Aloha Maggie,
Thanks so much for your post. These are interesting comments. If you went through Katrina, I am so sorry that you had to endure all of that. It was a terrible time for everyone there.
I really like your idea of clearing the shelters ahead of an incoming hurricane so you have room for more after the storm. That's great thinking if it is possible. It won't be as easy here in Hawaii even though we do transport cats for adoption on the continent.
As you are aware, we just had a major disaster here on Maui with the devastating Lahaina fire. I wanted to address the statements you made about FEMA and the Red Cross. Please do not put the Red Cross in the same category as FEMA.
FEMA is a government agency with paid employees that follow the rules created by those in that government agency. All government employees are required to follow the rules whether they agree or not but changes have to happen from within. If you see things that are wrong, write to the Director and make suggestions for improvements.
The Red Cross, however, is NOT a government agency. They are made up entirely of volunteers that do NOT get paid. After the devastating fires, our hearts were broken and we wanted to help. We live on O'ahu (a separate island miles away from Maui) so my husband decided he wanted to find out more about the Red Cross. They were having an informational meeting so he went there and signed up. He was trained by a man from South Carolina who has been volunteering since Katrina! He has been at 11 disaster sites and is one of the first to go - as a volunteer!
My 72 year old husband, Tom, was told that he wouldn't be needed on Maui because they had over 3000 people who live on Maui and signed up. But then Hurricane Idalia headed toward Florida so the people from the mainland were sent there to be ready for the victims of that hurricane and the locals were asked to work in Maui. So Tom was "deployed" to Maui for 3 weeks and the others went to Florida, except for a few old timers who know the ropes of setting up a shelter and getting the people started getting services and who could train Tom and others.
Unlike the FEMA employees who are housed at a hotel, Red Cross volunteers are sleeping on air mattresses in a school gym. He is not sleeping well and after 8 days, looks completely exhausted. But he is working directly with survivors and making a huge difference. Yesterday, he helped a survivor who had absolutely nothing. He gave him new clothes and found some shoes that would fit him. When the man said that he needed socks, my husband literally took off his OWN socks and gave them to the man.
The Red Cross is doing a fantastic job. The stories I am hearing would fill your heart.
As for the animals there, sadly most were burned in the fire. In the beginning, while searching the burn zone, the National Guard did see some dogs so they put food out for them and soon saw some cats eating the food. So even though the animal groups weren't allowed back in the burn zone right away, people were trying to help the animals that survived. Eventually, when it was safe, people were allowed to come get them and give them medical care.
One thing I had learned about disasters is that people are so quick to criticize and want to blame others for everything. It must be human nature. People are traumatized, complaining, angry and try to blame everyone in an attempt to make sense of what is happening. It is all heartbreaking on so many levels.
But the worst is the evil scammers and trolls who are trying to take advantage of those who lost everything and are in so much pain. It amazes me that some people are so evil and prey on others at a time like this. The things I am reading on FB and IG and hearing on the news would make your hair curl! They are using this tragedy to try to push their political agenda and add to the distrust and divide. People who are trying to help are getting death threats! At a time when we should all be working together and happy that people are helping, evil ones are trying to stir up trouble and hate. Even Oprah and the Rock were criticized for setting up a fund to go directly to the survivors!!!! It's ridiculous and so unnecessary!
Odd thing - three days before the fire, our local Humane Society held a Disaster Relief training and my husband attended it. We came up with some great ways that we can help once our sanctuary is open. Now he is getting real life firsthand experience.
Again, thank you for your suggestion about clearing the shelters to make room for animals that are lost after a disaster. Plus it is so important that all pets get microchipped. It is a law here but still people fail to do it.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Best Wishes,
Holly Holowach
Founder and President
Popoki Place O'ahu Cat Sanctuary
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Holly Holowach
Founder/President
Popoki Place O'ahu Cat Sanctuary
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-09-2023 02:39 PM
From: Maggie Thomas
Subject: September 2023 Resource Drive: Disaster Preparedness & Response
One key lesson from Louisiana learned after Katrina, and reinforced every hurricane since:
Get your sheltered dogs and cats who are past stray-hold out ahead of the storm -- transport them wherever they can go, because they're adoptable RIGHT NOW. Every kennel needs to be emptied BEFORE the storm.
After the storm, all your space will be needed for displaced disaster victim dogs and cats, who CANNOT be transported out of the area because they have people who will be looking for them, once the people surface. DO NOT TRANSPORT THESE ANIMALS FAR AWAY -- they'll never get found by owners if they leave the area, and you'll be adding more grief to people who are already devastated by the loss of a home. It's terribly cruel, and it's happened a bunch of times.
Microchip everything that comes in if it's not already (get chip donations ahead of the storm -- Datamars is pretty fabulous about helping, others not so much). Put your chips and descriptions and thumbnail photos into a Google Doc that is searchable, along with the animal location. If there are multiple receiving locations, add them all into ONE shared document -- don't have 8 different ones running that people have to search. It's common for animals to be shuffled around from shelters to fairgrounds etc, and these spreadsheets are pretty essential to track them by microchip. Make them public so that people can start looking for lost pets immediately, while they're in shelters -- they'll at least know their beloved pet is still alive.
Also, before the storm, stock up on 4% chlorhexidene veterinary shampoo and gloves -- get a bunch of gallons of it and pump dispensers. Every animal pulled out of flood water will need to be scrubbed with it -- and people who waded in it will likely end up using it too at a hosepipe outside. We saw years of terrible skin issues in dogs that came out of the 2016 Louisiana floods -- they were dropped in shelters and not bathed. That floodwater is a witches' brew of petrochemicals from vehicles, raw sewage, ag chemicals and loads of nasty bacteria, and you want that stuff off the skin as fast as possible.
Be aware that once the 'big guys' show up in a few days (FEMA, Red Cross), they're famous for being jerks to all the first-responders and local rescuers-- including the local vets, vet techs, and front-line rescuers who've been dealing with the crisis in the immediate aftermath. They seem to have some protocol of kicking them all out of the mass shelter, with nobody to replace them, while they get organized, and then letting them back in eventually, but operating with layers of bureaucracy about what what they have to do. Then they throw out all the donated meds, food, crates etc. people brought in early because of some stupid made-up rule about "coming in through proper channels" (like a licensed vet in the state isn't one...) -- so take all that stuff with you when they throw you out and store it at a large, safe municipal shelter nearby where the shelter vets can get it around to other municipal and private shelters that are doing emergency intake (including pop up overflow sheltering that FEMA/RC isn't in charge of (e.g., for injured animals)) -- the local folks can get it where it can do some good, because it WILL end up in a dumpster at a FEMA-run mass shelter (brand new crates, urgently needed vet meds and first aid supplies -- you'll find it all in a dumpster the next day, courtesy of FEMA staff). All of that stuff is pure gold a municipal shelters during this time though, so make sure all that good stuff ends up with folks who will use it and distribute it. The lesson for those not in disaster areas is donate to local shelters and rescues, NOT national orgs -- locals can be a lot more efficient getting stuff where it's needed immediately.
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Maggie Thomas
President
Red Stick German Shepherd Rescue
Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2023 10:08 AM
From: Charlotte Otero (she/her)
Subject: September 2023 Resource Drive: Disaster Preparedness & Response
Thanks to everyone who participated and shared resources on last month's Humane Education Resource Drive post and library folder (with 28 resources and counting)! This month's resource drive is focused on Disaster Preparedness & Response, another timely topic requested by forum members @Eliza Torres and @Julielani Chang on this post in April.
What is Disaster Preparedness & Response?
From Human Animal Support Services (HASS): The word "disaster" can mean many things, from an incident that affects a small population to a national event. Each individual animal shelter has different emergencies they may contend with due to region, susceptibility to certain natural disasters, facility design, and other factors. A disaster preparedness and response plan involves understanding the various types of risks and hazards (natural or man-made disasters) that may harm or negatively impact you, your staff, your animals, your operation and your organization, and your community. Preparing for such events requires the development of actions and procedures that help to minimize their negative impact, and enable you to effectively respond.
How to Participate in this Resource Drive
1. Upload or Share Disaster Preparedness & Response examples & resources on this thread
2. Reply with a request for a specific Disaster Preparedness & Response resource you NEED or a question related to Disaster Preparedness & Response
What Should You Share?
Tell us about Disaster Preparedness & Response programs at your organization (or another)
Share examples of disaster plans (hurricane, fire, flood, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc.), templates, resource lists, training documents, emergency contact lists, and anything else your organization (or another) uses to prepare your people, animals, facility, and community for disasters.
Where Will the Disaster Preparedness & Response Resources be Stored? How do I view them?
All Disaster Preparedness & Response-related resources shared on this thread will be accessible in the "Disaster Preparedness & Response" folder in the Maddie's Pet Forum Library: https://maddies.fund/disasterpreparednessresources
Share & You'll Be Entered To Win $50
Everyone who uploads a file, shares a resource on this thread or replies with information or questions about Disaster Preparedness & Response during the month of September 2023 will be entered to win a $50 gift card to Amazon, Petco or PetSmart (winner's choice). Start sharing now!
Pro-Tips for sharing resources:
Use the "Upload File" button when replying to this thread to attach a file. We encourage you to attach the file versus hyperlinking to the file whenever possible. Files that are attached get automatically added to the Maddie's Pet Forum Resource Library so attaching helps make the resource searchable and improves accessibility within the forum.
Yes, you can share resources that your organization did not create. Sharing is caring and this applies to resources too! Make sure the creator allows the resource to be shared publicly and be sure to give credit to the creator or source organization.
#DisasterRelief
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Charlotte Otero
Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
she/her
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