Question:
This is a repost, with permission
Diane Albers, President of Florida Association of Kennel
Clubs. She is spearheading the rescue efforts, along with AKC. These are her
comments:
"Florida is in deep ****. If Ivan hits Florida, there will be no Florida
left. The cattle and horses are standing 6 inches deep in water. There is no
pasture, no food. The shelters are overrun with dogs that didn't
evacuate with
their owners. She is getting hundreds of calls daily from people forced
to do
owner turn ins as they themselves have no homes, no food, no gas, no
water, no
way to care for their animals. "
Northwest Airlines are offering to fly dogs out of Florida at no cost
(donated by NWA...remember them the next time you fly). They
will start flying dogs tome within a couple of days. Foster homes are
needed. Florida needs our help. She is getting hundreds of purebreds turned
in
every day along with mixes.
Are we as "show people" so narrow minded that we only care about our breed?
Our friends? Or do we have the capacity to love all dogs and are we
willing to
help?
Call Diane Albers at 1-800-597-2987


Answer:
I'd like to add to this that petfinder has also set up a fund and is requesting donations to help shelters in Florida cope with the increased loads of pets to house, feed, and care for. If you go to www.petfinder.com you should get a popup window with more details on how to help.


Answer:
Thank you so much for posting this.. some of my co-workers asked me just last night about the Florida shelters and what was happening.. I'll pass this along to them... even 10 or 20 dollars will help if every pet lover chips in to help..


Answer:
Great! I have posted it a petfinder too! Lets help those animals!


Answer:
That's so sad! I want every animal in danger in Florida to make it out okay!


Answer:
Someone who called the number had informed me that they were told that there isn't free shipping. So I'm not sure what's up. But if anyone can help. Please do.


Answer:
Just found this out I wanted to PASS this along to see if there are any to help....
Dear friends, Here's an email from another group I'm a member of re: status of shelters impacted by hurricanes and plans:----- Original Message -----
From: ANIMALLIFERAFT1@aol.com">ANIMALLIFERAFT1@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2004 11:35 PM
Hi, all. This is an email I just got from Diane Albers, the lady who is
coordinating (or trying to at least!) all the animals in FL who need to go to
rescues elsewhere to be put up for adoption.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PASS ON TO ANY REPUTABLE RESCUES YOU THINK MAY HELP BY
TAKING IN SOME ANIMALS OR ASSISTING WITH TRANSPORT
DON'T HIT "REPLY." CONTACT DIANE AT _DJA0218@AOL.COM_">_DJA0218@AOL.COM_
(mailtoJA0218@AOL.COM">DJA0218@AOL.COM)
To all that cared enough to call or send emails, thank you is too little to
say.
I do not know who started the email on Friday and although I believe they
had the best of intentions it truly created a problem as I was not able to get
calls in or calls out. It is now Tuesday and it is settling down a little now.
North West did assist in getting some animals out and for that we are most
thankful. None of the airlines have as yet (I still have hope) offered to do
any more shipping for free.
Cargo planes can be hired but they are very expensive. Sunday morning, we
did get one plane 134 animals off the ground from the West coast of Florida
with the help of a shelter there. The plane was met by two shelters and those
animals have a chance at a good life at their new homes. There are many more in
shelters that we have to get out and then there are all the ones in rescue.
I am trying to organize this operation and we still have another hurricane
heading for us.
These animals are for adoption. Fostered animals must stay in Florida so
that they can returned to their owners.
I am trying to put groups together around the country and then if possible
fly 125 plus into one airport. If I can get enough shelters to meet in one
airport to pick them up and share them to put up for adoption. Having done this
before it is easier to get smaller groups out to individual homes but we had
airlines to fly these animals free. We are also trying to put people together
to be able to drive them out to shelters and rescue. This process will take
time. The Charley animals are up for adoption now. They had to be held for 30
days and then there will be the Francis dogs. They will be up on Oct 3.
Owner surrenders are about all we have been able to get out so far. There are
also many animals in rescue groups.
The rescues and shelters must be low kill or no kill and they too have to be
checked to make sure they are responsible, reputable situations. If anyone
has contacts and or has any other ideas on transport, I would welcome them.I
will answer each email personally but it will take time. I still have to keep
up with day to day operations here. Again thank you for caring and I hope to
be in touch with each of you soon.
Diane J. Albers
401 Cardinal Oaks Ct.
Lake Mary, Fl. 32746
Please contact Diane email addy is above ^^^