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Photo Release -- 490 Pets Being Cared For by Noah's Wish In Slidell, LA

Rescue Efforts Continue as Owners are Reunited with Pets

SLIDELL, La., Sept. 7, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Noah's Wish, a not-for-profit organization that works exclusively to rescue and shelter animals in disasters has almost 500 animals in its temporary shelter in Slidell, LA. Cats, dogs, rabbits, parakeets, hamsters, iguanas, snakes, parrots and baby squirrels are among the animals rescued by Noah's Wish volunteers and Slidell Animal Control officers. In addition to the 490 pets in the care of Noah's Wish, seven other animal shelters in the state of Louisiana are also working around the clock to save as many animals as possible. In total, over 2,600 animals are being housed in seven shelters throughout the state. Cats, dogs, rabbits, one duck, one snake, one pot-bellied pig and 151 horses are in shelters across the state of Louisiana.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1858

Additional photos are available on the Noah's Wish photo gallery at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/sites/noahswish/

To report stranded animals in Slidell, email info@noahswish.org or call 530-622-9313. For pet rescue outside of in any other area of Louisiana outside Slidell, email Katrina@ldaf.louisiana.gov or call 225-925-3980.

Many dogs coming into the Noah's Wish shelter are being treated for dehydration and several have skin conditions. Yesterday, veterinarians treated one dog's broken leg and a senior poodle-mix was diagnosed with early stage kidney problems. Late Tuesday evening, volunteers brought in a dog with severe tail lacerations, and the veterinary staff made the decision to amputate part of the tail, as they were not able to repair it. The veterinary team will begin vaccinating animals, and treating for flea/tick infestations. Dogs are getting baths and much-needed grooming.

Noah's Wish is coordinating with Alley Cat Allies to humanely trap cats in Slidell. There are a number of cats in need of being rescued so that they can be reunited with their families. For the cats that volunteers are unable to trap, Noah's Wish volunteers are setting up feeding stations so that they have a safe place to eat and clean water to drink.

At the temporary shelter in Slidell, 50 tented dog runs have been set up and they are filling up quickly. Animals are being found alive in homes as rescues continue. One rescue team found an over-bred, emaciated pit bull-mix huddled between a tipped-over washer and dryer in a house that had been flooded with six feet of water. Frightened dogs continue to roam the streets of Slidell and as time goes on, they are beginning to get hungry enough to approach volunteers who are trying to coax them to safety.

Volunteers plan to visit houses where pets have been removed, leaving notes for their owners to let them know that their pets are safe. Noah's Wish will also be making arrangements for foster care for pets that are not able to go home in the near future. Fostering is going to be done as locally as possible, as we want the pets to stay close to their owners. "Pets and owners need each other right now," said Terri Crisp, Founder and Director of Noah's Wish. In some cases, the pets are all these families have left, other than their own lives."

In addition to housing rescued animals, Noah's Wish has been distributing pet food throughout the city. Supplies of pet food are dwindling in stores that are open, and many people are finding their food supply has been destroyed by flood waters. Fresh water is also in short supply.

The Slidell Animal Control building sustained extensive damage during Hurricane Katrina and will need to be leveled due to structural damage. Noah's Wish staff and volunteers on the ground do not have phone, cell phone or web access at this time and are unable to communicate outside the Slidell area. Therefore, Noah's Wish is asking that pet owners from Slidell come in person to Heritage Park to report a lost or stranded pet. Noah's Wish staff will be at Heritage Park from 8am to 7pm every day for the next several weeks. Pet owners must come in person to determine if their pet is at the shelter, as the number of pets being rescued is expected to reach the hundreds.

This temporary shelter will have the ability to house hundreds of animals. Trained Noah's Wish volunteers, veterinarians, and veterinary technicians are providing medical services, care and much-needed love and affection to these traumatized animals. Pet owners may pick up food and supplies from Noah's Wish volunteers in Heritage Park. Donations of pet food, blankets, dog kennels etc. may be left at Heritage Park.

Donations are desperately needed and can be made at WWW.NOAHSWISH.ORG. Please note that due to an overwhelming response, the website can be slow and we ask that visitors to the site be patient. Donations go directly to help the animals of this disaster and cash is preferred as it allows the organization to purchase the supplies needed. Questions should be emailed to or a message can be left at If you are interested in donating supplies, write to supplies@noahswish.org.

WWW.NOAHSWISH.ORG

Noah's Wish is a 501 c3 not-for-profit organization based in Placerville, California (near Sacramento). Donations may be mailed to Noah's Wish P.O. Box 997 Placerville, CA 95667.

CONTACT:  Noah's Wish 
          NYC Media Contact for Reporters:
          Patricia Jones
          347-306-2442 
          pellen325@yahoo.com