NEW YORK, Sept. 3, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Noah's Wish, a not-for-profit organization that works exclusively to rescue and shelter animals in disasters, is rescuing animals from evacuated homes in Slidell, Louisiana. The pets are being housed at a temporary animal shelter and Noah's Wish is working with Slidell Animal Control to coordinate the rescue of hundreds of abandoned and stranded pets in the city of Slidell. The Animal Control building sustained extensive damage during Hurricane Katrina. Noah's Wish staff and volunteers on the ground do not have phone, cell phone or web access at this time and are unable to communicate outside the Slidell area. Noah's Wish is asking that pet owners from Slidell not call or send email, as communication is limited. Pet owners who live in Slidell need to come to Heritage Park to report a lost or stranded pet. Noah's Wish staff will be at Heritage Park from 8am to 7pm every day for at least the next 3 weeks. Pet owners must come in person to determine if their pet is at the shelter, as the number of pets being rescued is expected to reach the hundreds.
This temporary shelter will have the ability to house hundreds of animals. Trained Noah's Wish volunteers, veterinarians, and veterinary technicians will work around the clock to provide medical services, care and much-needed love and affection to these traumatized animals. Pet owners may pick up food and supplies from Noah's Wish volunteers in Heritage Park. Donations of pet food, blankets, dog kennels etc. may be left at Heritage Park.
"Yesterday, we found a Chihuahua sitting in a kitchen sink," said Terri Crisp, Founder and Director of Noah's Wish. "The waters in the house rose so high, the poor little guy got swept into the sink, where he remained when the waters receded." The Chihuahua was taken to the temporary animal shelter where he was checked by a veterinarian and provided food, water and a much-needed warm bed. All animals coming into the shelter will be tracked and Noah's Wish hopes to be able to reunite owners with their four-legged family members.
"Noah's Wish exists to help people as much as we do pets," says Crisp. "Temporary shelter for pets will be offered to residents who lost their homes and are unable to keep their animals with them in shelters or hotels." Noah's Wish also cares for wildlife. Yesterday, a baby squirrel was found among the rubble and was fed every four hours overnight by a volunteer. Trained Noah's Wish volunteers from around the country are taking time off work and paying their own expenses to travel to Louisiana to assist with pet rescue.
Donations are desperately needed and can be made at www.noahswish.org. Donations go directly to help the animals of this disaster and cash is preferred as it allows the organization to purchase the supplies needed. Questions should be emailed to info@noahswish.org or a message can be left at 530-622-9313.
Noah's Wish is a 501 c3 not-for-profit organization based in Placerville, California (near Sacramento). Donations may be mailed to Noah's Wish P.O. Box 997 Placerville, CA 95667
Reporters from news organizations can call Patricia Jones 347-306-2442 for interviews. Only messages from the media to this line can be returned.
All public inquiries/requests for assistance should be directed to info@noahswish.org or call 530-622-9313