So you think animal rescue efforts are all wrapped up? We expect to recover 10,000-15,000 animals in the Gulf Region with a massive trapping program in the next 6 months. You better read and watch the video of my latest trip the the Gulf Region in the 2nd post below (scroll down).

If you have lost your animal during Katrina or Rita please email: ericrice3@comcast.net and search on petharbor.com and petfinder.com

If you are a shelter or rescuer please review to see if you have these lost pets. These owners are devestated. Click Here

First How Hard is it to find and get back your pet if you are a desperate owner?Answer: It Is HARD!

Listen to Renee in an Interview and the story of her Lost then Dognapped Beagle "Chat" that her family was forced to leave at a bus stop after they successfully got the dog out of the city:
Click Here For Audio Interview

Read Renee's Saga To Get Chat Back: Click Here
Chat Reunion Pictures: For Pictures Click Here
See the Chat Reunion Video: Click Here For Video Reunion


Kickoff Conference Call to Bring Needed Funds and Resources Back to the Gulf Region

Listen to last nights kickoff conference call with "Best Friends" Organized by Joe Trippi, Howard Dean's Campaign Advisor. He specializes in Internet "Get the Word Out Campaigns". This is an interesting piece. Please send people here to hear it. Anyone that questions the incredible intentions of Best Friends or wants to know the needs of recuers still on the ground should listen (it is an mp3 and has 6 minutes of music that you should forward through before the call starts: For Audio Click Here


Can groups work together to save animals? I hope so. So I requested that Wayne Pacelle the CEO sign Best Friends Petition. I think HSUS can help set the pace and revitalize people to look at the Gulf area again. Any attention they bring will help with everything from adoption to a continued flow of volunteers.

It should be noted that I have kept in touch via email with both Wayne and Bernie Unti at HSUS. Both have responded quickly to any requests I made on a few issues. They are supporting several groups. My wish is that they would become more vocal about the continued animal welfare recovery effort and plight of the Gulf Region.

Here is what they post on the website about continued efforts in the Gulf:
Click here

I will give more on the situation of Tara High in a few days. Things are bad in Mississippi and they get little press coverage.

I hope Wayne doesn't take my email the wrong way. I think it 100% the right thing to do for him to sign the petition.

My email to Wayne:

----- Original Message -----
From: Eric Rice
To: WPacelle
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 10:57 PM
Subject: Will You Sign?


Wayne,

In the last 2 weeks it has become apparent to many of us that The GULF Region is in dire need of continued assistance. Regardless of arguments about the number of animals in New Orleans the entire region is devastated and it is showing.

In my email to you about Tara High at Humane Society of Southern Mississippi and her desperate plea for support, you quickly stepped up and got her a phone call
from your people who can help her. So I know you have the willingness to help where HSUS can

Tara's been living without the support needed to clean up after Katrina. She has 26 miles of coastline that needs trapped and export needs for the population explosion at her shelter. Her shelter took 5 feet of water during Katrina. It is operable but not the best situation. She was in the middle of building a new shelter but the reality is that her donor base is largely unable to support her as they need to rebuild the houses they own that got destroyed. Miss. has huge needs that went largely ignored due to the press focus on New Orleans.

St. Bernard Parish has virtually no animal control and no shelter. Plaquemines Parish has far out sections that look similar to the coast of Mississippi and have animals that need taken off the streets.

Of course things are not back to normal in an area of such total devastation.

I see at this site you are still doing much to help the Katrina situation and more people should know about your continued efforts.
Click here to see the HSUS Katrina Updates

Best Friends has a petition that has been signed by 31,500 people as of tonight simply asking for a renewed focus on the area. Will you sign it?

http://network.bestfriends.org/Petitions/Detail.aspx?pn=2

You might think it funny to sign a Best Friends Petition but in all honestly there are so few of us who protect animals in the world that we all need to stick
together, work together and organize to get jobs done. What you support today they will support of you tomorrow I have no doubt.

Signing this will put your critics back in place. It will show other large organizations that we all need to take a look at how we can continue to respond when so many are asking for help.
It will help bring legitimacy back to supporting this region on more short term and long term animal welfare efforts. Please help. I sign all of the petitions you email me -- Black Bear Hunts, Horse Slaughter, Puppy Mills. Elephant Rides to name a few. Petitions must be good as many as I get.

You more than anyone have the ability to say we see a need and we will help. What you do others will follow.

So will you sign?

Regards,

Eric Rice
PS. Riding around in a truck with Dave Pauli for the day during the LASPCA Assessment was quite interesting (in a good way).

My favorite must see blog stuff:

1. My own favorite Post: Click here
2. Best video footage: Click here
3. This blog has the BEST PICTURES so far of Katrina Animals. It is all pics and good ones Click here Warning pics of dead animals.
4. School shooting story WITHOUT ANY GORY PICS -- and ton of other great pics Click here
5. And this is one of our groups blogs --
Click here
6. Most amazing photography: I mean must see: Click here
7. To reunite pets with owners: Click here
8. Watch a Pitbull video Click Here
9. Chat makes it home after being dognapped by Brew Beagle for 8 weeks http://booknote.blogspot.com/ (nov 23 blog entry)
10. Vermillion Parish Needs Help http://vermillionanimalaid.blogspot.com/

 

  Please enter your email on the right so I can stay in touch with this great network of people that cares so much about our work!!!

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED.
Please visit www.animalrescueneworleans.com about volunteering.
AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com

See great Video’s Below of my 2nd trip to New Orleans Nov 12-Nov 16th (Videos are in Quicktime and needed placed in a new Browser).

Best Friends Comprehensive Assessment Of Gulf Region
Read Assessment

Best Friends Petition to bring money dedicated for Katrina Animals Back to the region
SignThePetition

This week was marked by lots of data showing that the entire GulF Region has serious and continued animal welfare problems from Katrina and Rita. New Olreans got lots of attention. It irks me to no end that big groups went in for a month or so and then lost interest. Best Friends deserves our praise. They are still on the ground, they are spending money, they are intaking animals and they are helping out with EVERY situation that comes to their attention. They also spent money on an assessment of the entire Gulf area and determind that we still have much work to do.


My Day 1 Trapping Results, Nov 12, 2005:

If we are bringing in these kinds of numbers with a small # of traps then just extrapolate out to see how many animals still need rescued....

ARNO: 27 dogs (I was on site and counted myself)
Winn Dixie: 13 Dogs
LASPCA: 30 dogs (approx as reported by them)
Muttshack: 9 dogs

X 7 DAYS = would be 553 total for week. Some disasters only have that number total for the entire disaster. (Note: other days appeared consistent with this and yesterday Nov 18th Animal Rescue New Orleans brought in 32 both cats and dogs).

This week Alley Cat Allies and ARNO trapped approximately 50 cats from one trailer park to be bulldozed. This was in Jefferson Parish.

It is my belief because of what I have now seen with my own eyes is that these numbers of trapped animals can be retained by all groups and increased with more traps and with more places to Export animals. It does not take long in the field with “Navy Seal” type trapping teams to locate many packs of animals.

A Navy Seal trapping team uses intelligence to find hiding packs. The people I was out with had 8 different units of the National Guard telling them where they saw animals as they drove around ALL night. The Guard are the only ones on the streets 24/7 and they patrol a dedicated area seeing everything. Even when they told us specifically where packs of animals were it took us hours to find where the pack consolidated at night. You simply don't see many of these animals.

Here is my video: (you must put each link in your browser) Please do not cut and past my video to other site but please refer people to my website to watch so that I can collect email addresses for the future!

Video #1:
http://animalboy.com/rescue/dogshollynick.mov
This is dogs coming in by 1 trapping team (27 that day total), Holly at morning meeting talk, and Nicky an ACO and responder to many disaster situations:

Video #2:
http://animalboy.com/rescue/chows.mov
Pack of Chows found and trapped. One chow was missing an ear see picture below.

Video #3:
http://animalboy.com/rescue/coverall.mov
An experienced trapper describes the animals she brought in and tells how she is finding multiple packs.

Video #4:
http://animalboy.com/rescue/corrolla.mov
Trapper Corolla with multiple years experience explains what she sees in the field.

News Clip on 50 Cats Rescued in Kenner:
http://www.wafb.com/Global/category.asp?C=38708



Pictures:
Chow with ear gone and rotted. Luckily Best Friends has vets.


Lab trapped with Pack of 20 dogs located in brick yard. Just as Friendly as he was 3 months ago.


Same Lab as above after I made my friend Jim rent a car 1 way and drive him 22 hours to my house in Maryland. Jim loved me for that.


Pit in same pack of 20


Does this Pit look agressive? It is the one in the page above.


Brick Yard where the pack of 20 dogs live. This is why it is so hard to find animals. This yard had one entrance but once inside you found animals everywhere.


Recent Morning Meeting where they talk about respect for the citizens and laws of the state


Video #1:  target="new">Dogs, Holly, Nick (Quicktime, 60MB)

 

This is dogs coming
in by 1 trapping team (27 that day total), Holly at morning meeting talk, and
Nicky an ACO and responder to many disaster situations:


Video #2:  target="new">Chows (Quicktime, 19MB)

Pack of Chows found and
trapped. One chow was missing an ear see picture below.


Video #3:  target="new">Coverall (Quicktime, 2MB)

An experienced trapper
describes the animals she brought in and tells how she is finding multiple
packs.


Video #4:  target="new">Corrolla (Quicktime, 56MB)

My old favorite stuff:

1. My own favorite Post: Click here
2. Best video footage: Click here
3. This blog has the BEST PICTURES so far of Katrina Animals. It is all pics and good ones Click here Warning pics of dead animals.
4. School shooting story WITHOUT ANY GORY PICS -- and ton of other great pics Click here
5. And this is one of our groups blogs --
Click here
6. Most amazing photography: I mean must see: Click here
7. To reunite pets with owners: Click here
8. Watch a Pitbull video Click Here
9. Chat makes it home after being dognapped by Brew Beagle for 8 weeks http://booknote.blogspot.com/ (nov 23 blog entry)
10. Vermillion Parish Needs Help http://vermillionanimalaid.blogspot.com/

 

  I will have an update and video on the blog in 2-3 days from my recent 5 days in New Orleans. I met with Laura Maloney LASPCA, met with Ciely Trog who runs St. Bernard Animal control, went on the LASPCA assessement, spent time with Jane Garrison and Richard at WD, drove to Tylertown to get a Little Black lab we rescued and delivered to MD (my buddy loved that as I rented him a car one way and said "you don't mind driving 24 hours to save this little dog do you?"), I went trapping with Marilyn and others, I found packs of dogs on my own, I spent 3 hours with a National Guard unit who showed me many packs of dogs, I found the owners of 3 dogs Marilyn had just trapped a few days before by asking neighbors if they knew who owned them, lady started crying hysterically when I called her about the dogs...Had an insightful trip. Have good news and bad news.

Eric

A little lesson on why we keep doing what we do for animals and OWNERS! This is Porsche. He spent 10.5 weeks on the streets and then was rescued within blocks of his house just days ago. How many Porsches remain? I think thousands. And what if is only 4? Why in the world would anybody care if we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars of our own money to chase 4 little dogs around the city to catch them and return them for their owners?

Most of the smear against rescuers makes very little common sense but neither does most silly things humans fight over. Welcome Home Porsche and I won't give up on you and your friends no matter how much money I spend and how nuts people think I am. I wonder who you (Porsche) would vote on to be in charge of your rescue..Me or the LASPCA?

Wait till you see the pictures I post of my little Lab boy who was with a pack of 20 dogs but decided he would rather jump in my rental car and get back to his couch situation. He is happy and at my house.



First time here? Read the Oldest Posts and LOOK AT PICTURES at the links below. Words can't describe what rescuers saw once they hit the ground.

1. My own favorite Post: Click here
2. Best video footage: Click here
3. This blog has the BEST PICTURES so far of Katrina Animals. It is all pics and good ones Click here Warning pics of dead animals.
4. School shooting story WITHOUT ANY GORY PICS -- and ton of other great pics Click here
5. And this is one of our groups blogs --
Click here
6. Most amazing photography: I mean must see: Click here
7. To reunite pets with owners: Click here
8. Watch a Pitbull video Click Here

 

  Eric Rice sheds perfect citizen record in Baltimore and returns to New Orleans disguised as animal rescuer to spray paint, break and enter, loot, steal, drink, trespass. Vows to feed and water animals on streets despite it being capital offense.

 

  I AM ASKING EVERYONE TO REGROUP AND RECOMMIT. THE #1 NEED IN NEW ORLEANS AND SAINT BERNARD IS VOLUNTEERS. SEND EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO www.ericsdogblog.com TO ALERT THEM.

This is why we are still doing this. This dog was found on the streets
showing that animals like this have been missed-- Thousands like him are hiding and coming out at night. In Saint Bernard packs roam the woods.
http://www.geocities.com/nibbles141/candy.html

It is becoming apparent that a second crisis is emerging. That crisis involves a large number of remaining animals combined with a low volunteer to animal ratio.

I make the case that on a ratio of “on the ground personnel” to “animals” we are far worse off now than we were at the end of September (and animals are coming out of the woodwork)

Let me explain. The animal population over the last month has not decreased significantly but the volunteer base has decreased significantly so that our “volunteer ratio” is at an all time low. Progress is becoming slow. We can’t sustain lives long enough to trap animals because we can’t keep them fed.

What is happening to produce a second crisis:

1. Thousands of animals remain, the ones that were hiding during the day so not seen during Crisis 1.
2. Call ins of animals “in need” is increasing daily
3. The small group of volunteers is locating thousands of places where the animals are hiding out. Thousands. Once we find them we have to keep them fed.
4. The remaining animals are not being adequately fed and watered
5. People simply are NOT returning home to New Orleans. Parts of the city are a ghost town.
6. The animals are breeding in full force
7. Trapping is a slow process and it will take months to clear these animals
8. Local Animal Controls at the Parish level were decimated by Katrina and are in rebuilding mode. As dedicated as they might be no one agency is going to solve this crisis.
9. The state and federal gov’t are in recovery vs rescue phase. This places the control back at the Parish level.

The current command and control structures appear to be inadequate to deal with such an on going crisis. Nobody imagined a crisis of this magnitude for people, let alone animals. The reality is that the legal authority now is the Parish and in Orleans Parish that is the LASPCA and in Saint Bernard Parish virtually no animal control is functioning. From a strict legal standpoint the state and federal government are doing their jobs. However, from a practical standpoint someone needs to pick up the ball and take it to the goal line because the LASPCA can’t handle the burden alone. Who exactly is that someone?

There is no way anyone can handle all of this alone, whether it be any one rescue group (Alley Cat Allies, Jane Garrison, Muttshack or Winn Dixie) or the LASPCA. The LASPCA through no fault of its own is in rebuilding status and the remaining rescue groups are understaffed themselves.

The emerging data is that we have a huge problem on our hands, more enormous than anyone thought we would have going into month 3.

The LASPCA has made it clear to us that they have a hard time credentialing “anyone who just shows up” due to legal issues of being responsible for all of those volunteers with no real way to manage them. On the other hand they are “ok” with the work that grassroots groups are doing and don’t interfere.

Given today’s crisis we don’t have time for anything other than to immediately send volunteers to Jane Garrison at www.animalrescueneworleans.com

Have them contact: katedanaher@animalearthhuman.org

Let’s be creative. How can you get volunteers to Jane Garrison to feed? If every person reading this got just one volunteer our problems would be solved. Let’s get the word out again.

1. Revisit your list of former volunteers. I have gotten several people to go ahead and commit to trip #2 once they heard what is happening.

2. College Strategy #1: You could sponsor college student at $8-10 an hour. Run an ad in the school papers at $50 or so a week. (LSU is the main school but I bet you can dig up others and community colleges)

3. College Strategy # 2: Fraternities would love this kind of thing. LSU has many. Start calling them.

4. Call your local animal community – Vets, Kennels, etc…Any place that has animal lovers. Let them know they can still save thousands by feeding and watering during a 3-7 day tour in New Orleans. You will be surprised at how many have no knowledge of the ongoing crisis. GET EMAIL ADDRESSES AND START FORWARDING THEM INFO. Fax them updates as well.

5. I am sure you guys can find more ways to find volunteers??? Local Papers?

Be nice if we could get some new revitalized support from big groups. I heard EARS sent 25 to EDNAH, how about just 10 to New Orleans.

Have volunteers contact: katedanaher@animalearthhuman.org


This is not over. This was the “perfect storm” for an animal disaster. I think it was 100x worse than anything previous.

 

  Special Guest Hero: Marilyn McGee

Marilyn and Lexi (I worked with Lexi on many days. She is awesome, been back to New Or 3 times


I met Marilyn about a week after I got to New Orleans. She called my dispatch phone (my cell, which is unfortunate for my bill) and asked me to get a team to go on a water rescue with her in Saint Bernard Parish. We were late so much like the Marilyn I have come to know now she said, "I found a boat I will just go on in myself." Later that day she called my team over to the school where all the dog shootings were. That is how we all got involved in the shootings. I never went and am glad I didn't as those images are haunting all that did. But I was able to call State Senator Bajorie (sp) who we were helping in a search for her friends dogs. She gave us Mrs. Wells, who gave us Mimi Hunley in the AG office. Mimi Hunley was all over it. My next call was to the CNN guy we met at the YMCA. He was all over it and quickly sent people to the school. All this transpired before noon on just one day.
I am sure just as much happened that afternoon.

I do not know of a SINGLE DAY Marilyn McGee has not rescued since the day after the storm. She rules the far out places like Saint Bernard where people feared even going.

If you want to understand the Rescue Operation as it is going on today read this as trapping is the standard way animals are being brought in.

Here is her latest to me: (will be continue in comments)

I attached a picture of Teddy the Wild Child we trapped in the woods along Riverbend in St. Bernard. Also is "Linus" the beagle we trapped that was running with him. I named him Teddy to soften his first impression by people. He was almost unimaginable and it took two of us to pole him out of the trap and crate him. I noted on his intake that he had been living in the woods for 2 months and survival was his only concern and that he would bite out of fear if you approach him.

This little beagle was one of a pair of two that was reported over a month and a half ago. I caught his brother in a pile of brush with the pole at that time and this guy eluded me for all that time. I bait fed him every other day, and spoke to him in beagle talk to get him used to my voice. I had a great concern for this little guy and was so delighted to get the traps so that we could bring him to safety. I called a local vet Dr. Green and he came to magazine and treated Teddy and Linus free of charge they both were anemic, HW positive, and had worms. Teddy's mouth was lacerated from gnashing at the trap. Linus was dehydrated and decompensating from fear, drooling for two hours, pale, shaking, listless etc. He recovered with IV's and tons of TLC and was taken to Oregon by Karen one of the volunteers who helped me with the trapping mission... THIS IS CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS. LOTS OF GOOD INFO.

Teddy The Wild Child In Trap (pissed off, he was king of the jungle)


Linus The Beagle- He don't look to wiiiiild! (I think he is happy to be trapped.)


Yes that is Teddy the Wild Child A Bit Calmed Down

 

  Scroll down to see interview questions posed and answered to Laura Maloney, President of the LASPCA


First time here? Read the Oldest Posts and LOOK AT PICTURES at the links below. Words can't describe what rescuers saw once they hit the ground.

1. My own favorite Post: Click here
2. Best video footage: Click here
3. This blog has the BEST PICTURES so far of Katrina Animals. It is all pics and good ones Click here Warning pics of dead animals.
4. School shooting story WITHOUT ANY GORY PICS -- and ton of other great pics Click here
5. And this is one of our groups blogs --
Click here
6. Most amazing photography: I mean must see: Click here
7. To reunite pets with owners: Click here
8. Watch a Pitbull video Click Here

Over the last few weeks I have been in regular contact with Laura Maloney President of the LASPCA.

My initial email to her with the questions, "Laura I hope you will respond to any of these questions you feel prepared to do so. I think a lot of bad information may be being passed around. I have tried to post accurate information on my blog and would like to give you the chance to set the record straight."

The questions: (see #2-#19 in comments)

1. Yesterday in a conversation Asst. State Vet Marsha Littlefield claims that the LASPCA was responsible for shutting down the HSUS as of the end of October. Yet you told me several days ago in an email that it was not you? Can we get a straight answer? How many employees and volunteers do you have on the streets today? And what are they doing? How many “animal control” or other volunteers do you need to finish the job?

The state veterinarian and the USDA representative determined that Lamar would close on September 30 based on an early discussion about 9/30 being the date when animals could go into foster care. The LA/SPCA had nothing to do the decision to close Lamar and asked that it be extended since our facility wouldn’t be open. During the first week of October, the LA/SPCA asked the Mayor of New Orleans to contact the lessee for Lamar to ask if we could use it for animal control services. By the time the city and Lamar responded, in mid-October, we were well on our way to setting up our current facility in Algiers and couldn’t have operated two facilities.


Between Oct 1 and last week, we were blessed with significant human resource support from SPCA of Texas, San Diego Humane Society, HSUS, and the ASPCA. We had a strong operations director from Broward County Humane helping us setting-up shop.

Most people have now returned home. We now have about 6 officers on the street and the same number of people working in the shelter. Our regular LA/SPCA volunteers (pre-Katrina) are coming in to assist as well.

We are seeking volunteers to work with our ACOs and shelter staff and are accepting applications at our facility, 701 Thayer St. We’ll have the applications online soon. However, volunteer opportunities are limited until our roof is replaced. See next question.

PLEASE SEE QUESTION 2 THROUGH 19 IN THE FIRST COMMENT FIELD (CLICK COMMENTS BELOW)

Laura wants to know why anyone would spraypaint a car? Situations like this have caused tension with people as they came home. She did say in the early days the army did instruct the painting of houses.

 

  Alert-- Katrina dogs put to sleep...oops I mean Katrina dogs sleep all the time...

We have been in intensive training at my house. This was before training and after I specifically told them no couches. They laughed and told me to mind my own business, "Who are you to tell us? And besides your not here all day and this is the best position to see the TV."



After training and with a few threats about being back on the streets of New Orleans if they didn't shape up...they got smart and moved to a better location. You just gotta be smarter than them.



Survival of the Yorkie:
This is a dog we found at approx. 30 days, alone and scared (well if you know Yorkies he might not have been that scared). He was all muddy, full of briars and surviving somehow on the streets without being eaten. Yorkies think they are big so he might have just made it for a while longer. 30 days for this guy- Alone!


Here he is after clean up-- I loved it when this guy came in. Yorkies just make me laugh over and over again. He was taught these little circus tricks which you can see in the video. Round and Round he would go...


AND YES WE HAVE VIDEO OF THIS DELIRIOUS YORKIE Mr. Mayor --- This will prove once and for all that these dogs were very mean. (Does he know what a dog is?)

This video will play in in Quicktime if you put it in your browser.

Video:
https://home.comcast.net/~dogslifeproductions/NOLA/ericrice.html

Notice my eyes after not sleeping for the previous few days. More video on the way.

I think I will just use the post to put more and more pics in over the weekend so if you get a chance to check back.

 

  Doesn’t Take Much To Understand Tammy

Pics in case you have not seen this mess--

http://www.forpitssake.org/ednah.html

http://www.mhpets.com/hanson/

"Sheriff Montgomery's behavior is animal cruelty," she said.
--- Tammy Hanson



I don't think the jury needs to come back for me to understand the truth. Tammy is a classic hoarder. Hoarders come with great powers of practiced deception and are able to convince the unwitting and even the experienced that they are legitimate. They pray on our weakness to want to find loving homes for our animals. AND THEY ARE GOOD!!! Her initial emails to people described a Lakeside Retreat where animals swam daily. Anyone remember those? We bought it.

The hoarder is no different than the alcoholic who is skilled at hiding his booze or the anorexic that tells all that they did in fact eat dinner. It’s a mental illness and well documented. The hoarder rarely stops when caught and blames everyone but themselves for the mess they have created. I have seen reports of her coaching her supporters to blame this on a big conspiracy from the sheriff, the Humane Society and dozens of others. Tammy needs to get help. Her lawyer and her friends and supporters should intervene and help her. Tammy can’t see her disease (think anorexic and alcoholic) herself. To her the shelter she provided looks perfectly fine and if it isn’t well it is someone else’s fault. Her response is that she spent $98,000 on dog food last year. Being rich doesn’t make you a credible handler of animals.

Did she ask for help when things got out of hand? No she in fact hid her sanctuary knowing deep inside that legitimate people would see right through her. She has never requested help and in fact lied about the conditions as is classic in collecting. I hear that she would not let Pasado fully in? and now we know why.

Several people have stepped up to support Tammy and to say that “she loves animals.”
These folks are the unwitting dupes who just need to hear great things about animals from Tammy herself to support her. Not one has shown Tammy’s experience with animals. All have talked only to Tammy who continues to con them. In fact many such as a Winn Dixie volunteer who witnessed her as she came to take animals from them have told me that Tammy has virtually no skills or knowledge about caring for animals and no skills at dealing with aggressive animals. She seemed a bit odd and manic was one description. Tammy tells people, “I know this looks bad but it is the fault of…...” No Tammy it is the fault of a disease and your husband and supporters are enablers.

If you want to support Tammy close your eyes and imagine the conditions of those dogs 30 days, 60 days and 90 days from now. She didn't even have the skills to get the Pits out of the cages and she probably would not have.

Are we to think that the farm got that way overnight? Just since Katrina? The list of problems is to large to mention – no fixed animals, no shelter, no vets, no volunteers, puppies being born every day, tons of trash and maggots piled high, 75+animals running loose, 200+ Katrina animals in cages for weeks with no walks and no attention. This problem was not on its way to being “fixed.” Saying Tammy was overwhelmed is like saying the Titanic had a leak. It was beyond repair. She may have been "ok" before Katrina with 100-200 animals but the conditions were still not up to standard. During Katrina her instincts to "save at all costs" probably kicked in due to the imagery we all saw on TV.

Stop enabling her and get her help. She is not doing animals any good as you can see. She has a history of doing this in another state. I read the article and the police described her property in that state as a small scale problem of what they found in Arkansas. Tammy in an interview today say groups begged her to take animals. My information is that Tammy traveled from group to group begging to take animals. Then these groups called on her when they had no other solutions and were desperate. Tammy’s interview is showing today that she is ready to blame others and not herself.

I have had good dealings with Pasado to date. I have a few direct questions however.
Just as I asked the HSUS about several pointed issues I ask Pasado the same

Simple Questions For Pasado:

I have two questions for Pasado that deserve an answer. Who delivered the animals to Tammy? Did they not see what we saw? If they were not allowed onto the premises then why would they drop animals? Where were they left? Wasn’t your drop off essentially your check of the facility?

I am not sure who else transported to the compound but they should answer as well.

Second – Who was going to put the animals on Petfinder.com so that owners might find them?

Tammy was not on her way to turning this situation around as some have said. That is going to take a small army of experience Pit handlers, 10 vets, dozens of volunteers, a judge, a local sheriff who does care, and about $75,000-$150,000 dollars.

The sheriff from my chat is one solid and caring guy. Anyone who called him prior (especially at his house) should do like I did and send his office a basket of fruit or fax an apology letter. Part of the rescue effort of these animals is being hindered by the fear that the “entire world” thinks the sheriff the enemy.

Do not mistake the fact that this ordeal sits in the hands of a judge. This is not over and he could rule to do whatever he wants. Hopefully he will see that dedicated people can mount an organized (and non political) response to help them out of this situation.

Do not show up uninvited. The sanctuary will be heavily guarded. The sheriff has tasked reputable groups to organize help for these animals but it is going to be highly controlled and at the first instance of political infighting the entire thing could be wrecked.

Update - 30 skilled people are on the way!!! Supplies are being paid for by various groups and at this time they are pulling everything together.

DON'T FORGET TO HELP JACK FIND A HOME. TIME IS NOT ON HIS SIDE. IT IS GETTING COLD IN MASS.

 

  Are we to believe that Tammy could have turned this around in a few days with some Elbow grease? What matters now is the animals. I personally don't care about the who did what wrong rumor mill. GO HELP IF YOU CAN.

Here is Pasado's latest update
Click Here

THESE ARE THE MOST RECENT PICTURES--
I am sure you will have some comments on these.

http://www.forpitssake.org/ednah.html

http://www.mhpets.com/hanson/



One interesting comment, the dogs do not appear to be malnourished. I know that is a small concession given to what appears to be a very, very bad situation. I am just saying it looks like help arrived in time to get many of these dogs out, thank goodness for that. However, I have talked to one person this morning on the ground who said they have nowhere near the # of people to take care of these animals.

Question 1: Do they need help handling these animals and where can we send people?
Someone on the ground please tell us where to come and what airport is closest. Southwest flies into Little Rock. Is that close?

It has come to my attention by several reputable Pit Bull groups that more to this story may exist. In fact people have told me that they warned groups not to take Pits to Tammy and asked how anyone could claim they can take care of hundreds of Pits (they even sent me the back and forth exchanges). They claim the result is that the sheriffs found hundreds (as many as 400) animals not being cared for in any way shape or form. More may exist to this story than meets the eye. These first hand accounts have been told to me by reputable people who went in with the sheriff as representatives of the "animals." They and the sheriff were alerted to problems with Tammy by several other well respected Pit rescue groups. One person told me that the farm had almost no building to house animals, that the animals were in the same crates as transported in and that most looked to not have been walked in days. They said Tammy would need at least 20-30 people to care for the number of animals she had and that nobody was on site. This story is not near over and my guess is you will hear differing accounts for a while...someone is sending me pictures I hope showing the condition of the dogs, which they state is horrible. If groups sent these animals to Tammy ..it does not mean they intentionaly put these animals in harms way in my opinion. Below you find an account by a person who entered the facility and the letter sent by Pasado soon after Tammy's arrest.

Here are pics of the property. Did Pasado reps actually go to this facility as suggested in emails that I saw? It doesn't take much to see it isn't a facility at all. How many dogs were already on site when Pasado dumped off its group?
---
Dog In Its own Feces and not one little dodo either --


More pics?
Picture 1 (dead dog)

Picture 2

Picture 3

Picture 4

Picture 5


Account By Person going into the property --

From the gated entrance to her property the piles of trash began.There was not a single permanent building on the property. Therewas a storage unit with no doors for one group of dogs. The restwere lucky if they had a barrel to go in, but when you have 15 to 20dogs per pen and 3 barrels, I would say very few dogs had anyshelter at all. The poor Katrina pit bulls, rotties, and chows linethe driveway and way beyond and in the crates they came in fromBaton Rouge, NO COVER, NO PROTECTION FROM THE SUN, THE RAIN,ANYTHING and stuck in tiny crates!!!!! The pens donated to care forthem sit unused at the entrance to the property. Tammy wouldnt evenallow the sheriffs department to set them all up to help the dogsstuck in crates!! It would appear that the poor dogs have not beenout of these crates since the day they arrived. ALL WHERE FILLEDWITH PISS AND FECES. The poor dogs had no where to sit, or evenstand. On poor pit mix was desperately trying to stand on his crapcovered food bowl, balancing like the elephants in the circus, toget out of the shit. I can not tell you how many had burns,swollen legs and feet and horrible looking skin due to sitting intheir own wastes. IT WAS SICK AND WOULD MAKE ANY NORMAL PERSON BEOUTRAGED.

I have 176 pictures of the property and the dogs but am not beingable to upload to the group. Is there a trick to this?? I will try again tomorrow but am too tired to keep trying.

The entire property was covered in trash. There were dead anddying dogs and even the lucky dogs that were running free werethirsty. I have never seen so many dogs in my life and have neverseen such a disgusting and nasty place. The sheriffs departmentdeserves a commendation for what they did last night. All rescuersshould be singing their praises. They are going to be desperate forhelp and I can promise you that by tomorrow morning there will bemore dead dogs. The only pens with fewer than 10 or so dogs arethe ones that the humane society and sheriffs department set up.

I would guess there are 500 dogs there and I did not see A SINGLEALTERED MALE!!! I did see many many females with sagging tits andvery few puppies. I can imagine the survial rate of newborn puppiesin a pen with another 50 large adult dogs. Every single pen, everysingle crate was nasty. There was not a clean water bowl, feed pan,or even a place for a dog to sit, for any of the dogs locked up incrates or pens. (Except for the few provided by the humane society)The roaming dogs were the lucky ones, but even they had no water.Although it looked like Tammy had a swimming pool (above ground) setup for herself.

They are going to need volunteers. Just cleaning the crates forthe katrina dogs is going to take forever, and the dogs are goingcrazy from being locked up so long.

I so intended to write a more detailed description of what I saw,but if I cant get the pictures to upload, I will email invidually toanyone who wants them.

There are going to be hundreds of dogs that are going to needhelp. Lots of black medium sized dogs and houndish types. Thesmallest number were from Katrina and even that number is going tobe overwhelming. The most discusting thing to me is that the poorKatrina dogs were dumped and are suffering the worst. Pasadoshould be held accountable for dumping these dogs in thissituation. If they did in fact inspect the "facility" (is this whatyou would call a tent with a tv in it?) then again they should beheld accountable for not giving a shit.

I will not argue with anyone that hasnt been there or that wont gohelp these most pathetic dogs. Were the pictures on the news notenough? Ask me. I will send mine. Most of my dead dog shots cameout as video, but I can send those too. How many dead and dying andsuffering dogs dogs it take to make a person "bad"? If anyonebelieves that two people can take care of 500 dogs, even 400 dogs, or that it is exceptable to leave over 100 dogs in crate filled withpiss and poop for 9 days then I do want to know who you are. I forone will never send dogs your way.

There is absolutely no defense for the neglectful behavior of Pasadofor sending dogs to her when they were begged not to, or for thecondition of the dogs in the care of Tammy and her husband. Thiswoman is a very sick person.

There are mountains of food, out in the driveway, but I think thatbowls are desperately needed to be able to give these dogs cleanfood and water. Metal prefered as they dogs are in crates seemed tobe tearing up the cheap plastic bowls. I know that they will needbleach, dog houses, leashes, and most of all people willing to helpthe dogs NOT from Katrina. Those that recommended her, ought to bethe first to jump in and take 50 or so.



Here is what Pasado asked me to post this morning --

Innocent Dogs
Pasado offers to transport the animals out of state.
Light up the phone and fax.

URGENT UPDATE: 10/21 10:16 pm pm PST
Your help is needed NOW!
CROSSPOST WIDELY PLEASE!


Dozens of pitbulls, who we rescued, walked, hugged, and cared for for days, were transferred to a shelter in Arkansas named EDNA (Every Dog Needs a Home) after the Humane Society of Louisiana, as well as Best Friends had sent animals there. We also had volunteers travel to EDNA and return stating that animals were well-cared for. After these credible recommendations, PasadoRescue chose to place non-aggressive pitbulls with EDNA.


From what we can tell, Ms. Hanson has been under attack for years for caring for pitbulls by various local Arkansas groups, warranted or not. Tonight, spurred on by these local groups, sheriff's deputies raided Ms. Hanson's facilities and charged her with animal cruelty. We understand they are threatening to kill dogs tomorrow.


We understand that the veterinarian who assisted the sheriff in the raid stated these animals are vicious. We know, for a fact, that the animals that we transported to this facility were on our laps, able to be hugged, loved, fed by hand. This is untrue. He also stated that none of these animals had been treated by a veterinarian prior to transport to AR. Also not true. ALL the animals transported were all under the care of licensed veterinarians. We have records to prove it.


If these animals were not well cared for by Ms. Hanson, then we agree that animals need to be removed. And PasadoRescue will gladly take care of all transport and care. But NO LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITY has a right to kill these animals. These are the pets of hurricane victims. People are still trying to find their animals.


You need to call the Baxter County Arkansas Sheriff and the Arkansas State Attorney General and tell them that killing these animals is killing someone's pet. Someone's property. And they will be legally liable.
Sherrif John Montgomery: Tel 870-425-7551 or 870) 425-6222 Fax: 870-425-1669
Mike Beebe, Arkansas Attorney General Tel1-800-482-8982 E-mail: Here




Read the letter sent to the Arkansas State Attorney General and to Sheriff John Baxter


Date: October 21, 2005 9:06pm PST
To: Sheriff John Montgomery Baxter County, Arkansas, Mike Beebe Arkansas Attorney General
By Certified USPS mail, facsimile and electronic mail

I am writing on behalf of Pasado's Safe Haven, an authorized animal rescue group involved in Hurricane Katrina rescue work in the Gulf. We understand you and others in your state are planning to euthanize dogs rescued on behalf of residents of the State of Louisiana that have been confiscated from Tammy Hanson. We believe this would be a moral and, quite likely, a legal mistake... SEE THE REST OF THIS LETTER IN THE FIRST COMMENT.

 

  STB RABIES and other DATA: This link has rabies and mircochip info for STB...First time online,.....this is important ]

http://www.islandbusinessgroup.com/stbernard.asp

Please get to ALL SHELTERS....AND TO VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE HELPING TO REUNITE. I HAVE HAD MANY PEOPLE ASK ME FOR THIS....

also they have several more hardrives to recover data off of so they will have additional info into the database in the future. Keep trying even if you don't get the info the fist time you try.

 

  NOTE: I GOT SEVERAL DIFFERENT REPORTS ON THIS ISSUE. SEVERAL PEOPLE CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT THE ISSUE WAS UNDEREPORTED AT TYLERTOWN AND SERIOUS. TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO WORKED AT THE SHELTER CLAIM THAT CERTIANLY ANIMALS GOT STOLEN. OTHERS CLAIMED THAT THEY THINK IT WAS ONE INSTANCE 3 WEEKS AGO. ALL AGREED THAT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SINCE SECURITY WAS IMPLEMENTED. THE REAL FACTS AND NUMBER WILL NEVER BE KNOWN.

NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT PITBULLS FELL VICTIM TO THE LOW LIFES WHO RUN THE FIGHTING RINGS IN THIS STATE DURING THIS CRISIS. HOW MANY DID THEY SIMPLY PICK UP OFF THE STREETS? THIS STATE NEEDS TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT ITSELF. WHAT RESCUERS UNCOVERED IS THAT THE PLIGHT OF ANIMALS IN LA WAS DESPERATE BEFORE ANY HURRICANE. FIGHTING SEEMS TO BE MORE WIDELY ACCEPTED THAN IN OTHER STATES.

FOLLOWING MAY OR MAY NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE BUT IT IS ONE RESCUERS ACCOUNT:

We have heard that Lamar Dixon had many animals stolen by proffessional Pit Bull fighters and now Tylertown cries out for help. Last night after promising the day before from the Sherriff dog looters once again took dogs from the shelter and fought them to DEATH in ear shot of the shelter. I would like to know that this is handled. This state needs to provide support for those supporting it. Leave it to people from all over the world to care more than they do.

As Reprinted --
Rescue efforts being hindered by dog fighters

I have just returned from my second trip to the area and those of us working in animal rescue disaster relief are having to face yet another horrifying challenge.

On top of all the suffering the animals of Katrina have suffered, they are now being stolen from the sanctuaries and holding areas erected to treat and house them. In Tylertown, MS where the HSLA has been treating animals abandoned in New Orleans, there is a dog fighting ring less than a 30 second drive from the entrance of the camp. We have asked to local sheriff for help daily with no response. Night after night we had to take security shifts and guard against men trying to enter camp to get our dogs.

The people of Tylertown have expressed their own frustration at the growing business of dogfighting in their community. They feel helpless and frustrated and are sorry that our animals are paying for the inability of their citizens to intervene in this heinous criminal activity.

To our horror several dogs have been taken from the property. After all, they are seasoned criminals and didn't have a hard time figuring out how to get around our dog runs. They take friendly animals that go eagerly to the gate in hopes of getting petted. I can hardly stand to think of the torture that these creatures endure before their deaths. We found a deceased Pitt Bull in a makeshift fighting ring last Monday. We are at the end of our rope.

Now, instead of using donations to build more runs, or transport animals to foster homes and rescues, we are having to build security fencing, purchase motion activated lights, alarms, air horns and other tools to protect our dogs. Instead of taking as many dogs from New Orleans as we can house, treat, and feed, we are having to limit our intake to the number of dogs we can keep safe, depending on the number of volunteers we have to fill 24 hour security shifts.

We are receiving no help from local authorities. During the night, we have had up to four men attempt entry to the camp. Earlier this week, FEMA offered to provide us nighttime security, but that fell through because the Gov. of MS would not grant permission for them to be there. Apparently FEMA cannot help if not asked by a state authority. The sheriff has said that he does not want them in Tylertown. So not only are they not helping to protect us and our animals from these vicious dog fighters, they are not allowing others to help us.

We need a voice to ask the Gov. of MS to do the right thing and let FEMA protect our camp from these monsters who delight in the torture of the helpless and vulnerable creatures left injured and abandoned in the wake of Katrina. Ours has not been heard.

There are still thousands of animals waiting to be rescued from New Orleans and they need our help. Just last week, we found a dog who had been tied to a door knob for 5 weeks and was still alive. Also, we recovered a dog that had crawled into a cupboard above a stove during the storm and was trapped there until last week when a rescuer heard her barking. (Both are doing well now, putting on weight in foster homes.) The 9Th ward has hardly yet to be touched by animal relief workers.

Please, we cannot continue in the fashion necessary as long as the safety of our animals and volunteers is at risk.

End---
It seems unthinkable that dogfigting could go on within earshot of the shelter and then be followed by gunshots but I have spoken to people who promise me it is true.


---------------------------------------------------------
Here is my house "On Fosters" 6 total now on board. They are not to be on the couch. I told them to stay off! What are they thinking?




Who is that doggy in the window?

 

  Lots of good info coming out on Katrina Rescue. I have had to slow down on the Posts and will update the blog Every few days. I have some good stuff coming...and you can always post your "comments" in the most recent post.

If you want to see the best animal rescue Pictures go to -- Click here and each days post has great Pics. Warning the Post "UNFORGIVABLE Endings" is dead animals. I would skip it if you do not want to see images like that (just don't click on that post)


For the next few days can we help Jack?



Jack would prefer year round warm weather as he needs bathed/washed off several times per day. Will look at any reasonable option. Post any ideas in comments for foster mom and shelter to pursue. Please forward this to anyone who you think could help.

Call 508-867-5525 and speak with Foster mom if you are dead serious about adopting Jack. But read below first to understand Jacks unique needs.


Jack's situation is URGENT! Jack needs a new home as soon as possible. He will not be able to stay in his current foster home once the cold sets in and due to his disability, returning to the shelter is not an option.

Jack is a 2 year old purebred yellow Labby boy! We are looking for a very special home for this wonderful young dog because he is disabled. Back in October of 2004, Jack suffered a fibro-cartilaginous embolism (FCE) - basically a stroke in his spinal column near his tail. He has come a long way since then. His strength and mobility improves a little more each day and he walks pretty well now. A simple wag of his tail brings us great joy! He is currently in foster care and he loves to play with balls, play tug, chase cats, bugs, squirrels, and anything else that moves. Because of his disability, he feels vulnerable around other dogs and therefore doesn’t like them. He would be very happy placed as an only pet! He adores the kids in his foster home who are 6 and up. Jack has so much love in him and we are trying to find an owner that is willing to accept him with his disabilities. Jack's perfect home would be one with a walk out basement or level home as he can't handle stairs or high steps. He will still drag himself if he gets too excited. His new owners will need to be committed to taking him out every 3-4 hours during the day so he can relieve himself because he still has some incontinence problems. He is on a strict feeding schedule which helps keep him regular. He has been very successful staying dry at night as well. His skin will need to be cared for on an ongoing basis since he is prone to scrapes and urine burns in his condition. A Doggon' Wheels cart was donated to Jack by Jen from PA whose had purchased one for her dog! He is adjusting to the cart quite well and we think that its use will make him more adoptable as he can go use it on multiple surfaces! He is very strong in his front end and has the power to easily pull himself around. Jack is very affectionate and he's also a good watch dog. His foster mom is currently working with a trainer to brush up on Jack's obedience skills. We are hoping that someone out there will open their heart and home to this young boy! Jack is in foster care with Second Chance Animal Shelter in East Brookfield, MA. If you are interested in adopting Jack, Call 508-867-5525 and speak with Foster mom.

More info on Jack:
http://www.secondchanceanimals.org/SCAS_jack.htm

Fill out the Application on at this link -- Click here

Can't adopt Jack? why not help out with another animal at www.secondchance.org

**Pictures of the Day**
I think this is Jane Garrison. The Mayor would tell these dogs are delirious and the State Vet would tell you Jane is contracting the plague at this moment and will be dead by tomorrow. Have I told you how fond I am of the State Vet?





Here is Billy and I at the airport before the trip. All the stuff on the cart is my luggage. That little white bag is all Billy brought and I swear it is the truth. If you are new to the blog you probably have not heard how I called Billy at 8Pm the night before and told him he was going on an airplane. That is all I told him. He had not been on one since 1987 and didn't believe me when I told him we didn't need paper tickets. His ID was expired so they interviewed him for 30 minutes at security. I had him carry on a bag which had a hammer and some other things that they confiscated. I had to stop him from smoking on the plane. Those little badges are official "animal evacuation team" badges made by Francis my designer.

 

  First time here? Read the Oldest Posts and LOOK AT PICTURES at the links below. Words can't describe what rescuers saw once they hit the ground.

1. Read some of the oldest Posts first to get the entire story.
2. Best video footage: Click here
3. This blog has the BEST PICTURES so far of Katrina Animals. It is all pics and good ones Click here Warning pics of dead animals.
4. School shooting story WITHOUT ANY GORY PICS -- and ton of other great pics Click here
5. And this is one of our groups blogs --
Click here
6. Most amazing photography: I mean must see: Click here
7. My own favorite Post: Click here
8. To reunite pets with owners: Click here

A Handwritten Note Begging for Mercy for dogs left behind in a school used as an evacuation center. The Butcher of St Bernard found no mercy only torture and bullets when they blasted away instead of feeding 14 small dogs and puppies. Our rescue team discovered this after being asked to respond to see if the animals were alive. We found the animals shot and had CNN over the next day and the Attorney Generals Office interested in 24 hours. Pasado Rescue quickly got involved with a reward and offer to assist with the investigation. HSUS had pictures of the shootings many days prior to us finding them. I am not sure why they didn't act.


Legislation Boring But Important-Please support H.R.3858
Reprinted from this website: http://dsmith.fpage.com/hr3858_pets.htm

"Dear God you remember Hurricane Katrina and Rita and the horrid way pets were left behind to die some a slow and very horrid death. You know how we and others have prayed that this would never happen again with your help this may come true.

A wonderful group of people in Washington and across the world have been trying to require families to stay together like they have in the state of Minnesota. Did you know they save not only the humans but their companion animals too. They say in Minnesota not only is it right to keep a family together, in the long run it saves money for the tax payer too.

Take New Orleans and surrounding areas what will be the cost of cleaning up all the human and animal body's? What will be the cost to the children who lost their furry companion? What will be the cost to the little old ladies who had to leave the only ones who loved the cats. What will be the cost to the family who came home and found their companion animal had died in the crate where the left him to be safe or the companion animal who they tied to be safe both drowned little by little. What will be the cost to families when they here about the 12 to 15 pets - dogs and puppies- that had been tied to classroom windows, doors and then shot."



Please support H.R.3858
Title: To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.

Press Release

Congressman Tom Lantos Legislation Will Ensure That in Future Disasters, People Will Not be Forced to Abandon Household Pets

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Washington, DC – Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) and co-sponsors Christopher Shays (R-CT), Don Young (R-AK) and James Oberstar (D-MN) and Barney Frank (D-MA), today introduced legislation to ensure that in any future disaster, federal officials will not separate people from their household pets and service animals such as seeing-eye dogs, as they did in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act, H.R. 3858), requires local and state emergency preparedness authorities to include in their evacuation plans how they will accommodate household pets or service animals in case of a disaster. Local and state authorities must submit these plans in order to qualify for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“The devastation in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama brought unbelievable images into American homes every night,” Lantos said. “The losses of life and property were simply staggering. And on top of all that, the sight of evacuees choosing between being rescued or remaining with their pets, perhaps even having to leave behind the trained and faithful helping animals that some people with disabilities rely on every day, was just heartbreaking. Our legislation will put an end to that.”

Lantos is the co-founder of the Friends of Animals Caucus; he currently co-chairs the caucus with Rep. Shays.

“Katrina taught us the hard lesson that, as we prepare for future emergencies, it's important we include in our plans ways to protect our pet owners and their pets,” Shays said. “The common-sense bill we are introducing today requires state and local preparedness groups to include in their protocols plans for evacuation of pet owners, pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster so that owners don’t have to make a choice between their personal safety and their pets’ safety."

At a news conference announcing the bill, officials from the Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Doris Day Animal League and the Best Friends Animal Society emphasized their support for this initiative.

Lantos is a cosponsor of a dozen bills addressing issues raised the Gulf Coast disaster. Among these bills are measures to give Medicaid to those affected by the disaster, to provide additional funds to local and educational agencies to support elementary and secondary schools for displaced students, to assist vulnerable children in foster care by providing states maintenance payments on behalf of foster children in areas affected by the hurricane, and to let natural disaster victims declare bankruptcy as needed without having to enter newly-enacted repayment programs.