KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
Communicating during disasters to mobilize volunteers, supplies, and other resources for animal victims. http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

RELIEF GLOBAL
6/20/08: IOWA FLOOD - Notes From The Water’s Edge
KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK has been asked by the Iowa Dept.
of Agriculture/Veterinary Response Coordinator to support rescue operations
for Iowa animal flood victims and send volunteers where needed. If you’ve
seen the expanse of Midwest floods in news coverage -- you know we have our
work cut out for us! We thank subscribers for their patience during this
time...as we’ve been unable to focus on other campaigns.

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1. NOTES: Oakville Area (Louisa County) Flood
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OAKVILLE AREA (LOUISA COUNTY) FLOOD:
6/19/08: A boat crew assessed the scope of trapped animals. About 25 animals
were rescued from flooded areas and five were reunited with their families.
Some residents on boats also retrieved stranded animals. Oakville animals
were brought to Mediapolis Veterinary Clinic and Des Moines County Animal
Shelter, in Burlington, Iowa area. Neither shelter is in overflow yet. Boat
rescuers expect to leave Oakville 6/20, to set-up at Lee County Fairgrounds
staging area for assessment of animal situation in southeast Iowa.

One lucky dog, about 6 years old, was found in the rafters of a flooded home
-- where she’d crawled to escape floodwaters. At first the evacuated house
appeared empty. Then the walls began to tremble a bit, as this relieved girl
wagged her tail enthusiastically. “Chewy” was reunited with her family later
that day, after a rescuer at the scene covered vet bills for a bleeding
front paw. Considering her ordeal, Chewy’s in good shape...and happy to be
back with her people.

Kinship Circle sent a PSA to Iowa TV/radio and newspapers, on behalf of Iowa
Dept. of Agriculture, alerting residents to the rescue operations in
Oakville and where to check for their companions. The announcement also
included an Iowa hotline for residents to request rescue of animals trapped
in flooded homes. We hope the publicity will lead rescuers to more animals.

6/20/08: Already this morning, six cats and a puppy are out of harm’s way.
Calls continue to come in about animals stranded in flooded neighborhoods.

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2. NOTES: Southeast Iowa Floods
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SOUTHEAST IOWA / FORT MONTROSE, ARGYLE, KEOKUK, BURLINGTON... FLOODS:
6/20/08: Burlington, in southeast Iowa, was among the last Iowa areas to
fill with water...making waters too dangerous for search and rescue until
now. Boat teams left Oakville late this afternoon to operate from a “surge
shelter” for assessment and rescue.

Though we do not yet know the full scope of need here, we know at least
40-50 animals had been rescued and that Southeast Iowa Animal Protection
League is networking foster homes and shelters to house them. We’ve directed
some volunteers to the staging area at Lee County Fairgrounds.

COVERAGE OF DEVESTATION IN SOUTHEAST IOWA:
http://www.thehawkeye.com/

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3. NOTES: The Tragedy Of The Pigs
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LOUISA COUNTY PIGS:
6/18/08: A hog factory with thousands of pigs flooded. The owner was able to
evacuate most pigs, but 500 were released into waters. Some drowned...Others
who swam for their lives and managed to hoist their bodies atop levees where
SHOT by officials...because their hooves damaged sandbags. Most remain
trapped in a water-surrounded area. Kinship Circle has contacted Farm
Sanctuary, a rescue/advocacy group that helped farmed animals after Katrina.

6/19/08: Loose pigs have been spotted in churchyards, homes, and on
rooftops. One report said 70 pigs had convened in a single area. An
estimated 100 pigs -- from several flooded farms -- may still be wandering.

Most of the pigs were contained in one water engulfed area. In today’s
conference call with Iowa Ag Dept. we learned none of these particular pigs
are left. Local barge crews herded most out of the water. Survivors will
return to livestock operations... We do not have precise numbers.

On a positive note, one boat rescuer searching for stranded companion
animals today encountered a pig struggling in fast currents, clinging to a
floating object. As the pig swam around the corner of a building, the
rescuer was able to guide him toward an adjacent house with a relatively dry
porch. Though impossible for the rescuer to board this giant pig on his
small boat, he left the pig on dry ground with plenty of food.

Deputies shoot pigs to save levee, land
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/06/18/midwest.flooding.pigs.ap/index.html
Pigs Shot to Protect Flood Levee
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/pigs-on-sandbag-levee-shot-and-killed/20080619070009990001?icid=200100397x1204358712x1200179326
Pigs perish on submerged farmland
Animals drown or are shot while struggling to find dry land.
http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/Flood-Oakville-061908

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When KC Animal Disaster Aid Network is enlisted to help during disasters, we
are on phone, fax, Internet 24/7. The cost to keep our tiny staff on-call is
immense. Any donations are greatly appreciated at this time. Kinship Circle
is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible.

DONATE ONLINE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/