EquiWire will keep you updated on rescue efforts for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. If you have additional information, email it to equineeditor@@equinetwork.com. Information updated Oct. 6, 2005.
The AQHA is teaming with the United States Equestrian Federation?in asking for your help?to lend assistance to ALL horses and horse owners who have been impacted by this unprecedented disaster.
If you have a facility or pasture which you can offer to house refugee horses and ponies, provide transportation for victims of Hurricane Katrina or volunteer veterinary services, please contact the AQHA:
Complete the brief form on AQHA’s?website. Both AQHA and USEF will be posting a state-by-state listing of these facilities for horses and ponies on?their?websites. The lists can be accessed by going to either www.aqha.com/hurricanerelief or www.usef.org.
This information?will be operational immediately and will serve as a master list to help horse owners in Katrina’s path find help.
USEF Operating Equine Emergency Hotline for Mississippi;
Equine Supply Depots in Mississippi Now Operational
As of September 8, USEF will have a dedicated phone line to take emergency calls from Mississippians in need of emergency assistance for their horses.
The USEF Mississippi Emergency Hotline number is 859-225-2051, and will be operational daily from 8:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., until the need has subsided. This emergency hotline number will be for emergency calls regarding needs for horses only. Information gathered from the calls will be forwarded to various rescue and assistance organizations now in place in Southern Mississippi.
For equine-related emergencies in the Louisiana area, call the LSU Vet School Hotline at 225-578-9501.
Those wanting to donate supplies to Mississippi, including feed, vet supplies, and especially hay, should drop them at the following locations:
Multi-Purpose Facility
952 Sullivan Drive; Barn E
Hattiesburg, MS
Phone: 863-697-0410
This is just off Highway 49 on the south side of Hattiesburg. Donations of supplies can be dropped there if they are in large, semi tractor trailers and in large boxes or on pallets.
Smaller loads in horse trailers or smaller trucks should go to:
Jackson County Animal Shelter
4400 Audubon Road
Gautier, MS
Phone: 228-497-6350
This is in the Gulfport area.
Donate to USEF Hurricane Equine Relief Fund
The USEF has established the Hurricane Equine Relief Fund to assist those agencies working directly with the equine victims and refugees from Hurricane Katrina. The money will be used to support efforts to deliver food, veterinary services, and shelter for horses and ponies in the hurricane stricken areas. All donations are tax deductible.
Donate Online or send a check made out to the “USEF Hurricane Equine Relief Fund” to The United States Equestrian Federation; 4047 Iron Works Parkway;
Lexington, KY 40511.
Breed-Specific Pet Rescue Contacts Wanted
Hi, my name is Ruby Smith, volunteer with the Humane Society of West Louisiana! We are fielding HUNDREDS of calls from people effected by Hurricane Katrina because we are the closest Humane Society with a working telephone. We are doing all we can but have one big problem. SPACE! We are taking as many strays from the area as possible but are having hard time finding room for the family owned-pets that are having to be given up! These are people who have NO choice but to give up their beloved pets due to this catastrophe. We are looking for help from Breed Specific Rescues to find homes for these babies!
If you know anyone involved in rescues, or any other rescue group or person who is willing to help out please call the Humane Society of West Louisiana at 337-462-3321 and ask for Rita.
American Horse Council Accepting Donations
In light of Hurricane Katrina, The American Horse Council Foundation is currently accepting donations to assist the needs of horse owners and their horses in the states which were affected by this natural disaster, particularly Louisiana and Mississippi. The current situation in these states is dire; the people and their horses are in great need of our help.
The proceeds of this Hurricane Relief fund will assist horse owners and their horses. he American Horse Council Foundation, under the leadership of its Board, will determine where the funds will best be utilized to help these people and animals in need.
The American Horse Council Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) organization under the internal revenue code. Contributions to it are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.
If you have any questions or would like to make a donation, please call the American Horse Council Foundation at 202-296-4031.
Hurricane, Disaster Resources Available on AAEP Website
Disaster resources for both veterinarians and horse owners are available on the website of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). Hurricane equine evacuation recommendations, a comprehensive resource list of state and federal agencies involved in relief efforts as well as general emergency preparedness guidelines are available.
You can also make a donation to the AAEP Equine Disaster Relief Fund through the AAEP website.
Stolen Horse International to Help Reunite Horses, Owners
In an effort to provide aid to the people and organizations that are currently working to rescue horses in the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina, Stolen Horse International (SHI), has established Katrina’s Missing Pets on its website. The purpose of this link is to centralize Internet efforts in reuniting horses and owners.
SHI is currently accepting listings for all misplaced animals in Louisiana and Mississippi. They are requesting that organizations and individuals rescuing horses or those missing horses utilize these services in order to reunite horses and owners as quickly and efficiently as possible. We will also post other lost and found animals such as dogs and cats.
American Farrier’s Association Establishes Relief Fund
The American Farrier’s Association (AFA) has created a Farrier Relief Fund to help fellow AFA farriers with the recovery and rebuilding efforts that are to follow from Hurricane Katrina. These funds will be used to benefit AFA members affected by this catastrophic disaster and future similar disasters.
The AFA, under the leadership of its Finance Committee, will determine where and how the funds will best be utilized.
Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to: AFA Farrier Relief Fund; American Farrier’s Association, Inc.; 4049 Iron Works Parkway; Lexington, KY 40511. Or call (859) 233-7411.
Also, AFA President Craig Trnka, Certified Journeyman Farrier, has announced the formation of the Louisiana Rescue Horse Shoeing Task Force to serve neglected horses in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. To learn more or to volunteer your time and talents, or to donate equipment and supplies, please call Ron Kramedjian at 931-424-5581 or email ron@kramedjan.com.
Horse and Rider Equipment to be Collected at Kentucky Horse Park
The National Horse Center, which is a collection of two dozen national and regional equine organizations located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., together with the park is sending out a plea for items to help the horses and horsemen who are victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Items which are needed for horses include feed, grain, bedding (shavings and wood chips), Bute, Banamine, Gentocin, Dormosedan, first aid supplies such as Furacin, wraps, standing bandages, hydrogen peroxide, Vetwrap, cotton sheeting, antibiotic cream, etc. They also need lead ropes, halters, stall webbings, hay bags, buckets, hoses, double-sided snaps, duct tape, fly spray and bottles, pitchforks, muck buckets, grooming supplies, hoof picks, etc.
Donated items for other pets will also be accepted, such as dog food, cat food and cat litter.
Items being requested for horsemen include helmets, boots, flak jackets, exercise saddles, bridles, saddle pads and girths, so they can get back to making a living. In addition, toiletries, baby items such as baby food, diapers, blankets, bottle liners and non-perishable food items, household supplies, bathroom supplies and cleaning supplies are needed. They have also requested linens, clothing, folding chairs and cooking supplies.
Donations may be dropped off at the Kentucky Horse Park beginning September 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day until two semi-trucks are filled. Lexington Cartage (owned by the Young family of Overbrook Farm) has donated the use of their trucks, drivers and fuel to get the items to Louisiana.
Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron will be on hand at various times on September 8 to meet with the media and the public.
For more information, call the Kentucky Horse Park at 859-233-4303.
LSU Equine Clinic Establishes Hurricane Hotline
Countless calls to the Louisiana Horse Hurricane Hotline (225-578-9501) have been pouring in throughout the day and are being fielded 24/7 by staff members at the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Clinic.
The largest group of people calling the helpline are those with available pasture, feed, stalls and supplies who are willing to open their doors to horses in need. You can register your services at www.lahg.net.
Anyone interested in providing financial assistance to the effort is encouraged to make their contributions to the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association’s Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr. Memorial Foundation. This fund is established specifically for emergency efforts to help animals. You can donate at www.lvma.org/memorial.html. Designate “Horse Rescue” on your check to ensure its use for the equine rescue effort.
For more information or to make donations, please call the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine at 225-578-9900 or the LVMA at 1-800-524-2996.
Racing Industry Responds to Katrina
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) is heading an industry-wide effort to provide financial relief to aid horsemen and women affected by Hurricane Katrina.
The NTRA Charities – Racing to the Rescue Fund has been set up to receive contributions. One hundred percent will be passed through to existing charities established to aid in recovery efforts.
Numerous tracks and racing-related associations have jointly agreed to designate October 8 as a special “Racing to the Rescue Day.” On that day, NBC will televise a live, 90-minute program featuring four Breeders’ Cup prep races, and that telecast will serve as a national outlet for information surrounding the industry’s relief efforts.
The NTRA also announced that the 2005 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Belmont Park October 29 will serve as a fund-raising platform for hurricane victims. Jockeys, trainers, breeders and owners will be encouraged to contribute a percentage of their purse winnings from the Breeders’ Cup races. The NTRA did the same after 9/11 four years ago at Belmont.
Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue Helps Horse Owners
Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue will help horse owners from New Orleans and the surrounding area reunite with their lost and missing horses. Owners should contact the headquarters of Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue at (409) 935-0277. Staff will be available day and night to log your report.
Until the difficulties with the communication infrastructure in Louisiana are resolved, Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue will pass along missing horse information to the appropriate veterinarian at the recovery center in Gonzales, La.
Rescued animals are transported to the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales where veterinarians from Louisiana State University care for them. Descriptions of lost horses will be compared to those rescued and owners notified of a possible match. The animals will be stalled on the premises until their families arrive.
Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue has been actively involved in searching for and recovering horses from the New Orleans area in conjunction with the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association. Teams consisting of Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue volunteers, veterinarians and veterinarian assistants, have successfully recovered at least 100 horses with more being rescued nearly every day.
If you would like to help, donations can be made online at either www.lser.org/disasterrelief.htm or
www.habitatforhorses.org/getinvolved/donatenow.html
Donations can also be mailed to Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue, P.O. Box 213, Hitchcock, TX 77563.
Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue is a 501.c.3 nonprofit covering Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma with around 1,000 dedicated members. For more information, call 409-935-0277.
USEF Hurricane Equine Relief Fund Will Assist Rita Victims
All donations made to the USEF Equine Relief Fund from Sept. 23, 2005, forward will be used to assist victims of any 2005 hurricane including Katrina, Rita or any others that could occur.
The fund will assist those agencies working directly with the equine victims and refugees from hurricanes. Every dollar of the money donated to the fund will be used to support efforts to deliver food, veterinary services, and shelter for horses and ponies in the stricken areas. All donations are tax deductible.
Donations can be made online at www.usef.org or by check made out to the “USEF Hurricane Equine Relief Fund” and sent to:
The United States Equestrian Federation
4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511
Other Relief Efforts
- Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) has launched a massive relief effort to assist horse owners and National Reining Horse Association members. To donate online visit www.reininghorsesportsfoundation.org or call the RHSF office at (405) 946-7400, ext. 137 to become a host farm for displaced horses.
- The Humane Society is involved in its largest rescue effort ever on the Gulf Coast. To read about their efforts visit www.hsus.org.
- Pfizer Inc. and its employees donated $6 million in cash contributions, as well as in healthcare products, including animal health products, to help the victims.
- SmartPak Equine is offering free replacement SmartPaks and a 20% discount on all products for victims of Katrina and their animals. For information visit www.smartpakequine.com or call 800-461-8898.
- Equilite customers can create custom care donation packages to send to Gulf Coast animal shelters. Visit www.equilite.com.
- The Texas Animal Health Commission has set up an emergency hotline to provide pet owners with information on available shelters by county. The number is 800-550-8242 and operates Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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