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A Year After Katrina, New Orleans Woman to Be Reunited With Cat

NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- As the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches, we are reminded that wrenching destruction is not the only legacy of the disaster, as a Louisiana woman and the beloved cat she was forced to relinquish are to be reunited Aug. 14th in Lake Tahoe, CA.

Katrina had destroyed Tammy Huppin's home. Unable to care for her six cats in the immediate aftermath of the Katrina, Tammy brought them to a temporary animal shelter set up in Slidell, Louisiana, being operated by Noah's Wish and Slidell Animal Control. A few weeks later, Tammy made the heart-wrenching decision to relinquish ownership of the cats to Noah's Wish, as her house was uninhabitable and she had relocated to Austin, Texas.

Dr. Bree Montana, a veterinarian from Northern CA, volunteered a week of her time in Slidell assisting in rescue efforts. In November 2005, as Noah's Wish closed down the temporary shelter in Slidell, Dr. Montana arranged to have 22 homeless cats and kittens flown via commercial airliner to her Lake Tahoe cat rescue facility. Ember's Kitty Cat Rescue was named in honor of Montana's daughter, a lifelong lover of cats. Over the next few months, Dr. Montana and her staff found homes for most of the Katrina orphans, with a few patiently waiting at the shelter for new homes.

Tammy had relocated to Austin, TX, with the cats she was able to bring with her. Wanting to know the fate of the cats she had been forced to relinquish, Tammy contacted Noah's Wish. After reviewing records and making a few phone calls, the Noah's Wish staff told Tammy that two of her cats were placed in loving new homes in the Slidell area. The remaining cat, Lucy, had been among those transported by Dr. Montana -- and she had not yet been adopted!

"When that phone call came, we couldn't believe our luck, Lucy's luck, Lucy's momma's luck," said Dr. Montana. "We just can't wait to see Lucy back in Tammy's arms."

Lucy and Tammy will be reunited on Monday, August 14, 2006 at 1pm at the Agate Bay Animal Hospital, which is run by Dr. Montana. The hospital is located on the Lake Tahoe north shore and offers comprehensive veterinary medicine with an emphasis on preventative medicine. Dr. Montana is a graduate of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Agate Bay Animal Hospital is located at 8428 Trout Ave., Kings Beach, CA (North Lake Tahoe), 96143 and can be reached by calling 530-546-7522. The Agate Bay Animal Hospital/Ember Kitty Cat Rescue website is: www.tahoedog.net

About Noah's Wish:

The singular mission of Noah's Wish is to save the lives of animals in disasters -- by rescuing, sheltering and caring for animals during disasters and by preparing individuals, organizations and communities through education and training. Terri Crisp, the nation's leading expert in animal disaster preparedness, founded the organization in 2002; she has more than 20 years experience in disaster relief work. Noah's Wish has field staff around the country including 35 regional volunteer coordinators and over 1,000 volunteers trained to mobilize and respond to disasters. Noah's Wish is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. 5047 Robert J. Matthews Parkway, Suite 200, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762. noahswish.org

CONTACT:  Noah's Wish Press Office
          Media Contact:
          718-706-8890
          noahswishpress@yahoo.com