depressing pictures from her former home.
Thanks guys and will try and update sooner!
Chris
Juli IMOM
Board of Directors
Posts: 1815
(10/20/05 5:44 am)
Reply Pictures
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As they say, pictures are worth a thousand words. I'm so glad you and the kitties are safe. It was so good to see a picture of Mama Minx. I was worried about her. I'm really glad your neighbor will be feeding her along with the other ferals. You had a really nice neighborhood before Katrina.
JeanKBBMMMAA
Registered User
Posts: 813
(10/20/05 8:45 pm)
Reply Re: Pictures
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Over and over and over...I try to keep up with this thread just so I can be amazed. WOW. Chris thanks for sharing all of this. My condolences to you and your ex-husband in the loss of your .
Linda IMOM
Committee Volunteer
Posts: 1902
(10/20/05 9:15 pm)
Reply
Re: Home pictures
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Chris - I am just amazed. Just swimming from the house to the carport but have been a huge ordeal - by that point, I am sure you were physically exhausted. The photo of the message "no animals found" from the 18th, even though I know your 9 survived, it just made me feel so sad about China and Emerald.
Mama Minx looks good! What a surviver she is!!!
Collie Hugs - Linda aka ellgee
Please click below to visit my furbabies
community.webshots.com/album/134598199QrXRlg
Please visit Monty's memorial page
www.svcsr.org/notforgot/monty.htm
Although I can't seem to make this "clickable" heres Monty's IMOM forum when he was a PINkid
http://p088.ezboard.com/fimomcommunityfrm3...opicID=88.topic
paulajmnj
Registered User
Posts: 995
(10/22/05 7:21 am)
Reply Re: Pictures
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Chris,
kNow i understand why the people from your neighborhood
miss it so much. very attractive must have had a great sense of pride and community.i also understand why you want to go back-- i would miss it also.
Glad to were able to salvage some things.The pics are great.
for sharing. Mama Minx just amazing --ferals are tough--at least you saw three.did you see the little black one you had just TNR'd? well i'm glad one of your neighbors will be watching over the colony who know in a month you may see more of them.i'm sure they are terriffied to come out until long after dark. poor babies.
p
smalk50
Registered User
Posts: 462
(10/24/05 8:33 pm)
Reply
Stuff
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Hi All,
I have been so swamped with everything that I have not had time to post at all, let alone work on the conclusion of the story - if it ever gets finished! I am so glad that I got back my Amazon books but it has been a lot of work to get them back up and running - I had to delete about 170 of the 300 books that I did have and I had to edit some of the ones that survived Katrina. Amazingly, the ones in the closets were mostly fine - no smell at all! - some just got bumped up on the trip back to Birmingham. And I sold my first book yesterday - my first post-hurricane sale!
Other good news is that my old computer survived too! I've been transferring all of my files and pictures over to the new one in case it does crash. I even have all of my CafePress designs and pictures! As if I have time to work on my shop right now too. Amazing! And did I mention that all of my cat pictures in my photo album survived too? It had pictures of cats from 20 years ago in it - I was so thrilled.
I just spoke to Maria, my neighbor in N.O. who has been feeding my back alley ferals - so far she has seen 6 of them and all match the descriptions of my guys. We did talk about the possibility of new cats being around too - people's pets that survived and other ferals that might have found the food source. Maria made me feel so much better about the ferals - at least they are being fed and watered too. Maria still has not seen any of her alley cats - but the food is still disappearing every night. Hopefully, they will eventually come out too.
I've been getting encouraging news too from N.O. in that there is now an organized approach to feeding all of the cities' remaining feral cat colonies - the city is being broken up into different sections with each colony being noted, so that they all can be cared for. Also, SpayMart and other groups are all trying to take advantage of the lowest number of feral cats in the city in recent history, by trying to organize a massive spay/neuter drive. There will never be a better time to fix as many cats as possible as there is now. I wish that I could be back there now to help!
I did get an email from Heidi (from St. Francis) that a position at Kitty Village was open and if I was interested, I would also have a place to stay - with my cats. I immediately emailed her back - what kind of position? , etc., and she wrote back that she would get in touch with me soon with the details. That was on Thursday and I haven't heard back from her - very frustrating but I know that she's swamped as always. Best Friends is still there of course, but I believe that other groups are also bringing rescued animals there too. I know that I'm not up to any kind of physical stuff but they had mentioned me helping with the website months ago - I just don't know what's up? Kind of frustrating!
A family friend was in town for the weekend - he's very fond of my Mom! He took us out to dinner and lunch a few times and we all had a big dinner at a local Chinese Restaurant last night - the Birmingham relatives and cousin Eddie. My Mom wanted to thank everyone for their kindness to her since she has been here. It was a nice weekend but it has put me even further behind in the 1,000,000 things that I have to do.
I'm trying to get my Mom all squared away too - getting her established with new doctors, involved with a senior center, finding discount pharmacies, all of the above so that when I do leave here, she will be all set. However, the possibility of assisted living is also very possible in the next year - she's doing O.K. now, but she has a lot of problems with getting around.
I've been feeding two cats outside in our apartment complex. I have seen a lot of cats in people's windows so I don't really think that this is a very strict no pet policy place. One of the cats that I feed is fat and all the people that I ask about her says that she belongs to someone - who apparently lets her out at night. She nibbles at the food but mostly wants to be pet. The other cat is a longhaired sweetheart, but he is extremely thin underneath his fur - people have also said that they have seen him around for a long time. If he belongs to someone, they either do not feed him or he has health issues to be that thin. I've been checking around to see who he does belong to - if he's a stray, I'll try and find a rescue group for him. He's such a beautiful sweet guy!
I'm also updating in the Behind the Scenes forum about Panda - her ear initially looked like it was healing but there was a pus-filled discharge from it last night - I almost cried. And sweet Woody is having problems too - she has lost a lot of weight these last couple of weeks - all of the others are gaining weight -some to the point of fatness! So, she is going to go to the vet too.
I went today to the doctor to discuss all of the tests that had been done on me two weeks ago - all my blood work was pretty good but my liver enzymes were kind of elevated again - hopefully, just the recent stress and relatively poor diet have contributed to that. The doctor was not very good - just kept pushing me to take the interferon treatment for the hep c - even tried giving me a video about it. I had told him that I had belonged to 2 support groups and knew a great deal about the disease but he was a "doesn't listen to his patients" kind of MD. I'm lined up for an Ultrasound on November 1st but after that, I am finished with that hospital.
I'm also trying to get all of my medical stuff out of the way - don't know what kind of health care to expect now in La.
I did get some new glasses - I had the eye exam last week and new glasses were selected. I was able to get them at no cost but had been told if I wanted any nicer glasses that I could just make up the difference. Well, I can't - I need bifocals but I have to get the kind with the line across the middle. They wouldn't let me pay for the ones' without. Oh well, at least I'll be able to see - these drugstore specials are O.K. but I can't really see too well with them. They are supposed to call me when they are ready.
Well, that's what's been going on - I wish that there were more hours in the day! Thanks again for your help and support - it is so wonderful to be able to talk to you all.
Chris
paulajmnj
Registered User
Posts: 1004
(10/25/05 5:57 pm)
Reply Keeping Busy
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Chris,
well i'm glad to see your not just moping around with nothing to do Congratulalions on the book sale,excellant.
the rise in liver enzymnes not a big surprise with all you have been through and are still going through. The most improtant thing how are you feeling and are you taking your vitamins. hopefully with proper rest and a good diet it will give your liver a chance to heal. .No smoking your liver needs as much oxygen as it can get know.Does Milk Thistle help at all. Do you take any of the meds for treatment or are you strictly holistic?
Believe St Francis needs help with their website. or maybe nursing the sick and babies at the Kitty Village.one way or another i suspected. you would end
up there.after all the 200 cats would love to see you back
take care hopefully you are dwon to 799,999, things left to do sending prayers for Woody and Panda that whatever they have can be taken care of easily.
p
smalk50
Registered User
Posts: 464
(10/25/05 10:30 pm)
Reply
Re: Pictures
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Hi,
Paula, I started taking milk thistle religiously about a year ago and my liver enzymes went back to the 30's (normal range) in April of this year (during what I used to consider the stress of moving the 200 cats to St. Francis). I also ate a lot of veggies from a whole foods market almost every day and had not been drinking for almost 3 years.
Dr. Jill, the Thibodaux vet, actually brought me some Milk Thistle and L-lysine on the second day that I was at the church shelter. I think that it really played an important part in me not getting really sick in the days after Katrina. BTW - I tried to get in touch with her at the Thibodaux vet but they said that she is now teaching at Nicholls State - guess that I could find her there - I owe her a world of thanks for all that she did!
The "getting rest" part has been over with for the last two months - living with Mom and caring for her has become almost a full time job. I love her with all of my heart but it gets frustrating - she's getting very hard of hearing - when I first get up in the morning before I have any coffee, Mom has the Today Show blaring at top volume. Not a good start to the day. But what makes it frustrating is that she refuses to get her hearing checked. None of her friend's hearing aids helped them so why should she spend the money? is her way of thinking. But it is driving me insane!
My ALT was back in the 70's which was a drag but my viral load was almost a million - sounds very high but it can go up to 100 million! I kind of knew that too - I can feel it when I overdo - and I haven't stopped since the stupid hurricane. Plus, I had been occasionally having a beer or two (especially back in N.O.) and smoking a great deal - so it was no big surprise that the numbers were so high. Anyway, no more drinking and I'm working on ditching the cigarettes (again!)
We just do what we have to do but some times it seems like too much. I just know that this situation is temporary but sometimes I lose sight of that.
Yeah, I could be sitting in a shelter somewhere now without my cats, or any possessions and wondering where my Mom was - so I am extremely lucky in my current circumstances - I guess that it is a sign of things getting back to normal that I feel comfortable enough to complain.
Well, back to the books
Chris
paulajmnj
Registered User
Posts: 1008
(10/26/05 9:57 pm)
Reply Re: Stuff
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chris,
the hearing aid thing is so funny. Older people thaink that way.what nothings wrong with my hearing,those things don't help.it's called denial.i believe they think if they need one it's a sign that they are getting old you know we all feel younger than what we are and the reminder of aging such as hearing aids can be hard to accept.My grandmother same way..when i was out visting my mother i todd her she needs a Miracle ear appt. Mom doesn't believe she has hearing problems she has hearing difficulties,after all her hearing was tested about 15 yrs ago.
i think with everything you were exposed to in terms of toxic waste etc.another source of irritation and inflammation. but you know what to do and will adjust accordingly.Hope the kitties are doing well. Woody eat and gain weight.
p
smalk50
Registered User
Posts: 465
(10/31/05 12:16 am)
Reply Katrina Animal Rescue Pictures
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Hi all,
I've been keeping up with the news in New Orleans and have been checking out all of the animal rescues still going on in N.O. and the surrounding areas online. And even though the press and most people have moved on from Katrina, thousands of animals are still in need of rescue.
I was struck by these photos that were on nola.com - I don't know who these people were who spent a week in New Orleans, but their photos are haunting. The animals that they rescued are very lucky but it is a miracle that many of them made it until they were rescued.
Katrina Animals - Rescued!
These pictures serve as a reminder that the rescue is far from over on the Gulf Coast - volunteers are still desperately needed as are shelters to take in the animals. Thousands of animals are still alive amazingly but there isn't much time left for them.
Kim had spent some time in St. Bernard - I believe that the two dogs that she rescued came from there? and both were heart-worm positive. St. Bernard is an extremely poor area of town and many animals there were not spayed/neutered or given flea/heartworm preventative. So a lot of them were not in good shape to begin with.
But, I just wanted to share the pictures with you all - just a reminder of the horrors (and a few happy endings mixed in) still going on in La. and the gulf coast.
Chris
Edited by: smalk50 at: 10/31/05 12:20 am
smalk50
Registered User
Posts: 470
(11/2/05 8:15 pm)
Reply
StrayGray
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Hi all,
Here are some photos of StrayGray, the handsome fella that I've been feeding out in our parking lot. I sent them to Friends of Ferals up in Huntsville and got a response from those nice folks - they are working on finding a place for him. But like so many Rescues, they are overloaded with Hurricane animals and space is very limited.
I had contacted several Birmingham groups and none have gotten back to me - I did talk to the local shelter and was told that they were a "kill" shelter. I'm worried that StrayGray might have health issues because he is so skinny and am afraid that he might be put down if he does. The group in Huntsville would hopefully go the extra distance to place him even if he was sick.
I am waiting to hear back from them - I told them that I am leaving for New Orleans on Sunday but would be happy to drive him up to Huntsville anytime between now and then. I don't want to leave him here while I am gone. A no-pet apartment complex parking lot is not the safest place in the world!
Here are his pictures. Isn't he handsome?
Keep your fingers for him!
chris
paulajmnj
Registered User
Posts: 1047
(11/2/05 8:41 pm)
Reply StrayGray
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he sure is a good looking guy.hoping that a foster home opens up and pronto. he deserves a chance.
p
Edited by: paulajmnj at: 11/2/05 8:41 pm
smalk50
Registered User
Posts: 471
(11/3/05 7:33 pm)
Reply
StrayGray going to Huntsville!
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Hi All,
Well, after numerous emails, StrayGray is going up to Huntsville tomorrow after I get back from bringing my Mom to the beauty shop. Friends of Ferals, who are an offshoot of the Huntsville Humane Society, called me this afternoon and told me that they will take him. I am to drive him up to the Humane Society where he will be seen by a vet and then placed into a foster home. Seems that people saw his pictures and there was a very positive response to them and to him.
When Linda called me this afternoon, I was out running errands and I had to tell her that StrayGray had not shown up this morning - I was a worried wreck! But he was waiting for me when I got home, very, very hungry. (this emoticon kind of looks like him)
He is now inside, in a large closet that I fixed up for him. A nice soft bed, a litter box, food and water and a nice little night lite for him. I had planned on putting him into a carrier - ala Juli's Callie - but saw that the closet would be better for him as he's got a long wait until noon tomorrow. He's a little unsure of his new surroundings but at least, is not howling - just a few little peeps now and then. I'll go visit with him soon with some catnip and a brush and comb. His beautiful long fur is tangled and matted from being outside.
I am so grateful to Friends of Ferals - like most rescue groups, they are swamped with their own animals plus Katrina and other hurricane refugees. They are taking him in and Linda said that they will give him every chance - even if he does test positive for something bad. What a great group of people!
Well, just wanted to share some good news about StrayGray! I'm sure that he will soon have a much better name! He's much too regal for anything so mundane. And finicky too. He turned up his nose at dry food and Friskies canned. Nothing but Fancy Feast for him!
I'll update about him once I get back from Huntsville - about a 100 miles from here. Fortunately, it is straight interstate from here and not too long of a drive.
Chris
Juli IMOM
Board of Directors
Posts: 1853
(11/4/05 5:50 am)
Reply StrayGray
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Good news that the Huntsville rescue group will take StrayGray. I hope he liked his closet apartment. My sister lives in Huntsville. She makes the drive from Huntsville to Birmingham often. I hope it is a nice one. Did you say you were going back to N.O. soon?
Linda IMOM
Committee Volunteer
Posts: 1974
(11/4/05 10:18 am)
Reply
Re: StrayGray
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Stray Gray is very handsome!!! I am so glad you have him placed.
Thnks for keeping us posted - you are sooo busy, I think about you and your kitties everyday.
Collie Hugs - Linda aka ellgee
Please click below to visit my furbabies
community.webshots.com/album/134598199QrXRlg
Please visit Monty's memorial page
www.svcsr.org/notforgot/monty.htm
Although I can't seem to make this "clickable" heres Monty's IMOM forum when he was a PINkid
http://p088.ezboard.com/fimomcommunityfrm3...opicID=88.topic
smalk50
Registered User
Posts: 472
(11/4/05 11:16 am)
Reply StrayGray/New Orleans
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Hi,
Yes, I'm leaving here Sunday morning and coming back Tuesday afternoon or evening. I have to meet again with another insurance adjuster at my Mom's house on Monday - seems the first inspection was done "incorrectly" and the house needs to be redone. When I called the insurance agency I was told that the first adjuster "didn't go into the house to inspect it." What?, excuse me, but I was in the house with him while he did his job! So something funny is going on in the insurance world. Hopefully, it'll all get straightened out by 2007.
Then, on Tuesday, I have to go get the stuff from my Mom's safe deposit box - her bank was flooded and her box was near the floor - fortunately she didn't have anything really valuable in it - just very sentimental stuff - maybe more valuable than anything monetary.
StrayGray (hope they rename him)! is such a sweetheart. I had him out last night (with my cats locked up in the back)! and he immediately jumped up in my lap and curled up. I combed him and tried to get out some of the mats on his tail and back feathers. He didn't like it in the closet at all but I guess that it was better than the carrier all night. I let him out this a.m. to stretch his legs and he went by the back door and meowed - like "Let me out of here"! He's back in the closet now but I am bringing him at noon for the trip up to Huntsville - about an hour according to MapQuest (huh Juli?) - thank goodness for MQ! It's the only way that I've been able to navigate this place!
I really don't mind bringing him - these people at Friends of Ferals are angels to take him anyway. Plus I'll have one less thing to worry about when I leave to go back home. It brings great peace of mind to know that he will finally be safe and well cared for.
Must go,
Chris
goofygirlinva
Registered User
Posts: 1
(11/8/05 5:18 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
Re: StrayGray/New Orleans
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Chris,
I just found this website and have spent the last hour or so reading through your story. What an amazing tale and what an amazing woman you are to have gone through Katrina and done all you have for your cats and StrayGray! It truly warms the heart to hear of a good story coming out of the Katrina mess. How did the trips to Huntsville & NO go? I realize you're probably just getting back from your trip; like so many on this board, I hope it went well and that you and your mom can start putting your lives back together again...
Best wishes,
Kelly
GopherIce
restnwolf
Registered User
Posts: 2
(11/11/05 12:00 pm)
Reply katrina lost dogs
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hi chris hope all ius well. please foward lakeview group post #4959 to imom group. i would but not sure how. ned gonzales, a new orleans police officer stayed on duty, to protect and serve, thru the tragedy of katrina, and has been seperated from his pets because of it. he has had to take a leave of duty because of this tremendous loss. he and his family have lost their home and all their possesions and all they feel they are missing are nemo and lucky. PLEASE HELP. steve a vicknair
smalk50
Registered User
Posts: 475
(11/12/05 7:58 pm)
Reply
New Orleans Visit #3
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Hi all,
Perhaps I was spared the full horror of the animal situation in New Orleans and in my neighborhood on my last visit home 3-4 weeks ago. I couldn't find most of the feral cats that I cared for but had seen 4 and knew that others were eating the food that was being left out. Plus, I had seen Mama Minx, who managed to survive for 7 weeks in the water and on her own after I had been rescued on August 30th. She wouldn't let me pet her but I had wanted to grab her and take her back to Birmingham. She was fat and being fed regularly so I decided that she would be better off in N.O. until I could come up with a better plan. My neighbor would be feeding her and the other cats and my mind was put at ease about their well being.
I got to my home around 11 last Sunday morning. I wanted to take more photos of my house as the ones that I had taken with the disposable camera didn't come out too well. I took a few of the front of my house and in the front two rooms. When I moved into the gloomy bedroom, I heard insects - flies buzzing - I looked down and Mama Minx was laying on her back -dead. I was horrified and it didn't hit me at first that it was her until I saw her white tummy. It was Mama Minx! I burst into tears and knelt by her sobbing - she looked like she had been dead for over a week. It also looked like she had a deep bite wound or other type of wound on her hind end and side. I think that a starving dog or other animal chased her and she was able to get inside after being attacked where she died of her injuries and shock. She was right in the doorway, I guess so that I could find her. Poor, poor baby cat!
I went back outside in shock and despair - I should have made her go back to Birmingham with me last time. But she was pretty feral and would bite if handled - she was tiny but very dominant and tried to bully all of the other cats - they all hated her. She had started spending time inside last winter when it was cold outside and had to learn the rules of living inside - which was an ongoing struggle with her. But she would try and jump on the bed at nighttime and be pet - she loved to be pet - until one of the others would chase her down. I keep remembering the sweet side of her now but I had chosen not to take her last time because of the situation here - I thought that she would stress out the other cats even more while she would be unhappy stuck inside all of the time. But at least she would be alive!
A little while later, I went out to the car and got gloves and a mask and set about burying poor Mama Minx. I dug a place in the old flowerbed and went to get her from inside. It was awful to get her up as you can imagine - she was half lying on one of Kay's "cat mats" that she had knitted for the cats at the 200 Cat Rescue last year. Somehow, it had ended up on the floor in my bedroom where Mama Minx died. I kind of rolled her up in that and got her outside and into her grave. It was heartbreaking to put her there and I cried for her and all of the other cats that didn't make it.
I had called my neighbor and told her that I would feed "our" cats that night as I wanted to see if I saw anyone that I didn't see on my last visit. So, later, I walked over to her back alley but cut through the old man's house where one cat colony hung out. I used to feed them in the driveway every morning. So far, none of those cats had been seen by my neighbor (who fed them at night) since Katrina. I walked around the house again but this time saw two of the cats - dead under the house. They both looked like they had been drowned there on the first day of the flooding. It was Old Mama Siamese and L'Orange or what was left of them which was mostly skeleton with fur attached. I dug a hole for them but could not get them picked up - they were so badly decomposed that I stopped trying.
It was one thing to not see any missing cats and suppose that they did not survive the storm and flooding, but to find them dead was such a horrible reality check - especially on top of finding Mama Minx dead. I went ahead to leave food out for any of my neighbor's cats in her alley - most of the bowls still had food in them. I only saw one cat from further down the alley. I have to conclude that the 15 or so cats back in that alley and at the old man's house are all dead now.
And in my alley, I only saw two cats - two tabbies. One is Monster Cat, who has probably sired most of the cats in my section of Lakeview - he took me years to trap and was a terror. The other tabby is kind of the alpha female from the alley - I think that she is Woody's Mom. And two younger cats that I tnr'd a couple of years ago also survived in my back alley. Maria said that she has also seen a black cat besides Mama Minx - who she said that she has never seen since she's been feeding back there. But all of the others are gone - at least 8 more.
Most of them died by drowning I'm sure - what happens is that the cats climb up underneath the raised houses. Most of the houses have little nooks and crannies that they get up into and when the water rises, they are trapped on them or in them. Most cats don't know to dive down in the water and go underneath something to get outside. They just keep going higher or end up in the water and drown or the are in the water and paddle around until they are exhausted. Others died up in garages, trapped or drowned by the water or by starving.
I have posted Mama Minx and the other feral cats over on the Rainbow Bridge forum. They will help me to close up this period for me - I have been in mourning since Katrina but I have been mourning the loss of Mama Minx, the feral cats that I loved so much, my home and my life as I have known it this past week while in New Orleans. I now do not think that I will return there - it is too painful to go back now.
I sat out on my porch for about 3 hours the other day to mourn and to say good-bye. I thought of all of the cats that had been there, all of my neighbors and all the many good things that we all took for granted for so long. I cried and I realized that I would not be back here.
Well, thank you all for listening to this - it is very painful for me as I'm sure it is to read.
I am happy to be back in Birmingham with my cats - I keep telling them over and over - you don't know how lucky you all are! We all are to have survived Katrina.
Chris, the 5 miracle kitty survivors and her 3 traveling buddies.
Linda IMOM
Committee Volunteer
Posts: 2035
(11/12/05 9:00 pm)
Reply
Re: StrayGray/New Orleans
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Chris, despite all the saddness you are enduring right now, you did a wonderful thing for the ferals. It wasn't in vain, there are only a few survivers, but those lost had a better life because of you, because you cared and because you took the time to make a difference. You did an incredible job for so many cats.
Collie Hugs - Linda aka ellgee
Please click below to visit my furbabies
community.webshots.com/album/134598199QrXRlg
Please visit Monty's memorial page
www.svcsr.org/notforgot/monty.htm
Although I can't seem to make this "clickable" heres Monty's IMOM forum when he was a PINkid
http://p088.ezboard.com/fimomcommunityfrm3...opicID=88.topic
laurieadrienne
Local user
Posts: 707
(11/12/05 11:47 pm)
Reply Re: New Orleans Visit #3
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Oh Chris, I'm so sorry to read about Mama Minx, Old Mama Siamese, and L'Orange. I know how very much you care for all of your kitties, socialized or feral, and know your heart is .
Laurie
paulajmnj
Registered User
Posts: 1103
(11/13/05 2:06 am)
Reply Re: New Orleans Visit #3
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Chris,
yes you were very lucky and so were all of your kitties.It sounds like you saw the place as it is today.Through clear eyes.You were probably still in shock the last time you wrere there,you know how you move through the area thinking well it isn't so bad,well they could fix this up.somehow denying the reality of the situation.It's strange how you had to make that last trip there. "What I've already been there and have to return to do the same things that i already did?" Now it has beome clear why you had to make the trip.To close the book on your old life.To find Mama Minx and the others.And to lay them to rest.to answer the question of what did happen to the others. you cannot progress into the future if you hold onto the past.You are ready for the next chapter in your life to begin and the opportunites that are just around the corner. now that your eyes are opened you will be open to change.I am sorry for the loss of what has been. But while you were there those cats had a better life because of you..because you gave a damn..
p
Edited by: paulajmnj at: 11/13/05 9:21 am
Kim
Local user
Posts: 5581
(11/13/05 7:15 am)
Reply Re: New Orleans Visit #3
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Chris, I don't know what to say. Here come the tears.
Mama Minx, after surviving the storm and the flood....
L'Orange....
All the others.... When does the pain from this GD hurricane end???
I am off to the spay clinic and will wear my L'Orange t-shirt today. A reminder that all we can do is focus on the cats who are still here, to honor the ones who have had to leave us.
Paula's right -- your trip back there was for a reason.
Juli IMOM
Board of Directors
Posts: 1882
(11/13/05 10:44 am)
Reply
Re: New Orleans Visit #3
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Oh Chris, I too read your post through tears. Mama Minx tried so hard to survive. She is a very brave girl. May her days be filled with sunshine at the Bridge. She earned a nice quiet spot there where she could do the things she loved all day long with out any worries.
My heart breaks for Old Mama Siamese and L'Orange too.
I'm really sorry this happened to you and your feline family.
Hug and kiss the survivors for me.
Juli
Frankenmuth2
Registered User
Posts: 3081
(11/13/05 12:38 pm)
Reply Re: New Orleans Visit #3
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Dear Chris;
I too read about your last trip to N.O. in tears.
I'm so sorry that your story isn't unique, that so many many people and animals have suffered and died and SURVIVED just like you and yours.
For you it is a nightmare lived and that will never be forgotten, for others (Like Kay, Kim and A & K) it is a nightmare seen firsthand and so very shocking, for others like myself and many more here at IMOM it's a nightmare we can only try to imagine and pray that we will never have to face. No matter who you are it is one that we will never forget!
I wish the clock could be turned back and everything put back to "normal", but since we all know that can't happen, I pray that your incrediable strength carry you forward into a once again happy future!
God Bless You!
Nancy
Judy Leathers
Registered User
Posts: 3624
(11/13/05 9:05 pm)
Reply New Orleans Visit #3
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Chris, I am so sorry for what you are having to deal with. I am so glad you can come to the forum and know that you can tell us how you feel and what you went through and know that we understand and are here for you. I hope that gives you some comfort.
I wish that you did not have to deal with all this heartache. We are here for you and please know that I will try to help you in anyway I can...Judy
smalk50
Registered User
Posts: 478
(11/14/05 6:58 pm)
Reply
Re: New Orleans Visit #3
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Hi all,
Thanks for the kind words. You're probably right Paula - I was still in some kind of shock during my last visit home - it is just so strange to even be in N.O. If you drive through certain parts, you would never guess that Katrina even happened. But when you drive through other parts of town - most of it - all that you see are block after block, mile after mile, of the same thing. Ruined homes with ruined belongings, refrigerators, washer, dryers, etc. - all piled up in the streets - everywhere. It just goes on and on.
I had been supposed to meet my Mom's second home owner's insurance adjuster on Monday. I called him and he said that his wife was sick and he was going home. It took the insurance company until Friday to assign another one. I raised so much hell with them that they sent my Mom an additional check for the expenses incurred. I had only booked a room for two nights and ended up having to find another room while I was there - and only the very expensive ones were available. Anyway, I'm glad in a way as it gave me time to reflect on what was going on with me and my old home and life.
I guess that I was so fixated on getting all of my usable stuff out and running around doing things for my Mom, that it really didn't hit me how horrible things really were. But this trip did it for me - helped to close that long chapter of my life.
I also learned that my Mom is extremely underinsured and that we might end up with an attorney before this whole mess is over with. I am trying to get a blue roof for the house where the tree went through the roof. But the house doesn't qualify until the tree is removed - which the insurance company pays for but cannot do until the inspection and settlement are complete. Then, we are waiting on FEMA, the city of New Orleans, the Army Corp of Engineers and all of the other hapless organizations to decide on what houses can be rebuilt, what houses are condemned, the flood level plain and whether one will have to raise their house before being issued a permit to rebuild. It's a fiasco and a mess. And now with the possibility of the levees not being properly built in the first place, no one knows what to do. No one is safe anywhere in the city. And Congress is dragging their heels in helping with all of Bush's big financial plans for the city. I loved his speech from Jackson Square - knew that it'd be a hard sell to everyone else.
I did call FEMA today and they told me that I had been assigned an inspector for my home in Lakeview - I should be hearing from him soon - and I will have to meet him at my house in N.O. So, it looks like I will be back there soon to take care of that unless FEMA changes the rules again - like they seem to do every day.
I am happy to be here - I never thought that I'd say that - but now that things have settled down, the cats are much more relaxed here and my Mom has accepted them. When she doesn't see Cayenne (boy), she'll ask me "Where's Cheyenne at? I miss her" And she tries to pet them sometimes - she's like a little kid and pets their hind ends. I'm just happy that the cats and my Mom are safe and mostly okay.
And on a brighter note, I heard from the folks that took in StrayGray - he's now temporarily GrayBoy and living in a home with his own room. He thankfully tested negative for leukemia and FIV but seems to have a heart murmur and bad kidneys. The vet thinks that he is between 8-10 but I thought that he was a lot younger. They are bringing him to another vet for his heart and they are going to treat his renal problems with diet until they get him settled down and get some weight on him. They'll recheck him then and decide on what to do. At any rate, they will have him for as long as he lives unless he is lucky enough to find a home. You never know - he's so beautiful and sweet that lots of folks might want him. I'm just happy that he is off of the street, especially as it's starting to get really cold here.
Thanks for letting me ramble (again) and thanks again for everyone's kind responses and support.
Chris and the gang
Kim
Local user
Posts: 5637
(11/29/05 6:59 pm)
Reply Re: Bill Harris and Miss Kitty
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A bittersweet ending to the story of Bill Harris and Miss Kitty.
Bill passed away and Miss Kitty has gone to live with her rescuer in Canada:
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10241592/
smalk50
Registered User
Posts: 515
(12/6/05 3:41 pm)
Reply
Re: StrayGray
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Hi All,
I just got this email from Mary of Friends of Ferals in Huntsville:
I'm back again & will try to do a quick synopsis for you on Sweetheart. I decided since every time I talked to him I'd say "Sweetheart" that it made sense for that to be his name -- he was hearing that more than anything else. And - he's truly a sweet, sweet kitty...and he has the most musical, lyrical, voice. The day after he arrived here you may
recall he went to Dr. Wendy. He was declared negative for FIV,FIP, etc., and was given a treatment that killed the fleas almost immediately. For about the next week, of course, I was combing dead fleas, flea dirt and miscellaneous trash out of his coat. His fur is beautiful now. At the same time Dr. Wendy diagnosed that he had kidney disease and a heart murmur and was fragile since he was only skin and bones covered by fur. He was immediatley put on Science Diet KD - and mercifully - he really likes it. Since he had almost starved to death, his stomach had shrunk - so for about the first week, he didn't eat very much. But by Nov 26 when he went back for his 2nd round of shots, he had gained one/tenth of a pound. I think he's continuing to have a better appetite and eat more. So I'm looking forward to having him weighed this Saturday (12/10) when Dr. W gives him his second tapeworm
treatment.
Hopefully eating all he wants and not supporting fleas/tapeworms will let him put some meat back on his bones. To know the heart treatment needed, the cause of the murmur had to be determined. So, Nov. 29th, he
was given an echocardiagram by Dr. Ackerman. (I'm learning things I never knew about before. Dr. Ackerman is a specialist from B'ham and comes up here on a regular basis to test/analyze problems. I'm not sure if he does heart only - or if he does ultrasound in general. He doesn't prescribe treatments - just analyzes the condition. ) Sweetheart has
advanced heart problems - the muscle around his heart is twice as thick as it should be which can cause high blood pressure - and all of this can further contribute to the kidney problems. So after talking with Dr. Ackerman & seeing the film from the ECH, Dr. W prescribed Atenolol (sp?). This tab is TINY - and he only gets 1/4 of one per day. With some problems the next a.m. I got the first one down him. Then, I had cheese toast for my breakfast. For the first time he went absolutely wild to have something...cheese. Every a.m. now (with Dr. W's blessing)he wolfs down his miniscule cheese treat containing his heart medicine.
Last night he conned me out of a very tiny bit of catfish (probably not on his diet - but - it was only about 1/8 teaspoon.) Dr. W wants to see him the last week of December to see what effect the Atenolol has had.
So - meanwhile - he has the run of the house - a sunny window seat- sleeps in/on the bed with me - has KD 24/7 - dearly loves a Cosmic Catnip pillow toy* - and is beginning to trust that Katie and Sugar are his friends. (*this is an old one that was well used that he found shortly after he got there. Thinking he'd like a nice new one of his very own - I bought an identical new one -- he ignores it & loves the
old one...but as long as he's happy...that's what matters.)
I was so happy to hear that he's got his own home and gets to sleep on the bed! I was thinking about him last night when the temps here were in the 20's.
Sounds like he's got some serious health issues but Mary is doing what she can for him - and he sounds so very happy!
I sent Mary some informative links and also IMOM's info - hopefully, she'll come over and visit.
But to Mary and Friends of Ferals for taking "Sweetheart" in - I'll be forever grateful to her and to them!
Chris
Edited by: smalk50 at: 12/6/05 9:22 pm
LynnR0
Registered User
Posts: 341
(12/6/05 8:35 pm)
Reply CRF
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Hi Chris :-)
Did you send your friend this link?
www.felinecrf.org
It is really the ultimate tool in dealing w/CRF.
If theres anything I can do to help, I would be more then happy to help w/questions etc.
There is also a Yahoo! Feline CRF Support Group she can join. The link to that is:
groups.yahoo.com/group/Fe...F-Support/
~Lynn & Hope
smalk50
Registered User
Posts: 516
(12/6/05 9:21 pm)
Reply StrayGray now Sweetheart
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Hi,
Lynn, I was so happy to hear that StrayGray had a place of his own out of the cold and that Friends of Ferals via Mary had actually taken him in, that I kind of overlooked the feeding of Science Diet (one of my pet peeves!) I did send her the link to Cat Nutrition and IMOM's link but I didn't want to overload her with info. I didn't want to seem like I was telling her what to do and that she was doing things wrong. Which she's not - she has saved the cat's life and is lavishing him with the love that he so sorely deserves.
But you are right - the CRF site is one of the best and I will send it to her too eventually. It's kind of a thin line when a Rescue group takes in an animal when they are filled up to the seams - and then hear back from the person who they took the animal from that they should do this and that with the cat. I am just so overjoyed that he is not still out in the parking lot, starving to death with a heart condition and kidney problems! Plus, I have only spoken to Mary one time on the phone and exchanged a couple of emails with her.
Thanks though Lynn, you have been so helpful to so many on this forum with your knowledge about health issues and nutrition - hopefully StrayGray/Sweetheart's health will improve with the care that he is finally getting now.
Chris
Edited by: smalk50 at: 12/6/05 9:35 pm
LynnR0
Registered User
Posts: 342
(12/7/05 8:45 am)
Reply Re: StrayGray
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Quote:
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But you are right - the CRF site is one of the best and I will send it to her too eventually.
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Yes it is :-)
Did you know my little Hopes story is on the site?
Here it is:
www.felinecrf.org/success...n_and_hope
Thanks for finding a safe and sound home for that sweet boy - he certainly wouldnt have made it much longer without your intervention!
Hugs,
Lynn
Linda IMOM
Committee Volunteer
Posts: 2471
(1/17/06 12:23 am)
Reply
Re: Hurricane Katrina/Chris is ALIVE!!!
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Just thought I would share this with everyone!
Quote:
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This was from the redcross.org website
Animal Safety
Pets and Disaster: Be Prepared
The following information has been prepared by the Humane Society of
the United States in cooperation with the American Red Cross
Our pets enrich our lives in more ways than we can count. In turn,
they depend on us for their safety and well-being. Here's how you can
be prepared to protect your pets when disaster strikes.
Be Prepared with a Disaster Plan
The best way to protect your family from the effects of a disaster is
to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must
include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.
Different disasters require different responses. But whether the
disaster is a hurricane or a hazardous spill, you may have to evacuate
your home.
In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important
thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too.
Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe place for them,
is likely to result in their being injured, lost, or worse. So prepare
now for the day when you and your pets may have to leave your home.
1. Have a Safe Place To Take Your Pets
Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of states'
health and safety regulations and other considerations. Service
animals who assist people with disabilities are the only animals
allowed in Red Cross shelters. It may be difficult, if not impossible,
to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan
ahead. Do not wait until disaster strikes to do your research.
* Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check
policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size, and
species. Ask if "no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency.
Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with
other disaster information and supplies. If you have notice of an
impending disaster, call ahead for reservations.
* Ask friends, relatives, or others outside the affected area
whether they could shelter your animals. If you have more than one
pet, they may be more comfortable if kept together, but be prepared to
house them separately.
* Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who
could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.
* Ask local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or
foster care for pets in a disaster. Animal shelters may be
overburdened caring for the animals they already have as well as those
displaced by a disaster, so this should be your last resort.
2. Assemble a Portable Pet Disaster Supplies Kit Whether you are away
from home for a day or a week, you'll need essential supplies. Keep
items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers that
can be carried easily (duffle bags, covered trash containers, etc.).
Your pet disaster supplies kit should include:
* Medications and medical records (stored in a waterproof
container) and a first aid kit.
* Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets
safely and ensure that your animals can't escape.
* Current photos of your pets in case they get lost.
* Food, potable water, bowls, cat litter/pan, and can opener.
* Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior
problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you
have to foster or board your pets.
* Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable.
3. Know What To Do As a Disaster Approaches
* Often, warnings are issued hours, even days, in advance. At the
first hint of disaster, act to protect your pet.
* Call ahead to confirm eme
Edited by Kris S, 22 July 2006 - 12:20 PM.
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