Upset about Katrina and want to help?

Donate to reputable organizations only-

http://www.spcahouston.org/spcahouston/Default.asp

This is the animal shelter that was shut down because of the hurricane- funds there are needed immediately and will get there quicker

The HSUS

Master link for all sorts of organizations

Thank you for this important information MA.

thanks hissy im trying to get something in the mail friday [payday] sending a little something for the animals and the people i dont have much but every little thing will help

honestly, just seeing all of the other people who are doing what I'm going to do - to give whatever they can - helps a lot. Because $5, $10 or $20 by itself isn't a lot, but if thousands of people just give $20 each it makes a real difference.

Members from Best Friends are there right now. You can read about it on their website.

http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cf...01EF6EC01318A4

Thank you so much for this info. I'll be donating!

Thanks... I sent money!!! I was hoping this would come up!

I have to strongly disagree with the HSUS. From my experience, and what I've heard from others with direct experience, they have a long history of using disasters for fund raising and then actually disrupting the efforts of reputable animal rescue groups. I do not believe money donated to them will actually be used to provide relief. They caused serious problems in the efforts in Eastern North Carolina after Floyd and Hugo and I know of people that have been in the efforts in Florida who have real horror stories of the HSUS setting up drop off points for animals, then just dumping them at shelters (after taking steps to prevent other experienced and reputable groups from providing rescue, rehab, and shelter services.) If you want to donate to a reputable animal rescue group going in I would suggest Noah's Wish (which has already mobilized a large volunteer force with experienced leadership), the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association - already had teams on the ground within 12 hours after the storm passed!), or the Louisiana SPCA. There are other good groups already there and providing support including local humane societies from all around the region.

Reputable agencies such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army (and others) are experienced and prepared to provide relief, but seriously need your financial support. In many communities well intentioned individuals will try and collect canned food and old cloths, this is NOT the way to go. These good hearted people don't have the experience to understand the the logistics or practical needs of a relief effort. The collected goods usually end up warehoused somewhere and never providing any good. It is absolutely best to stay with organizations that have experience dealing with disasters and know what's needed. If they ask for goods that's fine, but generally what they need is cash which can be used to provide the needed relief materials and services from sources much closer and more practical.

If you want to donate to a reputable animal rescue group going in I would suggest Noah's Wish (which has already mobilized a large volunteer force with experienced leadership),

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Here is the link to Noahs Wish.

http://www.noahswish.org/index.htm

They have already begun a diary on their website.

Katie

George, I hadn't heard that about the Humane Society and knowing you are respectable and knowledgeable, this information makes me sad.

Animal Planet has dispatched a fleet of trucks as well to help the animals. Mobile vet clinics and kennels to keep the animals found that have survived this horrible flood.

I hope they do some collection buckets around here like they did for the Tsunami, i'll be only to happy to give.

Ok, so which one of those links would be the best to post some $$ to?

Hissy,

Thank you for the link to the Houston SPCA. I have sent them a donation. What a relief to see that the Louisiana SPCA evacuated their animals on Sunday. That made my day to see that some of the animals in LA were taken out of harms way before the storm hit.

Tricia

Originally Posted by rosiemac

Ok, so which one of those links would be the best to post some $$ to?

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They all need your help. There are many outstanding, caring groups that are involved. The Red Cross and Salvation Army both have had difficulties raising money over the past several years. (The Red Cross announced this morning they've raised over $21 million, but I can tell you from experience this will go quickly in a disaster of this scale.)

Animal programs, such as Noah's Wish, LA SPCA, Houston SPCA, and other local programs have extremely tight budgets and will be having to stretch each dollar as far as possible.

My money is going to Noah's Wish and the Red Cross, but there are many, many outstanding organizations which will be able to make good use of your money.

Originally Posted by hissy

George, I hadn't heard that about the Humane Society and knowing you are respectable and knowledgeable, this information makes me sad.

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It's very sad. The HSUS was founded in the '50s with good intentions. They had a change in leadership, and direction, in the mid '90s and, in my opinion, lost their way. Everyone should understand this is not a big organization (though they are a big fund raiser!), does not run any shelter or shelter program, and does not regulate or control any local humane society, most of which are exceptional organizations.

This makes me sad about USHS - I have donated to them for years. I stopped this past year and decided to shift what little money I have to no-kill shelters. I thank you for starting this thread, MA

I'm waiting for an email from Noah's Wish for supplies needed and will have $$ shortly sent to them.. I think there are lots of us that would be able to foster but because of distance that might not be possible. I'll wait for my email and post that possibility. I've emailed my sister in VA to see if she could perhaps foster. She has a friend who does rescues in FL I'll see if she could take a couple too.

Disclosure, just so people know (in case there is a claim of bias):

My dad worked for the Red Cross for his entire career (40 years) mostly with the disaster programs (local, regional, national, international). I worked for the Red Cross from 1980-1990 in the blood program and am the instructor for this area for their Pet First Aid program (volunteer). I know someone (from another list, not directly) who is a regional coordinator for Noah's Wish and should already be there with a large crew. I completely trust her. I was on the Board of Directors for the local humane society for years, and am a member of the CART organizing committee (County Animal Response Team) for this county and a member of North Carolina SART (State Animal Response Team), and am chairman of the Animal Control Review Board. Let's just say I've had "some" experience with disaster relief.

As I mentioned, my money is going to Noah's Wish and the Red Cross, largely because I have personal attachments to these two groups, but there are MANY good organizations on the ground that need, AND WILL EFFECTIVELY USE, your support.

Ok, i'll get some posted on saturday

Thanks CharmsDad for the insight. I don't think that is bias, I think that is a very helpful insight based on personal experience, and is one of the great strengths of an internet community like this one. We all want to make sure that our assistance does the most good.