January 06, 2006
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November 28, 2005
Mistaken identity
Nov 28: A hurricane evacuee comes to Tylertown to pick up his cat, but finds his cat's doppelganger instead!
The FIV gang
Nov 28: There are over 15 FIV positive cats at the rescue center. They are no different than the other cats, but it's harder for them to find foster homes.
Passing the message
Nov 28: Notes on enclosures makes it easier for volunteers to know the likes and dislikes of the dogs at Tylertown.
Coming out of their shell
Nov 28: Tylertown yard dogs get lots of attention!
Week one in Tylertown
Nov 28: Best Friends volunteer David Ortiz reflects on his first week in Tylertown.
A well-oiled machine
Nov 28: Four volunteers work well together to provide relief for rescued cats at Kitty City.
Missy and her nine kittens
Nov 28: Missy's been a busy girl -- this momma cat and her nine kittens are safe here at Tylertown now, but what they really want are homes!
Thanksgiving Odyssey
Nov 28: A high school student makes a trek down to the Best Friends rescue center during his Thanksgiving break.
Please help find Prince
UPDATE! Prince found!! Nov 28: Maybe you can help Clarence locate his dog.
Thanksgiving in Tylertown
Nov 28: Celebrating the holidays at the Best Friends hurricane relief center.
November 25, 2005
Pooch Alley
Nov 25: It’s hard work, both physically and emotionally, for some recent Pooch Alley volunteers.
Survivors of the massacre
Nov 25: Reunion at the middle school in St. Bernard.
Love is blind
Nov 25: A volunteer bonds with a little blind dog. "It looked like he had just given up, his head was hanging down and he did not respond to anyone. It was like he was just shutting down."
November 23, 2005
The animal experience
Nov 23: There are over 600 animals at Tylertown. And there are always a few that catch your eye and tug at your heartstrings.
At the yurt clinic
Nov 23: Looking after Genghis Kanine
Bitsy's Reunion
Nov 23: From New Orleans to Mississippi to Kansas, Bitsy is finally back with her family.
One lucky dog
Nov 23: Mystic lucks out, three times in a row!
Around the country in 60 days
Nov 23: “I was on pins and needles until I got the call saying it was Fluffy.”
November 22, 2005
Assessment of Greater New Orleans and Gulf Coast region as of Nov 20, 2005
During the week of November 13-20, 2005, five Best Friends staffers conducted a comprehensive needs assessment in the greater New Orleans and Gulf Coast region.
report assessment index
report
voice index
Hurricane Relief winter fashions
Nov 22: It's time for the people to wear hats, and the dogs to wear sweaters.
One day in Tylertown
Nov 21: A volunteer reports, "After one day at the Best Friends rescue center, 'experience' has a new meaning."
Volunteer from NYC
Nov 22: Her own dog was rescued on Sept 11, 2001. Now she helps save other people's pets.
November 21, 2005
The dollar store
Nov 21: The best thing about the "dollar store" at the Best Friends rescue center is that everything there is free.
November 17, 2005
Together forever
Nov 17: Tammy Naquin is determined that whatever happens, nothing on God’s good green earth will separate her from her cat ever again.
November 15, 2005
Sasha's tummy tale
Nov 15: When a rescued dog needs emergency surgery.
Ginger returns
Nov 15: A tiny Chihuahua, taken from the rescue center by an overzealous volunteer, has been returned to Tylertown and placed in a foster home.
Accidental still lifes
Nov 15: None of the volunteers were trying to make an artistic statement, but...
Dessert in Tylertown
Sweetening life for hurricane relief workers
Dog who survived St. Bernard shootings?
Nov 15: File cabinet provided hiding spot
Bye bye, corporate ceiling!
Nov 15: How Barbara Doyne left the corporate world and found her life's mission.
Canadian contingent
Nov 15: They fell desperately in love with the people-friendly pitties, especially with one old boy whose head is covered with scars and has no teeth.
November 11, 2005
The terrier sisters
Nov 11: Volunteer Karen Christopher falls in love with Red Sis and Black Sis
Update from Best Friends
Nov 9: At the rescue center and around New Orleans
November 09, 2005
"I found my dogs on Dateline!"
Nov 9: Annette's mother called her to say she'd just seen her two dogs being rescued on TV.
“Message in a bottle” dog still waiting for reunion
Nov 9: Coming back from Hurricane Katrina is no easy task, as Gary Karcher is finding out.
November 07, 2005
Until the last gate closes ...
Nov 7: "I haven't experienced this type of thing since I was in the military -- the kind of closeness people have that you don't usually have in every-day life in the real world."
October 31, 2005
Chef Geno
Oct 31: Gourmet chef cooks at Tylertown
Yurts at Tylertown
Oct 31: Keeping the volunteers cozy and animals well cared for.
Mystery and Mikey
Oct 31: Nakeisha Jilyard couldn’t believe her eyes when she walked onto the grounds at the Best Friends/St. Francis rescue center. There was her dog Mystery, being taken for a walk right in front of her.
Our volunteer group's story
Oct 31: A group from Ohio volunteers at the Best Friends rescue center. Here's their story.
He saved the message-in-a-bottle dog
Oct 31: On one of his rescue missions in New Orleans, Joe Huffman found Himie ... and the message around his neck.
October 29, 2005
Quick! Building to be demolished!
Oct 29: Her neighbor had a seizure, and the pets were still in the building.
A helping of Cornbread
Oct 28: This southern “side dish” proves popular.
October 28, 2005
Garfield's Reunion
Oct 28: Gerald and Nita Tyson find their beloved orange tabby cat.
Our dog whisperer
Oct 28: "I decided that he wasn’t going to die without getting the most out of life. And then ..."
October 27, 2005
Mama Cat and her kittens
Oct 27: "My name is Calypso and these are my four surviving children . . ."
The women of Tylertown
Oct 27: The dedicated women who are here for the animals.
October 25, 2005
Weekly report
Oct 25: Update on our activities at the rescue center and in relation to other rescue organizations.
Fifi and Cici
Oct 25: The reunions of cats FiFi and Cici with their people marked the 99th and 100th pets returned to their owners at the Best Friends rescue center.
State of the rescue
October 25: Seasons change at Tylertown
Find my parents
Oct 25: A wheezy Chihuahua with a bad attitude was not exactly the going-away gift Stephanie Houfek had in mind for the end of her second volunteer stint.
Firefighters at Tylertown
Oct 25: Fire captains Mike and Nick Candelori spent nearly two weeks at the Best Friends rescue center. "Everybody here is working together and amounting to something amazing."
That's Ducky!
Oct 24: Ducky has put on some weight, and is off to a great Minnesota foster home with lots of ponds.
October 24, 2005
Parvo at Tylertown?
Oct 22: Latest rumor: there's an epidemic of parvo at Tylertown. Here are the facts.
October 22, 2005
Tiny and Tinkerbell
Oct 22: When he saw that his two small dogs were gone and his house destroyed, he took his own life. But the dogs are now safe, and his mother has them.
Destiny’s dog
Oct 22: “I’m going to give him good meals, acupuncture, and physical therapy. I have an underwater treadmill and will exercise him on that."
Kittens riding shotgun
Oct 22: The second wave of Katrina animals arriving
Kinda cranky, but you can't blame him!
October 22: An old basset hound, tossed about by the storm.
October 21, 2005
Fosters across America
Oct. 21 – Now that New Orleans’ rescues are slowing down, Best Friends is finding foster homes for the animals at Tylertown.
For pits’ sake
Oct 21: Volunteer works with pit bulls in memory of his own
Braveheart Express
Oct 21: Sweetest pit bulls leave rescue center for Texas
Urgent: Volunteer rescuers needed
Oct 21: A group of rescuers from the Kinship Circle are looking for volunteer help -- quickly and urgently -- as they continue to search the homes of people who have let them know they left their pets at home when they evacuated New Orleans.
The Survivor -- great update!
Oct 21: She looked terrible when she was rescued by Best Friends. Look at her now in her new foster home!
October 20, 2005
Transport trucks: first mission
Oct 18th: Two big new transport trucks -- and two dogs to give them their first run!
Saying goodbye to Silver
Oct 18: A beloved rescue goes over the Rainbow Bridge.
Are pit bulls being stolen from Tylertown?
Oct 20th: Rumors of dog-fighting rings stealing dogs from the hurricane relief center are false. Here are the facts.
October 15, 2005
Best Friends weekly report
October 14: Overview of situation in New Orleans, and Best Friends plans going forward.
October 14, 2005
"She's so smart. We knew she'd survive!"
October 14: Every day, more and people are finding their animals at the Best Friends relief center.
October 13, 2005
After the Storm(y)
A blind poodle at Tylertown finds her guardian angel.
October 10, 2005
Buttons gave me a reason to live
October 9: They'd been to shelters all over the state, but couldn't find her. "I had given up," said Sal. Then they came to Tylertown.
That's ducky!
October 9: Besides dogs and cats, the Best Friends hurricane relief center has become a haven for everything from turtles and fish to emus and ducks.
October 08, 2005
Taking it easy
October 8: Getting a ride everywhere, and taking it "Easy"
Arachnophilia
October 8: HELP NEEDED with spiders, the latest rescued pets at the Best Friends/St. Francis sanctuary
October 07, 2005
Kilo discovered in New Orleans
He began scratching at the roof until he'd dug a hole large enough for the two to climb through.
October 05, 2005
Morgan & Morgan - the reunion!
October 5: At an emotional reunion at a hospital in Miami, Florida, William Morgan greets his beloved poodle, Morgan La Faye.
October 04, 2005
More pets reunited
October 3: Stories of animals and their families meeting up at the Best Friends / St Francis sanctuary.
Gary Karcher Update
October 3: Gary (who left the “message in a bottle” tied to his dog’s collar) gets to see photos of all his dogs. Reunion is planned.
October 01, 2005
More important things to do in life ...
Sept 28: Volunteer John Hoenemier from Los Angeles, Calif., describes his two weeks working with Best Friends in New Orleans.
K9 Sgt joins in rescue efforts
Sept 29: Sgt Deutsch's K9 unit saves kids from drug dealers in Florida. But he took time off to save dogs from the streets of New Orleans.
September 30, 2005
Find your pet
Sept 30: Thousands of animals were separated from their families in the wake of Katrina. Now it's time to reunite pets with their families.
"This is the most important thing I've ever done."
Sept 30: John Hoenemier has a life-changing experience on the frontlines of Katrina.
September 29, 2005
Paul Berry on CNN
Sept 29: Watch a live video of Paul Berry, Best Friends director of operations talking about hurricane Rita on CNN.
September 28, 2005
Gary Karcher found!
Thanks to the efforts of Best Friends members, Himie the Rottweiler's dad has been found!
September 27, 2005
Message in a bottle
Sept 27: Gary Karcher wrote a message about Himie's medication, put it in a bottle, and tied it around the dog's neck. Then he had to leave. We've picked up Himie wandering his old neighborhood. Now we just have to find Gary.
The Twister Sisters
Sept 27: In their day jobs, they chase tornadoes and other storms. But this time, as Hurricane Rita blew in, they came to see the animals.
September 26, 2005
Rita at St Francis
Sept 24: The Best Friends hurricane relief center prepares for Rita, but the storm ends up steering clear.
Rocky -- final report
Sept. 26 - Getting ready to head home.
September 23, 2005
Rocky's rocky road
Sept 23, San Antonio: Waiting to be admitted to a shelter, Rocky suffers head trauma.
First Report from Texas
Sept 22: Paul Berry reports from San Antonio, where people from Houston and other coastal areas are gathering with their pets in a chaotic situation
September 22, 2005
Best Friends and Hurricane Rita
Sept 22 - Best Friends assessing animals' needs as major storm approaches Texas
Rita brings new threat to New Orleans
Sept 22 - With a new hurricane drawing closer, the Best Friends/St. Francis sanctuary is buttoning up and battening down.
The survivor
Sept 22 - Three weeks after the hurricane, we come across a sad old poodle, an incredible portrait of survival.
September 21, 2005
Hail Caesar!
Sept 21 - A Great Dane is reunited with his family.
Hope Rising
Sept 21 - Here are the images of miracles happening from the frontlines of Hurricane Katrina.
September 20, 2005
Visiting St. Francis
Sept 20 - A quick visit to the St. Francis sanctuary, from Michael Mountain.
Dateline NBC
Sept 20 - On Sunday night, Dateline aired a segment about Best Friends' rescue efforts in New Orleans. In case you missed it, you can download it here.
"I'll never leave her again"
Sept 15 - Michael Burchaell reunites with Kika at the St. Francis sanctuary
Great new donations
Sept 19 - At the St. Francis sanctuary
September 18, 2005
A volunteer's perspective
Sept 18 - Volunteer JoDee gives us insight into life on the frontlines.
September 17, 2005
Me and Lois Lane
Sept 16: Reporter Cathy Scott introduces her pen (make that pet) partner
A day in the life . . .
Sept 16: Cathy Scott reports on life at the Best Friends / St. Francis Sanctuary
Dogs play, swim at St Francis
Sept 16: Creating a home-away-from-home experience at the Best Friends / St. Francis sanctuary
September 16, 2005
The St Francis Animal Sanctuary
Sept 16: The St. Francis Animal Sanctuary has been so generous in letting Best Friends set up a major hurricane relief center on their property.
Communication breakdown
Sept 16 – People want to help but in their haste are getting messages mixed up.
No More Hopeless Pets in Utah Super Adoption
Hundreds of dogs and cats, including dozens from hurricane-effected areas, seek new families at this weekend’s Pet Super Adoption.
September 15, 2005
Dateline in the reuniting business
Sept 15 – Bart didn’t think he would ever see his cat again – now NBC is his favorite network.
Best Friends Animal Society enters St. Bernard Parish
Best Friends Animal Society conducts first official animal assessment. Thousands alive in dire straits.
Best Friends imposters
Sept 15 – Free-lance rescuers are hampering animal relief efforts.
September 14, 2005
They call it "God's Factory"
Sept 14 - A rescue group from Illinois describes their work at the Best Friends / St Francis sanctuary
Petfinder at St. Francis
Sept 13 - A team from Petfinder.com arrives at St. Francis to catalog the animals.
From on the water to on the grass!
Sept 13 - Cathy Scott’s update on the rescue effort in New Orleans and life at the St Francis sanctuary.
Best Friends HQ
Sept 14 - What's going on back at Best Friends HQ in Kanab, Utah? Watch this slideshow to find out.
A day of rescued
A report from Elissa Jones in the field in New Orleans, September 14, 2005.
"You have to go back for the puppies!"
Sept 14 - A day of rescue with Elissa Jones, BF team member, in the field in New Orleans
September 13, 2005
Hurricane refugees welcomed to Salt Lake City
Sept 13 – No More Homeless Pets in Utah, a Best Friends program, transported 46 animals from Texas to Utah.
Please stop calling Lt. Gen. Honore
Sept 13 - Your phone calls are appreciated but are hampering humanitarian efforts
Spay/neutermobile arrives
Sept 12: SNAP clinic starts fixing animals at St. Francis
"Dog in Boat!"
Sept 13 - Coming back to St Francis from a rescue effort in New Orleans, the team notices a small boat with spray-painted writing on it.
September 12, 2005
Baby's reunion
Sept 12 - When Aggie Liccriadi arrived at the Best Friends Hurricane Relief Center, she knew her golden retriever, Baby, would be there.
Life at St. Francis
Sept 12 - Volunteer Cathy Scott reports on what it's like at the St Francis sanctuary, where Best Friends has its relief center.
Dogtown on the Mississippi!
Sept 12 - from Sherry Woodard at St. Francis. Sherry, who is Best Friends' dog training and care consultant arrives at the St. Francis sanctuary.
September 11, 2005
A few happy endings
Sept 11 – Best Friends has been receiving many e-mails regarding rescued animals – here are a few.
Letter from New Orleans P.D.
Sept 11 – NOPD reports they evacuated a hospital full of pets – a letter to Best Friends.
September 10, 2005
A friend made of gold
After an emotional parting John Steinwinder and his family were reunited with Goldie, their hero and protector.
September 09, 2005
Best Friends on FOX news
Sept 9 - On Hannity & Colmes TONIGHT @ 9 PM EDT. Footage now viewable online
LA Wildlife and Fisheries NOT shooting dogs
Sept 9 – Despite rumors, officials at LA Wildlife and Fisheries say they are not killing animals.
Time running out for our boat in St Bernard Parish
Sept 8 - "This is the story that’s not being told. Animals clinging to life, and dead human bodies lying and floating all around."
Time running out in Orleans Parish
Sept 8 - "Why are we the only people in this entire area of town? Why are others being turned back when there is so much to be done? At least we have a few furry refugees with us. We comfort them as they comfort us."
September 08, 2005
Utah coalition organizes caravan
Best Friends and Utah partners head to Texas with six vans to pick up adoptable pets and ease strain on shelters
Sept 8 - Please, slow down the offers of help
5,000-7,000 emails, 1,000 phone calls per day
Rescue on a boat ramp
Sept 7 - Anderson Cooper catches a Best Friends rescue
Best Friends prez to appear on radio
Sept 8 - Listen live today at 3:30 pm East Coast, 12:30 pm West Coast
September 07, 2005
More Best Friends “troops” arrive at St. Francis
Sept 7 - “And, we’re going to save a bunch of animals tonight!”
Extending heartfelt thanks
Sept 7 – The volume of response to Best Friends call for assistance is unprecedented!
Photos from New Orleans
Sept 7 - Some photos from our Best Friends team
Contaminated water hinders rescue efforts
Sept 7 – The Best Friends crew is heading into New Orleans with protective gear.
Best Friends answers an urgent call
Sept 7 – A team picks up dogs left by people taken to hospital.
September 06, 2005
FOX gets into the rescue business
Sept 6 – TV producer opens his home to furry refugee
Working with the military
Sept 6 – Best Friends hooks up with the infantry
Another team deployed by Best Friends
Sept 6 - Two experienced animal handlers take off for the Gulf Coast
September 05, 2005
Getting down to business
Sept 5 – Various teams are saving animals and expanding housing.
Media gets involved with plight of animals
Sept 5 – The national news is now reporting about relief efforts for pets.
Some evacuees given permission to check out homes
Sept 5 – Many find their pets, but turn them over to animal control.
Our apologies
Sept 5, 3:15 p.m. – Updates impeded by rocky Internet connection.
Updates from the field
Sept 5 – More supplies heading to Best Friends safe haven.
Photos from the frontlines
This afternoon we received the first batch of photos from our hurricane relief team.
September 04, 2005
Seven trucks heading to St. Francis
Sept 4 – The Colorado Humane Society is sending supplies to Franklinton.
First volunteers deployed
Sept 4 – Best Friends sends first tier of volunteers to Mississippi.
Still on road, but not for long
Sept 4 – Best Friends team will stay the night in Jackson, Miss.
Best Friends Atlanta in high gear
Sept 4 – A major transport tomorrow will get animals out of New Orleans.
Where's the gas?
Best Friends needs information.
Animals picked up from New Orleans airport
Sept 4 – Many pets were evacuated to the airport after the hurricane.
Volunteers needed immediately!
Contact information for trained, experienced shelter workers.
More medical help on the way
Sept 4 – Capital Animal Care sends mobile vet clinic to Mississippi.
Food arrives just in time
Sept 4 – A big thanks to Big Dog Rescue of Tallahassee, Florida.
Getting offers of help from all directions
Sept 4 – Volunteers are ready to act, but hurdles are slowing the process.
Animals in need of shelter
Sept 4 – Best Friends asks for donations of canopies
Update from the Best Friends team still in transit
Sept 4 – Car troubles slow the journey, but they will reach St. Francis soon.
Pocket pets from PETCO safe
Sept 4 – Critters head to Franklinton, Fairground.
Medical help arrives
Sept 4 – Animals at St. Francis are all medically stable.
September 03, 2005
Sept 3 – Pets now declared "family members!"
New Orleans governement lifts moratorium on allowing pets on evacuation buses.
Sept 3 – Evacuees from New Orleans told to leave pets behind.
Best Friends and other rescue groups are trying to round up the animals.
Sept 3, 10 a.m. – Animals pulled out of New Orleans
Best Friends and Jefferson Parish Animal Control save 100 dogs and will go back into New Orleans for more.
Sept 3 – Best Friends gets help on the road
“Luckily we got back on the road, but only because of the kindness of others.” Plus, AUDIO RECORDING from Best Friends team
September 02, 2005
Sept 2 – Best Friends mobilizes teams in Mississippi
St. Francis Animal Sanctuary becomes the staging shelter for rescue groups.
Sept 1: Message to Bert Smith's family
Animal control officer: "Daddy is OK!"
Sept 1: From Paul Berry
At the St Francis sanctuary in Tylertown, Mississippi
September 01, 2005
Paul Berry makes it to St. Francis – all animals safe!
Hundreds of animals find sanctuary in Mississippi.
August 31, 10 p.m. – Report from Paul Berry
“Despite the violence and looting you see on television, there is a huge element of humanity here. Status is stripped away as rich work with poor, democrats with republicans, black with white.”
August 31, 2005
Paul calls us
Listen to an audio clip where Paul Berry gives some of his impressions of the hurricane’s devastation.
August 31, 3 p.m. – Hope for Southern Animal Foundation
The clinic’s vet gets permission to go get animals.
Photo Gallery
View a photo gallery of animals being rescued from the disaster area.
August 31, 2:20 p.m. - After the storm
Poignant pet pictures
August 31, 11:30 a.m. – Update from Paul Berry
Heading into Mississippi.
August 31, 11:15 a.m. – Update from Southern Animal Foundation
Staff vow to stay with animals as long as necessary.
August 31, 11 a.m. – Finding pets left behind
Best Friends is coordinating efforts with rescue groups to find animals that have been left in Louisiana and Mississippi homes.
August 30, 11:45 p.m. – Art Project brings more donations
Reception attendees hear first-hand accounts of hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.
August 30, 2005
August 30, 7:30 p.m. – Report from Paul Berry
Digest of Paul's first-day report, called in from his cell phone
August 30, 5:30 p.m. – Best Friends Art Project dedicated to Katrina victims
Asking for support in Dallas, Texas.
August 30, 5 p.m. – Kick starting the relief fund
Best Friends members show their support.
August 30, 3:30 p.m. – Making contact
Best Friends and other animal welfare organizations reach New Orleans.
August 29, 2005
August 29, 2005 – Heading out to the scene
Best Friends and other rescue groups gear up to help animal victims.
Petition to save homeless hurricane animals
You gave your money, now give your voice.
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Best Friends is now in a position to accept any and all offers of help. And thank you so much for them.
