Date: September 15, 2005
Time: 10:04 pm EST
Re: Hurricane Katrina Rescue Efforts
From: Dr. Eve Ognibene

Today we made a trip into downtown New Orleans. We left at 8:30 in the morning with the knowledge that dogs were being rescued and brought to a parking lot. There were several check points that we had to get through. We told the National Guard that we were going to help with the animal rescue and were let in without a problem.

What I saw next I will never forget. New Orleans was desolate and demolished. Our car was the only one on Interstate 10 for miles. Roofs gone, cars destroyed, trees uprooted, windows blown out. It was something I thought I would only see in a movie.

We exited the highway and entered a neighborhood that was recently under water. Mud covered everything. There were chairs on roofs. Cars and boats in the middle of the streets. In ten minutes we saw 4 dogs in the street emaciated and filthy. Another rescue group came up behind us that had a van and we were able to rescue 2 dogs.

We finally found the parking lot where there were 140 dogs in crates. Fans were being run by a generator to keep them cool in the 95+ degree weather. The dogs are doing as well as can be expected but they are suffering from dehydration, malnourishment, heat stroke and diarrhea.

We went on search and rescue missions. There are hundreds of dogs. They are on every street. They are on balconies and in apartment buildings. It is a horrible situation.

We are going back tomorrow. We'll send an update when we can.

Dr. O, Jeris and Shelli