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Animal Rescue New Orleans 06 |
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and what I've left with... |
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Two pictures of the situation in Aug 05 |
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My Trip: |
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Entering the devastation area gives off a bad feeling. Instinct tells you to leave. You can see that something horribly wrong has happened to this place, among these people and animals. Trees were toppled, uprooted, stripped and bare on both sides of the highway, stretched for many miles. Devastation can be seen even just entering Mississippi. I doubted myself for being able to cope. |
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Even billboards are no match for the strength of Katrina. Billboards and poles are blown off and into pieces scattered on the ground. |
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This debris is everywhere. I was driving and walking amongst the debris. All signs were down and treated as four way stops. There are holes in the ground the size of medium to large dog beds. Signs are down and turned around. Just total chaos. You just walk into abandoned homes and businesses looking for feeding stations and animals. |
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The brownish-yellow waterline can be seen on many houses and cars, a silent reminder of how bad the situation was before. |
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One thing that was very visible, was the Big status differences between the rich and poor can be seen. City Park, a park in a rich neighbourhood had almost no debris left on the ground, whereas people in poor neighbourhoods and homes still have debris, flipped cars and dead animal carcasses lying around. The park looked like it was a beautiful place once before, this goes for all of New Orleans and the people and culture there as well.
I spoke to many locals and found out that many really did love their animals. Of course there were the few that were cruel and we would hear about all the horrible stories of shooting pellet guns or arrows through animals. But aside from those few there were many that valued their animals as children. Many felt betrayed and felt that they were treated horribly to face the kind of decision that they were forced to make. Many were forced physically and at gunpoint by officials to leave their animals behind. Some received broken bones. Some were assured that their pets would be taken care of and left notices on how to take care of them and who they belonged to. But when the people returned they found out that their animals were shot by the officials. Bullet casings were found with imprints belonging only to law enforcement officials. They were shot and left to die. They were not shot in the head or the heart but in the body cavity causing a great amount of suffering and torment, not a quick death. A current open ended case, with no justice seen in sight.
Something that really shcoked me was how close the levees were built to these houses and neighbourhoods. New Orleans is built under sea level and the levees are the only protection these people have against the waters. The levees are built just a few meters away from neighbourhoods. Its basically accross the street and a bit. It was a disaster just waiting to happen. I couldn�t understand what thought process went into making these neighbourhoods so close to the levees. |
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Ward 9: where the levees first broke, one of the most devastated areas. People were being lifted off of their roofs |
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My first glimpse at ward 9. Wow I was speechless. I was just in awe of the immensity of the devastation. The devastation was incredible. Houses were flattened, cars were tossed around, on top of each other and into houses. This kind of picture was all around me. Everywhere I stepped I was in it. I was taking pictures all around me in 360 degrees. These pictures can not do it justice or even give a sense of being in that kind of devastation. I can literally touch these houses or cars and walk among the debris or even enter what was left. It was like a war zone. Just debris, nothing else for miles. Neighbourhoods were wiped out. Very few houses were left standing. All I felt was incredible loss. The incredible loss of lives, both people and animal, the loss of everything. No words can describe the feeling or emotions that run through you as you experience the devastation and loss. It hurts me to even think that animals were left behind with their houses collapsed and water levels up to the roof or even to trees to fend for themselves and make it through to even now. |
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What I returned with: |
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Well I learned a lot of things, I've heard a lot of things and I've seen a lot of things and every single one of them is bad! This is the reality. You can either, turn your back on it and solve nothing, or you can take everything, learn from it and make something out of it. It is a disaster, and people are learning to cope and are helping with everything they've got. People are overworked and stressed. Although everyone comes together, from across the nation for one single reason, to help the animals, many forget. People become mixed up with the politics or get obsessed with the sheer idea, of helping animals and in turn, do worse for the animals and make it hard for others. The saddest part is that volunteers get discouraged easily and leave early to return home. Everyone just wants to help, yet it doesn't always come across that way. Of course, among the politics and other things, there is always miscommunication and misunderstanding among the animal people. We must communicate to one another and discuss ideas. Ignore those barriers and get your idea across to someone who will make something of them. Take things into your own hands, instead of waiting for someone else to get the job done. An organization, after all, started with individuals. It's also important to keep an open mind before making a conclusion; there seems to be many pieces to a story. I've seen first hand how distorted and biased the media or an organization can be. Among all of that, I have also met many incredible people; people who have incredible passion and determination to change things or help, and huge hearts that I never see a limit to. We all have to remember the very reason that started it all, the animals. If nothing else, just go out there, ignore everything else and just help the animals in your own way, the best that you can, keeping in mind their welfare and care. If something feels wrong, find out why, usually it is wrong. Overall this has been one amazing journey! I have learned so much and have helped the best that I can within such a short period of time. I will not forget what I have taken back with me. Because of everything I've learned and experienced, I have grown a bit and will be better prepared for the next disaster. I'd like to thank everyone who made this trip possible. I appreciate all the help and encouragement that I have received. Thank you to all the big hearted people especially the stressed and overworked people. Without you this wouldn't have been possible and many more would continue suffering. Thank you all and God Bless. |
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Links |
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Warning some sites are very graphic |
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http://community.webshots.com/album/456263732wOvqqg
http://www.astrocyte-design.com/katrina/
http://www.newleash.org/katrina.asp
Scroll down and click on the images VERY GRAPHIC
Dog Shooting Case Some images may be graphic
Bestfriend's Shelter Sole survivor Story
(story of the sole survivor of a school shooting)
www.katrinadestruction.com
My New Orleans Pics
Unconditional Friends
Organizations and Videos
ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans)
Bestfriends Shelter
Noah's Wish Foundation
Humane Society of the United States
Pam Leavy A dedicated volunteer
Katrina Animal Rescue Tribute
Animal Rescue: Katrina Tribute "Im With you" |
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Back Home |
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