Areala,

I have an uncle whose favorite saying is:

"I would be perfect but my modesty lets me down"

A lot of people here in Europe want to help you over there as much as we can. Problem is that your government has to give permission for that. And up to now they remain silent. American pride? Or just incompetence? Just give us the green light, and let us help.

French friend just called to express sorrow at New Orleans and areas disaster and said that Chirac had offered assistance to help emergency situation - France has stuff and troops in Caribbean possessions like Martinique that are equipped to help in huricanes - now let's see if W will accept the aid.
So you heard it now - it's on the French news that Chirac is willing to send all help from nearby Caribbean as possible!

tjenneke, my understanding is that the Reserves, Red Cross, state and local police, etc. are all still in the initial assessment and coordination stage. Think about it - a large city, no electricity, no potable water, thousands stranded without the basic necessities, debris and downed power lines everywhere, water up to 20 feet deep hiding said dangerous debris, interstates completely demolished, airports closed or taken over by emergency personnel - the organizational effort is massive. I think it will only be a matter of time before specific technical and aid-based international assistance will be called for by the US, but right now I think those in charge are still trying to wrap their brains around the magnitude of the disaster...

Ahaugeto,

I am aware of the complexity of the problem. But I think that after 3 days some help should be arrived there. And a lot of locals there are not happy with the actions of their own government. Also I see that French and German people are flamed on this forum for not doing anything at all. As A European citisen I can say that we want to help as much as we can, but up till this moment yiur government doesn't want it. Even the goverments of the poor "Tsunami-countries" promised some help. Why not just accept it?
How is it possible that people over there didn't have food or water for 3 days? In such cases you should not discuss plans and politics, but just act, and accept any help you can get.

I've been watching CNN and NBC most of the day, and they are reporting that the hurricane victims are very frustrated with the lack of help. The anchors and news reporters are asking the FEMA people and government officials why it's taken so long. Obviously, this storm was bigger than expected, and while needed aid may not be as swift as we'd like, we are all learning that we're not as prepared as we should be for a situation like this.

America, as someone pointed out, is a very rich country, and we usually can take care of our own. Perhaps it surprises us when something like 9/11/01 or Hurricane Katrina happens. Yes, even America can be vulnerable. I hope our federal government does accept help from France, or any other nation that offers it. We're all global neighbors. But until that happens, we, as individuals, can help by contributing money to the Red Cross or any other charitable organization we support. Those hurricane victims are so helpless. And I watch the video, and feel pretty helpless myself. All I can do is send a check. But that's what these charities are for. It might be my turn, someday.

Don't forget our animal friends, just donated to a non profit organization called Noah's Wish. They rescue and shelter animals during disasters. noahswish.org

I read this morning that the Canadian Forces are loading a ship with generators, water purification equipment, helicopters and other emergency resources, in the event that there is a request for aid from the U.S. Government. Although the Chief of Defence Staff has spoken with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, there has so far been no request for assistance from the U.S.

The Canadian Prime Minister has also declared "We wll do whatever we can, for as long as it takes, to help our neighbour and our friend deal with this terrible terrible tragedy"

This was done to death, and with some rancour, on a pulled thread. The short answer is we’d be happy to help, but we’re not sure what we could usefully offer.

Bear in mind this sort of thing doesn’t happen here, so we don’t have the appropriate trained manpower or equipment.

There is a British Royal Navy flotilla in the Caribbean who would be happy to help – but they haven’t been asked, and yes they do have to be asked. You can’t just turn up with a load of warships without phoning ahead!

The French have troops and officials including medics in their Caribbean territories but again, they would have to be invited in. You can take it as read that they would come if asked.

Outside of that there’s not a lot we could offer that you don’t already have in abundance eg food, medical supplies etc (as has been said above you won’t accept our blood).

I would hope that the USA would accept the offers of help – as things seem to be going dreadfully badly down there, and now there’s been a huge explosion in N Orleans. It surely can’t get any worse can it?

Helrot,I will also donate to Noah's Wish. Thanks for pointing that site out.

Does anyone know whether the zoo was evacuated? I hope so.

We were in New Orleans last June and we are so saddened to see what has happened to this beautiful and unique city.

I would just like to say "Thank you" to all the non-US fodorites on this post for their prayers and well wishes, and offers for assistance when we need it. We do appreciate it. I think the situation along the Gulf Coast is a lot worse than any of us sitting in our cozy homes can even begin to imagine. I don't know how I would react or what I would do if I lost my home, all my possessions, my job, my pets, family members, etc. in one blow.

In the states we're organizing fund raisers left and right for the people affected - a local radio station raised almost $50,000 yesterday in 12 hours for the Red Cross. I know a lot of corporations and just average people are donating a lot of money.

We've already made phone calls to find out which organizations are accepting people to go down to LA, MS, and AL to help - handing out food, or whatever we can do and we're being told that they are not accepting people from out of state right now. They are still just trying to stabilize the situation. So, if they are not taking people from out of state, I think it may be a bit before they accept much physical help from outside the US.

Keep sending good thoughts this way!

Is the org. Noahswish better equiped than ASPCA? I am not sure which one to donate to.

Noah's Wish, Best Friends and the Humane Society of the US are all good organizations which will use your donations to help. A friend of mine who is a vet sent me the following about the relief effort and needs in Louisiana. Please note they are asking for kennels and money as their top priorities.
Ginger Guttner · Office of Public Relations · Veterinary Medicine Building · Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Telephone: 225.578.9922 · Facsimile: 225.578.9916 · www.vetmed.lsu.edu · [email protected]

For Immediate Release: August 31, 2005

Animal Evacuation and Recovery Plan for New Orleans

BATON ROUGE— The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA), the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association (LVMA), the Louisiana Animal Control Association (LACA), and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) are managing animal evacuations and recovery plans for New Orleans pets and displaced animals.

PETS TRAVELING WITH OWNERS
The LVMA is currently accepting pets at the Blackham Coliseum in Lafayette, LSU in Shreveport, the Monroe Civic Center for small animals and the Ike Hamilton Center for large animals in Monroe, the Farmer’s Market in Alexandria, and the LSU Agriculture Center/Parker Coliseum in Baton Rouge. Owners must be housed in a Red Cross shelter; owners are responsible for caring for their animals, including feeding and cleaning. Animals will be accepted 24 hours a day. Veterinarians will be on hand to handle any medical needs.

While owners are responsible for the feeding and cleaning of their pets at the Parker Coliseum in Baton Rouge, the SVM, along with volunteers from the Baton Rouge Veterinary Medical Association, will provide veterinary care. If for some reason, an owner is unable to care for a pet sheltered in the Parker Coliseum (e.g., the owner is housed in a special needs shelter), SVM student volunteers will provide primary care, such as feeding and cleaning. The East Baton Rouge Animal Control Center will be taking stray animals.

The Parker Coliseum will be staffed 24 hours a day by a supervising veterinarian and student volunteers from the School of Veterinary Medicine. Pets in the Coliseum will be given physical exams and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccinations. If a pet requires medical attention and veterinary monitoring, it will be sent to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

PEOPLE WITH PETS WHO ARE CURRENTLY EVACUATING NEW ORLEANS
The LA/SPCA will transport animals from pick-up points in New Orleans to the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center. The pick-up points have not yet been determined and are being coordinated with the agency charged with transporting people from New Orleans to other areas.

The Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, 9039 St. Landry Rd., Gonzales, La., will serve as the primary staging area. Once the shelter is full, animals will be moved to temporary shelters in other areas of Louisiana and Texas.

The LA/SPCA Dorothy Dorsett Mobile Veterinary Center will be at the Lamar-Dixon Center to treat incoming animals as needed.


CONFINED PETS STILL IN DISASTER AREA
Beginning on September 1, residents who left pets in their homes may call a hot line to leave information about the number of animals, species, and their confined location. As soon as the hotline number is obtained, we will advise the media. WE CANNOT ENTER NEW ORLEANS UNTIL APPROVAL IS GRANTED BY STATE OFFICALS.

DONATIONS
Financial donations are being accepted to fund the animals’ care through the Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation at the LVMA at 1-800-928-LVMA.

A regional donation center is being established. Our needs include: large air kennels and metal cages, leashes, disposable bowls, canned cat and dog food, disposable litter pans, spray bleach, paper towels, sheets, towels, locks, hoses, bottled water, trash cans, trash bags, pooper scoopers, cat litter, extension cords, fans. The most urgent needs are kennels and monetary donations. The media will be advised of the address once determined. At least 175 animals are currently en route to Baton Rouge.

For more information or to make donations of the materials listed above, please call the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine at 225-578-9900 (www.vetmed.lsu.edu) or the LVMA at 1-800-928-LVMA (www.lvma.org).

ANIMAL EVACUATION AND RECOVERY PLAN CONTACT INFORMATION
Louisiana SPCA contact Laura Maloney 225-413-8813

East Baton Rouge Animal Control Center Hilton Cole 225-774-7700

LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Becky Adcock 225-578-9900

Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association 225-928-5862

Thank you. I sent a donation to Noah's and now I will send another one to one of these.

cmcfong, thanks for the information about the animal organizations. Last night I sent contributions to the Humane Society ( read that they have organized their largest diaster relief campaign ever) and to Best Friends. Right now, after just reading new posts here, I'm going to send to Noah's Wish, too. Naturally, my heart is breaking seeing all the human misery (and I've donated to the Red Cross), but I also started crying when I saw TV pictures of forlorn dogs just sitting on top of roofs. Just sitting there patiently, and waiting. I just wanted so badly to reach out to them myself.

Sue4
I know what you mean. I have been watching non-stop. When one channel goes to commercial I go to another. My heart is aching. I have spent most of the day watching and crying. I too have given to Red Cross, Noah's wish, Best Friends and the human Society. But somehow it just doesn't seem like enough.

I too just want to reach out and comfort these poor animals. I have 8 dogs of my own and can not possibly imagine how I would hold up if any one of them was missing or God forbid in any circumstance like this.

I would like to put in a plug, once again, for my favorite charity / disaster relief organization...AmeriCares. They are top-notch in every respect, and are always ranked among the top charities for their ultra-low admin expenses. These guys get things done!

<b>www.americares.org</b>

Re: Pets. People were not allowed to take their pets with them to the evacuation centers or in public vehicles so they had to leave them.

I have dogs too and like you say it would be hard enough to round them all up, let alone to be told I had to leave them behind.

Of course I am concerned about the people too, it is just that the animals have no options.

Lots of Australians are donating help via the RedCross, and a national campaign has kicked in here. The Australian Government has also pledged $10 million. Many of us are still raw from the effects of the tsunami on our nearest neighbours, and are moved once more to help.

Areala, you sound like me with your dogs! Now I only have 2 (big ones), but during Hurricane Andrew (I lived in a very hardhit area of south Miami, and still do), and at that time had 6 dogs.
I huddled in a closet with them, and miraculously when it was over, I still had a roof! Most of the houses in my neighborhood were destroyed, and just about everybody left the area (they had to). I felt so lucky to still have a house (altho it was in awfully bad shape), as I had no place to go immediately after the storm with 6 big dogs. I also had to take my daughter's 5-month old Great Pyranees, as her house was destroyed, and she had to leave town for awhile with her children. I really felt like
God was with me at that time.

I didn't mean to be so longwinded about this, but leaving ones dogs after something like this would be so heartbreaking. There were so many homeless dogs after Andrew - but at least we weren't flooded. And people here were much more fortunate, as most had insurance and could rebuild. This situation in New Orleans is really a tragedy of the highest order. A city totally destroyed, and all those poor souls with no place to go.

Everybody, please give SOMETHING to some organization, whatever it is, and I'm sure any amount will help.