Updates: Wildlife Rescue at the Gulf Oil Spill

Folks, I've been working behind the scenes for the last two weeks, doing my small bit to get volunteers, tech and supplies out to various bird and wildlife rescue groups out in the gulf and getting networking and other info out there. As tragic as this is, it is also a teachable moment and could well change how we think about offshore drilling, clean energy and climate change. Fingers crossed.

Blogging takes a backseat for now, but you can go to my newsfeed at BirdGarden for updates on the efforts to help the wild birds, marine life and people caught up in this disaster. I'll keep updating info on who needs what. Meanwhile: Here is a list of 10 Things You Can Do To Help



Many of you know that I'm involved with wildlife and companion animal rescue. I'm on standby via Audubon as are 11,000 other volunteers. I will fly out to the gulf if called and if our elder's health allows for my absence. The volunteers at International Bird Rescue Research Center are on the scene, rescuing birds as we speak, along with other great groups. I'm following all of these and posting updates, photos and videos as they come in.

600 species are affected by this, including 445 species of fish, 134 birds, 45 mammals, and 32 reptiles and amphibians. Many, like the brown pelican and the loggerhead turtle, are endangered already.

I think that Rachael Maddow said it for a lot of us the other night when she described how the BP oil spill is "an environmental, economic and human catastrophy".

Go well, stay well,

Sia

P.S. For you Pet Lovers: The Nashville Humane Society desperately needs funds and supplies to help dogs, cats and other animals caught in the Tennessee floods.

It's kitten season and every shelter in the U.S. needs foster homes, food, and basic supplies like paper towels and kitten food. Please help where and how you can.

Related Articles:

Scientific American: Extinction Countdown: Oil Spill Threatens Endangered Species at a Critical Time.

Animals and People Threatened by Floodwaters in Dakota & Minnesota

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

My thoughts today are with the people and animals facing flood waters in North Dakota and Minnesota. The video I've linked to above (and posted at the blog) from the Rachael Maddow Show is an excellent reminder of what good people can do when they come together.

* Pet Owners: The Humane Society in Fargo has set up Emergency Animal Shelters.

* United Animal Nations has notes on including pets in evacuation plans.

Note to us Westerners: They are doing this work in the worst kind of weather, working with a river filled with not just water, but ice. Watch the video. It really is inspiring.

Update 3/28/09 - Missed It By That Much
Forecast Lifts Hopes of People in Red River Valley

Sia

Related Articles:

National Public Radio has some of the best, up-to-date coverage on the ground

Heartbreaking Triage as Fargo Battles Floods

River Reaches Record High in Fargo

Wildlife Rescue & Habitat Loss After Hurricane Ike

Hurricane Ike's smallest victims are getting help from local wildlife rescue volunteers. WWR (Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation) is sheltering over 200 baby squirrels and one flying squirrel knocked out of trees by Hurricane Ike.

Baby squirrels (especially the smallest, hairless ones, affectionately known as "pinkies) have to be kept warm and fed every few hours, around the clock. As a wildlife rehabber, I've worked on a squirrel rescue team. Trust me, it's a lot of work.



The Science Blog observes that:

We don't think about how wildlife fares during storms. But think about it. Many trees are taken down or damaged during storms and this forever changes the urban forestry landscape in an area. It is often the old trees that fall and do the most damage - the same trees that serve as historical and important shelter sites, food resources, territory boundaries, and ecological landmarks for urban wildlife. With flooding, animals retreat to trees or little pockets of dry land or rooftops. These dry places are little islands, often providing no shelter or food, forces animals to huddle in close proximity that they are not accustomed to. Fighting and predation often result. And the food is gone, drowned in water, and starvation becomes a reality.

WildBird on the Fly writes that:

An official with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Tuesday the tidal surge from Hurricane Ike has left a "sheen" of oil on a southeast Texas wildlife refuge, potentially endangering rare species of birds and other animals.

Tim Cooper, project leader for the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, said oil apparently leaking from ruptured drilling equipment has affected a large area of the 55,000-acre preserve.

The Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge is closed due to damage from Hurricane Ike.

Meanwhile, the Think Progress blog notes that Senator McCain continues to argue that offshore oil rigs are safe. He claimed today that hurricanes won't damage oil rigs and that fish love oil rights. Think Progress writes:

MYTH #1: Hurricanes won’t damage oil rigs. The U.S. Minerals Management Service estimates that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed 113 offshore oil platforms and caused 124 offshore spills for a total of 743,700 gallons. In fact, damage to offshore producers accounted for 77 percent of the oil industry’s storm costs. In the wake of Hurricane Ike, there are at least three offshore oil rigs missing and “presumed to be total losses.”

MYTH #2: Fish love oil rigs. McCain is pushing an oil industry talking point. While marine biologists have seen fish congregating around oil rigs, it doesn’t mean they are good for wildlife. “That’s like taking a picture of birds on a telephone wire and saying it’s essential habitat,” said the Environmental Defense Center’s Linda Krop. Without the platforms, fish would likely return to natural reefs.

The Dalles Morning News that an already fragile coastal ecosystem (fragile, thanks to us humans) could take decades to heal:

It was a violent dose of nature to a coast already hammered by decades of pollution, population growth and habitat loss. As scientists and land managers start to assess the storm's impacts on beaches, dunes and marshes, they are seeing signs of present damage and future worries.

...The Texas coast is crucial to an astonishing range of life, from fish and amphibians to the birds that stop over during migrations along the great Central Flyway from South American winter habitats to arctic nesting grounds. What happens to the dunes, estuaries and marshes along the upper Gulf Coast can be felt across the entire hemisphere for years.

Under natural conditions, coastal ecosystems adapt to the effects of hurricanes and even use them to flush out marshes and estuaries, changing water chemistry and plant communities.

Storms can restart the cycles of succession, or the natural rhythm of birth, maturity, death and rebirth in an ecosystem.

Coastal habitats also absorb storms' energy, a lesson made real in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina rushed ashore unimpeded by the former marsh that once protected New Orleans. The long, narrow strips of sand that parallel the Texas coast and the marshes behind them attempt the same role; they aren't called barrier islands for nothing.

Ike's storm surge threatened to take out in a few hours the dune buildup of years, and to drown under seawater the marshes that survive on a mixture of fresh and saltwater. The death of more marshes and the loss of the natural protection they provide is a certainty, experts said.

"These marshes were not in a healthy, dynamic state to start with because of human impacts," said Mr. Sutherlin, the wildlife area superintendent. Hundreds of acres, perhaps thousands, will be lost, he added.

When will we learn?

Here's to all the volunteers working around the clock to save pets, people and wildlife impacted by the storm.

Sia

Photo: Baby squirrel being bottle fed. Found at the IFAW Animal Rescue Blog

Hurricane Ike, Pollution, and the Texas State Parks

The Coast Guard is investigating pollution reports in the wake of Hurricane Ike, including reports of 21 missing or damaged oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. (1)

Texas Parks and Wildlife has issued a news update on the damage to the Texas state park system, with notes on the rescue of an elderly couple and two zoo animals performed by the Game Wardens:

Excerpt:

• TPWD has had approximately 200 game wardens and associated boats and equipment deployed for Hurricane Ike.
• Game warden search and rescue operations continue on the Bolivar Pennisula today. Yesterday, strike teams rescued an elderly couple of which the husband had congestive heart failure. The Bolivar team also yesterday aided the safe extraction of a lion and tiger that had become residents on the peninsula with the help of the owners and the Houston Zoo.

Texas State Parks

• This morning, 17 Texas State Parks are closed due to Ike, down from 37 closures at the event’s height. Since the storm event began, more than 5,900 evacuees have been given shelter at64 state parks outside Ike’s path. These climbing numbers shown evacuees are continuing to arrive at some parks, although many have departed since evacuees first started arriving last week.
• Two coastal parks, Galveston and Sea Rim, suffered catastrophic damage.Facilities at Sea Rim near Port Arthur appear to be a total loss. At Galveston Island, Ike caused heavy beach erosion and swept awaystateparkfacilities. The San Jacinto Battleground and six other state parks in Southeast and Northeast Texas suffered significant damage ranging from downed trees and power lines to storm surge flooding and wind damage to buildings and facilities.

Ecological Impacts/Fish and Wildlife Kills

• TPWD is tracking more than 26 contaminant spills causing fish and in affected coastal areas.The department is also is participating in a multi-agency, state/federal Natural Resource Damage Assessment effort planning to set up incident command in Clear Lake.
• The department is asking people in affected coastal areas who encounter dead or dying fish and wildlife or pollution that is threatening fish and wildlife or human health to please contact TPWD’s 24-Hour Law Enforcement Communication Center in Houston at (281) 842-8100.

Posted in honor of the coast guard, park employees, emergency rescue teams and first responders.

Sia

Endnotes:

(1) Something to consider when someone shouts "Drill, baby, drill."

Photo: From the Twilight Earth blog

Animal Rescue in the wake of Hurricane Ike

Animal rescue continues in the wake of Hurricane Ike.

The Houston SPCA offers a rescue hotline: 713-435-2990.

Other groups have also arrived to lend a hand. They include the Denver Dumb Friends League, Code 3 Associates, Humane Society of the Pike's Peak Regin, SPCA of Texax, Humane Society of Missouri, SPCA of Los Angeles, and the Louisiana SPCA. IFAW offers updates at their animal rescue blog. The American Humane Society has also sent out their highly trained emergency reponders.

If you have evacuated without your pet and would like animal rescue workers to try to retrieve it, you can call (409) 838-2510.

One animal loving blogger notes that:

Conspicuous by their absence are Best Friends Society and Pasado's Safe Haven; both were very active in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and deployed early to Louisiana in preparation for Hurricane Gustav.

Pasado's web site carries a short statement about why they have not responded to Hurricane Ike.

...I think it's a damn shame that ready, willing and able hands are turned away.

Agreed. (1)


All of these folks are needed. Ryan Myers in an article titled "Teams Rescue Ire's Animal Victums" writes this about the pets left behind:

In Orange, one of the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Ike, one victim had no choice about leaving.

“There was a golden lab chained in a low-lying, flooded area,” said Jordan Crump with The Humane Society of the United States. “She had climbed on top of some cinder blocks in the yard to get out of the water.”

On Tuesday, four days after Ike slammed ashore, animal rescuers cut the lab’s chain and brought her to a shelter in Beaumont.

“Some people had to leave very quickly and a lot of animals were left behind,” said Dean Vickers, director of the Humane Society of Ohio.

Vickers and about 20 workers from the Humane Society’s emergency services team arrived in Southeast Texas on Sunday to begin assisting Ike’s animal victims.

“We’re getting a lot of calls from people asking us to go get their pets,” Crump said on Tuesday at the Human Society of Southeast Texas in Beaumont.

Residents who have returned home also are calling to report animals abandoned by their neighbors.

Remember the lessons of Katrina, where between 40,000 - 50,000 (80%) pets died, and 10,000 -15,000 were rescued. Of those rescued only 2 - 3,000 were reunited with their owners. 8,000 - 12,000 were adopted, were waiting in shelters or were euthanized in high kill shelters. Many more are still on the streets, giving birth to more needy animals.

Never leave your animals behind. You can't know when you'll return.

Sia

Related Articles & Video:

Riding Out the Storm With A Lion

Pet Paradise Letting Evacuee Pets Stay At It's Resort For Free

Helping Us, Help Ourselves: Disaster Preparedness For Our Families & Pets

Video: In Memory of Those Left To Die: The Animals of Katrina
This video contains images of the animals left behind; those rescued and those who were not. It is not for the faint of heart.

Painting: Cicero, by artist Carla Klinker
She does lovely pet portraits - check out her website.

Endnotes:

(1) Pasado Rescue's statement includes this disturbing note:

A final note: As Hurricane Ike storms its way to Texas, we are asked why we wouldn't move operations there. Frankly, some states are very well prepared for animals in the wake of disaster. Florida and Texas are among them. When Ike was forecasted to travel up the Eastern Seaboard, PasadoRescue was in touch with our contacts for possible triage sites and with Departments of Emergency Management in North and South Carolina, in preparation to assist. We would like to offer large animal evacuation in Texas but are told that ranchers choose not to remove their livestock. And, of course, federal government subsidies pay to replace any livestock killed by weather (ice, snow) or disaster. Your tax dollars at work.

Kuan Yin and the Pandas: Pagan Thoughts On Hard Times

Today, I would like to offer some updates on the earlier Panda Preserve post. This comes to us from the folks at Tree Hugger in an article about the destruction of the preserve:

China's massive earthquake this month killed as many as 80,000 people, leveled over 400,000 homes, and threatened dams and lakes, bringing out an unusual, grassroots goodwill in the process. It also affected a number of crucial sanctuaries for China's unofficial mascot, and one of the world's most beloved (and threatened) animals: the panda. While most pandas are safe at the famed Wolong Panda Reserve, which is part of a 7-sanctuary UNESCO World Heritage site, the sanctuary is so badly damaged that it will probably have to be relocated, staff told state media today. Nearly half of the base's 86 pandas have been evacuated to another sanctuary in Sichuan, eight have been sent to Beijing on a previously-arranged Olympic trip. and, after the capture of five escaped pandas, one is still unaccounted for.

.......The earthquake, which struck during the "love"-prone phase of some of the pandas' reproductive period, caused the pandas to freeze in trees and stare at the sky, resisting their handlers' entreaties to come down. Their unusual behavior reportedly began prior to the quake -- one group rose from a listless spell and began to pace back and forth -- leading to speculation that they knew that a natural disaster was immanent -- a skill that would put them in league with the Thai elephants that supposedly predicted the Asian tsunami of 2004 minutes before it struck.

My thoughts are with the people of China and Burma today, especially with the parents who lost their children when so many of the schools collapsed and the many people who are now facing floods and starvation.

Click on this UNICEF link to help the children affected by these disasters. Any amount you can give, no matter how small, can help.

Sia

Related Articles:

Kuan Yin and the Year of the Snake
Thoughts on disasters and how this Goddess helps us deal with hard times.

Excerpt:

I first met Kuan Yin years ago in a small California mountain town called Weaverville. This historic mining town contains the famous Joss House, one of the oldest active Chinese temples in the United States...It is known by the lovely name of "The Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds" and it is dedicated to Kuan Yin.

The Chinese settlers who lived in California back then were surrounded on all sides by hostility, prejudice and mistrust. Their complex belief system was thought to be mere primitive superstition. This temple gave them a place where they could come together as a people, a place where they could share their experience, strength and hope with one another. It also gave them a place where they could seek out and speak to Kuan Yin.

Kuan Yin teaches that mercy and compassion are for everyone. I believe this is why her worship spans centuries, cultures, geography and religions. This Goddess dwells among us here on earth and she understands our grief, anger, fear and hopelessness. She does not preach, she listens. She does not demand our obedience rather she lets her own actions light the way for those that wish to follow her example. She is love, compassion and mercy personified and we need her now more then ever.

Kuan Yin does not pick and choose; her love is for all beings, including those of us who bring our troubles upon ourselves...

...Whenever I am tempted to lash out in anger, I think of that Tong War. It reminds me that compassion is a dynamic force. My tradition teaches that this force must be directed outwardly, as well as inwardly, in order to be effective. For me, this means that I cannot fight intolerance or prejudice directed towards me with more of the same. I can defend myself and my loved ones, never you fear, but I can do so in a way that leaves my integrity intact. More then once the thought of Kuan Yin has kept me from playing the fool in someone else's game. This is what is meant by right action. It does not mean "no action" or "reaction", it means action that is taken from a position of wisdom, understanding and strength.

And in case you are wondering that picture of me was taken (ahem) some years ago.

Art: Kuan Yin with Panda by Sandra Stanton.
Click on the link to order one of her Goddess prints.

California Firestorm Updates - It's Not Over

It's Not Nice To Fool (with) Mother Nature:

In the Yes, and...? category today we have this well meaning commentary at Inquirer.net

"...perhaps nature is telling us through these wildfires that it’s resenting the urbanization of mountain and forest areas.

Industrialists have carved out fashionable villages, hotels and resorts and other commercial establishments in areas previously untouched, unpolluted and unviolated.

Nature wants to claim back its lands and is telling man to “just back off” ... or else, man (sic) will get what he deserves. A stern warning from nature."

Gosh....ya think?

For more on how the California paradise is being lost, read California's Natural Born Killers at BBC.com.

Why Should I Care?

Because we can all expect more large scale, destructive fires in our states, as the problems created by global warming, rampant overdevelopment, the water crisis, the strain on both the nation's budget and the National Guard due to the Iraq war, and the population explosion impact us all. As Newsweek notes, wildfires are America's future.

George Carlin thinks we've got it coming. What do you think?

Updates:

Meanwhile, here is an NBC Update on the CA wildfires and this is one of the better blogs on the subject for those who live in the San Diego area.

One of the issues now is to find affordable housing for those affected by the fires and there are those no one thinks about, until they need their food picked or their houses cleaned: The migrant workers caught in the fires.

Animal Rescue Updates:

Horses:

One Santa Clarita man suffered severe burns when he went into a burning barn to save a dozen therapy horses at the Heads Up Therapy Ranch. He is at a local burn ward as we speak. Donations can be sent care of the ranch.

The Doghouse blog notes that Approximately 2,000 horses were housed at State fairgrounds, and many of their owners slept in the jockey quarters. According to a CNN story on animal rescue during the fire, some horses were kept in mall parking lots.

Wildlife

Wild birds also need help. According to the San Pedro Press Telegram, "Local wildlife rescuers are making room for injured and distressed animals displaced by fires ravaging the Southland.

In recent days, a few dozen aquatic birds and waterfowl forced from their Malibu home by smoke and flames have landed temporary shelter at the International Bird Rescue Research Center here, with more expected in coming days.

The center opened its doors to both wildlife and domesticated housepets on Sunday, when it began accepting ducks, coots and other winged creatures from a devastated wildlife center in Malibu's fire-ravaged canyons.

The center, staffed by volunteers and run on a shoe-string budget, says it will remain open for the duration...The center received an emergency grant from the International Fund for Animal Welfare to aid operations in coming weeks, and said it is willing to help other animal control authorities care for avian wildfire victims.

Anyone coming across an animal injured or left homeless from recent wildfires is urged to call the WildRescue hotline at (866) WILD-911.

To contact the IBRRC, call (310) 514-2753 or visit www.ibrrc.org."

Companion Animals

The San Diego Humane Society rescue teams continue to care for animals and pets effected by the fire. They offer a short slideshow about the work they are doing, and this update:

As of today, there are 165 animals directly receiving care from our staff at the Mira Mesa High School, down from 200 as people are returning to their homes. The majority of evacuees left are from the Ramona area. A Humane Society veterinarian was also on site today to examine pets and provide health care to any ailing animals.

Welfare checks on animals left in their homes continued today as the areas actively burning decreased. Volunteers and staff visited almost 100 residences and fed and watered over 409 animals throughout the county in Lakeside, Ramona and Jamul.

Some animals are suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. Approximately 20 horses are being treated at the Lakeside Rodeo Ground for fire-related injuries. Unfortunately, there are also many dead animal that were found today and a total count is in the process of being tallied. Our thoughts and well wishes go out to those who have lost their animals in these terrible fires. The San Diego Humane Society does provide pet loss resources for those who have had to say goodbye to their animal friends. Learn more about pet loss support.

Though this is a terrible tragedy, we continue to be encouraged by the surviving animals that we are finding and in our ability to continue to help the community."

--------------

Thousands of people are out there, doing the good that's in front of them. How's that for inspiring?

Sia

Pet Links:

Protecting Your Pet in an Emergency

Pet Loss Support Hotline

Pet Loss: Groups, Books & Links

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

Some Prayers for a Deceased Pet

Saying Goodbye To A Pet: Rituals and Memories
(Includes a section on euthanizing pets titled "When It's Time To Let Go"O
Other Links

San Francisco Art Auction - Fundraiser for the Humane Society

Fire Report for the State of California

What to Save From a Fire - From Time Magazine

Disaster Relief for Animals Caught in Wildfires

The Humane Society has deployed it's teams and they can use our help

More information is below

Here is a list of local animal shelters

Free Pet Boarding, Free Horse Transport & Free Shelters for People

Wildlife Rescue

Should you find a wild animal in distress, and not know who to call for help, WildRescue operates a phone hotline for the Southern California area. The hotline, (866) WILD-911, can help you find the wildlife rescue center that serves your area.

Notes on animal rescue efforts througout Southern California are below
Update 10/25: Evacuating Man's Best Friend

San Diego Humane Society

Information on animal rescue efforts in other areas is also listed below

Here is the lastest information on animal rescue in San Diego courtesy of The Daily Kos

To ensure that all evacuees are receiving accurate information, please provide the following updates to pet owners in need during evacuations:

The San Diego Humane Society's Animal Rescue Reserve (ARR) team is currently working with the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services to evacuate domestic animals and livestock threatened by the Harris and Witch Creek fires with first priority being given to evacuation areas in Rancho Bernardo. Over the last two days, officers, staff and volunteers have evacuated more than 400 animals and are actively assisting more than 1,000 animals at our shelter locations throughout the county. However, experts estimate that between 10,000-15,000 animals have been displaced county wide.

Currently we are not able to assist or escort individuals into burned areas.

All resources are active at this time in areas needing immediate evacuation.

If you have animals or livestock that you cannot evacuate yourself or that need to be rescued, call (619) 236-4250 and press "1" for emergency services.

OPEN ANIMAL EVACUATION SITES: The following sites are open for animals and are being supplied by the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services and San Diego Humane Society:

Small Animals Only:

Qualcomm Stadium -- 9449 Friars Road

Most Red Cross Evacuation Centers

Large Animals

Fiesta Island (will accept small animals as well) Lakeside Rodeo Grounds is currently only available for animals being evacuated by County of San Diego or Humane Society officers and is not available for public animal drop off.

Space in Thermal and Indio is available as a back-up site. Call (760)

399-2716 for information

If you have a stable or other areas that can house a number of large animals and livestock that need to be evacuated, please call the San Diego Humane Society at (619) 299-7012.

The San Diego Humane Society is asking for donations of the following items:

Cash donations to support rescue efforts.

Pop-up tents for shade and shelter

Lead ropes for livestock

Broodmore halters

Cash donations can be made online at www.sdhumane.org or by calling (619) 299-7012. Items may be brought directly to the San Diego Humane Society campus at 5500 Gaines Street.

Volunteers are not needed at this time, but the San Diego Humane Society is keeping a list of names for people interested in helping.

Residents that need to evacuate their homes are asked to take all companion animals with them. If possible, place your pet in a crate or carrier and bring any necessary supplies including leashes, food, water, and medications as supplies at evacuation centers may be limited. More tips can be found online at www.sdhumane.org.

Tijuana Valley Equestrian Association: 619-920-1282, John Gabaldon TVEA members will help to place horses in private ranches in the Tijuana River Valley area. The association has placed 200 horses and has room for more. For information, evacuees with horses can contact John Gabaldon, the chairman of the Tijuana Valley Equestrian Association at (619) 920-1282, and he will provide directions to the location of the corrals.

-------------------------

Many Other Groups are Currently Involved in this Rescue Effort:

Animal Disaster Relief - Other News & Information
Our thanks to the Kinship Circle for Animals,
& Craig's List San Diego For The Information Found Below
(Note: Check your local NPR Station and KCAL9.com for further updates)

ANNOUNCEMENT - KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF

PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN

RELIEF GLOBAL
10/23/07: Animals Caught In California Wildfires: How To Help
KINSHIP CIRCLE’S DISASTER VICTIMS SITE:

COMPREHENSIVE ALERT
ABOUT ANIMALS AFFECTED
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES:

As of today, nearly a half million people have evacuated. Homes are gone. READ CAREFULLY, if you want to help. Many listings below show info to DONATE and/or VOLUNTEER. Anyone certified with Noah’s Wish, EARS, or other disaster relief orgs ought to be prepared to be deploy.

As during Katrina, however, Kinship Circle has no control over the ever-changing logistics of a disaster.

10/23/07: How To Help Animals In California Wildfires

1. UPDATE: Fire Evacuation For Gentle Barn - Cows Trapped. Horses Afraid.
2. UPDATE: As Flames Engulfed Animals At Gentle Barn In Santa Clarita, CA...
3. San Diego Animal Evacuations: Where They’re Welcome/How To Help
4. Southern California VCA Hospitals Offer Free Boarding
5. Animal Evacuation Order Issued For Topanga Canyon
6. High Winds Bring Displaced Doggies To Blown-Down Ranch
7. Evacuated Horses Streaming into Pierce College As Fires Spread
8. Flames Threaten San Diego Wild Animal Park
9. Massive Evacuations Ordered As Onslaught Of Fires Spreads
10. MORE REPORTS/RESOURCES FOR ANIMALS


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1. UPDATE: Fire Evacuation For Gentle Barn - Cows Trapped. Horses Afraid.
DATE: 10/22/07
FROM: Lorri Bauston, President, info@animalacres.org


EMERGENCY EVACUATION UPDATE: Fortunately, because of the dedication of
volunteers and individuals who helped us buy animal transport trailers, WE
WERE ABLE TO SAFELY EVACUATE ALL OF GENTLE BARN’S ANIMALS, and the animals
are now being cared for at Animal Acres...

Given the state of emergency in southern California, it is clear that
additional fire evacuation areas need to be established for farm animals,
and we are focusing all our efforts on this over the next two weeks. We
DESPERATELY need YOU to help with this effort.

HOW TO HELP FARM ANIMALS IN FIRE EVACUATIONS:
1. VOLUNTEER AT ANIMAL ACRES: Come to Animal Acres to help care for
evacuated animals here.

* Caregivers needed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
* No appointment necessary
* Directions to Animal Acres


2. HELP ESTABLISH EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROTOCOL: Help set up an emergency
evacuation area for the Animal Acres animals. The more volunteers who can
pitch-in, the sooner a site can be ready for evacuation needs.

* Volunteers needed to put up fencing and other jobs.
* Volunteers needed EVERY DAY from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Let us know what day(s) you will be joining us.
* CALL: 661-269-5404 or EMAIL: info@animalacres.org


3. DONATE FOR EVACUATION NEEDS: Your donation, in any amount, will means so
much. We URGENTLY need funding for:

* Temporary housing sheds
* Evacuation site fencing and corrals
* Water troughs and water hoses
* To purchase an additional transport trailer to evacuate ALL animals immediately.
* DONATE ONLINE


On behalf of ALL of us at Animal Acres, and the animals who need our
assistance at this difficult time, THANK YOU.

Lorri Bauston, President, ANIMAL ACRES
5200 Escondido Canyon Road * Acton, CA 93510
ph: 661-269-5404; fax: 661-269-0194
email: info@animalacres.org * website: http://www.animalacres.org
Animal Acres is a Los Angeles farmed animal sanctuary and compassionate
living center directed by Farm Sanctuary co-founder Lorri Bauston.

DIRECTIONS TO ANIMAL ACRES:

* Located approx. 40 minutes from Los Angeles.
* Take Interstate 5 North to Highway 14 North (Antelope Valley Hwy towards Palmdale).
* Take Highway 14 North approximately 18 miles.
* Take the RED ROVER MINE ROAD exit;
* the exit will curve to the right; take the first LEFT (you’ll be on Ward Road), and this road ends at ESCONDIDO CANYON ROAD.
* Take a LEFT on ESCONDIDO CANYON ROAD.
* The Sanctuary is the first farm on the left; look for buildings with red tiled roofs and mailboxes in front of driveway.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2. UPDATE: As Flames Engulfed Animals At Gentle Barn In Santa Clarita, CA...
DATE: 10/22/07
FROM: Susie V Kaufman, Susie@JarrettLennon.com

Sunday and Monday, as flames engulfed the animals at Gentle Barn in Santa
Clarita, CA , Kinship Circle urged volunteers to bring transport trailers
and willing hands to both Gentle Barn and Animal Acres. You were advised to
notify Susie Kaufman, if able to help. Below is Susie’s update on the
evacuated animals.

CONTACT SUSIE TO BE ON-CALL FOR EVACUATION OR LOADING/UNLOADING ANIMALS:

* PHONE (only use this number): 661-251-6669
* EMAIL: Susie@JarrettLennon.com
* Contact by EMAIL is preferred.


We need loving people to come to Animal Acres and help feed and water our
rescued rescues. We also need:

* Food!
* Bedding!
* Containers for water
* Everything you can think of for farm animals to make them comfortable and calm.


If you come to Animal Acres, let them know Susie sent you their way. That
way we'll know if this system works.

We need folks on standby -- in case Animal Acres needs to evacuate -- with:

* Trailers, trucks
* Ability to load and unload panicked animals

It's AMAZING how many of you love animals that much!
With all my heart, Susie, Susie@JarrettLennon.com * 661-251-6669

DIRECTIONS TO ANIMAL ACRES:
Animal Acres, 661-269-5404
5200 Escondido Canyon Road * Acton, CA 93510

* Located approx. 40 minutes from Los Angeles.
* Take Interstate 5 North to Highway 14 North (Antelope Valley Hwy towards Palmdale).
* Take Highway 14 North approximately 18 miles.
* Take the RED ROVER MINE ROAD exit;
* the exit will curve to the right; take the first LEFT (you’ll be on Ward Road), and this road ends at ESCONDIDO CANYON ROAD.
* Take a LEFT on ESCONDIDO CANYON ROAD.
* The Sanctuary is the first farm on the left; look for buildings with red tiled roofs and mailboxes in front of driveway.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

3. San Diego Animal Evacuations: Where They’re Welcome/How To Help
DATE: 10/23/07
San Diego Humane Society - Animal Rescue Updates
SOURCE: News 8 Wildfire Coverage

SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY Assisting with Animal Evacuations for Harris
and Witch Creek Fires. As of Sunday evening, several dozen animals have been
evacuated to temporary holding locations. Among the animals evacuated were
horses, goats, ducks, and dogs. The ARR is continuing to monitor the fires
through the night and will continue to provide aid to those pets in danger.

COMPANION ANIMAL EVACUATION:
Residents evacuating their homes are asked to take all companion animals
with them. If possible, place your pet in a crate or carrier and bring any
necessary supplies including leashes, food, water, and medications as
supplies at evacuation centers may be limited. More tips:

***** Most Red Cross evacuation centers are accepting pets in carriers. *****
If you do not have or were unable to put your pet in a carrier or need pet supplies,
bring your pet to one of the following Red Cross evacuation centers:

El Camino High School - NO PEOPLE, ONLY ANIMALS
400 Rancho Del Oro Dr. * Oceanside, CA 92057
Space for horses, livestock and small animals

Fiesta Island - ACCEPTING 500 OWNERS AND THEIR ANIMALS
1500 Fiesta Island Rd * San Diego, CA 92109

Qualcomm Stadium - SMALL PETS ONLY
9449 Friars Road * San Diego, CA 92108

Mira Mesa High School - FULL
10510 Reagan Road * San Diego, CA 92126

Camp Diggity Dog - FREE BOARDING TO DOGS DISPLACED BY FIRES
1835 Imperial Ave * San Diego, CA 92102
619-702-4090, Bark@CampDiggityDogs.com

LARGE ANIMAL EVACUATION:
Del Mar Fairgrounds - FULL

Lakeside Rodeo Grounds - FULL
Hwy 67 & Mapleview St.

IF YOU NEED EMERGENCY EVACUATION FOR YOUR ANIMALS OR LIVESTOCK:
CALL: 619-236-4250 and press "1" for emergency services

ANYONE WITH STABLE OR AREA TO HOUSE EVACUATED LARGE ANIMALS & LIVESTOCK:
CALL: San Diego Humane Society, 619-299-7012

HUMANE SOCIETY ALSO NEEDS PORTABLE LIVESTOCK PANELS FOR TEMPORARY CORRALS:
If you have these available for use, CALL: 619 299-7012

VOLUNTEERS & SUPPLIES:
Volunteers and supplies are not needed at this time, but the San Diego
Humane Society is keeping a list of names for people interested in helping.

* TO HELP, DONATE:
* Or CALL: 619-299-7012

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

4. Southern California VCA Hospitals Offer Free Boarding
DATE: 10/23/07

VCA animal hospitals throughout Southern California are offering free
boarding through Nov. 5 -- on a space-available basis -- for animals whose
owners have been evacuated or displaced as a result of the firestorms.

Pet owners should call ahead to double-check, but VCA facilities in Los
Angeles and Orange counties that may have space available include:

-- Burbank, VCA Animal Hospital, 818-845-7246
-- Canoga Park, VCA Companion Animal Hospital, 818-340-1569
-- Cypress, VCA College Park-Ana Brook Animal Hospital, 714-827-6861
-- Glendale, VCA Arden Animal Hospital, 818-246-2478
-- Hermosa Beach, VCA Coast Animal Hospital, 310-372-8881
-- Laguna Niguel, VCA Aliso Viejo Animal Hospital, 949-643-0437
-- Lake Forest, VCA Saddleback Animal Hospital, 949-586-4250
-- Lake Forest, VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital, 949-770-1808
-- Los Alamitos, VCA Rossmoor-El Dorado Animal Hospital. 562-598-8621
-- Los Angeles, VCA Miller-Robertson Animal Hospital, 310-657-7050
-- Los Angeles, VCA Petville Animal Hospital, 310-313-9118
-- Mission Viejo, VCA Mission Viejo Animal Hospital, 949-582-1220
-- Pasadena, VCA A Breed Apart Animal Hospital, 626-795-4444
-- Reseda, VCA McClave Animal Hospital, 818-881-5102
-- Santa Monica, VCA Santa Monica Dog and Cat Hospital, 310-453-5459
-- Santa Monica, VCA Wilshire Animal Hospital, 310-828-4587
-- Woodland Hills, VCA Parkwood Animal Hospital, 818-884-5506

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

5. Animal Evacuation Order Issued For Topanga Canyon
DATE: 10/21/07
FROM: Kate Danaher, katedanaher@animalearthhuman.org

EDITED FOR LENGTH
(CBS) LOS ANGELES Owners of horses and large animals in the Topanga Canyon
area were ordered Sunday to evacuate their animals immediately, as officials
said animal owners in areas affected by wildfires should evacuate their pets
early. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles
County Fire Department issued the animal evacuation order for Topanga Canyon
Sunday afternoon because of a windblown, 1,200-acre wildfire that began in
Malibu Sunday morning and is bearing down on the canyon.

MALIBU & AGUA DOLCE AUTHORITIES’ EMERGENCY ANIMAL HOTLINE:
[Animal caretakers] call 818-991-6384 for help with emergency evacuation.

TOPANGA COUNTY SHELTER FOR SMALL ANIMALS [CATS, DOGS]:
Agoura Hills Shelter
29525 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills

TOPANGA COUNTY SHELTER FOR LARGE ANIMALS [HORSES]:
Pierce College Equestrian Center in Woodland Hills
Horse owners were advised to enter the college via El Rancho Road, east of
DeSoto Avenue, a quarter mile south of Victory Boulevard.

REST OF STORY

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

6. High Winds Bring Displaced Doggies To Blown-Down Ranch
New Leash On Life Needs Your Help
DATE: 10/22/07
FROM: Kate Danaher, katedanaher@animalearthhuman.org

Late last night (Sunday, October 21) high winds ripped four of our exercise
pens off the ground and sent them flying. Currently they are residing where
they landed last night. Some are slung over the kennel and into the pool
area, others just upside-down in the middle of our exercise area. We need
help to secure these structures down and make the ranch safe as we are also
expecting a large influx of displaced dogs from the fire evacuations.

The Castaic Animal Shelter has already put in a call to our office to ask
for a place to put all these unfortunate doggies. If you can come help us at
the ranch today in any capacity, please do. The high winds continue to
threaten the ranch as the already destroyed pens are hanging on rooftops and
sticking to trees. Thank you for helping us in this time of need.

NEW LEASH ON LIFE
16742 Placerita Cyn. Rd. * Newhall, CA 91321
661-255-0097 or 818-710-9898 * info@nlol.org

DONATIONS:


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

7. Evacuated Horses Streaming into Pierce College As Fires Spread
DATE: 10/23/07

Horses in evacuated areas threatened by the Malibu and other fires raging
this week are finding safe refuge at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, a Los
Angeles County large animal emergency evacuation center. As of noon on
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 153 horses had been logged in, sheltered and fed under the
direction of the L.A. County Volunteer Equine Response team.

HOTLINE: 818-991-6384
A temporary emergency Command Center phone number for the public to get
evacuation information for large animals.

Pierce can house more than 200 large animals, and additional evacuation
centers are being set up by the County, so the public should call the
Command Center hotline for direction.

Horses are taken in for free at Pierce, and a veterinarian is onsite.
Trained volunteers from Pierce College’s equestrian program and Boots and
Saddles Club are assisting the county rescue effort, night and day.

EMERGENCY CENTER GUIDELINES:

* No stallions
* Bring a water tub and medicines for your animal
* Please bring feed if you can

PIERCE COLLEGE LOCATION:
6201 Winnetka Avenue in Woodland Hills
Enter the campus off De Soto Avenue just south of Victory Blvd.
Turn east onto El Rancho Road.

FOR SMALL ANIMALS (DOGS, CATS):
Call the Agoura animal shelter: 818-991-0071
Evacuees in Ventura County call: 805-388-4341

DONATIONS:
Donate to: “Foundation for Pierce College Equine Emergency Fund”
Mail to: Foundation for Pierce College
6201 Winnetka Ave.
Woodland Hills, CA 91371
Or call the Foundation: 818-703-0826

Pierce College donates its equestrian facility, volunteers, food and
supplies to this rescue effort. Generous community members and local
businesses including numerous feed stores and Ralph's in Woodland Hills and
Olive Garden are bringing in "feed" -- for both horses and volunteers.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

8. Flames Threaten San Diego Wild Animal Park
DATE: 10/22/07

(AP) SAN DIEGO, Calif. The sprawling San Diego Wild Animal Park has been
closed to visitors and staff. Flames are threatening its eastern end.

Smaller animals, including California condors, were moved to the park's
hospital Sunday. Other animals are being kept in their large field
enclosures, which are considered to be safer because the vegetation is
sparse.The northern San Diego County park, encircled by fire breaks, is home
to about 3,500 animals.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

9. Massive Evacuations Ordered As Onslaught Of Fires Spreads
DATE: 10/23/07
FROM: Kate Danaher, katedanaher@animalearthhuman.org

EXCERPT FROM STORY:
The sheer ferocity and sweep of the firestorm, and the scale of its impact,
created surreal images throughout the region.

In the Rancho Bernardo area in north San Diego County, more than 1,500
people, 2,200 horses and other animals, including chickens, a zebra and a
zorse (a cross between a zebra and a horse), took refuge at the Del Mar
fairground and racetrack.

At least 5,000 people were evacuated to Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San
Diego Chargers, inviting comparisons to Hurricane Katrina evacuees who were
housed in squalor at the Louisiana Superdome. The scene at Qualcomm, though,
could hardly have been in sharper contrast.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

10. EMERGENCY ANIMAL RESCUE SERVICE (EARS) RESOURCE PAGE


10/21/07: Santa Barbara County Maintains Sedgwick Fire Animal Services Hotline
SOURCE: KSBY-TV
The Santa Barbara County Animal Services Program has implemented a hotline
to assist pet owners with animal evacuation and sheltering due to the
Sedgwick Fire. This hotline is available to identify those needing aid with
transporting or sheltering animals as well as individuals in our community
offering to provide assistance with animals. The Sedgwick Fire Animal
Services Hotline number is: 681-4332.

10/23/07: NOAH’S WISH REPORT
Update as of noon, 10/23/07:
Three Noah's Wish trailers left the El Dorado Hills office at noon loaded
with supplies and responders enroute to Qualcomm stadium in San Diego (see
photos below). Conditions continue to worsen as high winds drive the fires
into communities. Over a half-million people are evacuated in Southern
California. Qualcomm stadium now has more than 50,000 evacuees and the
numbers continue to grow by the hour. N.W. volunteers continue to arrive.
They are very busy but have the shelter functioning smoothly.

Update as of 7:00 am:
All Noah's wish personnel responding to San Diego fire disaster should
report to our command center at the temporary shelter, Parking Lot "H" at
Qualcomm Stadium. The First response trailer arrived last evening with much
needed cages and supplies.

Eight N.W. first responders spent the night caring for the many animals
already in place. (With hundreds more to come). This morning's count : 20
Horses , 79 Cats, 93 Dogs, 6 Rabbits, 5 Rats and a Chinchilla.

At 9:00am this morning a caravan of three trucks pulling N.W. trailers will
leave the El Dorado Hills office bound for Qualcomm. Trailers are stocked
with more caging and other much needed equipment. Two dozen volunteers are
now preparing to leave their homes from as far as Canada, Oklahoma and
Arizona, traveling to San Diego via car and plane.

This is a major disaster, much the same as Hurricane Katrina...Hundreds of
thousands of people and animals are out of their homes. Many will have no
homes to return to. Regions 1,2,5 and 6 are being deployed, more areas will
be alerted as warranted by the situation.

***************************************************************************************************
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Action Campaigns I Literature I Voice For Animals
Nonprofit working in animal protection/cruelty + animal disaster relief campaigns
info@kinshipcircle.org or kinshipcircle@accessus.net
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Kinship Circle is a nonprofit organization serving the animal advocacy
community. Donations fund the literature, website, research/campaigns,
educational outreach, and animal disaster aid information -- that let YOU
take action for animals. DONATE: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

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1. GULF COAST: Once monthly e-newsletters with news, needs,
stories...related to hurricane-affected animals in the Gulf Coast.
Newsletters to continue as long as needed.

2. RELIEF GLOBAL: E-newsletters/alerts about animals in disasters as they
unfold -- tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, fires, war zones, pet food recall...

3. ACTION CAMPAIGNS: Sample-letter alerts about

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---

Related Articles: Ring of Fire: The Southern CA Wildfires

Youtube video: Large California Fires & Their Effect on Wildlife
(note: contains some disturbing scenes)

Ring of Fire - The Southern California Wildfires

My thoughts today are with my dear friend and colleague, Chaos, and with many other friends and members in Southern California. (1)

Chaos lives in Newhall and her place is surrounded by fire on all sides. She is waiting to hear if she will need to evacuate. Much depends on the Santa Anna winds.

Please keep the animals and people caught in these blazes in mind. Keep a thought, too, for the brave men and women who are fighting these fires and those working to save the farm animals, pets and wildlife that are effected.

For more information, go to

News:

KCAL9.com

California Fire News

KCRW (National Public Radio Station in Los Angeles)
Fire News

In San Diego, they're calling it "The Witch fire"

Pets, Farm Animals and Wildlife

Pet Safety in Fires

Peta's Warning

SPCA'S Dart Team Rescues Animals caught in the fire

Directory of Animal Shelters from Rescuers.com - Folks, right now, they could use your help. All donations of supplies, time or funds are gratefully accepted.

LA County Animal Care and Control has a number for folks who need help evacuating their animals. That number is 818-919-6384. Small Animals can be brought to the Agoura Animal Shelter....large animals to Pierce College.

Emergency Preparedness Information at Petfinders.com

Owners Scramble To Find Safe Haven For Horses

Note from Wren's Nest News: The Foundation for The Pure Spanish Horse (http://prehorse.org/_main/) office has been inundated with phone calls worried about our friends in CA.

If you are in CA and need help evacuating your horses please call the office at 505.294.0800 for a list of people who are willing to help.

If you can help someone who has to evacuate either by helping with transportation or by housing their horses please contact the office.

Earth Science

Wildfires & Wind - How Stuff Works

How non-native grasses are fueling the fires

Sia

(1) Most of us are keeping in touch by phone right now. A network of friends is helping find places for other people to stay. Some others work to help animals. The horse people are out there right now, getting animals off the ranches and family farms and into safety. Others are working with local shelters and rescue groups.

Related Articles:

Gaia's Guardians