Hurricane Gustav Animal Rescue
	September 5, 2008 Update     Randy finally called in to report that he has been working from 6 am. until midnight every day rescuing dogs left behind, getting them medical treatment and transporting them to local and makeshift shelters. He was first in New Orleans then moved up state to Houma where the greatest damage was inflicted. He's thrilled to be a part of this effort despite the fact he had to sleep in a sleeping bag for the first time in 35 years. He continues to love working with everyone from the Best Friends Animal Society. At the same time, he is overwhelmed by the fact that so many pets were traumatized and/or injured by the storm when it was so unnecessary. His skills with working with dogs was put to use to save those others were unable to get close to or catch. Randy noted that "rescuing so many dogs each and every day and experiencing their profound relief when I came for them with food and love reminded me of why I started Stray Rescue. It has been a humbling experience and I ask all of St. Louis to pray for who won't get a home." The shelters are overflowing with unclaimed and injured pets. He reports everyones heart is heavy knowing that so many of these animals suffered neglect most of their lives and had to live through a hurricane only to end up being euthanized because of space or because they are a pitbull. At some point Best Friends will be taking as many unclaimed animals as they can and Randy would like to help as many as Stray Rescue can handle. He said that "I feel horrible because we've been asking for so much help lately because of the shelter makeover project, but I hope some of you find it in your heart to help us get the financial means to bring some of these unclaimed pets back to St. Louis for a second chance at life." Of course, Randy is coming home with one dog. Randy found Goober laying on a sidewalk leading up to a house. The resident who lived in the home was afraid to come out because of Goober and was glad Randy carried him off. Too tired to stand up and with injuries from being hit with debris, Goober touched Randy deeply on the spot. Goober is a very old, arthritc pitbull who clearly has had a difficult life and was so grateful and loving upon rescue that Randy and Jeff from Best Friends kept him with them in their rescue vehicle as they didn't have the heart to take him to shelter. As of Saturday morning, Randy and his co-pilot Goober are on the road heading to St. Louis and will have more to report soon. September 2, 2008 Update     Randy reports that he along with the people from Best Friends Animal Society from Utah have been credentialed and are waiting to enter New Orleans this afternoon. They will be part of the first wave responders to enter the city and were given a list of addresses for dogs left chained outside. They will rescue those that survived the storm, however it was reported that many of these dogs didn't survive. They will also be going to those parishes hardest hit by the storm. He reports that there is significant damage from the hurricane despite the fact that the hurricane was a category 2 and went west of New Orleans. He and Best Friends anticipates a large number of animals will need to be rescued because there is a segment of our population that doesn't value their pets. Randy reports that everyone he has met from Best Friends Animal Society is awesome and their commitment to the animals is supreme. At some point, he and Best Friends will work to reunite animals with their guardians and then begin the process of helping the unclaimed pets find new homes. Randy will keep us posted if supplies and/or donations are needed. Check back daily as well as the Best Friends website at www.bestfriends.org. September 1, 2008 Update     Randy and Jeff are waiting in Mississippi to get clearance to go to Crystal Springs to do search and rescue of stray animals. We hope to hear more shortly. August 31, 2008 Update     Randy Grim left for New Orleans Sunday evening, August 31. He is traveling with Jeff Popowich of Best Friends Sanctuary as part of the first responder's effort to save animals left homeless after Hurricane Gustav. Randy's expertise in trapping feral dogs is being tapped by the rescue effort for those stray dogs and cats that survive the storm. The dogs and cats traumatized by the hurricane maybe difficult to catch and humane trapping may be the only way to save these animals lives. Randy will keep us posted on the post hurricane effort to save the animals and what is needed as this information becomes available. Woof! Randy Grim

1463 S. 18th Street Saint Louis, MO 63104 Phone: 314.771.6121

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