Louisiana Bound! September 19th
A team of MACA volunteers has been formed and will be leaving for Gonzales, Louisiana to aid in the animal rescue and recovery of animals left by hurricane Katrina.
Team Leader Phyllis Ruana was called last Monday and was told by HSUS dispatcher ,"Form your team and let me know how soon you can deploy."
At a recent training provided by HSUS - NRRO in Billings, attendees were updated on the process of the recovery efforts and volunteer applications were provided.
Pulling their new HSUS stock trailer, loaded with staff and supplies, HSUS-NRRO's first team left for Gonzales the day the conference ended. Three days later, Phyllis received the call.
"We are very excited and just flat ready to get on the road!" Lack of flights with available space had slowed down their efforts but everything seems to be on track now.
This first team consist of Veterinarian Julie Kappas, Christine Stipich and Shauna Stalling of Helena,
Sarah Gibson of Missoula, Anne Mari Volpone of Livingston and Phyllis Ruana of Corvallis.
"It's odd taking off on such a mission with such a limited amount of information." The team is stocked with everything from coat hangers that will be used to hang IV fluid bags, to Cherrios. The word is that we better bring our own food, water, tent and supplies.
Diary from the President:
+ I had to laugh at how fast I got the call from HSUS. Wonder if the reason I got called so quickly was due to the note I put on my application that said ,"We're from Montana, use to camping with very little and making do with what we have?"
Funny thing is I'm from Mississippi and I was far more use to hotels than tarps and dew in the morning, but hey, I learned.
+ I'd like to thank a few people who made today really nice. Marla from Safe who got me a piece of luggage on wheeles to put supplies in, The owner of the Bitter Root Trading Post who gave me 2 I love Montana stickers to put on our tents,
Jess Applebury, who I can't even believe can't go with us (Only because they have several spay and neuter clinics set up previously and they need to see them through.). Jess for her her magic cat bags and IV fluid bag holders made from coat hangers. Bitterroot Clinic for getting me in really fast, to get all the required shots, and The Cleaners, South of Gas-N-Grub for the stack of hangers soon to be medical equipment.
More in the diary later, need to get packed. Photos and stories to tell when we return.
Thanks for the support from so many of you!
If your interested in being the next team headed for Louisana, please contact me at.
adoptapetnow@aol.com
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