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Hurricane Katrina Assistance and News:
USEF Hurricane Equine Relief Fund - Make a Donation Online Now at www.usef.org, click on the Hurricane Katrina area on the right side of the homepage. Place Your Facility on the USEF Hurricane Equine Relief List - victims of Hurricane Katrina, please email your name, address, phone number and email address to kcadams@usef.org , or at 859-225-6993. The list will be accessed by going to www.usef.org , on the right side of the homepage click on Hurricane Katrina Equine Relief. Habitat for Horses/Lone Start Equine Rescue is organizing a massive relief and rescue effort to help the equines of southern Louisiana after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina forced millions to evacuate. More> Click here to donate at Habitat for Horses Click here for HorsesintheSouth.com's DisasterPlanning / Hurricane Info Section Hurricane Katrina - Wild Horse Foundation receives horses from southeast Louisiana Katrina Strands Many; Rescuers Wait for Evaluation of Worst Hit Areas |
Letter from Chris and Dale Dunn about their experience in the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina - 9/19/05Chris and Dale just returned from spending a week at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, Louisiana . This is the site where the search and rescue teams for horses, cats, dogs and other animals were housed as they were re-located from the disasters left by Hurricane Katrina. More> Sept. 15th Update of Chris and Dale Dunn's Trip to Volunteer for Katrina ReliefAs of today, September 15, 80% of horses have been claimed by their owners. After 30 days, the unclaimed horses will go to foster homes within the state of Louisiana. After two more weeks in foster care, if the horses are still not claimed, they become the property of the foster "parent." No horses will be sent outside the state for foster care.
The now 5,000 dogs and cats are currently being shipped all around the country to different humane societys to be adopted out.
As far as the need for volunteers, Chris and Dale will be leaving Saturday to come home. Dale said many people from the area (lots of Pony Clubbers) and the universities have been coming out in force and there currently is no need for volunteers from other states. Chris and Dale will let us know if additional help will be needed, but for now, it looks to be under control.
Chris and Dale have many wonderful stories to tell. When they are well rested and clean :) we will have to have them "sit a spell" and tell us all about it.
Keep them in your thoughts as they finish up their duties and make that long trek home. Dale said they will most likely drive to Tallahassee Saturday and spend the night, then make it home on Sunday. It has been an unforgettable journey for them.
UPDATE FROM CHRIS & DALE DUNN IN LOUISIANA, 9/12/05Chris and Dale have wonderful news to report - 75% of the horse's owners have stepped forward to claim their animals!! The state of LA has stepped in and put a 30 day hold on all animals at the facility. This means that no animal may leave the site for 30 days - claimed or otherwise. The state of LA will take the next 30 days to try and locate the owners of the remaining animals through the micro-chips.
The authorities would like to keep the horses as close to the state of LA as possible, but there may be need to go outside the area. Of the remaining horses, cats and dogs whose owners cannot be found or are known to be deceased, these animals will need permanent homes. It may take a while as the legal end of it has to be taken care of first (settlements of estates). What Chris and Dale need right now are more volunteers. Because the state has placed a 30 day hold on all animals, that leaves them with 400 horses and over 3500 cats and dogs that need to be taken care of! If you or anyone you know may be interested in going to LA for a few days to help, you can call Chris and Dale on their cell phone: 904-626-1990. Chris and Dale are THE volunteer coordinators for Lone Star once they get to their destination. The people there now are getting very tired and once Chris and Dale arrive, some of the Lone Star members and officers will leave to rest for a few days before heading into Mississippi. You will continue to be updated (by Jill Morris) through the mass e-mail as Chris and Dale have made me "home base" since I am always at home!! Chris and Dale also wanted me to pass along many, many thanks to all of you who have called them since the mass e-mail went out last night. They said their phone has not stopped ringing and the response has been unbelievable from our area! LET'S NOT FORGET ABOUT THE ANIMALS...Hurricane Relief - NFDA & FCHJA request for assistance -As an equine organization (Northeast Florida Dressage Association & First Coast Hunter Jumper Association) it is natural for us to give thought to the many horses, donkeys, mules, dogs and cats who are being impacted by the devastation of hurricane Katrina. Many of these animals are facing starvation. Many have been seriously injured. Unless they receive relief efforts soon, their survival is in jeopardy. NFDA would like to ask each of its members to assist with this effort by joining FCHJA and their members to help support relief efforts. Through the selfless generosity of Dale and Chris Dunn, we can personally see that donated relief items will be delivered directly to assist animals in real need. Dale and Chris will be driving your donated items to emergency staging areas in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. They will also be personally assisting with the rescue efforts. NFDA will be accepting your donations on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 10:00am to 3:00pm at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs. A trailer will be on site and we need to fill it. You may have already given generously to help those in need but this is a time for us to stretch. Below is a list of items that will be crucial in helping horses and horse owners. Please contact your friends, relatives and fellow barn people and ask them to consider donating items. Whether it's an item you have in excess, or something you feel compelled to purchase. Remember that nothing is frivolous when you don't have a thing. Although needed desparately, in lieu of donating hay and/or grain, please consider a monitary donation. These items will be purchased along with additional supplies. Checks can be made to LSER/HFH. (Lone Star Equine Rescue, Inc./Habitat for Horses is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization). If you have any questions regarding items in need, please contact Dale and Chris Dunn at (352)478-2412 or (904)626-1990 or Marge Savage at (904) 276-2427 or (904) 449-1893. Again, please organize your donations and plan to come out to the Clay County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 10. Thank you in advance for your assistance and always remember...it could be us! Thank you from Marge Savage, NFDA, past-President. NEEDED ITEMS:
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