Marcello's Blog: Final
Days in the Gulf Coast
September 16,
2005
OK, what day is today? I am currently in Tylertown, Mississippi
where Best Friends is taking in animals brought in by boat. I arrived
around 3 pm yesterday and Sherry from Best Friends gave me a tour. There
were many mother dogs with litters of puppies so we spent a lot of time
trying to move them to areas with air conditioning. Also, with only a few
areas receiving cell phone coverage, I spent hours just trying to
communicate with our staff and others. Our associate director Jennifer
found a minivan that can be picked up in Austin and driven to New York.
Our trailer arrived in Austin the day before last.
Two nights ago, around
midnight, a van brought animals rescued from that day -- another 30 dogs,
4 cats and a bird. The bird became my roommate for the night! The dogs
were unloaded, walked, given water and put back in crates to sleep. We got
to bed around 2 am and were up by 7 am. Our bird roommate seems to be
doing well. Sherry and I gave him some water and food. When I touched him
he was very sticky so we will have a vet check him out. He looks good
though. He ate and drank and we even put the radio on for him
overnight.
Yesterday we talked to vets and decided which animals are going to
New York and if they can be adopted or need to be held for possible
owners. Sadly, the private plane did not work out but Continental is
working with us to fly back many of those animals out of
Austin.
More good news. On Sunday 6 large breed puppies will begin their
journey back to New York. Plus, there are a group of small dogs with
puppies that we will drive up as well. These dogs will be split between
the sanctuary and the shelter and will all be up for
adoption.
So, as always, please visit our web site! The first groups of dogs
have been posted and are ready for new homes. We are still waiting to see
what our fostering needs will be so for those of you interested and who
sent in emails, we have you on a list and will contact you if we need your
assistance. You can still give monetary contributions online or by the
mail and volunteers will be needed at our sanctuary in the
Catskills.
Best,
Marcello
Forte
Executive Director |
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Marcello's Blog: Back
from the Gulf Coast
September 19,
2005
It was with great
pride and sadness that I flew back to New York over the weekend, but our
work does not end upon my return. In fact, it is just beginning. Not only
are more animals expected next week, but we have 58 that have been
transferred already.
I take with me incredible
memories -- the excitement heard when each load of rescued animals
arrives, the tears of joy when animals are reunited with their families,
the numbers of volunteers and staff that work through the unbearable heat
of the day but always keep a smile on their face and, of course, the
animals, including my feathered roommates, that were difficult to leave
behind. Oh and I can't forget the simple pleasure of finding a spot where
I received a few precious minutes of cell phone service each
day!
Back in New York, everyone arrived safe and sound over the
weekend. The most fragile dogs arrived late Saturday evening. This group
includes a 7 day old puppy and mom, a rotti with heartworm and a mom that
lost her pups in the tragedy who is now nursing and caring for pups that
lost their mom. All 25 dogs in this transport were at risk for one reason
or another but our staff, volunteers and vets are doing everything in
their power to ensure each animals health. And if their families cannot be
found, new loving, forever homes will be.
When I arrived in New York
on Saturday, it was approaching midnight. By the time I got to the shelter
it was 1am. The staff and vets had been hard at work caring for and
evaluating the new arrivals since 8pm. I know that our staff does
incredible work each and every day-emergency or no emergency - but on this
particular night, I was truly impressed. So much thanks to Beau, Crystal,
Jennifer, Irene, Azra Marghoob, DVM, Cathy Klemenger, DVM. And a special
heartfelt thanks to Julia, Presley, Richard and Daniel who brought the
dogs all the way from the Gulf Coast. In their honor each puppy received
one of their names.
So as of today, we know
that 4 of the dogs are heartworm positive but their prognosis is good. One
dog has tumors, which we will test. All the moms and pups are doing well
and, as if she new they were now safe and eating on their own, our
surrogate mom laid down and got some well deserved rest of her own.
Yesterday, 4 more puppies from Austin and senior Jack arrived at Newark
Airport. Jenn and our volunteer Christine picked them up and took them
directly to the adoption event on the Upper Eastside so they could ride
back to the shelter on the van. This was quite a scene at both the airport
and at the adoption event. Everyone who saw them wanted to know more. They
made a huge splash in their new city!
More good news is already
beginning to stream in. Two cats rescued out of an adoption center in New
Orleans have already gone to their new homes and we will be on Fox 5 News
tomorrow morning live from Fetch Bar and Grill for our first adoption
event with some of the rescued animals from 7am to 12:30pm. Fetch Bar and
Grill is located in Manhattan on Third Avenue at the corner of 93rd
Street.
Through it all, our staff continues to care for the 250 animals
already in entrusted to our care. Sadly, we still had to deal with the
difficult times that face us caring for animals each and every day. As we
made preparations for rescued dogs to go to our sanctuary, our staff had
to drive two hours to get our beloved Duke, a long-time resident of the
sanctuary, to a hospital. He was having trouble standing over the weekend.
He will have an MRI on Monday. And back at the shelter, as staff readied
for the 25 critical cases arriving Saturday night, they received bad news
about one of the dogs we had just taken in from the New York Animal Care
and Control, Finnegan, has an inoperable tumor and his prognosis is a few
weeks to a month. Since he is comfortable and not showing symptoms, we
searched for a home for him to live out his final days. Within minutes as
our staff and vets were waiting for the Gulf Coast transport to arrive,
our dear friend and volunteer Marsha with tear soaked eyes picked Finnegan
up and took him home to live out the rest of his days in a loving
environment.
We can't thank you enough for your support! And thank you for your
interest in our efforts in the Gulf Coast. You can still donate online and
also see our animals up for adoption. We will keep you
posted.
Best,
Marcello
Forte
Executive Director
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Haven's Recovery Effort Now!
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