Animal rescue group still helping Katrina victims

February 23, 2006 03:20 pm

— Hurricane Katrina may be beginning to fade from your memory after it devastated Louisiana, Mississippi and parts of Alabama last year, but animals which were left behind are still a very current issue with the North Florida Horse Rescue (NFHR) group of Jacksonville. Recently a local woman helped this group by gathering donations that were picked up by a rescue truck and delivered to the disaster area.
And these same people are already planning ahead to be ready for the next hurricane season that could bring similar disasters with animals.
Sheri Mims, who lives in Live Oak, met the westbound truck at Interstate 10 in Live Oak with money and medical supplies
donated by Farmer's Co-Op, Howland's Feed Mill, Huffman and Gilmore, Smitty's Western Store and Live Oak Animal Hospital/Dr. John Alford, Jackson Drywall and others who care about animals. Steve Riley assisted Mims in getting the supplies donated and collected, according to Bonnie Hayflick, public relations coordinator for NFHR.
The truck, which began its journey in Jacksonville, carried medical supplies, hay and other feed needs to the devastated area of Vermilion Parish in Louisiana.
Traveling with the supply truck was Jacksonville area veterinarian Dr. Dawn McLane, who brought along her fifth grade daughter in Dr. McLane's vet truck. Once in Louisiana, Dr. McLane donated her services to help animals that lived through the horrific storm, providing vet services and immunizations.
Anyone wanting to donate to the NFHR may do so by contacting Sheri Mims locally at 386-590-7726, or by emailing Hayflick at bonnieh@aug.com or NFHR President Chris Dunn at nfhr@horsesinthesouth.com. The group is providing training so more people can be prepared for future disasters.
NFHR also provides microchip clinics in the Jacksonville area for horses.
"When the chip is scanned by law enforcement officials, disaster workers or veterinarians, a phone call goes into HORSEtrac, the 24-hour disaster and recovery network for horses. The registered owner information is immediately available, however, it is not a GPS tracking device, said Dunn. For more information, contact Dunn at 904.626.1990 or 352-478-2412 or visit www.horsesinthesouth.com"
Dr. John Wade of AVID Equine said AVID stands for American Veterinary Identification Device. AVID pioneered the development of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for animals. While HORSEtrac, founded by AVID in the late 80s, is the recovery network that utilizes the electronic microchip to help in disasters, theft and to reunite horses with their owners," he said.
AVID Equine and HORSEtrac, along with the original PETtrac global network, established AVID as a worldwide leader in efficient database animal recovery. "We encourage all horse owners to have their horses microchipped. This precaution will help to identify any horse that may become displaced during storms and hurricanes," said Dunn. "The AVID micro chip can be read by most scanners worldwide. Plus, it can't be erased and is guaranteed for life," she said.
North Florida Horse Rescue (NFHR) is a non-profit and animal disaster response organization founded by Dr. Dawn McLane that will provide evacuation assistance if animals are threatened by any hurricane, fire or flooding. NFHR educates all members and volunteers with the information of preparation and procedures before, during and after a disaster. Emergency rescue classes will be available and taught by team leaders from Hurricane Katrina rescue teams in order to be prepared before the next hurricane season. NFHR will provide disaster planning and rescue information and assistance through its members and volunteers to anyone and all of their animals. NFHR will strive to not leave any animal behind unless it is in a secure and safe environment. NFHR encourages and recommends proper identification on all animals such as microchipping, tattoos, and will provide assistance with other information of identification.
Susan K. Lamb may be reached by calling 1-386-362-1734 ext. 131 or by emailing susan.lamb@gaflnews.com.

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