My story of doing Katrina pet rescue isn’t much different from others who felt the call. If you felt it, you know what I’m talking about. It’s an urge so strong that you can’t do anything else but follow it. And follow that urge, we did. Hundreds of us dropped everything we know – work, school, families, our own pets – to help the suffering animals we saw so much of in the media.
My personal story starts with an urgent email alert I received from Kinship Circle: “Alley Cat Allies needs IMMEDIATE help for Katrina Cat Rescue”. That was all I needed to see. I threw caution to the wind and made up my mind then and there. I filled out the form on their website and got an immediate reply.
Later that evening, when my husband, Kevin, returned home from work, I told him that I had to go help the animals in Louisiana. Deep down, I know he was expecting me to do something like this. He knows I can’t watch suffering without making an attempt to help eliviate it, most especially regarding animals.
I pleaded with him to understand that volunteering to help these animals was something that I just HAD to do. I explained that my skills as a veterinary technician and my experience with cats was in dire need for rescue groups in the region. He understood, and, with some reassurance that I would be safe, supported me in going.
Immediately, I started preparing for my trip. I drafted an email to my closest friends and family, explaining what I had decided to do, and asked them for monetary donations to defray the costs of my travel expenses. I also posted my plea on my website (www.binaryblonde.com) and added a PayPal donation button.
I must say that I am blessed with extremely supportive people in my life – my friends, family, and even complete strangers(!) came through – I raised $540 of my $600 goal before I left for my first trip on November 1st.