Pets in hurricane shelters

by winecountrydog

The scale of the pet evacuation and shelter efforts in the NOLA area before Hurricane Gustav dog-boggled my mind.

Lots of pets ended up in the state fairground shelter in the Shreveport area, about 340 miles northwest of New Orleans. (This is on Interstate 20, 150 miles east of Dallas – Fort Worth area in Texas.)

A local Shreveport human named Darrell Rebouche photographed the shelter pets on September 1st and uploaded the photos to flickr.com.

See all of Daddy D's great pet photos in the set "Hurricane Gustav Pet Shelter" at darebouche.

I'm glad that some of the kitties could sleep through the shelter noise and commotion.

Can you imagine the HSUS, the ASPCA, the LA SPCA, and all the other pet-helpin' organizations and individuals having to do all that movin' and shelterin' again!?

Hurricane Ike is expected to strengthen to Category 3 when it reaches the U.S. Gulf coast the end of this week. It could make landfall around east Texas, but it might hit Louisiana west of New Orleans, not far from where Gustav hit.

Careful! Phishing season is open

By winecountrydog

It's a weird day when a dog's gotta worry about cyber-crime. A doggone weird day.

But it's impawtant to know about info security and be on the lookout fur cyber-mean humans taking advantage of everybuddy during a time when we're all looking at news about the hurricanes.

Actually, any time there's a disaster or other big media event, the cyber-meanies can't seem to resist creating phony websites with domain names that sound just like the real thing.

We need to research the website owners to see if they're legitimate charities. Otherwise, we could be giving our contact info and our donations to some Animal Hater Co. instead of an impawtant animal welfare organization like the Louisiana SPCA.


Two paws up fur Stefanie Hoffman at The Channel Wire Blog fur bringing up phishing and other cyber-dangers in her piece "Phishers Exploit Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Hanna."

We already know about spamming. Phishing is something we dogs need to be careful about, too.

Here's what ChannelWeb Encyclopedia tells us.

Phishing
Pronounced "fishing," it is a scam to steal valuable information such as credit card and social security numbers, user IDs and passwords. Also known as "brand spoofing," an official-looking e-mail is sent to potential victims pretending to be from their ISP, bank or retail establishment. E-mails can be sent to people on selected lists or on any list, expecting that some percentage of recipients will actually have an account with the real organization.

E-Mail Is the "Bait"
The e-mail states that due to internal accounting errors or some other pretext, certain information must be updated to continue your service. A link in the message directs the user to a Web page that asks for financial information. The page looks genuine, because it is easy to fake a valid Web site. Any HTML page on the Web can be copied and modified to suit the phishing scheme.

Anyone Can Phish
A "phishing kit" is a set of software tools that help the novice phisher imitate a target Web site and make mass mailings. It may even include lists of e-mail addresses. How thoughtful of people to create these kits. In the meantime, if you suspect a phishing scheme, you can report it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at www.antiphishing.org. (See pharming, vishing, and smishing.)

The "Spear" Phishing Variant
Spear phishing is more targeted and personal. The e-mail supposedly comes from someone in the organization everyone knows such as the head of human resources. It could also come from someone not known by name, but with a title of authority such as a LAN administrator. Once one employee falls for the scheme and divulges sensitive information, it can be used to gain access to more of the company's resources.

You can read Ms. Hoffman's phishing blog here.

You can visit ChannelWeb Encyclopedia to learn more definitions of information security issues and other computing and Web topics!

Photo credit: Jackson Hill Photography

NOLA to "do this again"?

by winecountrydog

Today is the first day I've felt like my old dog-self since my many long weeks of recovery from back surgery. It doesn't matter that I can't jump anymore or stand on my hind legs to dance like I used to. I'm able to walk and prance around with a ball in my mouth, and to go up and down stairs without hesitation. I'm out of pain, and I feel doggone blessed.

But as I sit here paw-writing about my recovery, I have a heavy heart about the animals and humans in New Orleans and other Gulf Coast areas watching Hurricane Gustav approach.

Dog-ma has always told me it takes three years to heal from big losses. That's why I wanted to celebrate this week's 3rd anniversary of Katrina. I figured everybuddy would finally be healed.

But it wasn't to be. As of this afternoon, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has ordered a mandatory evacuation of the city. That changes the informal advice to flee from the approaching storm to an official order to get out.

Imagine all the distraught humans and animals in the path of Gustav -- now being called the storm of the century. It'll likely make landfall between East Texas and western Mississippi two days from now.

About one million people and countless pets along the Gulf Coast took to the highways today to escape Gustav.

One of those pets is a brown and white spotted hound dog named Lee Roy. He waited on a corner with his disabled human, Elizabeth Tell, said WRAL News. Fur three hours they waited fur a special needs bus to take them to the station. Lee Roy panted inside his kennel carrier as his upset human got more upset waiting.

A couple of St. Bernard Parish dogs and their four rabbit friends wanted to leave. They squeezed into their family truck alongside family belongings. Their humans, Gary and Deanna Sass, were reported by AP News to be hurriedly packing to get out before it's too late.

We all know that not everybuddy's gonna evacuate -- fur a variety of reasons. As one tired NOLA human summed it up: "I can't do this again."


Paw prayers out to everybuddy.

Pawnote: Woof thanks to all journalist-humans who continue to report news on site in the threatened Gulf region. Pawleeze, everybuddy, read the personal pet evacuation info at Louisiana SPCA (LA-SPCA).

Photo credit: LA-SPCA in New Orleans

New Orleans pets brace for Gustav on Katrina anniversary

by winecountrydog

For the second day in a row, I feel compelled to re-paw a verbatim press release about New Orleans pets and the efforts of the Louisiana SPCA to rescue and shelter those in need.

This isn't just another day in busy life of animal rescue: Today is the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Today was supposed to be a day of quiet remembrance and a dedication ceremony for the Katrina Pet Memorial. Instead, it's a day when nervous eyes in the U.S. Gulf are watching the approach of Hurricane Gustav.

Gustav seems headed to New Orleans. AP News reports the chance of New Orleans getting winds of 39 mph (63 kph) or more within next five days as 50 to 60 percent. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has declared a state of emergency to lay the groundwork for federal assistance. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said he would order a mandatory city evacuation within 72 hours if/when forecasters predict a Category-3 strike — or possibly even Category-2.

PAWLEEZE READ THE INFO POSTED BY LA SPCA:

Pet Owners Should Be Prepared to Activate Their Personal Pet Evacuation Plans
NEW ORLEANS, LA (8/28/08) – The Louisiana SPCA continues with the shelter evacuation of all its animals today through Friday. The transport will take place in advance of any mandatory evacuations so that shelter personnel will be able to return to the city and be able to assist as needed. The shelter remains closed to the public until further notice [after storm].

Although the exact path of Gustav is still unknown, LA/SPCA is urging pet owners to be prepared to activate their personal evacuation plans and evacuate with their pets should a mandatory evacuation be called. "This is not a time to panic," said LA/SPCA’s Ana Zorrilla, "but a time for pet owners to do a final review of their personal evacuation plans, and be ready to evacuate if needed."

Zorrilla said that should an evacuation be called, state officials will release information on multiple pet shelters that will be established throughout the state. The pet shelters will be adjacent to human shelters and the pet owners will be required to be with and care for their pets. The list will also be made available at Red Cross Welcome Centers along all contra flow evacuation routes. When pet shelter information is released by state officials, the locations will also be made available on our website.

Zorrilla said the state will not be setting up any pet shelters in Orleans Parish. "If there are people who do not have any means of transportation or have special needs, people should bring their pets to pick-up points designated by the city, but we stress very strongly that this should be a last resort," said Zorrilla. "We don’t want the public to rely on this as their best plan of action, but rather as their very last option."

Residents can search for pet-friendly hotels by going to PetsWelcome.com or TripswithPets.com. Zorrilla suggests that residents consider boarding facilities outside of the disaster area. "Although some may be full due to this being a Labor Day Weekend, we encourage pet owners to also look at boarding facilities that are not in disaster zones as another option."

Boarding facilities and hotels will require proof of vaccinations, which should be included in every person’s pet evacuation kit. The complete pet evacuation checklist, below, is also available in a detailed brochure. The brochure is available in three languages – English, Spanish and Vietnamese.


LA/SPCA PET EVACUATION CHECKLIST:
Place the following items in a waterproof container so you’re ready to go if you need to evacuate.

Dogs and Cats

• Your veterinarian’s contact name and phone number
  
• Copies of pet vaccination records
  
• Medications
  
• Leash
  
• Extra collar
  
• Food and water bowls
  
• Bottled water
  
• Toys
  
• Treats
  
• Paper towels
  
• Plastic baggies for picking up pet waste
  
• Muzzle, if necessary
  
• First aid kit
  
• Current photo of your pet
  
• 5-day supply of pet food and can with opener if you need one
  
• Kitty litter
  
• Small travel kitty litter box

Snakes

• Several pillowcases for transporting
  
• Water bowl
  
• Heating pad

Small mammals (in small carriers)

• Bedding material
  
• Food
  
• Food bowl and water bottle

Birds (in carrier with perch inside)

• Food
  
• Water mister

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Photo credit: LA SPCA

Rescue dog wine label for 3rd Katrina anniversary

By winecountrydog

August 29, 2008, is the third anniversary of the Katrina disaster and an occasion for solemn remembrance of lives lost and lives forever changed.

It's also an occasion fur animal lovers to support rescue and groups like the Dog Lovers Wine Club, who are showcasing New Orleans rescue dog Jack (not my buddy Jack Corgi) to help raise funds. The Louisiana SPCA in New Orleans is one of Dog Lovers Wine Club's Bark Partners.

I think it's purrfect that wine sales should support pet rescue! Jack, a Chow/German Shepherd, appears on a wine label gracing a 2006 Sangiovese from Santa Barbara County, California.


In support of this effort, I offer today's PR release verbatim:
Buellton, CA (PRWEB) August 28, 2008 -- Dog Lovers Wine Club commemorates the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by showcasing Jack, a rescued New Orleans puppy, in their current wine club shipment.


Jack arrived at the Louisiana SPCA in New Orleans in the spring of 2007 with his sister, Sasha, and a few other dogs. The group was treated for heartworms and scheduled to be sent to Maine to be adopted. Jack, a chow/shepherd mix, was fostered at Canine Connection, a doggie daycare and boarding facility. While he was there, he had a severe reaction to the heartworm treatment and nearly died.

The staff at the Magazine Street Animal Clinic saved him, and he returned to Canine Connection to be nursed back to health. All of the employees loved him, especially Jenna Matheny, who says, "Jack stole my heart the minute I saw his sad brown eyes. Whenever he would come out of his kennel to go outside, he would come and sit in front of me with his head down to be petted. He would follow me around the courtyard and would accompany me as I worked in the boarding area."

"Since Jack was too sick to be sent to Maine with his sister and the other shelter dogs, I decided that if I could find an apartment that allowed dogs, I would adopt him. As luck would have it, I found a beautiful house where Jack would be welcome, and on the very day that the other foster dogs were put on the transport truck headed to Maine, I adopted him," Jenny says.

"The SPCA warned me that his severe reaction could lead to residual heart problems and that because his heartworm treatment could not be completed, he may have a short life span. I was saddened to hear this, but I wanted to give him a good life for however long he may have left.

"As Jack adjusted to his new home, he filled out and his energy level increased. He was already housetrained when I brought him home, and has picked up 'sit,' 'shake,' and 'lie down' very quickly. He will put his paws up and beg if you tell him to 'sit pretty.' He comes to work with me at Canine Connection every day. He likes to play with the other dogs, but he really loves to lie up front and greet customers as they come in the door. I think this is mostly because everyone who comes in has to stop and pet him and tell him how handsome he is.

"Jack is now two years old and recently had his annual exam for his vaccinations. He still sees the veterinarian who saved him when he was so sick, and she gave him a clean bill of health. He is heartworm free and has no lasting damage to his heart. I am thrilled that our time together will be much longer than anyone originally thought!" says Jenny.

The Louisiana SPCA in New Orleans is one of Dog Lovers Wine Club's Bark Partners. As such, they receive donations from sales of wine and other products to support their programs. Following Katrina, LASPCA rescued hundreds of animals, reunited many with their lost families, and has since played a crucial role in disaster planning in the area with regard to animals.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
For more information, or to request video and images, pawleeze go to the club website, or call toll free 877-919-WINE.