CAN-DO Animal Rescue:  Hurricane Katrina & Hurricane Rita

CAN-DO continues to work with our partners on the ground to help rescue animals in the Gulf Region. On Saturday, July 22, 2006, we, along with Gulf Coast SPCA/"Triple R Rescue" began our second animal transfer.

Claudia Beckman and Colleen Jefferson(co-founders Triple R Rescue) got the ball rolling. They drove an Enterprise rental van down from Illinois packed with crates and other animal supplies. Bob Putnam (CAN-DO, Director Of Operations, Gulf Coast) and Dale Nelson (Triple
R) joined with Barbara McKenzie (Gulf Coast SPCA) at a shelter in Gautier, MS and the criteria was established for this latest transfer.

July 26th was established as our departure date. Concern for the late July heat wave forced us to formulate a plan which would allow a maximum number of animals to be moved, without overcrowding. Kennel Cages were tagged and measured to determine exactly how many animals were candidates for the transfer north.

Only animals slated for adoption or destruction were eligible for transport. Out of 150, 77 dogs were determined to fill this criteria. Each animal was photographed and e-mails with pictures were sent to rescue groups and adoption programs throughout Minnesota. We then waited for confirmation that certain animals would be received throughout the Minnesota area. Written or verbal confirmation was received for 70 of the 77 animals posted; this meant that someone, somewhere, had room for these animals .

Relieved that our canine friends had somewhere to go, we immediately began the necessary medical evaluations. All animals were examined, bathed and de-flea'd. An outbreak of tics(common in MS) meant taking the dogs and using a medical shampoo; all affected were given another bath. Dogs that showed any signs of illness were brought to a vet and treated. Crates and animals were paired off so that the amount of space in the vans could be determined. The transfer was given a dry run; crates were packed into the vans and capacity was determined. Unfortunately, the unusual temperatures forced us to reduce our maximum capacity. This would at leave some animals behind, but insure that many be placed into loving homes in minnesota.

All, said, on Thursday, July 27th, 62 dogs and 20 cats began the transfer to Minnesota.

Within minutes of leaving the shelter, the group started to experience problems. The D/C convertors, used to power fans that circulate the air conditioned air began failing. A quick stop replaced the faulty units and acquire spares in case the problem persisted. Fans were strategically placed so that cages in the back of the vans had quality air flow. After re-powering, the first few hours were quiet and uneventful. However, at a stop hours later, it was determined that the heat from the road was not taken into consideration. All animals showing signs of heat exhaustion were wetted and iced to lower their core body temperatures. With the extremely high heat, more frequent stops for watering were required. Each rest stop took about 2 hours to complete. and the entire transfer took 40 hours to complete.

"This is the second transfer that I have had the privilege of participating in. The first was very emotional as I was able to interact with the pets at the kennel, and then later saw them welcomed into no-kill shelters. We rescued 37 dogs on that transport. All together the women of Triple R Rescue have relocated over 800 dogs to date. Unfortunately, as fast as we loaded the vans for transport, people were walking into the shelter and relinquishing their pets. On Friday evening during the transport we received a call that the shelter was again at max capacity. while in transit we received a phone call saying that a florida rescue group was in the area and had picked up the 15 dogs that we didn't have room for." (Bob Putnam)

CAN-DO works with one shelter at a time trying to alleviate the burden placed on them. Adoptions along the gulf have been weak at best. This one shelter receives 10 to 20 new animals everyday and are not funded to transfer animals themselves. They are very leery of many of the groups that use "rescue" loosely. The criteria that we use is very specific and is required to insure that these animals are not exploited and used for financial gain or laboratory research.

3RD ANIMAL TRANSPORT COMPLETE
Monday, September 11, 2006, 12:26
PET TRANSPORT UPGRADE

In late July CAN-DO obtained a 34' motor home thanks to the generosity of web-donor, "Ray M.". Our original plan was to use the motor home as our central office while still on the Gulf Coast. However, after the introduction of our -Pet Evacuation Proposal- to congress, we were eager to put our plan into action.


With time running out on the fate of these animals we made a quick decision to gut the RV (to hold more animals) and begin transport immediately. Greg Beckman flew from Illinois to New Orleans and met Bob Putnam, in Pearlington,MS to start the procedure of gutting the RV. We removed the entire interior cabin; both captain chairs, a dinette table and a sleeper sofa. We then removed the mattress from the rear bedroom, closet doors and bathroom door to insure maximum air flow. We were able to stack 64+ carriers in the renovated interior, allowing us to transport four times as many animals much efficiently then our previous transports. A local mechanic gave the RV a thorough once over and determined that all mechanical equipment was in good
working order.

August 14th
On Monday, Bob Putnam communicated with Claudia and Colleen by e-mail and phone as to which animals were going to available for the transport north. After e-mailing pictures we connected rescue groups, no-kill shelters and foster homes(in Minnesota) to determine how many of the candidates could be placed. After getting confirmation back, Barb, Greg and Bob tagged the shelter kennels that contained the animals confirmed for transport. After checking the animals for fleas, tics and overall health, they were given shots and placed into our new rolling animal transport vehicle.


Using all available space, the shower and closet were converted into make shift holding areas. We were finally able to load 74 dogs and puppies into the RV.



August 22nd.
The idea was to be able to have access to all carriers so as to limit the amount of time spent cleaning, watering and feeding to occur while the rv was in motion. The generator ran according to plans and the front and back A/Cs kept the dogs at a normal core temperature. With the way the system worked, we were able to travel further without having to stop and unpack the cargo. Gas stops were more frequent and by splitting the driving responsibilities both greg and bob got to relax more than on other transports, (Gas average $1200. both ways). Two stops were made to walk the dogs and each averaged just under 2 1/2 hours. All told the transport from MS to Minn. took 28 hours. What is usually packed into 2 cargo vans(rented) were placed in the RV. Using the buddy system Bob and Greg were able to us less man power to transfer more animals.

Upon arriving in Minnesota, Bob and Greg were met by Claudia Beckman(Greg's wife),Colleen Jefferson, and around twenty members of various animal groups who helped in exercising and cleaning the animals and their cages. It was quite a sight to see 74 dogs and puppies in one area. We used an outdoor hockey rink as the holding pens for the small dogs and puppies. As they were getting acclimated with their new surroundings, Bob,Greg,Claudia and Colleen discussed the hand off to the rescue groups. With the ladies able to concentrate on finding homes for the pets, dogs were dropped in a pre-arranged order making the process orderly and time efficient.




With all animals delivered to their new homes, the next few days were spent cleaning and disinfecting all carriers and the RV. At that time we realized that things with the rv were not quite right. The air conditioners would not run simultaneously, something they had done for the transport. The engine started sputtering and sounded as though it was on its last leg. Tom Jefferson put Bob in touch with his local mechanic who gave the rv a thorough going over. First attacking the engine, all plugs, wires and caps were replaced. All vacuum hoses were also replaced. On completion, the mechanic reported that we were only operating on 4 cylinders (of 8) but that the engine was not severely damaged. As of right now the rv is once again in good working order and we will continue our transports. Our goal in the future is to raise enough money to enact our (LINK)Pet Evacuation Proposal.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE PEOPLE FOR MAKING THE DONATIONS THAT MADE THIS TRANSPORT POSSIBLE. (70+ dogs and puppies are now safe thanks to you)