Laura, our volunteer from California, called in with a report of what is going on at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center. The staff and volunteers who are caring for the animals are getting ready for Hurricane Rita.

Over the next 12 hours, approximately 400-500 animals will be leaving Lamar-Dixon on three big transports. They will be going to Monroe, LA, Dixon LA, and San Diego, CA. The remaining animals have been pushed into the center of the open-air barns where they will be more protected from the wind and rain. For further protection, the larger trucks and trailers are being parked around the barns. This “circling of the wagons” will also help block rain and wind.

The tent the volunteers are sleeping in will be taken down tomorrow morning and the people without cars (there are many) will have to spend their nights in the barns starting Friday night. There are several solid buildings in which the volunteers could seek shelter, but the owners of Lamar-Dixon will not allow them to be used by the animal volunteers. They are currently housing people displaced from Hurricane Katrina.

Laura says there are about 75 volunteers who are going ride out the storm and many staff people. Cynthia and Laura are two of the volunteers who are staying.

Today, Laura was out in New Orleans rescuing cats. She and her partner were breaking into homes with a crow bar to look for cats that were reported in need of rescue. They did successfully rescue many cats.

Good news for pit bull lovers. Laura said that the pit bulls (who are considered last priority) were given a complete vet check today, which suggests that these dogs will not be euthanized. They are, however, euthanizing many animals, including lots of puppies that are infected with the Parvo Virus.

Laura sent us a lot of wonderful photos from the last few days at Lamar-Dixon. They will be posted tomorrow.

Check out this this link . The image at the top of the page is Laura with a poodle she spent hours washing (it was covered in oil).