From: 34AEJ7D@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu (Bill Gorman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Guide dogs and Hurricane Andrew - update (long)
Date: 4 Sep 92 20:22:05 GMT
Reply-To: 34AEJ7D@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu (Bill Gorman)
X-Fidonet: Split

Index Number: 24366

The following is additional detail on the plight of animals in the FL
hurricane disaster area, with respect to its possible impact on Guide
and Helper Dog users whose animals (and thus possibly themselves) may
be in jeopardy due to bureaucratic footdragging and obstructionism by the
Army and National Guard units preventing veterinary supplies from
reaching their destinations. Things DO look like they are improving
a tiny bit.

W. K. (Bill) Gorman <34aej7d@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu>

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
forwarded from the VETMED-L:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO ALL VINNERS:     (updated 8/31; 11 AM)

We received a note from Neil Tenzer in Miami on 8/29 via email.
VIN hopes to help the effort to collect money, supplies, and, if
you can, manpower support, to South Florida where Hurricane Andrew
has devastated the homes of many and also the Miami Zoo. Supplies,
bandages, antibiotics, and unfortunately, euthanasia solution, are
the greatest medical needs. Electrical generators are also necessary
as power is anticipated to be out for perhaps months. There is no
better time to network than now. Contact DuncanF@AOL.COM, PDP1@AOL.COM,
and VINGRAM@A0L.COM with your ideas. For monetary donations, see the
message from Dr. John Albers, Executive Direector of AAHA.  Checks,
credit cards, cash can be accepted.

MESSAGES FROM VETS AT THE SCENE:

Date:  92-08-29 00:29:27 EDT
From:  NEILBTENZ@AOL.COM
Subj:  Helping Hand
To:    DwyattB@AOL.COM
cc:    PDP1@AOL.COM, DuncanF@AOL.COM

Posted on: America Online

Hello Gentleman,
I'm Ok. As you must know the Southern part of miami has been devastated
....we think 4-5 Vets hospitals have been leveled along with 60,000
homes & 200,000 people.

We're trying to get organized in terms of information, and establishing
a relief effort for colleagues & homeless & injured animals.

A "convoy" of a handful of local vets is going into the south area
with police escort to set up MASH type units at food drop points
Sat. 08/29/92 6 A.M. This will be the start of a prolonged effort
to provide veterinary care to the disaster area.

Dr. MIke Elpert is organizing the operation & is soliciting any help
you can provide........donations of food(dog/cat), medical supplies
etc...can be sent to Dr. Elpert's office (see correct address and
phone in later message).

If you can work the clinics, they're driving down to Tamiami area
in groups and getting a police escort from there to the restricted
travel areas of cutler ridge, Homestead, Etc..
We'll set up a schedule so that whatever times each of us can help
out,the clinics will be staffed....... call Mike Elpert if you can
work the clinics so he can schedule you when you're available.

Mike Elpert said he would keep me informed so to ease his burden
you may call me for info at the office (service can reach me if
we're closed) 305-931-2113 or @ home 305-933-2468.

Paul or Duncan, Your help in getting this info to all vinners
would be appreciated.......& thanks in advance to all who can help.
Neil
=============================================================
On 8/30, Neil indicated via phone that the veterinary relief
effort will be soon coordinated and PR handled by a retired
army veterinarian. The American Humane Society, which has been
involved in disaster situations before, is also involved. The
"Animal Control" center will soon have a hotline of local
veterinarians through which they can be rapidly (within hours)
mobilized as needed.  There have been some problems with
establishing and getting shipments into the animal care sites.
Details on the purchase and use of Class 2 drugs like euthanasia
solution need to be worked out.
=============================================================
Also a recent note from Dwyatt Bull 60 miles north of Miami:
Date:  92-08-28 22:22:32 EDT
From:  DwyattB@aol.com
Subj:  Help
To:    DuncanF@aol.com

Posted on: America Online

Duncan,
The problem is not that there is not enough help, the problem is
getting to where the help is needed.  The National Guard and now
the Army are not taking to kindly to people who don't have any
business down there.  Also, it is extremely difficult to even
GET there because of all of the destruction.  They are currently
organizing food drives for dogs and cats and organizing efforts
to catch the monkeys that escaped from the Univ. of Miami Med.
Research Center.  Also, Miami metro Zoo was totally destroyed
as was Parrot Jungle and Monkey Jungle.
      It's really bad, D.
                Dwyatt

A NOTE FROM NEIL TENZER ON 8/31/92

Date:  92-08-31 00:34:01 EDT
From:  NEILBTENZ@aol.com
Subj:  Re: Latest notes on FLA Relief
To:    DuncanF@aol.com, JohnAAHA@a0l.com, PDP1@aol.com

Posted on: America Online

Gentleman,
Question arose as to the area code for the address I posted earlier
for supplies/food to be sent for the veterinary relief effort
thru Florida Hurricane Pet Aid (FHPA) so I'll post the entire address
again:   Noahs Animal Hospital
         901 N.E. 167 ST.
         Miami, Fl. 33162
         305-651-8681
Cash/credit card donations, which I believe are tax deductible, can be
made to the AAHA Foundation and please earmark for the Florida hurricane
.......1-800-252-2242  (303-986-2800).

Again let me reiterate that this is not a problem of weeks duration
but of many months before large areas of the affected population
will even have power.....THIS IS THE MOST COSTLY NATURAL DISASTER
TO HIT THE UNITED STATES....EVER!!

Your early response to this crisis has been so dramatic that we
here just can't express how truly grateful we are.

I rode with a K-9 police officer yesterday into the affected cities
and was amazed by the HUNDREDS of emergency vehicles from other
Florida cities & counties & states.

Driving North out of the devastation last nite was a sight I'll
never forget; thousands of blue & red flashing lights on emergency
cars stretching as far as the eye  could see, lining the right &/or
left sides of the expressways in the emergency lanes, almost out
numbering the rush hour-like traffic that was  packing the roads,
all leaving the area. The scene is reversed each morning as all
return to continue the clean-up/rebuilding, nursing feeding.

There are thousands of trucks from all over the country coming into
our town bringing desperately needed supplies, & the gratefulness
of all South Floridians seeing  this expression of love & caring &
concern from our fellow Americans...from you... is pervasive,
almost palpable/touchable.

Thanks from all of us, God Bless;
Neil

Message of 8/31/92 from Dr. John Albers:

Date:  92-08-31 22:09:27 EDT
From:  JohnAAHA@aol.com
Subj:  AAHA Funds
To:      NEILBTENZ@aol.com
cc:      PDP1@aol.com, DuncanF@aol.com, LGD642@aol.com

Posted on: America Online

Neil:

We could use some help in getting word to your south Florida
colleagues that AAHA is rapidly gathering funds for emergency
aid.  Over $17,000 has been pledged or collected, and tomorrow
we will begin mailing an appeal to veterinarians all over the
US and Canada.

Our position is that we will consider ALL requests, regardless of
species, and from ALL veterinarians, without regard for AAHA
membership.  We want this to be an effort of the entire profession.

Our sense is that we can help with funds to organize and operate
emergency animal care facilities, or to pay for needed supplies.
Our counterparts at the American Humane Association's on site
command post tell us that there is a need for a veterinarian
with administrative and organizational skills to serve as
veterinary coordinator.  We are working to find such a person,
and could provide transportation and other expenses.

Let us know if you can identify other needs.  Beyond the immediate
problem, we sense that veterinarians will eventually need help in
rebuilding their practices and/or their homes and personal property.
Hopefully, we will raise enough money to provide that kind of help as well.

I will monitor VIN and AOL at home in the evenings and early
morning.  During office hours you can reach me at the AAHA office
at 800/252-2242.  Dr Larry Dee (Hollywood Animal Hospital) is a
good Florida contact for AAHA.

Please let south Florida veterinarians know that we care about them
and are working hard to help them.

John Albers