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Here is another update from Renee Downs:

Sent: 9/4/2008 12:23:21 A.M.

Shelter from the Storm
Pets Safely Evacuated

September 1, 2008: Shreveport, La.: At the Louisiana state fairgrounds, people and their pets are safe from Hurricane Gustav.

Here is an update from Renee Downs on the rescue efforts of Hurricane Gustav:

Sent: 9/1/2008 12:42:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Hey, Cindy. Yesterday I got up early to take care of the ferrets
before heading out. Well, between them and doing all the prep with my
mom, it turned out that I didn't get out till about 1. I stopped by
the local Red Cross office to let them know I would help at the Hirsch
shelter by the barns. They were opening another shelter in Bossier and
it was obvious the guy they put in charge didn't know what he was
doing - he was really NOT wanting to do this. So, I went with him and
we got the shelter up and running. Great people. Volunteers came in,
meals got ready and life was good. I left about 10:30 and headed to
the barn. There were about 12 dogs whose humans went to Alexandria and
they ended up here. So, Noah's Wish took care of them.

Three 18-wheelers with a total of about 150 more animals arrived. I
got to help with the 180 pound mastiff! lol After doing some work
there I headed back to the shelter and worked till about 2:30 before
heading home. Ferrets cared for here and all done, so I will head out
to the barns shortly.

There are several volunteer groups at the barns. LSART is running the
show. Noah's Wish, ASPCA, IFAW, American Humane Association are
prominent. Groups have for m about 6 up to about 25 volunteers each.
They are working in shifts. Jo Ellen Cimino of Connecticut heads the
Noah's Wish group and there are some other coordinators - Tammy,
Charlie and someone else whose name has escaped me at the moment. They
work round the clock.

Most animals have the owners come in at least twice a day and
sometimes more. About 20 homing pigeons came in and there have been a
few other animals. No ferrets yet. I will check when I go over again
today and see what else came in. There was a cockatiel at the shelter
I opened and we had several dogs, including an older dog in heat
distress. I broke a few rules, took her into the shelter in the a/c
and gave her some water and cooled her down. I had a lead in the car
and got it to take her out of the carrier for a walk. She was so
happy! Peed twice!

We have some wind coming up today, but it will miss us. I loved the
comments on the headlines by the governor. Yesterday: THIS COULD BE AS
BAD AS IT GETS! Today: Storm might not be as strong as predicted! lol
Anyway, it doesn't look like this was anything to be concerned with.
Hang on to the stuff and see what happens with Hanna.

As soon as the TV guy leaves (Mom needs me here to help for that) I
will head out to the barns. Thanks for everything. Oh, and the group
is bringing in food for the volunteers and the Red Cross is providing
shelter for no charge. So, they are a little bit better off.

Thank you! Oh, share the info if you want.