This crisis in the Gulf Coast region is far from over. There are literally thousands of animals still needing our help. Cynthia and I can't imagine slowing our efforts, but "real life" is calling. We hope you can help us ignore its call.

By now you know our story — Project Starfish was founded by Cynthia Sweet and myself to help the animals displaced by Hurricane Katrina. We feel like sisters from all we have shared. We talk on the phone at least 10 times a day — she tells me what is happening on the ground and I write it up for the website to keep you informed.

Since we launched our website on September 4, we have been amazed at the outpouring of support from animal lovers from around the world. These past two weeks have been the busiest and most inspiring time of our lives. We don't want this to stop. We want to continue being a source of information, on-the-ground rescue, a liaison to the big groups, and a voice for animals.

When the immediate Katrina crisis is over, ProjectStarfish.org must still be here to fight for change. We want to fight for spay and neuter efforts, low-cost vaccines, and stiffer penalties for animal cruelty. We want to stop kill shelters and fight for legislation requiring mandatory evacuation of animals in disaster areas. We know these are lofty goals, but we believe that there is a powerful enough force out there for this change.

We have managed to devote ourselves 100% to Project Starfish over the past few weeks due to temporary circumstances. Cynthia is using vacation time from her job and I am currently looking for work so I can spend the 16 hours a day I have been working on Project Starfish. This situation can't continue without your help.

So here is the bottom line. If we can raise $25,000 for administrative expenses, Cynthia and I will devote ourselves to Project Starfish on a full-time basis for the next six months. In effect, we will be able to draw a very small salary. This is not greed — it is the only way we can work on Project Starfish full-time and not go bankrupt in our personal lives. If each person who reads this gives a tax deductible donation of $5 or $10, we can make our goal. (Please note that the $10,000 we have raised to date will not be used for this effort. The money we have already raised is only for the animals.) Any money you have given prior to 8:00 PM ET on September 20, 2005 will not be considered usable for administrative costs.

Note that if we are unable to raise the money we need, we will donate all money from this appeal to the animals.

If we were independently wealthy, we would not ask for this help. But we feel there is a wave of concern out there and that there is a huge need for a grassroots group like Project Starfish to exist. Project Starfish has already had an enormous impact. We have helped hundreds of animals and have gotten the attention and respect of the biggest animal welfare groups out there. We are receiving well over 50,000 hits a day on our site.

This is a critical mass and we must not lose our momentum. Please help us continue by clicking Ways to Help above and donating.


Thank you,

Kara Peterson
Co-Founder
Project Starfish