Date: September 13, 2005 Time: 11:48 pm EST Re: Hurricane Katrina Rescue Efforts From: Paul We arrived in Birmingham, Alabama this morning and drove 4 hours to the huge outdoor holding facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where they are holding nearly 600 animals and at 9pm tonight about 90 more arrived. We got to work walking dogs and getting water to the animals that needed it. We all wished that we could do more to help. We offered to transport some of the animals back to the League but they were unable to accept the help since the animals may be owned and needed to wait another two and a half weeks before they could be adopted. Our hearts really go out to all the animals that are living in this heat as well as those working tirelessly to care for them. It was nice to see the many volunteers from across the country. Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Virginia, and South Carolina were just some of the states represented. In fact a shelter that the League works in South Carolina coordinating puppy rescues was there helping. The Humane Society of Pinellas County, who we worked with extensively last year during the Florida hurricanes was there as well. Tomorrow we will follow up on some contacts made today and coordinate the transport of animals ready for adoption back to the League. Until then, Paul and Mike