It is hard to believe that a year has passed since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast. During that trying time many GMADers stepped in to help.

Green Mountain Animal Defenders? member and wildlife rescuer/rehabilitator Ellen Jareckie had been on the Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) list for six years without being called upon. That all changed when she was called into action to respond to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Ellen and her significant other, Mike, spent ten days in Northern Louisiana caring for animal survivors.

Ellen and Mike?s first few days were spent preparing a new shelter for strays from the disaster area. Dogs of all shapes and sizes arrived in trucks in the middle of the night, many terrified and starving. On arrival, each was photographed (to facilitate a reunion with human families) and given veterinary care. Ellen and Mike cared for a group of these dogs daily.

Many other GMAD members also made the trip to the Gulf Coast to help with the rescue efforts. For example, Chris Sullivan traveled there to join the efforts of Noah?s Wish for a week, but she stayed at their shelter in Slidell, Louisiana much longer. After one day of seeing the overwhelming need, she called GMAD to ask us to please send more help. In response, Whit Hewat, Keefer Irwin and Sharon MacNair volunteered for a week until the shelter was due to close.

At the end of January, another GMAD member, Lance Polya, journeyed south for eight days to help the organization called Best Friends. His journals, which are on the GMAD web site, detail his time there and truly help to paint a picture of the devastation and incredible rescue efforts.

Special thanks to June Davis, who funded some of the transportation costs for several GMAD members as well as for transporting three cats, one who is deaf, to their adoptive homes in Vermont. Two of these very fortunate cats were adopted by GMAD member, Monica Farrington. June?s generous support of GMAD?s efforts over the years has consistently helped us with our mission to protect animals.

More volunteers, especially trained ones, may be needed at any time. For more information on the upcoming Disaster Animal Response Training which is taking place in Boston, MA on September 8, 9 and 10, 2006 please contact The HSUS New England Regional Office at 802-368-2790 or atefft@hsus.org. Future trainings are available at: www.uan.org and Noah's Wish.

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