HURRICANE UPDATES

HURRICANE UPDATE FROM ARC DISASTER COMMITTEE

November 7, 2008

Message to membership on this year's hurricane disasters.

Background on the two dogs that will be placed on Friday September 26th;

ARCDC was informed of a Rottweiler at Houston's Bureau of Animal Control and CARE "BARC" found in Houston Texas, displaced by hurricane IKE. Upon arrival at the facility I learned that this 3-4 year old male Rottweiler was in need of medical attention ASAP. He had hair loss from mange, was emancipated and had an infection in both eyes that made it difficult for him to see, he was clearly scared as a result of the hurricane and his current surroundings. The following day prior to arrival I made a phone call to the facility DVM to notify him of our visit for a temperament test. The DVM stated he was scheduled for euthanasia that morning. I had a hold placed on him and was on my way to the facility.

While at BARC, we where introduced to a male Rottweiler 2-3 years old while performing temperament tests. We were notified that he had just "walked" out of the euthanasia room due to the vet tech receiving notification that ARCDC and SSRR was on-site. This young guy was full of life when we laid eyes on him, but yet, was just seconds to the end of life. We were asked if we could take him into the program and save him. After easily passing our temperament test, I said, sure, this guy would have a home.

We saved the lives of two Rottweilers today displaced by hurricane IKE today. Before nightfall, with the quick actions of Carolyn Zembrodt we had foster homes for the boys and I will transport them to the beginning of a better life Friday 9-26-07.

Best Regards,
Erik Scott

The ARC Disaster Committee needs help in transporting rescue Rottweilers from Hurricane Ike to foster homes in the following areas Colorado, Mid-West, Lower East Coast, Florida and Georgia.

If you can help, please contact Carolyn Zembrodt or Lew Olsen. If you can not transport a full trip, you may be able to help with a leg on the journey to safety.

The ARC DC has several dogs that need transportation now and will have more being released this week. ARC DC was able to rescue these wonderful dogs just minutes from being euthanized and are now on hold for the moment until final release to our volunteers.

ARC DC is not turning down any disaster dog provided the temperament is there. ARC DC mission statement is to get the dogs out before they get put down, temperament test, then vet check and transport to new foster homes. ARC DC supports medical and transport only.

Shortly after the hurricane, ARC DC volunteers conducted a mass telephone campaign checking on ARC members and their dogs to see if they needed to get out since they were located in the disaster zones. This was a great success both emotionally and ethically; no other Parent Club has attempted this enormous task.

Donation's will be gladly accepted to off set the transportation costs of those volunteers that can drive a dog to their new foster home. Please send your donations, payable to ARC, to Marilyn Piusz, 339 Co Hwy 106, Johnstown, NY 12095-3757.

September 19, 2008

ARC Disaster Committee Hurricane Ike Update From Director Ann Glynn

Hi Folks,

The ARC DC is pulling out an old boy within the next few days that was rescued from the flood waters in Galveston after the hurricane and he will be fostered until they can contact the owners. He is currently in a local shelter and there is a mandatory waiting period to see if the owners will come in. The shelter is aware that the ARC DC is waiting in case the owners aren't located. The Shelter will keep this old boy from harm's way and then release to our ARC DC for relocation to a temporary foster home.

The ARC DC has finished contacting all the ARC members in the areas hit by the hurricane to make sure everyone is okay and has no needs or must get their dogs out. They have been given call back numbers should something happen. Many still have no power and food in general is very low in stores if they are even open. Many members were so happy that the ARC DC called to check on them, and this you should all be proud of.

Have a good weekend all.

Ann

Hurricane Ike is scheduled to reach land fall sometime around Wednesday. The projected path although always uncertain, presently points to the gulf coast and towards New Orleans again. The fear is that if it hits near New Orleans, the levees could break. Also note, most of the people evacuated have returned home, and this time many will refuse to leave again.

Factors affecting land fall include wind, air pressure and water temperature affects the strength of the storm.

For those in Florida, I need watch teams in the event Ike turns back to Florida. Please email me privately for those willing to be on this team.

At this point I am asking all volunteers to remain on standby, as we hope for the best.

For those willing to go to the site if needed, please email me privately. I have contacts in New Orleans with several groups (Tylertown, Pasado) that may need man power should the storm hit the New Orleans area. Again, hopefully we will not need this but it is always best to be prepared.

I want to thank everyone again for their patience, and everyone’s willingness to volunteer for this effort in any capacity, you are all needed and appreciated!

Lew Olson, ARC Disaster Committee Chair and Ann Glynn, ARC Board Liaison

(713) 303-5639

I wanted to thank everyone again for volunteering for this very needed effort. As we have seen, Hurricane Gustav was not the force as predicted. Things seem to be stabilized in the Gulf area for now. We will watch and wait until most of evacuees return home and settled back in with their dogs. The groups that moved in (Pasado, Tylertown, Mutt Shack and more) have done a wonderful job, and the ability to plan and start before the Hurricane hit made a world of difference. They are aware of the ARC Disaster Team and will call on us if needed. Organized efforts were made to allow citizens to take their pets with them when moved to evacuation sites.

There are at least three more storms brewing in the Atlantic. These include Hannah, Ike and Josephine. I am hoping most of you can continue to be on call through this Hurricane season. You may contact me by email or phone to let me know.

Again, thank all of you again for stepping forward, we are proud to get know all of you, and we will continue to keep everyone updated.

You are all very much appreciated by the American Rottweiler Club.

Lew Olson, ARC Disaster Committee Chair
Ann Glynn, ARC Board Liaison

Please contact Lew Olson if you can help in any of the needed areas:

• Fostering
• Transportation
• Monetary contributions (see below for more info)
• Clerical skills
• Being on call for telephone communication
• Ability to provide supplies, such as crates, food and first aid

Please e-mail Lew at lewolson@earthlink.net or call at:

Home: (281) 252-0585

Cell: (713) 303-5639

Our best hope is that we won’t need any of these services, but we must be prepared for any event in light of the severity of Hurricane Gustav and Hanna, projected to hit Florida and pass the same path to the Gulf. Evacuation has improved and owners are being allowed to take their pets. Many shelters are being set up to accept them or provide nearby shelter. Advances are being made now for air conditioned trucks to remove dogs from the New Orleans area. However, in light of not knowing exactly where these Hurricanes may hit, or the strength of these storms, we need to be prepared in advance for any eventuality. We need people from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, but any offer from anyone from any state is more than welcome.

Thank you so much, and we look forward to your responses.

Lew Olson, ARC Disaster Committee Chair
Ann Glynn, ARC Board Liaison

Monetary Donations

We are now accepting donations for the American Rottweiler Club Disaster Fund. While we are still hoping for the best, we want to be prepared for any outcome these storms may bring. Please feel free to forward this information.

All monetary donations should be sent to the ARC Treasurer at the address below.
Please make checks payable to the ARC Disaster Fund.

Marilyn Piusz
339 Co Hwy 106
Johnstown, NY 12095-3757

Alabama

People needing assistance with pet evacuations, should call (334) 240-7278.

List of Animal Sheltering Facilities
List of Human Sheltering Facilities

Boutwell Municipal Auditorium in Birmingham is available as a pet friendly shelter.

ADDRESS:
Boutwell Municipal Auditorium
1930 8th Ave N
Birmingham , AL 35203
(205) 254-7797
Directions

Mississippi

The Jackson , Mississippi Coliseum and Fairgrounds is open for people (in the Coliseum) and their pets (at the adjoining Fairgrounds).

Map to the Jackson, MS Fairgrounds/Coliseum:
http://www.mdac.state.ms.us/n_library/agency_info/map/index_mapdir.html

ADDRESS:
Mississippi Coliseum
& Fair Grounds
1207 Mississippi St .
Jackson , MS 39202
Telephone: 601.961.4000
Fax: 601.354.6545

From I-55, take exit 96B onto High Street, then take a left at second light. The Coliseum will be directly ahead.