MuttShack Renews Its Katrina Promise at the Jefferson Parish Hurricane Summit

New Orleans, May 30, 2008

“No animals will be left behind” was the clear message to the public at the Jefferson Parish Hurricane Summit.

Jefferson Parish residents attended demonstrations and presentations on State and Parish preparations for the 2008 Hurricane Season at the Eastbank Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Avenue in Metairie on Friday, May 30th.

Parish President Aaron Broussard say the Parish is the best prepared it has ever been for a hurricane.

Jefferson Parish Animal Control Director LeAnn Matherne, talked in earnest on preparing animals for evacuation stressing the importance of the microchip identification system and pre-registration of pets.

Kaye Harris of MuttShack, an organization that helped rescue over 3,000 animals in the aftermath of Katrina, renewed their Katrina Promise to never let animals be left behind again.

“MuttShack will be there to support Jefferson Parish and transport pets to pet shelters during an emergency.” [Kaye Harris pictured right.]

MuttShack operates under the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development and the Animal Services division of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and in cooperation with the Louisiana State Animal Response Team.

Muttshack will provide over one hundred temperature controlled vehicles to assist in transporting dogs, cats and other household pets during an emergency and ICS trained volunteers will assist at Jefferson Parish pet evacuation points.

Levees Safe

Parish President Aaron Broussard said many of the Parish's levees have been armored and upgraded ahead of the 2008 Hurricane Season. This includes a new floodgate and levee improvements at the Harvey Canal, and also has safe houses at Parish Pumping Stations so that personnel can remain safe and on duty during a hurricane and would not need to be evacuated.

Aaron Broussard, was a very different man today from the one who appeared on National television after Katrina, pleading for help. "In every aspect of our agency, and multi agencies that effect Jefferson Parish in storms and times of need, we're prepared," he said.

MuttShack's Kaye Harris helped wrap up the week-long events today, May 30th with the Jefferson Parish Hurricane Preparedness Summit. The full program included: United State Army Corps of Engineers - 100 Year Flood Protection Project, Law Enforcement Issues, Preparing Animals for Evacuation, Preparing the Elderly and Handicapped for Evacuation, Business Re-entry Placards, Emergency Alert System and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Registrations, Emergency Management Plans for 2008 Hurricane Season, Jefferson Parish Continuity of Operations Plan for Business and Government, Status of Pump Stations, Safe Rooms and Automation, and Generator Safety.

The Hurricane Summit was recorded by COX and will be aired regularly so that residents can review the information in preparedness.

Martin St. John, Director of MuttShack and the MuttShack organization have been officially recognized by the Parish President, Aaron Broussard "For the invaluable service they provide to Jefferson Parish."

Watch the KATRINA PROMISE VIDEO.

When the Going Gets Tough ~ The Tough Go Shopping!

MuttShack Joins with FetchDog to put some extra joy back into giving.

Shopping helps fund the amazing animal rescue project ~The Katrina Promise!

MuttShack is gearing up for Hurricane season with several training events planned in Louisiana. We made a promise that no-one ever has to leave their pets behind again.

Shop to your heart's delight with FetchDog and a percentage of all your purchases goes to MuttShack. You can even jump in and help us purchase emergency shelter crates and ship them directly to MuttShack!

Making your purchases count for charity is easy. Just start shopping from the list of products Amanda and Marty have chosen in their Favorites Widget.

Or if you want to shop the entire FetchDog store, just start by clicking here! FetchDog will track ALL your purchases—whether from our recommendations or not—and will donate a percentage of those proceeds to MuttShack Animal Rescue. There is no added cost to you—just do your routine shopping and FetchDog donates a portion of the sale, on behalf of Amanda and Marty, to animal disaster response nationwide.

Previous Owner Rediscovers Her St. Bernard Hours Before His Date With Death!

Los Angeles, CA
March 5, 2008

Was it fate? Who knows, but whatever made Jessica look on Craigslist this morning must be the hand of Clunky's guardian angel. There he was, the St. Bernard she had to give up in college two years earlier. Frantic, Jessica jumped into her car and drove to Los Angeles from San Diego, only to find that the previous owners had labeled Clunky aggressive, and therefore he was not adoptable to the public, only to Rescue Organizations.

MuttShack who posted the REDLIST posting on Craigslist responded to Jessica's call for help. Working with Animal Alliance, a New Hope Partner they immediately placed a hold on Clunky to stay his date with death. MuttShack volunteers in San Diego organized for a house check, and verified and cross-referenced Jessica's information. With just precious hours to spare they ran over to the shelter in Los Angeles to scoop him up. Clunky had been "Red Listed" to be killed that day.

Back in San Diego there were tears of joy. "My brothers and sister's couldn't believe their eyes when Clunky came bouncing through the door." said Jessica. "He actually kicked my brother out of his own bed the first night !" Ah well ~ things are back to the way they used to be!

Jessica had to give up Clunky in college to a new owner when their landlord's changed their policy and students were no longer able to keep pets. Now Clunky is living with Jessica and her siblings on a six acre property. This was probably the most important lesson Jessica ever learned in college. Never give up on your pet!

Redlisted cats and dogs in the Local Los Angeles Shelters are euthanized because of "lack of space." MuttShack networks these Redlisted pets to Breed Rescue Groups, post on public forums and social network groups in order to find a last minute reprieve and save a pet from death. Can you help us fund shelter rescues? Become a Sponsoring Member! and make a small donation every month.

When the going gets tough the tough go shopping ~ for dog stuff of course...
MuttShack has partnered with fetchdog, a dog-centric universe of all things canine. FetchDog offers passionate dog people a place to find the highest quality products, credible advice on their dog's health and wellness, and an online community of fellow humans who love their dogs. Be sure to request their free catalog. More importantly, six percent of all products purchased through our fetchdog link go to support MuttShack so we can continue the great work of saving more lives.