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Animals from Lee County flood sheltered at fairgrounds
By Joe Benedict/MVM News Network
DONNELLSON - Lee County is hosting flood victims from Oakville at the Lee County Fairgrounds in Donnellson.
Passers-by won't see a tent city on the fairgrounds, however, because these victims have to be kept in cages. They are the pets that have been rescued from flood ravaged areas.
Barb Bryant of the Animal Protection League based in Burlington said many of the animals are from Oakville, the town in Southeast Louisa County that was completely flooded.
The temporary shelter has been operating at the fairgrounds since Thursday and more animals are being brought in daily.
There are several agencies working with the Animal Protection League to rescue and care for the animals.
Bob Rude of Rude Ranch Animal Rescue, which is located in Harwood, Md., said the Kinship Circle contacted him and asked if he would come to Iowa to help.
“I did a lot after Hurricane Katrina,” Rude said. “I went three times with a group and we helped bring out 60 animals.”
Rude said disaster animal rescue efforts have gotten more organized since the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans. The Kinship Circle will send out e-mails and ask if anyone can travel and volunteer some time to help rescue animals.
Rude was hoping to get back into Oakville on Monday, but the boat they were using has engine trouble, so he was looking for another boat.
“There's more animals in there and the longer they are there, the worse shape they are going to be in,” Rude said.
The rescue effort has brought animal lovers from all over the United States.
There are volunteers from Pennsylvania, New Orleans, even one volunteer from Alaska, that have come to help out.
Bryant said the animals are brought in, cleaned up and given vaccinations. On Monday, Dr. Diane Noll from the Hometown Veterinary Clinic in New London was on hand donating her time and some medicine to make sure all the animals are healthy when their owners come to claim them.
The idea was to set up a central area where all the animals can be brought to, so owners don't have to call around to various pounds and animal rescue organizations, Bryant said.
The telephone number for the Donnellson emergency shelter is 319-835-3087.
Bryant said owners have until Saturday, July 5 to come and look for their animals. After that, they will be kept an additional 15 days before they can be put up for adoption.
Homeland Security has helped out on the rescue efforts.
Emergency Management sent two trailers filled with material. Everything from pet carriers, leashes, food and water bowls and litter boxes were in the trailers.
Bryant said that has been a blessing for the volunteers who are caring for the animals.
There's need for other donations, however. She said anyone who could bring some kitten food or dog food would be appreciated. Also Frontline to control fleas and ticks and money can be used, too.
Bryant said there has been some discussions with a company that supplies microchips for pets. She said permission would need to be given for pets - if they know the owner of the animal - but for strays chips could probably be implanted.
Some of the other animal organizations helping at the emergency shelter include Best Friends Animal Rescue, Code Three Associates and Farm Sanctuary.
Passers-by won't see a tent city on the fairgrounds, however, because these victims have to be kept in cages. They are the pets that have been rescued from flood ravaged areas.
Barb Bryant of the Animal Protection League based in Burlington said many of the animals are from Oakville, the town in Southeast Louisa County that was completely flooded.
The temporary shelter has been operating at the fairgrounds since Thursday and more animals are being brought in daily.
There are several agencies working with the Animal Protection League to rescue and care for the animals.
Bob Rude of Rude Ranch Animal Rescue, which is located in Harwood, Md., said the Kinship Circle contacted him and asked if he would come to Iowa to help.
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Rude said disaster animal rescue efforts have gotten more organized since the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans. The Kinship Circle will send out e-mails and ask if anyone can travel and volunteer some time to help rescue animals.
Rude was hoping to get back into Oakville on Monday, but the boat they were using has engine trouble, so he was looking for another boat.
“There's more animals in there and the longer they are there, the worse shape they are going to be in,” Rude said.
The rescue effort has brought animal lovers from all over the United States.
There are volunteers from Pennsylvania, New Orleans, even one volunteer from Alaska, that have come to help out.
Bryant said the animals are brought in, cleaned up and given vaccinations. On Monday, Dr. Diane Noll from the Hometown Veterinary Clinic in New London was on hand donating her time and some medicine to make sure all the animals are healthy when their owners come to claim them.
The idea was to set up a central area where all the animals can be brought to, so owners don't have to call around to various pounds and animal rescue organizations, Bryant said.
The telephone number for the Donnellson emergency shelter is 319-835-3087.
Bryant said owners have until Saturday, July 5 to come and look for their animals. After that, they will be kept an additional 15 days before they can be put up for adoption.
Homeland Security has helped out on the rescue efforts.
Emergency Management sent two trailers filled with material. Everything from pet carriers, leashes, food and water bowls and litter boxes were in the trailers.
Bryant said that has been a blessing for the volunteers who are caring for the animals.
There's need for other donations, however. She said anyone who could bring some kitten food or dog food would be appreciated. Also Frontline to control fleas and ticks and money can be used, too.
Bryant said there has been some discussions with a company that supplies microchips for pets. She said permission would need to be given for pets - if they know the owner of the animal - but for strays chips could probably be implanted.
Some of the other animal organizations helping at the emergency shelter include Best Friends Animal Rescue, Code Three Associates and Farm Sanctuary.
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