Please forgive the delay in responding. Just wanted to give you an update
on things.
As of yesterday, Judi McGovern, our director, is still without electricity
and water, but she and the family seem to be doing well. Their fence was
damaged by the wind and they are having a time keeping 8 hounds contained
in a make-shift fenced area when it's potty time! Judi and Harold received
a huge donation of goods apparently gathered by folks from Greytalk and
delivered by Kevin Fish and Heather Powers from Gulfport, Mississippi.
Judi said they drove up to her house in a Hummer full of stuff for people
and pets! I have received monetary donations from hound folks around the
country and thanks to Cara Brockhoff, Carla Meyers and others, online
auctions are taking place to benefit GPA/LA. I have also received calls
and emails from people willing to open their homes to people and hounds,
assist with transportation, and even maintain our website. The outpouring
of generosity and love is very touching and appreciated by all of us.
Fortunately, I have not had many desperate calls from people needing help
with their hounds during all of this. We have needed a few foster homes,
but nothing overwhelming. Our needs as an organization to date have been
minimal, but there is no way to know what the future will bring. We plan
to use donations to assist hounds and their families with immediate needs
such as food, flea control, heartworm prevention, boarding fees and repairing
fencing. Yesterday, I received a phone call from Scott Sanders, the new
VP of GPA National. He confirmed that there are folks everywhere who want
to help, and he informed me they raised $5000 at the convention for hurricane
relief efforts for the southern states. Amazing!
I would like to mention that while I am not currently aware of many displaced
greyhounds from this horrific event, there is an overwhelming number of
other pets who are displaced. The LaSPCA and other animal rescue groups
from across the country are going into New Orleans every day and saving
pets from homes and from the streets. These pets are being brought back
to emergency shelters for care until they can be reunited with their loved
ones. The need for supplies and volunteers at these shelters is great
and will continue to be. I would encourage folks to donate to their favorite
charity's hurricane disaster relief fund to help with the future needs
of these efforts.
Thanks to everyone who has called, emailed, sent donations, offered assistance
and included us in your prayers. I always believed the greyhound community
was unique and special and this week my belief was confirmed!
If people would like to send donations directly to our organization, they
can be mailed to me at the following address:
GPA/LA
c/o Lilla Whitehead
17228 E. Rockbridge Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
Some organizations helping Hurricane Katrina victims:
American Veterinary
Medical Foundation is sending in teams of veterinarians trained
in disaster situation. VMAT teams are working as part of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) to care
for injured animals. Please see their website for donations.
Noah's Wish
has set up an emergency shelter for the New Orleans area. This organization
deals exclusively with animals affected by disasters. Donate to Noah's Wish
by visiting their website.