on Animals FEMA passes the buck!

[Robert Oak]

I just received this email from FEMA, once again passing the buck and trying to blame local authorities.

Look at the first line, now that is that a proven lie or what?

We share your concern for animals and pets affected by Hurricane Katrina and hope the following information is helpful to you.



RESCUE



FEMA is not in a position to grant or withhold permission to enter areas. FEMA has not issued an order that animals could not be taken in evacuations. State and local law enforcement agencies control access to the areas and the evacuation. It is our understanding that Governor Blanco has now allowed animal rescue groups into the Louisiana disaster areas.



The Humane Society of the United States has deployed its Disaster Animal Response Teams to the affected areas to begin a multi-state animal rescue and recovery effort. If you know of an animal in the affected areas that needs rescue, please call the Humane Society’s Disaster Call Center at 1-800-HUMANE-1. You may also call 888-259-5431. For further information, including how to donate and latest press releases, please visit [e-mail].



Owners of animals that are trapped inside houses or are on rooftops should call the Humane Society, who will dispatch the information to their teams in the field. They can also contact the Louisiana State Veterinarian’s Office, which is coordinating information about animals stranded in Louisiana. You may also call 888-773-6489 or e-mail [e-mail] to leave information about the number of animals, species and location. Residents of other affected states may call [phone]. If you have animals that are being boarded in any of the veterinary clinics identified at www.vetmed.lsu.edu, you may call toll free 888-773-6489 for information about your pets. Please note the number may be out of order due to the hurricane.



Equine evacuation information is available for horse owners in coastal states by calling Bonnie Clark, Louisiana Horseman’s Guide publisher, at [phone] or [phone] or by e-mail at [e-mail].



LOST PETS



If you are looking for your lost pet, please note that many shelters across the United States are housing animals affected by Hurricane Katrina. To help in your search, please contact the Humane Society who can assist in determining the placement of animals from various locations in the disaster areas.



The main database of pets rescued and identified is being compiled by animal foundations and will be posted at www.petfinder.com. This website also lists other shelter and hotline information.



The following organizations are sheltering pets and helping owners find their lost pets:



The Louisiana State University, Shreveport

www.petfinder.com

www.uan.org

http://www.noahswish.org/Hurricane%20Katrina.htm



For information on Louisiana’s animal and pet evacuation and recovery plan, please visit www.veterinarypartner.com/content.plx?C=32&A=2123.



Please note that animal rescue groups brought many animals from Louisiana to Texas. For more information about animal relocations, please contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASCPA) and the Humane Society.



Please visit the following websites for more information:



http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer Be sure to see the Hurricane Rescue Diary which lists various staging areas for animals, and the TEMPORARY SHELTER LISTS link to the left.



http://www.spcahouston.org/spcahouston/Default.asp



http://www.spca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Homepage_Template_2004



If you are seeking shelter for pets or horses in Mississippi, please call the Mississippi Animal Rescue League at [phone] or visit “Planning for Animals in Disaster” at http:// www.mbah.state.ms, or call the Animal Health Emergency Hotline: [phone].



Mississippi Animal Rescue League
4395 South Drive
Jackson, MS 39209
Phone: [phone]

http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/MS41.html



To shelter pets or horses in Mississippi, please call the Mississippi Animal Rescue League at [phone] or visit “Planning for Animals in Disaster” at www.mbah.state.ms, or call the Animal Health Emergency Hotline: [phone].



For information on animals in Alabama, please visit: http://www.netpets.org/dogs/dogresc/alabama.htm and

http://www.gbhs.org/

http://muttcats.com/shelters/alabama.htm



To rescue feral cat colonies, please call 240-482-1997 or e-mail [e-mail].



DONATIONS/VOLUNTEERS



There may be many animal rescue groups and area shelters that are requesting donations and volunteers. We are currently aware of the following organizations:



Louisiana SPCA: http://www.la-spca.org/ This organization is requesting boats and volunteers.

The Humane Society of the United States: www.hsus.org

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: www.aspca.org and

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_emergency or you may call [phone], Extension 4516.

American Veterinary Medical Association: www.avmf.org.



I hope this information helps answer your concerns.



Sincerely,





FEMA Recovery Division



Please see the following links regarding disaster preparation for pet owners:



http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/disaster_preparedness_for_pets/index.html



http://www.fema.gov/library/petsf.shtm

[Robert Oak]

1. kick come on this is a blatant lie from FEMA n/t

[rumpel]

2. Again, who is in control?

"Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT), established by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and funded primarily by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), are working as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) to care for injured animals, as well as provide advice concerning public health issues."

These teams were deployed by FEMA on Sept 2. Why would FEMA deploy animal assistance if they have no authority to grant them access.

What are FEMA's responsibilities these days...

[shireen]

3. they seem confused about authority

but did provide good contact info, for what it's worth.

[Robert Oak]

4. exactly

That's why this email is so bogus.

They are literally responding to people concerned with a "blame the governor" email!

Even more bizarre, they put a "read receipt" on the email.

Me thinks they are more concerned with blame than doing their job.