lauratiara
November 18th, 2005, 12:16 PM
11/11/05--Louisiana Ban Stalls Rescue As Animals Starve
KINSHIP CIRCLE LETTER CAMPAIGN
http://www.kinshipcircle.org
SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
Jane Garrison, http://www.AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com
Alley Cat Allies, http://action.alleycat.org
Clare Davis, katrinacatrescue@yahoo.com
================================
SAMPLE LETTER & CONTACT INFO
Press release follows
================================
Governor Kathleen Blanco
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 94004; Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9004
ph: 866-366-1121; 225-342-0991; 225-342-7015
fax: 225-342-7099
web email: http://www.managekeelson.com/websites/la.gov/index.cfm?md=form&tmp=home&cfmid=146
Dr. Maxwell Lea, Jr., State Veterinarian
Office of Animal Health Services, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
P.O. Box 1951; Baton Rouge, LA 70821-1951
office: 225-925-3980; fax: 225-925-4103
email: mlea@ldaf.state.la.us, maxwel_l@ldaf.state.la.us, info@ldaf.state.la.us
website: www.ldaf.state.la.us
Dr. Martha A. Littlefield, Assistant State Veterinarian
Office of Animal Health Services, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
P.O. Box 1951; Baton Rouge, LA 70821-1951
wk: 225-925-3980; desk: 225-935-2168; fax: 225-237-5555
email: malc@ldaf.state.la.us
CC: Bob Odin, Commissioner, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
bobodom@ldaf.state.la.us
Dear Governor Blanco, Dr. Lea, and Dr. Littlefield:
I respectfully request the continuation of Executive Order KBB 2005-35,
which allows licensed veterinarians from other states to temporarily
practice in Louisiana. Although this order was extended one month under KBB
2005-43, its October 25 termination means incoming veterinarians risk jail
time and fines.
In essence, the Louisiana Governor, under advisement from the Assistant
State Veterinarian, has told relief workers to go home. The state's
unrealistic grasp of the animal crisis overlooks thousands of companion
animals still fending for themselves in the aftermath of Katrina and Rita.
Some burrow under broken homes or linger in debris-filled yards. Starving
dogs roam in packs in St. Bernard Parish, a hard hit area with no functional
animal control system.
New Orleans' existing stray population now includes displaced pets, many
unsterilized and set to yield even more homeless puppies and kittens. One
study shows a dog and her young can produce 67,000 puppies in six years. A
cat and her litter can create 420,000 kittens in seven years.
The beleaguered LA SPCA, head of animal control in Orleans Parish, simply
doesn't possess the people power or accommodations to feed, trap, and
shelter this many animals.
With guardian requests to save lost animals still pouring in, a ban on any
out-of-state animal relief workers is an affront to hurricane victims as
well as animals.
In early November, rescuers discovered two dead cats alongside empty food
and water bowls. A third died alone on a barren porch. These animals
survived hurricane and flood only to succumb to starvation. There are many
more like them, some huddled under structures slated for demolition. Local
animal control agencies cannot manage this emergency situation alone.
Rather than turn down outside aid, please embrace out-of-state rescue
organizations and veterinarians willing to devote their time and skills to
Louisiana's animals. Let's work toward a common goal: Saving animals and
reuniting them with their families.
Thank you,
================================================== =====
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Claire Davis
(435) 899-1231
KatrinaCatRescue@yahoo.com
State of Louisiana blocks animal rescue while thousands of pets face
starvation in New Orleans
Bogalusa, Louisiana, November 8, 2005--Two animal rescue groups are issuing
a call for the state of Louisiana to stop blocking attempts to save the
thousands of sick, injured, and traumatized dogs and cats who still wander
the streets of New Orleans.
The state has announced that the Hurricane Katrina rescue phase is over.
Out-of-state veterinarians are banned from volunteering their services on
behalf of the animals of greater New Orleans. Rescuers have been threatened
with arrest if they attempt to give food and water to animals in Orleans
Parish. Outside rescue groups are told they should turn all operations over
to local authorities and leave the state.
Meanwhile, the pets who survived Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath are
dying on the streets -sometimes right next to food and water bowls that the
handful of remaining rescuers couldn't fill in time.
AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com and Alley Cat Allies (http://www.alleycat.org/)
are calling for the state to reverse its course and accept outside help in
the form of veterinarians and more volunteers.
"We are literally seeing animals on the streets starving to death," says
Jane Garrison, director of AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com, one of a handful of
rescue organizations still in the city. "We need more volunteers to feed and
water the thousands of traumatized animals still on the streets, we need to
keep trapping animals so we can reunite them with their guardians, and we
need a massive spay/neuter program."
Garrison coordinated the animal rescue program for six weeks as a volunteer
for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Since HSUS pulled out
October 1st, she has been running her own program. With a steadily dwindling
force of volunteers, Garrison races against time trying to provide food and
water at more than 2,000 sites in the New Orleans area, as well as fielding
a constant stream of owner rescue requests.
"Many of these animals are people's companions who escaped their homes when
doors and windows blew open. It would be completely unethical to allow them
to die on the streets," she says. The state claims that local authorities
can handle the problem, but rescuers on the ground know this is not the
case. One of the hardest hit areas, St. Bernard Parish, has no active animal
control agency or functioning animal shelter. The Louisiana SPCA, in charge
of animal control in Orleans Parish, does not have anywhere close to the
staff, space, or resources required to address a problem of this magnitude.
As bad as the situation is now, in a few months it will be even worse.
Despite the horrific conditions, the dogs and cats on the streets are still
breeding, and rescuers are starting to see puppies and kittens born after
Katrina. Statistics show that one unspayed female cat and her offspring can
produce more than 59,000 cats in five years.
"If the state government doesn't allow us to feed, treat, and find homes for
the thousands of animals struggling to survive now, it is in for a rude
awakening the beginning of next year," says Becky Robinson, national
director of Alley Cat Allies (ACA). "The number of free-roaming cats and
dogs will be devastating."
ACA, a national cat advocacy group now running a cat rescue operation from a
base in Bogalusa, Louisiana, has plans for an immediate, large-scale
spay/neuter program for the street cats of New Orleans. This program
requires the services of about a dozen veterinarians experienced with
high-volume surgery. Many out-of-state vets have offered their services,
free of charge.
But the state of Louisiana is standing in the way. Louisiana Governor
Kathleen Blanco, acting on advice from Assistant State Veterinarian Martha
Littlefield, has refused to extend an executive order giving out-of-state
veterinarians permission to practice in Louisiana. That order expired
October 25. Any out-of-state vet practicing in the area now would do so at
the risk of jail time and thousands of dollars in fines.
Despite the state's claims that local veterinarians can fulfill the need,
ACA has been unable to find local vets who can provide consistent care for
the cats housed at its temporary shelter, let alone enough to conduct the
type of large-scale spay/neuter program that is so desperately needed.
"This nation's animal rescue community can help Louisiana meet this crisis
if the state will simply acknowledge the problem still exists and allow us
to work," Robinson says. "This is not only humane and ethical; it is in
everyone's best interest."
For more information, please contact Claire Davis at (435) 899-1231 or
KatrinaCatRescue@yahoo.com, or visit http://www.alleycat.org/ and
http://www.animalrescueneworleans.com/.
================================================== =====
*TO SUBSCRIBE TO KINSHIP CIRCLE, SEND AN EMAIL TO:
subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
*DISCLAIMER: The information in these letters is verified with the original
source. I cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information
or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is intended to
encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in.
*Kinship Circle cannot guarantee the validity of email addresses. During a
campaign, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
************************************************** *
BEAR WITNESS. SPEAK. DEMAND. ACT.
Kinship Circle - Letter Campaigns I Literature I Action For Animals
Brenda Shoss, president * Janet Enoch, vice-president
info@kinshipcircle.org
http://www.KinshipCircle.org
Kinship Circle is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
We accept online donations at:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/donations.html
We are grateful for your support!
KINSHIP CIRCLE LETTER CAMPAIGN
http://www.kinshipcircle.org
SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
Jane Garrison, http://www.AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com
Alley Cat Allies, http://action.alleycat.org
Clare Davis, katrinacatrescue@yahoo.com
================================
SAMPLE LETTER & CONTACT INFO
Press release follows
================================
Governor Kathleen Blanco
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 94004; Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9004
ph: 866-366-1121; 225-342-0991; 225-342-7015
fax: 225-342-7099
web email: http://www.managekeelson.com/websites/la.gov/index.cfm?md=form&tmp=home&cfmid=146
Dr. Maxwell Lea, Jr., State Veterinarian
Office of Animal Health Services, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
P.O. Box 1951; Baton Rouge, LA 70821-1951
office: 225-925-3980; fax: 225-925-4103
email: mlea@ldaf.state.la.us, maxwel_l@ldaf.state.la.us, info@ldaf.state.la.us
website: www.ldaf.state.la.us
Dr. Martha A. Littlefield, Assistant State Veterinarian
Office of Animal Health Services, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
P.O. Box 1951; Baton Rouge, LA 70821-1951
wk: 225-925-3980; desk: 225-935-2168; fax: 225-237-5555
email: malc@ldaf.state.la.us
CC: Bob Odin, Commissioner, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
bobodom@ldaf.state.la.us
Dear Governor Blanco, Dr. Lea, and Dr. Littlefield:
I respectfully request the continuation of Executive Order KBB 2005-35,
which allows licensed veterinarians from other states to temporarily
practice in Louisiana. Although this order was extended one month under KBB
2005-43, its October 25 termination means incoming veterinarians risk jail
time and fines.
In essence, the Louisiana Governor, under advisement from the Assistant
State Veterinarian, has told relief workers to go home. The state's
unrealistic grasp of the animal crisis overlooks thousands of companion
animals still fending for themselves in the aftermath of Katrina and Rita.
Some burrow under broken homes or linger in debris-filled yards. Starving
dogs roam in packs in St. Bernard Parish, a hard hit area with no functional
animal control system.
New Orleans' existing stray population now includes displaced pets, many
unsterilized and set to yield even more homeless puppies and kittens. One
study shows a dog and her young can produce 67,000 puppies in six years. A
cat and her litter can create 420,000 kittens in seven years.
The beleaguered LA SPCA, head of animal control in Orleans Parish, simply
doesn't possess the people power or accommodations to feed, trap, and
shelter this many animals.
With guardian requests to save lost animals still pouring in, a ban on any
out-of-state animal relief workers is an affront to hurricane victims as
well as animals.
In early November, rescuers discovered two dead cats alongside empty food
and water bowls. A third died alone on a barren porch. These animals
survived hurricane and flood only to succumb to starvation. There are many
more like them, some huddled under structures slated for demolition. Local
animal control agencies cannot manage this emergency situation alone.
Rather than turn down outside aid, please embrace out-of-state rescue
organizations and veterinarians willing to devote their time and skills to
Louisiana's animals. Let's work toward a common goal: Saving animals and
reuniting them with their families.
Thank you,
================================================== =====
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Claire Davis
(435) 899-1231
KatrinaCatRescue@yahoo.com
State of Louisiana blocks animal rescue while thousands of pets face
starvation in New Orleans
Bogalusa, Louisiana, November 8, 2005--Two animal rescue groups are issuing
a call for the state of Louisiana to stop blocking attempts to save the
thousands of sick, injured, and traumatized dogs and cats who still wander
the streets of New Orleans.
The state has announced that the Hurricane Katrina rescue phase is over.
Out-of-state veterinarians are banned from volunteering their services on
behalf of the animals of greater New Orleans. Rescuers have been threatened
with arrest if they attempt to give food and water to animals in Orleans
Parish. Outside rescue groups are told they should turn all operations over
to local authorities and leave the state.
Meanwhile, the pets who survived Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath are
dying on the streets -sometimes right next to food and water bowls that the
handful of remaining rescuers couldn't fill in time.
AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com and Alley Cat Allies (http://www.alleycat.org/)
are calling for the state to reverse its course and accept outside help in
the form of veterinarians and more volunteers.
"We are literally seeing animals on the streets starving to death," says
Jane Garrison, director of AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com, one of a handful of
rescue organizations still in the city. "We need more volunteers to feed and
water the thousands of traumatized animals still on the streets, we need to
keep trapping animals so we can reunite them with their guardians, and we
need a massive spay/neuter program."
Garrison coordinated the animal rescue program for six weeks as a volunteer
for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Since HSUS pulled out
October 1st, she has been running her own program. With a steadily dwindling
force of volunteers, Garrison races against time trying to provide food and
water at more than 2,000 sites in the New Orleans area, as well as fielding
a constant stream of owner rescue requests.
"Many of these animals are people's companions who escaped their homes when
doors and windows blew open. It would be completely unethical to allow them
to die on the streets," she says. The state claims that local authorities
can handle the problem, but rescuers on the ground know this is not the
case. One of the hardest hit areas, St. Bernard Parish, has no active animal
control agency or functioning animal shelter. The Louisiana SPCA, in charge
of animal control in Orleans Parish, does not have anywhere close to the
staff, space, or resources required to address a problem of this magnitude.
As bad as the situation is now, in a few months it will be even worse.
Despite the horrific conditions, the dogs and cats on the streets are still
breeding, and rescuers are starting to see puppies and kittens born after
Katrina. Statistics show that one unspayed female cat and her offspring can
produce more than 59,000 cats in five years.
"If the state government doesn't allow us to feed, treat, and find homes for
the thousands of animals struggling to survive now, it is in for a rude
awakening the beginning of next year," says Becky Robinson, national
director of Alley Cat Allies (ACA). "The number of free-roaming cats and
dogs will be devastating."
ACA, a national cat advocacy group now running a cat rescue operation from a
base in Bogalusa, Louisiana, has plans for an immediate, large-scale
spay/neuter program for the street cats of New Orleans. This program
requires the services of about a dozen veterinarians experienced with
high-volume surgery. Many out-of-state vets have offered their services,
free of charge.
But the state of Louisiana is standing in the way. Louisiana Governor
Kathleen Blanco, acting on advice from Assistant State Veterinarian Martha
Littlefield, has refused to extend an executive order giving out-of-state
veterinarians permission to practice in Louisiana. That order expired
October 25. Any out-of-state vet practicing in the area now would do so at
the risk of jail time and thousands of dollars in fines.
Despite the state's claims that local veterinarians can fulfill the need,
ACA has been unable to find local vets who can provide consistent care for
the cats housed at its temporary shelter, let alone enough to conduct the
type of large-scale spay/neuter program that is so desperately needed.
"This nation's animal rescue community can help Louisiana meet this crisis
if the state will simply acknowledge the problem still exists and allow us
to work," Robinson says. "This is not only humane and ethical; it is in
everyone's best interest."
For more information, please contact Claire Davis at (435) 899-1231 or
KatrinaCatRescue@yahoo.com, or visit http://www.alleycat.org/ and
http://www.animalrescueneworleans.com/.
================================================== =====
*TO SUBSCRIBE TO KINSHIP CIRCLE, SEND AN EMAIL TO:
subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
*DISCLAIMER: The information in these letters is verified with the original
source. I cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information
or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is intended to
encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in.
*Kinship Circle cannot guarantee the validity of email addresses. During a
campaign, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
************************************************** *
BEAR WITNESS. SPEAK. DEMAND. ACT.
Kinship Circle - Letter Campaigns I Literature I Action For Animals
Brenda Shoss, president * Janet Enoch, vice-president
info@kinshipcircle.org
http://www.KinshipCircle.org
Kinship Circle is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
We accept online donations at:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/donations.html
We are grateful for your support!