I have a number of friends in New Orleans who haven’t been able to get to their pets. Many were out of town when Katrina hit and are just now trying to figure out what’s going on. A looter actually broke into one friend’s house, saw her cats, and gave them water and food to last a week! He called her to inform her that her cats are ok and that he left food and water. Can you believe that? But in any case, what resources are there available to help her and others retrieve their pets? They have ordered the forced evacuation of the entire city so a number of my friends there are seriously considering defying the edict to rescue their pets. Any advice you have that I could pass on on which organizations to contact would be greatly appreciated.

Lawrence,

The pet stories are the ones that really break my heart the most. I've decided to donate to the Humane Society of the Unites States. I'm pretty sure Margo already gave the link, but here it is again.

https://secure.hsus.org/01/disaster_relief_fund_2005?

I sure hope our donations can help these helpless critters.

Lawrence

Today's LA Times (I think - I read 4 papers a day) had a story about the ASPCA having rescuers breaking into homes to rescue pets. They only need addresses and descriptions.

Kathy,

Bless their hearts!!!

Today's LA Times (I think - I read 4 papers a day)

Kathy: Please tell me you quickly scan them like I do - not enough hrs in the day for me to read all those papers!!!!

I missed it because I only read 1 newspaper per day (Wall Street Journal).

Yes, JoAnna -

I scan and read what is of interest. Lot's of times the papers have picked up the identical news story by AP or another news service.

Yes I notice that too Kathy - I read the New York Daily News for a little trash -

And don't forget the NY Post!

Oh yes Page Six of the New York Post - good gossip!!!!

And just what you all scan while standing in the grocery line? Enquiring minds need to know.

Let's see - I try to cram in as many quick free reads as I can so I never mind being at end of long line - from Traditional Home to National Enquirer -

Betty - I don't go to the grocery store. if I do it's to the gourmet one that doesn't have the National Enquirer at the checkstand. they have Gourment, Martha Stewart Living and Real Simple at the checkstand and Godiva Chocolate! Frank goes to the store that has the National Enquirer at the checkstand.

I know most of us have given, but if not please consider the following link:
https://secure.hsus.org/01/disaster_relief_fund_2005?source=drfhbp

These poor animals need our help so desperately and they need it IMMEDIATELY!

Well, flipping through the National Enquirer while in the check-out line is a highlight for me. I just can't sleep at night until I know more about how aliens (or the Illuminati - pick your favorite) are sponsoring Hillary Clinton and Newt Gingrich to team up in the first ever co-ed 2-person bobsledding event at the next Winter Games.

Guess you will just have to call me trailer trash since I go Krogering at least once a week. You can take the educated girl from an educated family out of Oklahoma, but I guess you just can't take the Okie or BoHunk (nasty slang for those of Czech descent) out of the girl.

Well, Betty, we can go shopping together! I go to Ralph's Market (which is a Kroger company!). We could bring a thermos of martinis....but would we remember our meal plans? Who cares!!

Marcie, HSUS was our first donation. They seemed to be doing the most with the least and not talking to the press about it.

(nasty slang for those of Czech descent)

My son in law's name is "Brazda" - Bohemian - another friend "Cerveny" - I have to tell you, Betty, both families are so incredibly intelligent and educated I feel like a goof head when I am with them - they dwell on the arts, music, theater - but also so down to earth - I know for a fact my son in law shops at Publix and reads Playboy - what a guy!!!

Ralph's Market

Did that market in Marina del Rey - great cold cuts, prepared foods etc - and the NE!!!!

Marcie - That's the one I'm donating to!!!!!

Marc, glad to hear they are doing good things with the money (and not hyping it to the press!)

P.S. Marcie - so much for me taking a break from LCT!!! It is even more addicting than I realized - :)

Cyndi, we're all happy you're back!! Glad you're donating to such a very worthwhile cause!

JoAnna,

The Ralph's in Encino and in Marina del Rey are pretty nice. Yes, both Kroeger stores now. Publix is similar, I think. We also have Vons and Pavillions which are Safeway stores. Gelsons is the upscale grocery, but, my favorite and Bristol Farms is owned by Albertson's but is tres chic prepared foods and very expensive but worth it if you are cooking and not dining out.

Yes, the HSUS and ASPCA are working and helping the poor puppies and kitty kats (and the others too!) There are several groups working together to aid these little helpless creatures. The other thing that you can do is adopt a homeless pet to make room in the shelters for the victims of the hurricane. Many of these animals will be shipped far from home and will need love and care. I am trying to get Frank to say three isn't a crowd.

I also like Best Friends (bestfriends.org).

http://news.bestfriends.org/index.c...atid=04061773-BDB9-396E-9001EF6EC01318A4

Masaki

Great organizations and people involved in the pet rescue efforts. They sure could use more people to lend a helping hand. I'd be down there if I were not working and was financially able to take time off to do so.

Dear All;
I hope we made the right decision; we donated to one of them on the TV news, Noah's Wish, I think. Sent them a check. They are out of CA.

I am sure it is happening all over the USA, here in STL people are calling the Humane S. and putting their names in to keep the pets till the owners are in better shape to take care of them.
Thanks, Bob

Bob, Noah's Wish is a good one!

For those looking on websites remember that if it is a legitimate non-profit charity the website will likely end in .org IF IT ends in .com, it may be a scam (so sad that crooks take advantage of honest people in such a desperate time!!) Websites that end in .org are carefully screened.

Marcie - Unfotunately, the domain name ending of .org is not a guarantee of the non-profit status or even the real identity of the entity. There is no screening done by the registrar companies which grant domain names. As is stated on the website of the Public Interest Registry (PIR), which manages the .ORG top-level domain name and maintains the database of all .ORG Internet addresses, the domain is open and unrestricted.

"4. Can I register a .ORG domain name?
Yes. .ORG always has been -- and will continue to be -- an open and unrestricted domain. Anyone is allowed to register and use .ORG domain names.

.ORG is the home for millions of nonprofit Web sites, including charitable, artistic, scientific, personal, educational, social, cultural and religious sites.

.ORG sites are run by clubs, incorporated and unincorporated not-for-profit organizations, industry associations, families, individuals, schools, foundations, and more. Even for-profit companies have .ORG sites devoted to their noncommercial activities, such as charitable or volunteer programs.

Many noncommercial organizations conduct commerce to support their activities. Examples include clubs that raise funds, hospitals, noncommercial Web sites that run advertising to support their operations, etc."

Because it is an open registration system, companies which are totally scams can use the .org ending, just as mail-order diploma factories can use .edu domain names.

It appears that the safest route for our donations is to use well-known and established charities, such as HSUS, or others for which someone we trust can vouch.

Cheers, Fred

Thanks Freddie, I didn't realize that. I only knew that the non-profit charities I've contributed money, time and volunteer work to ALL ended in .org and were screened.

I feel better after reading this thread, since we donated to the Humane Society. I am so glad to see there are those that will go and rescue these poor little critters, and some big ones, too! I thought about fostering some cats, but we already have 3 and I am not sure I could really handle more.

I love the HSUS. These people are relentless in their job to save these precious critters. But it's "all of us" out there making a difference. There are so many small home grown groups which are wonderful in a disaster like this. My sister-in-law has a ranch outside of San Antonio. She & her husband are transporting a lot of horses & larger dogs coming from the delta region of La., Baton Rouge area, & Jefferson County, La. The help comes from everywhere.
-michele