Agencies Coordinate Foster Homes & Medical Care

by Sandy Lurins

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of several agencies, San Francisco and the North Bay in particular are stepping up to receive a large number of pets who became separated from their families due to Hurricane Katrina.

Marin Humane Society has been instrumental in organizing the local response for Operation Orphans of the Storm and several hundred dogs have already found new temporary homes here as a result. Other North Bay groups that are extending a welcome include Humane Society and SPCA of Sonoma County, Pets Lifeline, and Countryside Rescue.

The goals of Operation Orphans of the Storm are to relieve the hurricane region of thousands of displaced pets so that thousands more may be rescued, and to reunite pets with their families. The participating shelters, like the ones here in the North Bay, shelter the animals, providing medical care and immediate attention. Local foster homes are found for the displaced pets, with the proviso that all pets be reunited with their families when possible.

Journey to safety

The pets displaced by Katrina have endured significant stress and trauma prior to their arrival here. Imagine their rescue from the isolation and risks during and after the hurricane, and the chaos of the teeming (mostly makeshift) shelters that provided their first refuge.

Once the dogs and cats are chosen for relocation, their day goes something like this. A hundred or more are placed on a chartered plane (Continental Airlines planes have been bringing the pets to SFO) and spend hours in transit, so they can become dehydrated and anxious.

Part of the journey also includes establishing a record for each pet, to help establish their identity during their journey. In addition, the animals are photographed and catalogued on the Petfinder.com web site, in hope that their families can find them there.

Upon arrival at the destination airport, the pets’ crates are parceled out to the local agencies that are taking them in. On a recent evening, several dozen made their way in vans to Sonoma Humane, Countryside Kennel and Rescue, Pets Lifeline, and Marin Humane. The vans that arrived were packed full of crates of all sizes.

Unfortunately, some of the dogs who arrived in this latest batch will need to be treated for ringworm, and hopefully will not have spread it to their travel companions. Each dog was weighed and given an exam, then taken to the holding kennels where they could finally get a drink of water. Then the waiting begins.

Home is where the heart is

Luckily, many of these displaced pets will soon find loving foster homes. North Bay residents have responded in such numbers that temporary homes should be available to them as soon as they get whatever medical care they require and are ready to join their foster families.

Marin Humane Society outlines four ways you can help: Donate, provide supplies, volunteer, and foster/adopt.

The number one need is for monetary donations. This provides the agencies and shelters the greatest flexibility to obtain exactly what is needed for the animals at a given time. Funding is needed to support medical care and housing for up to a month or longer for each and every animal that arrives. The local sheltering groups must pay for food, medications, vaccinations, heartworm treatment, spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, rehabilitation, surgeries and more. (See box for web site links, most of which provide the option for online donations.)

If you prefer to donate supplies, remember that the needs of each sheltering group are very specific. Please check your local shelter or agency’s web site, or call them, prior to dropping off your "extras". For example, Marin Humane’s specific needs at this time (as FETCH goes to press) are crates, towels, stainless steel bowls, x-pens, and chain link kennels. Sonoma Humane lists all of the above plus collars, leashes, and hard rubber toys such as Kongs. (Food is not needed.)

If you have time to lend a helping hand, remember again that each agency’s exact requirements are different. Pets Lifeline is looking for more volunteers while Marin Humane does not need more volunteers at this time. This could be a great time, though, to sponsor a neighborhood collection drive or fundraising activity.

Countryside Rescue in Santa Rosa is looking for foster homes for the pets it has taken in, and could certainly use donations of money and supplies. If you have time on Saturdays or Sundays, Countryside would love to have volunteers help with bathing and walking dogs. Please email mimussen@aol.com or visit the web site at www.countrysiderescue.com.

Other agencies, such as Sonoma Humane, believe they have located enough foster homes. However, all North Bay agencies have adoptable pets that need homes. They may not be refugees from Katrina, but they do have immediate needs for homes. And adopting one of the homeless animals in the North Bay frees resources and shelter space for the arriving refugees. See the back pages of this issue of FETCH for great adoptable pets that need you today!