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From: Kinship Circle - kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Subject: IOWA FLOOD: Notes From The Water’s Edge

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST

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 KC Primary subscribers for their patience during this time…as we’ve been unable to focus on other campaigns.

RELIEF GLOBAL
6/20/08: IOWA FLOOD - Notes From The Water’s Edge

PHOTOS: Louisa County, Oakville area, Iowa.
Credit: Molly Wald
View more photos from rescue operations 6/18 and 6/19/08: flickr.com/photos/mollywald/sets/72157605698148806/

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1. NOTES: Oakville Area (Louisa County) Flood

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A rescue and a reunion. Photo credit: Molly Wald

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.

LEFT PHOTO: Chewy is saved and reunited with his family.

RIGHT PHOTO: A rescued cat awaits transport to a flood shelter.
Photo credits: Robyn Urman

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.

Photo credits: Molly Wald

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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Photo credits: Molly Wald

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 plan to leave Oakville late this afternoon to set up at 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. The staging area is underway at Lee County Fairgrounds and volunteers in, or on their way, to Iowa are on standby to move here.

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

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3. NOTES: The Tragedy Of The Pigs

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Photo credit: Molly Wald

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.

Photo credit: Molly Wald

6/19/08: Some loose pigs have been spotted in churchyards, inside homes, and on rooftops. One report said 70 pigs had convened in a single area. The Louisa County Sheriff estimates 100 or more pigs — from several flooded farms — are still 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.

Photo credit: Molly Wald

Deputies shoot pigs to save levee, land

Pigs Shot to Protect Flood Levee

Pigs perish on submerged farmland; Animals drown or are shot while struggling to find dry land.

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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.

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