It's not at the WRAL-TV site yet, but the station has just broadcast a plea for help for pets separated from their owners because of Floyd. Many of the pets are being cared for at Humane Society Disaster Services in Raleigh, (919) 715-9679, with the help of vets from the NC Veterinary Medical Foundation, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606. Lots of these animals are dehydrated or ill from drinking contaminated water and some have injuries from their ordeal.

If you donate food and water to Floyd victims, please think about donating dog and cat food too--maybe think about parakeets and other pets as well. (The Food Bank of NC is also accepting pet food.)

There is also a need for foster homes for some of these pets--if you live relatively close to eastern NC and can care for a separated pet, please call the Humane Society at the number above and they will put you in touch with the agency handling foster homes. It wasn't reported but I know from work in Camille that we needed foster homes for large animals--horses, mules, cows, etc. Please help if you can. Thanks.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), September 24, 1999

Answers

Thanks, Old Git. It shows there are also similarities to what could happen to many pets if the rollover is harsh or the economy suddenly tanks. One of my ongoing concerns has been that in suddenly very bad economic times (or if folks must leave their freezing abode), that many pets would be abandoned.

I spoke with my parents' shelter last weekend. I will be making a donation to be used strictly for emergency Y2K purposes. For instance, if they use it to buy food or supplies, then it must be held as an extra amount not be be used until needed for Y2K or until far enough into next year that it is clear the stockpile is no longer necessary. Or towards a generator, or whatever. (Individuals should also be stockpiling some food for their own pets and also for possible strays for the rollover.)

It also concerns me that the shelters could be overrun and would have to go with either an emergency fostering plan or increased euthanasia. In the event of civil unrest, I have an interest in a short term adoption of a noisy dog to help protect my home and my elderly parents over the rollover and to relieve the shelters, but I'm not sure I could convince a shelter that I was being responsible. I guess I could try discussing it with my local animal control officer.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), September 24, 1999.

Class post Git! I could guarantee I would foster home if I lived near NC.

-- CD (not@here.com), September 24, 1999.

Thanks, OG. I have sent your post to a friend at University of NC. Hopeful that he will get the word out to faculty and students that may be in a position to offer some assistance.

-- RUOK (RUOK@yesiam.com), September 24, 1999.

I KNEW there were a lot of animal-lovers on this forum! Two new things: apparently, all the PetsMarts have donation bins (which makes donating other than money a lot easier) and perhaps other pet shops/chains have donation bins too--why not call your local pet places to see? Finally, you can get rid of that fuzzy bed your cat hates because he'd rather sleep on newspaper! And WRAL has that piece on its site:

Friday September 24, 1999 04:47 PM

NC State Vet School Houses Pets Stranded by Hurricane

RALEIGH (WRAL) -- Hundreds of pets have been forced from their homes by the flooding in eastern North Carolina. Many of them will be staying at N.C. State's vet school until they can be reunited with their families.

The crates are set up. The paper is laid. Dogs rescued from the floods have a warm place to stay.

"These dogs were all found either swimming or in very small areas as the water was rising. They were pulled in by boats," said Melissa Forberg, Humane Society spokesperson.

Some of the animals have various health problems, broken bones and parasites from drinking contaminated water.

But the future is bright for many of the animals being cared for by the vet students.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to see some of the injuries and diseases that occur commonly," said Dr. Kelli Ferris.

The Humane Society is expecting more than 100 dogs and cats to be brought here. The goal is to give them food, shelter and tender loving care until their owners claim them or another home is found.

If you can identify one of these dogs, or would like to adopt one in the future, call (919) 715-9679.

If you would like to make a donation, call (800) HUMANE-1 or send a check to the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation at 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606.

You can also drop off pet supplies -- food, carriers -- at a trailer set up on Blue Ridge Road near the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Brooks, you and I think so much alike. I thought that if we can funnel resources to these folks now, it will result in fewer problems down the road, i.e., they'll have some money to spend on matching pets wth owners via local newspaper ads and finding homes for those whose owners might be dead or just not interested in claiming them. I have a feeling that pets will be banned in the temporary travel trailers set up for flood victims, just as they are in the evac shelter (where thousands still reside). They need a lot of help. Please don't hesistate, do it now. I've never really begged for anything from this forum and I'll be damned if I will now, but if you remember our sad time with our lovely old cat Nelson, please do it for him. Thanks. Be sure to mark monetary donations for Floyd victims.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), September 24, 1999.

Good one, Old Git.

Might also try contacting PetsMart...

http://www.petsmart.com/

And look into their PETsMART Charities in-store Luv-A-Pet adoption program. It is working with local shelters to save lives.

http://www.petsmart.com/ luv_a_pet/

Then contact them and suggest they publicize Floyd Pet Assistance on their site and in the stores (dont see it currently mentioned)...

http:// www.petsmart.com/help/contact_us.shtml

(Thinking of my beloved kitty-cats... Nelson too).

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 24, 1999.

As one of our pro-bono projects, we run a specific large breed rescue site. I haven't heard of any NC rescues needing homes from NC, but am keeping an eye out for such. People capable of and also interested in rescuing a powerful, fierce, and protective large breed dog, should let me know.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), September 24, 1999.

Stan, one of the dogs they showed was a very confused-looking pit bull. Another was a lab, but he was a pussy-cat. Er, I mean. . . And in a scan of the facility, I remember mostly large dogs. Stands to reaso--they're more likely to survive than the little ones.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), September 24, 1999.

Stan

How unlike you to "pussy-foot around". What breed are you saving friend? Me, I haven't room for another, got four now, but since PetsMart is next to Home Depot (my second home), I will give tomorrow when I make my weekly Depot stop.

Thanks for the heads up OG.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeed@yahoo.com), September 25, 1999.

Uncle D,

fila brasiliero

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), September 25, 1999.