[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: [KatrinaAnimalReliefLA] The Gonzales Shelter & Some Things I've Learned
- From: Crossroadsgsd@xxxxxxx
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 16:42:52 EDT
Just in...
While things have quieted down somewhat at this shelter, it continues to
have many
problems. I believe HSUS (the lead organization for the small animal
section) has the very
best intentions but they have not shown the leadership required. At this
date, one would
expect things to fall into place. The volunteers that continue to work this
shelter are doing
so only for the animals. They complain bitterly about the lack of
organization and
information. Protocols have not been made clear or public. Breed specific
rescue
organizations and other legitimate resources have not been utilized or
addressed
sufficiently. Many animals have disappeared. Illegitimate rescue groups are
part of the
mix. Owners coming to search for their animals have a pretty arduous task.
When
medically necessary, animals are humanely euthanized but the protocol for
this is not
public resulting in the "panic" emails based on non-information. As of
yesterday, HSUS
brought in about 14 private security guards but volunteers say it is not
enough. Today, a
4' chain fence is being erected around the barns housing the small animals.
The general
public is not allowed in but still there is no system in place for
volunteers or those looking
for their animals. Several times I and other were told this information
would be posted and
still nothing.
I have a call in to a Dobie rescuer (who is also a lawyer) who has
vigilantly watched for
rescuers to return with any Dobies. She managed to obtain permission to take
any Dobe
from the shelter to put into foster and facilitate finding the owner or
adopting out. I don't
know what she did but it worked. Other breed-specific organizations are
creating flyers
with info and attaching it to the animal's crate/paperwork. Everyone
understands the
caution HSUS must exert to make sure owned animals are not lost or put into
the wrong
hands but no effort is made to cooperate or utilize national and
credentialed networks.
When this all began, I recruited my friend, Claire Rogers, who is very
knowlegable about
birds. She and two other volunteers run the exotic area and created their
own system and
volunteer schedule. They even put locks on the stalls as people were coming
in and
stealing the birds. Someone (HSUS or FEMA) cut the locks. There are birds
still in this
shelter are due the coordinated and dedicated efforts of these volunteers. I
use Claire and
the exotic volunteers of examples of volunteers taking on specific duties
and organizing
amongst themselves due to the void of leadership.
The alternative result of leadership void and poor communication is panic.
And from panic
stems rumour, mistrust, no coordination, and a lack of support.
The large animals on the other side of the facility, are kept by LSU SVM
staff. This area is
well manned, organized, and patrolled. Granted the numbers are smaller but a
system is in
place and anyone can obtain the info they want from those in charge.
As expected, the rescues coming in now are few and in poor condition. I do
not have
information on when efforts will cease but certainly it will be soon.
The rescue of animals impacted by Katrina is an historic one. Much
discussion will no
doubt ensue in the future over laws, policy, and protocol. The numerous
humane
organizations with vastly differing philosophical concepts will be lobbying
their agendas
and competing for our support. And as this disaster has revealed social,
political, and
economic flaws in the system, it has cast a strong light on animal
overpopulation, the
shelter system, and politics of differing humane organizations.
I personally am not a member of any humane association. I have dogs and
horses and am
a member of those respective groups. I have and am learning a LOT.
â?¢ Having an emergency plan for ones animals is imperative.
â?¢ Permanent identification linked to a national system would have reunited
animals with
their owners. (Info on rabies tags was often useless and collars can be lost
or removed.)
â?¢ Many breeders I know chip their puppies, before they are sold, with their
contact info.
New owners are then encouraged to add their info to this data base. So if
something
happens to the owner, their is a back-up.
â?¢ Co-ownerships for the purposes of rescue would have made claiming animals
easier.
â?¢ There are a lot of unscrupulous people who will take advantage of the
tragedies of
others.
â?¢ Those in charge do not always know what the hell they are doing. Come up
with a plan,
join with others, and jump in. Debate the flaws later.
The REAL HEROS in all of this have been the volunteers, the rescuers, the
veterinarians and
techs, the state agencies, LSU, VMAT, and the companies and individuals that
have given
their time, money, and support. Bureaucracy and lack of leadership has
hindered animal
relief. At least from where I'm sitting.
veni
Cathleen Bennett
_www.crossroadsgsd.com_ (http://www.crossroadsgsd.com/)
We have puppies
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