NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- As of 3 p.m. EST today, Noah's Wish, a not-for-profit organization that exclusively deals with rescuing and sheltering animals in disasters reported that 68 dogs, 24 cats, 7 birds and 1 baby squirrel had been rescued and were being housed in a temporary animal shelter. The shelter was set up in a warehouse located at 1325 Bayou Lane in Slidell, Louisiana. Noah's Wish is working with Slidell Animal Control Director Damian Anti to coordinate the rescue of hundreds of abandoned and stranded pets in the city of Slidell. Located directly north of Lake Ponchatrain, Slidell was devastated by Katrina.
"This morning we found a chihuahua sitting in a kitchen sink," said Terri Crisp, Founder and Director of Noah's Wish. "The waters in the house rose so high, the poor little guy got swept into the sink, where he remained when the waters receded." The chihuahua was taken to the temporary animal shelter where he was checked by a veterinarian and provided food, water and a much-needed warm bed. All animals coming into the shelter will be tracked and Noah's Wish hopes to be able to reunite owners with their four-legged family members.
The city of Slidell provided Noah's Wish with the use of a large warehouse that has been converted into a temporary animal shelter. The city shelter was flooded with 10 feet of water. In a lot behind the warehouse, large tents are being erected over chain link dog runs. This temporary shelter will have the ability to house over 1,000 animals. Over 400 trained Noah's Wish volunteers and 25 veterinarians will work around the clock to provide medical services, care and much-needed love and affection to these traumatized animals.
"Noah's Wish exists to help people as much as we do pets," says Crisp. "Temporary shelter for pets will be offered to residents who lost their homes and are unable to keep their animals with them in shelters or hotels." Noah's Wish also cares for wildlife. Yesterday, a baby squirrel was found among the rubble and was fed every four hours overnight by a volunteer. Trained Noah's Wish volunteers from around the country are taking time off work and paying their own expenses to travel to Louisiana to assist with pet rescue.
Donations are desperately needed and can be made at WWW.NOAHSWISH.ORG. Donations go directly to help the animals of this disaster and cash is preferred as it allows the organization to purchase the supplies needed. Information about pets stranded in Slidell homes should be emailed to info@noahswish.org or a message can be left at 530-622-9313.
Terri Crisp reminds pet owners that hurricane season is far from over. "Don't wait for an emergency to strike -- be prepared for disasters and include your animals in your plan. Make sure your pet always has proper identification in case they are lost." Crisp has been devoted to animal disaster preparedness, education, and response since 1983. She has responded to over 50 disasters worldwide including floods, wildfires, hurricanes and traveled overseas to aid in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami in 2004. She has trained volunteers, animal welfare organizations, and emergency management agencies across the nation and around the world, building relationships that enable her to work with organizations during times of crisis. Crisp is the author of two books, Out of Harm's Way and Emergency Animal Rescue Stories.
Noah's Wish is a 501 c3 not-for-profit organization based in Placerville, California (near Sacramento). Donations may be mailed to Noah's Wish P.O. Box 997 Placerville, CA 95667.
Reporters from news organizations can call Patricia Jones at 347-306-2442 for interviews. Only messages from the media to this line can be returned. All public inquiries/requests for assistance should be directed to info@noahswish.org or call (530) 622-9313.