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"P.Wee", found after 76 days still alive on 11/17/05 in an apartment in Slidell. Rescued by St. Tammany Animal Control. Airlifted by Dothan Animal Shelter to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Photo by Jeri Palumbo
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When I received the call from Jim Crosby of Canine Aggression.Org asking if I would be interested in filming an airlift of homeless Katrina animals to other parts of the nation, I jumped at the opportunity. Having been at ground zero, I wanted to see first hand the final destination of these animals. There are so many amazing stories surrounding this I don't know where to begin. From the excitement of the animals who felt the hope of change not to mention moving into a clean, healthy environment, to the many, many volunteers and DVM's in every port who greeted to help this cause. Even the heart-felt pilots of Dodson International Air took turns checking on the animals in the air. Everyone involved became family....and our children were these wonderfully spirited - after all they had been through - orphaned animals. Jennifer Rowan of Dothan's Animal Shelter, who coordinated the airlift, was a breath of fresh air. What a hard working, humble human being. Jennifer oversaw and coordinated this enormous undertaking. I only hope that someday I can pay justice to honor all these amazing people. Please read the press releases and links below for more information.
And thank you, FAKC, Jennifer Rowan, Jim Crosby and Dodson Air for inviting me along for the ride. I will never forget.
Jeri Palumbo
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Champaign, Ill, The News Gazette
Canines on way to better lives
Dothan, AL, The Dothan Eagle
Dogs airlifted from Dothan to Illinois, Wisconsin
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Florida Association of Kennel Clubs
Press Release
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For IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Diane Albers
November 28, 2005 Phone: 800-597-2987
Alternate Contact: Jennifer Rowan
In Dothan: 334-615-4625 or 4620
Cell Phone for trip: 904-476-7655
Hoping for Homes for the Holidays!
Hurricane Animal Rescue & Relief Continues as AKC/CAR, FAKC AND ABKA team up once again to airlift animals to next chance
November 29, 2005, Dothan, AL. “P. Wee”, a sweet, mixed breed dog and 4,000 additional pounds of furry passengers will be airlifted to Central Illinois, and to the Wisconsin, Illinois border. The Florida Association of Kennel Clubs (FAKC) has provided volunteers, funding and supplies to help nearly 800 orphaned animals who have been temporarily housed in Dothan, Alabama by the Dothan Animal Shelter, Save a Pet, the Southeast Alabama Kennel Club and the Wiregrass Humane Society.
“Our work with orphaned animal storm victims continues – just ask P.Wee. He was found November 17th abandoned in an apartment in New Orleans – he had been there since Katrina hit the area.“ states Florida Association of Kennel Clubs president, Diane Albers, “Thanks to the generosity of the American Kennel Club (AKC) and ABKA pet care facilities, P.Wee and several other of his animal friends are getting their next chance at life. AKC and ABKA are as committed as we are to reuniting these animals with their original families or placing them in appropriate new homes for the holidays.”
Katherine and Steve Berns of TailWaggers Pet Chateau, Savoy IL, will be accepting the first portion of this load of animals from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. The pets will be received first at the University of Illinois Willard Airport where area veterinarians and U of I Vet Med students will help check the animals in and assist with any immediate medical needs.
“We deeply appreciate the support we have already received from area businesses and the University of Illinois – Vet Med.” Katherine Berns, also the Region 6 director for ABKA, who coordinated this effort on the Central Illinois end says, “Initially, approximately 50 dogs will be placed with ABKA member facilities in St. Jacob, Bloomington, Springfield, Naperville and Ingleside, IL. We are pleased that ABKA members are able to help in the on-going placement of these animals into the best of situations.”
The remaining animals on the flight will spend the night at the Bern’s boarding kennel and then be flown to the Kenosha airport where volunteers have coordinated with area shelters to take the animals into their care until either they are reunited with their owners or find new homes. P. Wee will be fostered by Tami Wojo, a Wisconsin animal lover and nursed back to his usual self.
Jennifer Rowan and Jim Crosby, volunteers for FAKC will be making the flight with the canines to ensure they are comfortable en route, along with a film crew from PBS.
“Without the financial support of AKC/CAR, these animals would be housed in a shelter for the Holidays.” Says Rowan, the flight coordinator, “The generosity of organizations like AKC/CAR, ABKA, FAKC, the Dothan area animal organizations and volunteers across the nation is totally overwhelming in such a magical way for these animals. I have visions of them curled up either with their original families, or in their new homes by Christmas.”
To further support FAKC’s hurricane relief efforts, you may send tax-deductible donations to the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs.
The Florida Association of Kennel Clubs
c/o Diane Albers
401 Cardinal Oaks
Lake Mary, FL 32746
You may also send tax-deductible donations to the addresses below:
AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund
Attn. Kim Luong
c/o American Kennel Club
260 Madison Avenue – 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016-2401
ABKA
ABKA Emergency Relief Fund
1702 E. Pikes Peak Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
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The American Kennel Club (AKC®), founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of purebred dogs. The AKC maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world, oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States, and along with its nearly 5,000 licensed and member clubs, educates the general public about responsible dog ownership. More than 16,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog trials. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit www.akc.org
AKC® is a registered trademark of the American Kennel Club.
AKC Companion Animal Recovery, an affiliate of the American Kennel Club and a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization is the largest non-profit recovery service provider in North America. Established in 1995 as a public service to help pet owners reunite with their lost animals via identification and live operators, the organization has enrolled over 3,000,000 companion animals and recovered over 280,000 lost pets.
ABKA is the nonprofit trade association for pet care professionals. Founded in 1977 by a group of concerned individuals within the boarding kennel industry, ABKA now unites almost 3,000 individuals and businesses providing a variety of pet care services throughout the United States and around the globe. The association is dedicated to upgrading the pet care industry and educating the public about proper pet care. All ABKA members must affirm their commitment to quality pet care, comply with all applicable laws and ordinances, and subscribe to the ABKA Code of Ethics, which establishes standards of conduct in all aspects of their professional lives.
ABKA provides a three-level educational program for pet care professionals, a facilities accreditation program, and serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas among members. For more information visit www.abka.com or call toll free 877-570-7788.
The ABKA Emergency Relief Fund provides a way for its members and concerned individuals to make contributions to help pets, pet care professionals and pet rescue organizations. The fund is administered by a panel comprised of the ABKA president and the directors of the affected regions. The fund is incorporated as a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt entity and contributions are tax-deductible.
FLIGHT DETAILS:
Tuesday, November 29, 2005 Airlift Details –
MEDIA WELCOME AT ALL FACILITIES!
Loading at Dothan Animal Shelter at 6am - Phone (334)-615-4620
Depart Dothan Animal Shelter by 8:30am
Plane load-in at FLIGHTLINE at Dothan Airport - Phone (334)-983-5555
Depart Flightline at 10am
Arrive at CMI (University of Illinois Willard Airport) Approximately 2:20pm
Phone – 1-800-747-4777
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 Airlift Details
MEDIA WELCOME AT ALL FACILITIES!
Depart CMI airport at Noon – Phone 1-800-747-4777
Arrive at Kenosha AERO at approximately 1:20pm – Phone – (262)-658-2052
Contact Information for Animals
Katherine Berns ABKA Regional Director and Owner of TailWaggers Pet Chateau
Phone (217)359-4212
Wisconsin/Northern Illinois Contacts:
Tami Wojo – (262)-496-3552
Dan Schneidewent – (414)-731-0228
Please note flight times may vary due to weather
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Dothan Airlift
