COFFEYVILLE, KS. VOLUNTEERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE

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During July, The HSUS Disaster Response Team helped almost 200 pets rescued from the flood waters in Coffeyville, Kan. Dogs, cats, ferrets, hamsters, fish and even a boa constrictor were sheltered by the team and volunteers; 122 pets were reunited with their families, 44 adopted into new homes, 8 being cared for by local veterinarians and 20 transported to Wayside Waifs in Kansas City.

"It is hard to leave this community," said Jeff Eyre director of field response for The HSUS. "We all made a difference here and helped spark community interest in animal welfare that just may result in a new shelter for the animals here in Coffeyville."

With the Whittier School’s gym and office cleaned up and the animal transport trailer leaving town, The HSUS Disaster Response Team and volunteers shared their experiences while caring for the pets displaced by Coffeyville's worst flooding.

"If I were separated from my animals due to a disaster, I hope they are cared for by you guys with The HSUS," said Carol Murphy. She dedicated time to bottle feed tiny newborn kittens, clean kennels, walk dogs and wash dishes.

"I had to remind Carol to take a break. She was running circles around us getting things done!" said HSUS responder Consie von Gontard.

Pictured above is volunteer Katy Quinn helping out with the morning walks.

Snowy Lynn, a white pit-bull, was a favorite of HSUS NDART volunteer Kim Filbreck. Her owner, Daniel, stayed at the Red Cross shelter. All three are pictured above.

"The love between the two is evident," said Kim. "Daniel comes at least twice a day to visit with Snowy Lynn."

"Watching a person who has lost everything and is not sure what to do next to restore their life come to the shelter and find their pet is an incredible joy," said Kim.

"We built the first temporary shelter at Le Clere ball park just 36 hours after the water and oil spilled over the levies," said Jim Correll. "It was a daunting task."

The HSUS arrived "just in time to relieve the exhausted volunteer who came from Tulsa to help us get organized. For the rest of the month, we watched and helped as HSUS brought in wave after wave of volunteers from across the country to help us out."

Jim is pictured here with 13-year-old Duchess. Her owner was unable to keep her after the flood. A new home was found for Duchess.

Wendy Haugen is an animal control officer from Colorado on her first HSUS NDART volunteer deployment.

"The response from the community was overwhelming. People from all walks of life poured in to help us care for the animals," Wendy said. Not only did they clean and walk dogs, "they brought us homemade soup, lasagna and other goodies."

Judy Burnett from nearby Dearing, who volunteered many hours at the shelter is pictured above.

"These animals are someone's treasured pet," said Statia Neel, a HSUS N-DART volunteer. "Being able to help people who have lost absolutely everything except their pet, is all the thanks needed." However, Statia was also rewarded with "doggie kisses and wild tail wags" after spending hours cleaning dog kennels, on her hands and knees.

Pictured here are HSUS responder Bruce Earnest and United Animal Nations volunteer Julie Castaneda washing dishes. UAN provided several volunteers to help with this on-going effort.

At the shelter, Mary Morgan, a HSUS N-DART volunteer, says she had "the honor and privilege to work with the cats, who are the most amazing creatures. It takes them so long to trust, however in situations like this, they know you are there to help." In no time, Mary had the cattery clean, the cats fed and one purring, curled up in a ball on her lap.

"I want you to know how much I appreciated the opportunity to volunteer," said Mark Macinski after he returned home from his NDART volunteer deployment. "It was an honor to participate in such a respectful and caring venture."

Mark is the head of security at the St. Louis art museum. He added: "being back here today, I can tell you that a bad day walking dogs and cleaning cages is better than the best day at the office."

Pictured above are volunteers Tamara Roberts, Kristi Seward, and and Amber Roberts with "Sunshine", one of the dogs from the temporary shelter.

Information found at: http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/disasters_press_room/archives/2007_disaster_response/coffeyville_volunteers_share_their_experience.html