Search & Rescue
Katrina aid 2005
I wanted to sincerely thank everyone who made it possible for
Pampered Parrots to go to Louisiana for hurricane Katrina
rescue. I saw major destruction I could not wish to happen
upon anyone, and I know many nights will still come that I close
my eyes thinking of what these people have lost. I learned a lot
of valuable information from others I worked alongside with that
I've brought home to our local rescue, and will be able to
continue saving lives or making lives better of those brought to
us here.
The devastation on television or photos is nothing in comparison
to seeing the actual tragedy in person. You almost felt it lucky
for those who lost their lives when you saw whole houses that
had been submerged and everything families lost. These people
had to start over- but where do they start from? Generations of
valuables, photos, clothes you brought your first child home
from the hospital in, memories worth millions, swept away and
turned into filthy debris. Walking from house to house looking
for survivors you couldn't help but feel the loss.
Black toxic mold clung to the walls and ceilings of most every
house we entered. Hazmat crews marveled at us entering
without full respirators and protective gear. Everywhere black
sludgy water touched your skin it burned. I still have healing
blisters on my arms. Clothes I packed for the trip had to be
thrown away as per FEMA's suggestion; Actually they said to
burn it! Human survivors ran into the streets in areas you would
never think anything could have lived and begged for ice, a
sandwich, a bottle of water or even a cigarette. Animals found
still alive were so dehydrated and hungry that they had to have
IV fluids pumped into them just so they had the energy to eat or
drink on their own. Many dogs or cats on the streets became
prey for one another as well as alligators.  For every 10-20
dead we found 1-5 that were still alive. We even found people
still alive waiting for rescue! An 86 year old bedridden woman
who could barely speak was found still alive in her home in one
house our camp checked. The military had stopped 12 days
before being allowed to break and enter each house- that job
was now up to us. This lady was still alive without food or water
after 3 weeks. We felt energized in our efforts and all stepped a
little lighter when we resumed searching. It always would get
depressing searching and seemingly only finding death or
destruction. Every rescue was a renewal on our soul and worth
the entire trip. We probably rescued, on average, from
200-350 animals daily. Our days lasted 15-18 hours. No one
wanted to stop and miss that one more we could bring in.
I learned so many valuable tools and skills from my experiences
in New Orleans. I worked alongside veterinarians (who offered
me jobs if I chose to move to the area!!) professionals and
people who cared. I was made the intake "vet" at the Mutt
Shack camp I stayed at and had to intake all the dogs, cats,
birds, lizards, snakes; you name it! I hydrated and fed IV fluids
to most every new animal brought in and treated illness and
injury I was familiar with. Licensed vets who made rounds to
the camp instructed me on care of illness or injury I wasn't
familiar with and delegated many of these new treatments to me.
I can now check for a fever on a turtle and know where to give
it injections, among many more things!
The animals I lost during care probably hurt worse than any
animal I've ever had die on me before, but I can be comforted
in knowing that our team worked hard and worked together to
the best of our abilities to prevent the amount that could have
been lost. Could they have done it without me? Of course. I
know in my heart though, that having the ability to be down
there helping saved just that many more animals and people and
I couldn't  have done it without the help of Pearsons Packaging
for sponsoring my trip and the other generous donations from
King's veterinary clinic, Medical Lake veterinary clinic, Dr.
Bumgarner and Dr.Finney , Sarah Forbes, Jan Edwards, "Vet
Tech Carol", Courteneys mom & Courtney Burrill, Classy
Rack, Volunteers of America thrift store, Dr. Alder and Norma
Rosler. I truly thank you, and I know those who've been
touched by your generosity thank you.
Tracy in New Orleans rescue garb
A rescued Tiel and Tracy
The 911ParrotAlert team in Baton
Rouge
To see all the photos from the trip,
e-mail us and we will send a link to our
pictures at Snapfish!
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©2005 Pampered Parrots Avian Rescue