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Wednesday, December 1, 2005 The hurricane season officially ended yesterday, November 30th--even while a tropical storm, Epsilon, is stirring in the Atlantic about 800 miles off the coast of Bermuda. With a record-breaking 26 named storms this season (surpassing the previous record of 21 storms in 1933), there has been a huge amount of devastation and displacement. And because the story is far from over, we're going to keep this page up for a few more weeks to try to keep on top of the news, including disturbing reports we've been hearing about pets in the affected areas. Most of all, though, we want to celebrate the rebuilding. We received a note Marc Becker at the Hotel Monaco in New Orleans who urges that people visit the Three Dog Bakery on Royal Street in the heart of the quarter, "where canine visitors always love the rich aromas and variety of experiences." Marc also informs us that the Hotel Monaco is gearing up for the reestablishment of normal services on February 1st. Also, see our most recent letter from Gerry of the Olde Town Inn who has moved back to the French Quarter in New Orleans to begin the busy work of cleaning up (below). Needless to say, we recommend that everyone patronize New Orleans in 2006. Not only will you be helping out the city and its businesses, but we guarantee you (and your canine buddy) will have a fantastic time. We'll certainly be heading there. "A quarter-million dogs and cats were likely left behind in New Orleans as people evacuated during Hurricane Katrina. Only a fraction -- maybe 15,000 -- may have been saved." This is according to an NPR Morning Edition story aired Friday, October, 14th. To read--or hear--more about this and other pet-related stories go to the NPR website. To read about the on-going animal rescue effort going on in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast area, go to AOL News - Trapped Pets Still Being Rescued. On the down side, Helping Animals is covering some horrible stories about the treatment of dogs by some officials in the areas hit hard by the storms. They also have information on PETA's House Government Reform Committee testimony and other related stories. As of 9/2/05, we've set up a Hurricane Information Exchange for people to share information. We were a little leery of doing so because some people take advantage of these bulletin boards. However, since Katrina has been so devastating--and it looks like this is going to be a wicked hurricane season--we figured we get one up in the hope it will help anyone in the path--or affected by--the storms to contact friends and family or get the answers they need. With regard to the lodgings, many hotel chains have sent us emails regarding their properties in New Orleans and along the Gulf coast. La Quinta has set up specific web pages that outline which properties have closed and are unable to accept reservations until further notice. In addition, they have a list of properties outside the New Orleans area that have been designated as primary accommodations for displaced residents and relief effort personnel. They have also set up toll-free contact numbers for individuals planning to travel to impacted areas, and provide information on how their Returns Loyalty Program members may redeem their points for donations to the American Red Cross. The web pages for the La Quinta and Baymont Inns properties are: http://www.lq.com/lq/misc/katrina/index.jsp http://www.baymontinns.com/lq/misc/katrina/index.jsp InterContinental Hotels Group which is comprised of Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza Hotels, InterContinental Hotels, Candlewood Suites, and Staybridge Suites has set up a dedicated hurricane assist line, 1-800-331-0573. If you previously made a reservation in the affected areas of Alabama, Arkansas, East Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi, you can call this number to make sure that your room is still available and wasn't overbooked due to the huge influx of evacuees. Priority Club Rewards Members can also donate points to the American Red Cross. To find out more, visit their Hurricane Katrina Update page. Choice Hotels which is made up of Comfort Inns, Comfort Suites, Quality Inns, Sleep Inns, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inns, has set up a Hurricane Disaster Response Site to keep you informed about the status of opened and closed hotels and what they're doing "above and beyond" the call of duty to help the local communities cope with the aftermath of Katrina. Due to the flood of evacuees, they have also a number (877-424-6423) to call to make sure your reservation can be honored. We've received an October 11th update from Gerry from the Olde Town Inn in New Orleans, who reports the following: I returned to New Orleans and Olde Town Inn on Saturday, October 1st. The term "war zone" came to mind as we were driving in, but then my fears were abated when I turned the corner and saw Olde Town Inn standing tall and proud. OK, so 3 buildings needed new roofs, so a few rooms had been damaged inside, so looters had had their way with a few of our rooms, so the office flooded about 4 inches, I could finally see for myself that the Inn had taken Katrina and stood firm! Kurt arrived a couple of days before me so the flags on the corner were already flying. Electricity was returned to us on the following Wednesday. Telephones were again working on Friday, although the switchboard wasn't operational until Monday. We don't know yet when gas and cable will be restored, but it will - and that is what matters! Through the efforts of some somderful friends from Minnesota, Alabama and Florida, we are well on the way to being cleaned up and (almost) looking like the welcoming and comfortable place Olde Town Inn has been and will be again. All of our available rooms have been taken by a FEMA contractor. Fortunately for us, that contractor is cleaning up the debris from the Marigny neighborhood (as well as some others), so our little area of the City is looking better and better. Admist the hammering, and drilling, and sheetrock, and screw guns, and front-end loaders, and dump trucks galore, we are blessed and happy that our homes and Olde Town Inn are safe and coming back to life. As for our staff, Kurt and I are the only two back so far. Glynda is coming back in early November, Linda is coming back even sooner. We have not heard from Marian in about 3 weeks, but we anticipate that she will be back sometime. The rest of our staff have relocated to California, Ohio, Arkansas, Kansas, Atlanta and Texas. It's a lot of work and there's a lot more to be done, but, brick by brick, room by room, roof by roof, day by day - we're making it happen! Give us a little while to clean and fix and remodel and improve - then please come to see the (truly) Greater New Orleans and the new Olde Town Inn! To each of you -- thank you for the thoughts, the prayers, the support, the volunteer efforts, the donations, and especially for allowing your deposits to roll over toward a future stay. I will send pictures and more information during this process to keep you up to date on our status. Kurt and I are anxious to see you -- hopefully soon! " As far as advice on how to handle pets during an emergency situation, check out our CASEY page (Caring for Animal Safety in Emergencies during the Year) from the Humane Society of the United States. It offers information on evacuation and a disaster supply checklist, among other things. The American Humane Association has a website www.americanhumane.org/disaster that will keep you updated with ongoing coverage from the field. Petfinder.com has a Hurricane Katrina Animal News update with the latest on animal welfare rescue efforts, emergency animal shelter facilities, and hotlines for residents to call regarding animals they had to leave behind (New Orleans only). Also, there is a website, Noah's Wish, that is dedicated to rescuing and sheltering animals in disasters throughout the United States and Canada. Visit them for updates and information on the animal shelter they have just set up in Slidell, LA. Also, you can make donations to help animal disaster victims, and learn how to become a volunteer. The American Kennel Club is also sponsoring a relief effort. They can be contacted at:
AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund
Fund Administrator There are still many animals that are left inside homes that need to be rescued. Pets & Animals in Distress has put out a SPECIAL ANIMAL BOLO ALERT and are asking anyone that may know someone that had to evacuate the disaster areas that had companion animals that they had to leave behind to please have them contact Pets & Animals in Distress at: contact@petsandanimals.org or call (954) 202-9991. They are compiling a list of animals that need to be rescued to pass on to affiliate relief organizations, rescue groups shelters and volunteers in those areas who are already on the ground rescuing stranded animals. When contacting Pets & Animals in Distress please include:
Contact/ Owners name There is also a free independent message board that has been set up at www.katrinasanimals.com to help with the listing of lost and found animals so they can be returned to their families. We wish everyone in the wake of Katrina a safe harbor, and we will keep you updated as more reports come in.
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