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Sent: Monday, September 05, 2005 9:29 AM
Subject: [MulesOnly] Katrina horses and mules - Long

Hello all,

I've been lurking for years and this is my first message. We live 
about 45 miles north of Baton Rouge and only lost power and phones for
about 5 days, with minor damage to our barn and house, but all our 
dogs and 13 horses came out OK, unlike the poor souls to the east and 
south who have no homes or jobs. For those of you interested in the 
aftermath of Katrina, and how it affected the equines there, I have an
update.

All the animals at City Park Stables had been evacuated prior to the 
storm hitting. The mules and horses at Mid-City Carriage, which 
provided the carriage rides in NO are a different story. They were 
housed in 3 barns, and all the horses and mules drowned in two of the 
barns. Only 20 animals have survived so far in the third barn, but 
are still stuck in their stalls. We've volunteered with the LSU vet 
school to help in rescuing them, but no one is allowed in that area 
yet. We've also volunteered stalls and two pastures for fostering, 
but that may not be needed yet.

I'm copying a post today from the rescue organization about donations
to help these misplaced equines. There seems to be a lot of scams 
popping up. Please feel free to crosspost.

Thanks,
Doug

> > Message: 1
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 08:15:03 -0000
From: "aletao" <aletao@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: info about hurricane evacuee horses and scams

I am cross posting this from the Louisiana Equine Council group:

Most of you know me and I am spitting mad to know that there are 
several sham groups out there collecting money.... maybe LA horses 
will see some of it, but I am not holding my breath! Be very wary of 
other groups claiming to be collecting for the relief fund. According 
to Bonnie we have yet to see any money from any of these groups 
though at least one has made it clear that they plan to remove horses 
from our area!

Donations to the Walter Ernst Foundation through the Louisiana 
Veterinary Medical Association are funding ALL legitimate equine 
rescue/care in LA (information at bottom of post).

Bonnie Clark,  President of the LA Equine Council (LEC) and publisher
of the LA  Horseman's Guide is coordinating the rescue efforts and
this is the  ONLY group working directly with FEMA, LVMA (LA
Veterinary Medical  Assn) and LEC. At the website lvma.org there is a
downloadable  hurricane donation form. On this form you can specify if
you want  the money to go to greatest need, animal relief, or
veterinarian
relief. There is an 800 # below and they may be able to take credit 
card info over the phone.

Horses being rescued from the New Orleans area are being housed at 
the Lamar Dixon Expo center in Gonzales where they are receiving 
care. This is a safe and secure site and within easy distance of the
greater NO area.... we do not want horses spread all over the south!

They will NOT be leaving this site, until they are reunited with 
owners. Some of the organizations claiming to be soliciting aid and 
funds are already advertising that horses will be available for 
adoption in several days!  This is FALSE!!!!

If you hear of horses  available for purchase or foster from our
disaster area, be aware
that they have been taken illegally!

Our statewide microchipping plan is helping greatly with the 
identification of many of the horses. If your own horses aren't 
freezebranded or microchipped... run don't walk and get it done!

I have just gotten off the phone with Bonnie Clark who is tirelessly 
coordinating the effort and staying at the Expo Center. She says  that
as of tonight (Sunday, Sept 4th) if you are close enough to come  to
the expo center, she will need more volunteers soon as the LSU Vet 
School students will be returning to class on Tuesday.

Halters and  Lead ropes are needed, feed is being purchased as needed
(from money
from the foundation) and currently there is 2,000 bales of hay on 
site, so hay is okay for now. Flat back buckets are in short  supply.
Again, purchases are being made as needed with foundation  money so
cash donations are wonderful. At some point stock trailers  and trucks
will be needed to both bring in supplies to owners/horses  who are
secure and don't need transport out (just help) and to haul out
stranded horses. But until at least Tuesday this is taken care  of...
will post again if more help is needed.

PLEASE cross post this message to other sites, I just don't have time
to do it right now. I know that some people want to donate and I 
hate to see the money going to the wrong hands.

Grace Simcoe
Secretary LEC (Louisiana Equine Council)

Media contact: Dr. Rebecca Adcock 225-578-9826
Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation  And
Louisiana Veterinarians
Working for Hurricane Katrina Recovery  Baton Rouge (9/2/2005) 

The devastation in the Southeast Louisiana  caused by Hurricane
Katrina  threatens the lives and health of thousands of pets,
livestock and  exotic animals as well as the veterinary  medical
infrastructure in the area.

Animals, animal owners and  veterinarians have suffered and will 
suffer further in the weeks and months ahead. The Louisiana 
Veterinary Medical Association (LVMA)
and the Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation are 
working to save animals and assist  animal owners and veterinarians to
recover from the disaster and
properly care for pets, horses and  livestock.

The Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation is 
accepting donations to assist with  reducing the impact of the
Hurricane Katrina disaster on the health  of domestic and agricultural
animals  and the veterinary medical profession in Louisiana.

Donations may be  made payable to "WJE  Foundation" with a memo of
"Hurricane Katrina Fund". Send  contributions to 8550 United Plaza
Blvd.,  Suite 1001, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.

More information can be obtained  at www.lvma.org or call 1-800- 524-2996.

The Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation was 
established by the Louisiana Veterinary  Medical Association to
further the welfare, knowledge and integrity
of the profession of veterinary  medicine, promote animal well-being
and humane treatment, and educate  the public and the veterinary 
profession concerning the health of all animals.

The Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association, founded in 1905, has 
over 800 member veterinarians who  are dedicated to advancing the
science and art of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation
(Federal Tax ID # 72-1507753)
8550 United Plaza Blvd. Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Toll Free : 1-800-524-2996
Local: 225-928-5862
Fax: 225-408-4422
Website: www.lvma.org

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