regarding the effect of Hurricane Katrina on the countless animals and relief effort for them - here.

It was AMAZING, AWESOME,HEARTBREAKING & HEARTWARMING all at the same time. I was rivited to the screen...and at the same time wantring to beat the side of the bed with frustration at not being able to take that flight/drive and pitch in for those 16-20 hour days.........and envying those who did.

Susan & the Newf Crew ( Missouri )

Great job, Animal Planet! Thank you!

Everyone - please know this isn't over. Rescue groups are still working frantically against time and bureaucracy to save animals. We're trying to get government to allow troops to rescue animals. Groups are also coordinating transport, adoptions, reunions and foster homes. PLEASE HELP!

To contact government, go to the Humane Society websit at http://www.hsus.org - they have info and links.

To offer your help, go to http://www.petfinder.org, hurricane section.

Thank you!!! And thanks to all the rescuers!!!!

So far, I can't see what Animal Planet/Discovery is doing to help this effort. If I've missed something I apologize, but let's be honest. This type of programming showing a disaster draws lots of viewers AND ADVERTISERS so it makes BIG profits for Animal Planet. If all Animal Planet is doing is filming and profiting off this disaster then shame on them. If they are donating significant money and resources to the effort, as they should be (you know, "corporate giving"), then they should tell us what it is, both on their Hurricane Relief show and on their website. So far I haven't seen any sign of corporate giving on either. Am I on the mark or am I missing something?

Because I live in the NorthEast, I do not have the resources to volunteer. However, I donate as much as I can to animal rescuers. I donate most of my money here: http://www.pbrc.net/fund/katrina.htm

There are many pitbulls that are not accepted in shelters during the aftermath of Katrina. Help Pbrc rescue them through adoption or family reunion.

I donated all my money-30$ im a kid and dont get allowance!-and i spent about 6 hours raising money for them. my mom and me wanted to go down and help but my dad wouldnt let us.

Sad story taking place on the MS Gulf Coast about the Marine Life Dolphins that were saved by the trainers even after 8 were washed out to the Gulf and the trainers went out daily and fed and treated wounds and trained them to jump into a tarp so that they could be rescued out of the waters filled with debree and contaminents from the flood surge. Now the majority owner is selling them to the highest bidder and not allowing the dolphins to be purchased by the other owners and kept home with the trainers that risked everyting. Today they have protest planned in FT Walton Beach, FL and Mobile, AL but doesn't look like the judge will make a decision until after they are out of the country. Got to website http://www.saveourdolphins.com and sign petition to keep them home - not sure if it isn't too late already. So sad...Animal Planet...Please help if you can!

What oversight was done to make sure the donations were dispensed to the Rescue and Shelters who housed and house to this day Hurricane displaced animals? Some still desparately needing homes.

Is there any oversight to see that remaining funds are going to these animals care?

http://animal.discovery.com/features/katrina/links/links.html

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

American Humane Association (AHA)

American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR)

Addition:

The Humane Society of The United States (HSUS)

Are you planning on having another program on the Animal Heroes of the Hurricanes?

Are you following up on the animals still in rescues and shelters?

Did any of the Animal Planet correspondents attend this conference?

If so, are you planning a program about the conference?

American Humane Association
... National Emergency Management Summit draws more than 150 ... Association held a National Emergency Management Summit in Orlando, FLA ... Command under the National Incident Management System ...
Category: American Humane Association
http://www.americanhumane.org

...
"...
National Emergency Management Summit draws more than 150 professionals to discuss integration of human and animal response plans
The American Humane Association held a National Emergency Management Summit in Orlando, FLA on Jan. 8-9, 2006 during the North American Veterinary Medicine Conference. Panelists representing local and national animal rescue and response agencies presented insight as to their response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, and discussed best practices as well as areas needing attention and additional resources for success in the future. Representatives from the American Red Cross, the Centers for Disease Control, and the U.S. Dept of Agriculture and Homeland Security also participated, and provided suggestions for bringing issues to the federal level in addition to protocols for being included within Incident Command under the National Incident Management System.

A full report will be posted soon. Please check back.
..."

A Puppy Boom Rises in Katrina's Ruins

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/04/katrina.puppies.ap/index.html

A puppy boom rises in Katrina's ruins
'I've never seen so many puppies in my life'

GULFPORT, Mississippi (AP) -- Puppies are popping up everywhere amid the rubble left by Hurricane Katrina -- and animal welfare workers on the northern Gulf Coast fear it is only the start of a big boom in dog births.

Officials say more than 6,000 pets were saved after Katrina came ashore August 29, and many of them were relocated to homes elsewhere in the country. An unknown number drowned in the floodwaters or died later of injuries.

But thousands of animals remain, running loose in neighborhoods where fences were flattened and many owners are gone.

<Please see the article for more.>

I would of love to foster some of them if I had my own house. bye for now Danessa