September is National Papaya Month!

With September being National Papaya month, it's a great time to introduce your bird to some papaya if you have not already done so.

Papaya is sometimes also called PawPaw and Tree Melon and although it began in southern Mexico and certain parts of Central America, papayas today are grown throughout tropical regions. Most commonly found in your local grocery store is the Hawaiian variety and usually weighs in at about a pound. When ripe, papaya has a semi-sweet taste not quite like any other fruit.

Papaya is a favorite among many of our birds, especially our Amazons and Conures. Fresh papaya is also loved by our Cockatoos. Why not take some time to cut some fresh up for yourself and share it with your bird. Just peel the skin off, remove the seeds, and cut into chunks big or small depending on your bird's size.

If on the other hand, your bird prefers his or her papaya not quite so soft, check out some prepacked bird treats of papaya. Just as yummy tasting to your bird, and especially easy when you just don't have the time to cut up fresh.

Have a Safe Labor Day Weekend!

With the upcoming holiday Labor Day weekend approaching, it's a good time to review safety for your birds. With many people celebrating the weekend with family and friends, there may be lots of people going in and out of your home during that weekend barbeque.

If you clip your bird' flight feathers, make sure no new feathers have grown in recently to prevent a bird from flying out an open door with an unsuspecting person. Keeping a bird safely inside it's cage during this time of activity may be even safer. If your bird become nervous with people around that it doesn't know, you may want to move your bird's cage into your bedroom or other safe area, so your bird can feel secure. This may also prevent unsuspecting children or even adults who do not believe birds will bite, from sticking fingers in cages and being bitten.

Keeping both your bird and your visitors safe should be top priority this holiday weekend.

Polyomavirus in Parrots

Many people already know about the Polyomavirus, but it never hurts to have a refresher minute, or to explain the virus to someone new to birds. Polyomavirus is a nonenveloped virus which simply means that it is hardy virus and can live outside of the body of its host. This type of virus resists many disinfectants as well as freezing and high heat. Polyoma is a foamite which means that it can travel on anything such as your clothes, hair, bird dander, even in your lungs. It is highly contagious and often fatal for birds. How common it still is today is unknown, but it is usually deadly to most all species of parrots if they get it at a young age. Sometimes older birds can survive an exposure, but then they may become carriers of the virus and spread it to other birds they come in contact with. It has been found that budgies and cockatiels can be healthy carriers, meaning they can carry the virus, and never show symptoms of illness. It used to be called Budgerigar Fledgling Disease in budgies.

Test can be done by your avian vet using fecal and blood tests to determine whether you bird has the virus, or possibly if your bird has been exposed to the virus and may be a carrier. If the bird has an active case of the virus and is contagious, they will be "shedding" the virus, and it is believed that the virus will show up in the fecal exam. If the bird is a carrier, it usually shows up in the blood work done by your avian vet.

Prevention is critical. You should follow proper quarantine and testing procedures before adding any new bird to your flock to help prevent infecting any birds you may already own. You should always remember that birds can be carriers and that this deadly virus lives for years on objects. If you visit bird fairs, please be sure to follow all steps to ensure you do not bring home any illness with you. Disinfect yourself, and anything you purchase at a fair before exposing it to your bird. If you like to take your bird to your local bird club meeting, or anywhere else there are other birds, you may want to have your bird vaccinated to protect your parrot from this horrible disease.

You can read more about Avian Polyomavirus at the links shown below:

Avian Polyomavirus: My Thoughts, David N. Phalen, D.V.M., Ph.D.Dipl. ABVP (Avian)
http://www.plannedparrothood.com/articles/polyoma.html

Polyoma Virus: The Real Story by Dr. Gregory Rich, DVM:
http://www.bird-net.com/polyoma01.html

Prevention of Avian Polyomavirus Infections through Vaccination:
http://www.funnyfarmexotics.com/IAS/poly98.htm
Dr. Branson Ritchie University of Georgia's Psittacine Disease Research Group

Dancing Bird

Think you've got rhythm? Well, this little guy has got the moves for sure!
Just click on the link above in the title, or copy and paste the following in your browser's window:
http://birdcinema.com/view_video.php?viewkey=fb92720359db84e0dd0d

Griffin the Amazing African Grey

We are all so very saddened when Alex the African Grey passed from our world, and we all knew that there would never be another quite like him. Alex was indeed an amazing parrot and an ambassador for the bird world sharing our knowledge that parrots are intelligent and wonderful companions. It is exciting that we find Griffin the African Grey parrot is also converting the non-believers as he wows them with this intelligence. What a great tribute to Alex that his friend Griffin is ready to take over as role of ambassador.

This video shows how Griffin is handling his own among human children in the classroom to prove the intelligence of parrots. Just click on the link titled above, or copy and past the following in your computer's web browser.
http://quicksilverscreen.com/watch?video=42569

Share your birdie recipes

If you have a favorite birdie recipe you would like to share with us, please email complete instructions (and a picture if you have one) of your recipe to info@naturechest.com so we can add it to our web site and share it with other bird owners.

Blueberry Birdie Muffins

July is national blueberry month so why not bake up some yummy blueberry muffins for your bird.



Blueberry Birdie Muffins:

1 package Harrison's Bird Bread
1 two ounce size package Just Tomatoes Just Blueberries
(or why not add some fresh blueberries instead)

Follow directions on the Harrison's Bird Bread package for preparing your birdie bread. Then add the package of Just Blueberries into the mix and stir until well mixed. Pour mixture into muffin or cupcake pan and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Oven temperatures can vary so be sure muffins are done. Thoroughly cool muffins before serving to your bird. Cooked muffins can be placed into freezer bags and removed daily for a fun treat each day until gone.

Harrison's Bird Bread and Just Tomatoes Just Blueberries can be purchased at GourmetParrot

Help Us Help the Red Cross

We are joining with over 25 other e-commerce sites to help donate urgently needed funds to the Red Cross to help the flood victims. Every sale on July 1, 2008 has a 5% donation attached to it for the Red Cross. And, to thank you for helping the Red Cross, we are offering another 5% discount to our customers simply by entering the coupon code REDCROSS at checkout.

Thanks!

Bird Videos

I hope you enjoy these short bird video clips. Some you have probably seenbefore. Always fun though. Who says birds aren't smart?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVtBKfZhCd8&mode=related&search

Look at this cute Eclectus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYusJnKKtKo&search=parrot

This is cute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA3do8epMJo&mode=related&search=parrot

Einstein, a smart African Grey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ3h2ORz5_M&search=parrot

Zachary, a smart Macaw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMQWlX7OcX8&search=parrot

Wazoo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAml2SF5GMs&search=parrot

Bet you haven't seen this before
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CklFsSWgrqE&search=parrot

The Bologna Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o46J1e4BUvY&search=parrot

An Owner's Perspective

As I walk through the local grocery store with Chanceman on my shoulder, I stop at the veggies and fruits and talk quietly, asking C-man what looks good to him. I feel a beak push its way into my ear and I shake my head. I wish he would move to my other shoulder so I could check before anyone else notices. You see, this little green quaker parrot sits on my right shoulder having juice and cracker with me almost every night, and I do other things, like read the Fonzie books to him or look through magazines, separate safflower seeds from the other pellets and grains that I have in a large plastic bucket (because quakers don't need safflower seeds, too oily and fatty) or just watch tv. Chanceman has gotten quite good at putting chewed cracker in my ear without my knowing this, and since I've already taken a shower, I'm not picking at my ears. And as the next day starts and we go about our "work", he checks to see if the cracker is still there, because he wants a snack. If he finds no snack, he starts yelling "good pea.....good pea.....good pea", meaning he wants snap peas, but the other shoppers don't know this, I get very funny looks...........most of the time.

I'm a companion human to four smaller parrots, two clutchmate sibling greencheek conures, Baby Five Oh and Little Dime 3 and two quakers, Chanceman and Bitsy Lu(cifer) I work out of an office in my home, or the other way around (not sure yet) and I'm with these birds 24/7 unless I go shopping without them. Maybe that's why most of them talk so well, as we spend a lot of time together.

I manage a 200 lot mobile home park, so you could say I babysit 400 people (that I know of, there could be more), and I look back on the first 6 months in this park and in this little town, and I don't know how I made it. But, I know four little creatures that could tell you how! I hated this place. I was so lonely. I did not purchase a bird just because I was lonely, though, I really wanted another bird, like the brotogeris I had for about 5 years in my 20's. I'm a lot older now and I realize that I knew absolutely nothing about parrots back then, and due to my inexpertise, I knew little about clipping wings and nails and after 5 years, Pookie flew out an open door, never to return. I vowed that would never happen again.

I wanted Baby Five Oh, I did not want Chanceman, he was a quaker and didn't have bright colors. But, how he ended up 'staying forever' is another story, but bird people must be the dumbest people on earth, our children finally leave the nest and what do we do? We bring in little feathered creatures that have the intelligence of a 3 to 4 year old and can live up to 80 years and more, depending on the species. Well, I'm proud to be one of those dumb bird people, because we have a happy house; when I hear Chanceman say, "I don't have any gum in my mouth" and Bitsy Lu answering, "I don't have either" (gets words mixed up), I laugh everytime.

I haven't worn ear rings nor worn cologne since Baby Five Oh moved in. Of course, I haven't worn anything except jeans, sweatpants and shorts for the past 8 years, but that's because I where I live. We quit smoking a long time ago, so that's no problem, no candles in the house doesn't bother me, no spraying and no teflon, no big deal. I know I probably am the same person I was with lizards on my shoulder and ferrets on a leash, but nothing can beat getting up in the morning and feeling so tired, and hearing Baby Five Oh shout, "good morning.....I love you". Tell me how you can be in a bad mood after that? I'm truly blessed.

A friend of mine once said, "I don't know what's worse, getting puked on or being bit", and she's right......we bird people get both of those, a lot, but I can't even imagine living without these 'little people in green jackets'.

"Just A Bird"

"Just a bird"From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a bird,"or, "that's a lot of money for just a bird."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a bird." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a bird."Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a bird," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a bird," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a bird" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it's "just a bird," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a bird" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a bird" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of "just a bird" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a bird" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a bird" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a bird" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a bird." just smile, because they "just don't understand."

author unknown

Eagle Photos

These awesome pictures were taken recently near Comox, BC, Canada. Unfortunately no one knows who the photographer was. This is something few humans will ever be privileged to see.

Top Ten Bird Rules

All Birdie owners should know these by heart!

TOP TEN BIRD RULES:

1. If you like it, it's mine.

2. If I can reach it, it's mine.

3. If it's in my beak, it's mine.

4. If I can take it from you, it's mine.

5. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.

6. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.

7. If I'm chewing something, all the pieces are mine.

8. If it looks like mine, it's mine.

9. If I saw it first, it's mine.

10. If you have something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.

Wild Quaker Colony Ft. Worth, Texas

These pictures were taken of the wild colony of Quakers in Texas in January 2006 in the Ft. Worth area.

"When we first got there we were startled because we didn't see any of theQuakers and didn't hear any squawking and thought that they were ......well, we didn't want to quess. Usually when we go they are all flying around, bringing sticks to the nests and making a real racket....but there was nothing. Then we looked up into the trees and what I first thought were leaves were really the Quakers, just hanging around taking it easy. Then we realized that this was their down time and they were resting up for the big hormone surge in the spring. LOL

Paula


1. This a "Quaker Tree"......no leaves, just Quakers. LOL

2. Some of their nests

3. More nests

4. Another Quaker Tree

PDD Update

Bird Paradise of Burlington, New Jersey has joined the fight to Stop PDDRESTON, VA 23 January 2006 ? Avian Health Network, Inc. has announced that it has joined with the owners of Bird Paradise this Spring to develop the Wall for the Cause at the exceptional bird store located in Burlington, New Jersey. The Wall for the Cause fundraiser will come to conclusion on 10 June 2006 with an educational seminar featuring Dr. Branson Ritchie as the keynote speaker. The project is a cooperative effort to raise funds and awareness of the lethal avian disease, Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD).PDD, often referred to as "the avian AIDS," has no cure, no vaccination and is just as deadly as its human counterpart. However, unlike AIDS, scientists neither know exactly what causes PDD or how PDD is transmitted, nor can they test for the disease with any degree of certainty on a living bird. Consequently, there is a sense of urgency to determine the cause of PDD and its means of transmission.The owners of Bird Paradise, Jack & Kathy Lance, have come forward with a great understanding that we must all take a stand together to keep the PDD research team at the University of Georgia's Emerging Diseases Research Group (EDRG) funded. It is the Lance's mission to help raise funds and awareness for this much needed research for all of our birds and their owners.The Wall for the Cause will feature 3 x 5 cards with a donor's name or their bird's name to be added to the Wall for the Cause. The wall will show support for research and all the birds that have been lost to this fatal disease or who are currently living with PDD or suspected PDD. Donations will be collected with a cheque presented to Dr. Branson Ritchie on 10 June, 2006 at the Avian Educational Seminar in Burlington, NJ at the Bird Paradise location.It is unfortunate that funding for avian causes and/or diseases is not as generous as for other species of animals. Without funding, Dr. Ritchie's PDD research team will be unable to continue this vital research. Without fundraisers such as Wall for the Cause and the 2006 Birds of a Feather Quilt, PDD research could very realistically come to a halt or be significantly hampered. The UGA EDRG research team depends greatly on your donations in order to continue their work. If there is one cause within the avian community that needs your help, it is this one. We owe it to our birds, as well as all future birds and their owners to band together and keep this research funded. Without it, the deaths will continue, the heartache will grow, and the progress made to date will be all for naught. HELP STOP PDD NOW.To learn more about what you can do this Spring to help StopPDD, please visit http://www.BirdParadise.biz or stop by in person or phone 609-747-7777. Meet the owners and employees of Bird Paradise's Burlington, NJ location with 15,000 square feet of space housing one of the largest inventories of cages and supplies on the east coast and add your name to the Wall for the Cause today. The store is located at 551 Rt. 130 South, Burlington N.J. and you will find something for everyone at the store or by shopping online.The Avian Health Network, Inc is a 501(C) (3) tax-exempt, non-profit corporation based in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The organization is staffed entirely by volunteers, employing no paid personnel. The Avian Health Network is committed to raising public awareness and funds for avian diseases such as PDD. For more information on the StopPDD campaigns, please visit the website, www.StopPDD.org.

Hurricane Katring - Bird Rescue Continues

An update of ongoing bird rescues in the New Orleans area affected by Hurricane Kartina.

An Experience with Hurricane Rita

TRUE HURRICANE RITA EXPERIENCE by Nathalie Ross of Houston Back from the Mess! I have to tell you what I experienced. Pure mercy, pure love, pure Hell, and then pure miracles from God. I had booked way ahead for a hotel, rented a cargo van, got all our carriers ready, filled our tanks with gas, got our house boarded up, etc, etc. I did so when people were saying "No, it's never going to come here _ it'll never be a category 5. They won't have us evacuate". People thought I was nuts. "You're really going to leave??" I said "Yes _ I hope I'm wrong. I'll be the first to admit it!" But I was determined to leave. The storm grew and it became evident that leaving was the better option. Even people who said they weren't going to started planning. I was already set. Then the city said voluntarily evacuate. We left way early on Thursday morning, drove for 9 hours to get just over 30 miles in our pickup truck with three horses, 13 birds, dogs, cats, ferrets, guinea pigs, a rabbit, and five chickens.... and got stuck in the heat. Cars were stalling all around us, we were hearing "We'll give you gasoline", but I didn't see anyone getting any gas or relief. We heard "They're going to open up the lanes, even saw the military with "hurricane chasers" written on the back of their truck, and waved at them with thumbs up in joy. We got no relief. We heard endless promises from politicians who I have decided are NO better than the ones that got New Orleans in a ton of trouble with their lack of preparedness _ only we had no excuse. We had just witnessed Katrina and knew better. The truck started heating up despite the air conditioner. It was over 100 degrees in the truck with the air conditioning, and the horses were in the back in a dark green horse trailer facing the sun and with us not moving. No water. Our trip to Seguin, TX was supposed to be 5 hours max (3 hours typically). My horses are all geriatric and one, being terribly old, particularly frail. We had to stop at a gas station and squirt them down with water, and try to get them to drink. We had a half tank of gas and lots of promises in our heads of how things were going to open up on the freeway. We misted the birds and dogs and cats, and the air from the air conditioning. We took about 30 minutes to get cooled down, but things started to just get worse. The birds started to get incredibly hot. We took out pineapple and strawberries that we had for the trip in the cooler and fed those to them. We tried to get them to drink anything _ even gatorade, but they wouldn't. Finally we had to get back on the highway and try again, but getting back on we were just sitting beside a fire department vehicle with his siren running. He couldn't go anywhere; no one could. Not the ambulances, not the police, not the people with the supposed gas. We couldn't turn the truck off because we'd lose air conditioning. Picture one of those boxes covered with tin foil that they use as a sun_oven and you get the picture. We rolled down the window and asked the fire guys where the accident was. It was about 10 minutes away on a good day _ which meant four hours away for us. So we begged and pleaded, as I continued to sob and scream trying to get off of the freeway. I talked to Richard and Lynell (bless them both!!) and must have sounded hysterical _ because I was. How could I not be? At that point every bird in my truck was panting, one was laying down, an older cat laid down and peed on herself and wouldn't move. They were going to die. I had brought them all with me to save them, and was going to kill them with my attempts to keep them alive. And I couldn't do anything about it. Finally I found a gas station that, although not open, had water. We stopped and, thanks to Richard and his awesome advice, went from soaking the birds to totally DOUSING the birds in water. Note that the seat was out of the truck and we had carriers neatly arranged on open shelving with space for air flow. Well it was good space for water flow, too. I literally sprayed the hose on the birds INSIDE of my truck, sprayed towels and a sweatshirt with water and slammed them in the doors (we had them over the windows before trying to reduce the ant_under_the_magnifying_ glass effect). We rolled down the windows in the back so the air could come through the openings past the wet towels and even took the last bit of ice from the cooler and put it on leg wraps on tops of cages just to try to make it better. We had been saving ice to try to get the birds to drink it. Then we took off for who knows where. I found a back road going North and just drove. I had 1/4 tank of gas left at this point and no options. The next freeway at which I arrived was just as bad as the last. But at least we had gotten some movement of air in the truck. Steven and I knew then that we had no choice. There was no gas anywhere, we had to go home to the super storm. So we turned around and hauled tush. Remember it took us 9 hours to get where we were.... it took us 20 minutes to get home. Twenty minutes! We got home with all of our cats, dogs, birds, etc., alive. We knew at least we'd have air conditioning at home for a while, and then living in the house (if it were livable) afterwards would be a whole lot cooler than sitting in the Coleman Stove on Wheels called my truck. I hate thunder storms and went through Camille when I was four and swore I would never stick out a hurricane again. And here I was, going right back to it. AND with no provisions! See, we bought food for the trip and about 2 days to spare (and water, drinks) but figured we could get groceries in Seguin. Only we weren't going to Seguin now. Back at the house, there was ONE store still open _ a little store around the corner, so we loaded up on vienna sausages, Armor Treet, and more gatorade (we had resorted to misting our birds with that at one point!!). And we went home. The birds all got apple juice and pedialyte, the cats and dogs etc got pedialyte, too. Two of the birds had drooping wings even two hours after getting home, but in the evening they rallied some.That night everyone slept hard, and I woke up worrying about the 'next day' effects of heat exhaustion of my birds. They were all fine. Amazing! Brilliant and amazing. So then we started preparing. We found two fifty-five-gallon horse feed drums and a forty-gallon one and filled them up; got as ready as we could and waited and prayed.We heard horror stories about "four days of flooding to follow the storm", and "everyone should turn their gas off" despite the fact that our gas company told us not to. I started thinking that we'd have a gas line leak in a bathroom with all these birds in carriers, and cats, etc. We went out and against the gas company's advice turned our own gas off. We watched buildings burned to the ground in Galveston and in nearby South Houston. Finally we lost power and turned on the portable TV and ate Chicken Cacciatore. I had to do something with the chicken that was going to go bad. The storm came, and just died out. All the praying and all the glory of God, it just fizzled. Even I, the one who is afraid of thunder storms, slept by the chimney listening to it Bong like a kettle drum, and the winds soar by. I slept on the floor, while the birds slept in their carriers again. When we got up this morning, Rita was a shadow of her former self and it was wonderfully cool outside. Few winds, NO damage. Just one big tree down and it only cracked a top board of a pen we don't use. No house damage, and we had water! We opened up some storm shutters to get cool air in and looked around the neighborhoods. Some damage, not bad. So we went home and low_ and_behold. Electricity!Folks, I've never been shy about my beliefs. And I apologize if this offends, but I feel like the most blessed girl in the world. I'm sitting in my bed (with achy feet _ let me tell ya) in air conditioning, with lights, and internet service, and ALL of my babies are alive. All of them _ even the loose geese and chickens. I started into a nightmare and was instead given miracles and incredible mercy. I will never ever look at the simple things in life the same way again. Ever.Most of all, I will never ever forget the outpouring of prayers and well_wishes that I got from some very dear people. Richard's advice literally saved my flock. He's really their hero! Lynell saved my sanity. She's my best friend. And those of you who called, and worried, and emailed _ God heard your prayers. Thank you. Thank you for caring. I'm honored to have you as friends. I'm humbled. And I'm now in tears. But they're good ones. Anyway, it was a long trip. I wanted you guys to know what we went through and how some people helped us tremendously, but mostly how thankful I am for answered prayers.Your friend, Nathalie

Permission to reprint: Yes please, pass it on. I want people to be able to learn from my situation to save their animals in case they ever get in a pinch. The evacuation could just as easily have been a summer road trip, or evacuation because of a chemical truck crashing, or even an accident on the highway on a routine trip to the vet. Of course, probably not for nine hours then. Thank you for your prayers. And for thanking God, because he really blew out all the stops this weekend. Nathalie

Product Review - The Healthy Bird Cookbook

Just discovered this really cool cookbook for birds available at www.naturechest.com/cookbook.html . Lots and lots of fun recipes to try, some even to share with your bird. The birds say we must try some around here this weekend. If you like to cook for your bird(s) we think you will enjoy this cookbook.

The Forgotten Ones

This will truly make you feel the pain of the animals. Have those tissue boxes handy before you click.

Another Volunteer's Perspective

From a CT shelter volunteer that just came back from New Orleans:
Hi All, I got home late last night from Louisana. I'm still trying to process everything I've seen and done, not to mention trying to get the stench out of my clothes! We went to the LSU temporary shelter, which is well run and organized. They really have their act together and it's a great place to volunteer. Next stop was the Lamar Dixon Expo Center(aka Gonzales), the large"clearing house" facility. LA SPCA, HSUS, ASPCA, and VMAT are in a power struggle over who is in charge. It is total chaos. They don't have anywhere near enough people to care for the 2000 animals (average) and are turning away rescue groups bringing more animals in after sitting in line for hours. This place is HUGE, and the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Dogs and cats sit for days waiting for vet care even if illness is obvious. Many do not get out of their crates for 2+ days. There is no leadership, no system, and the animals are suffering. Vet care is obtained when they get the chance, and only after a request is put in the "inbox", which happens to be a bucket. Volunteers are so burnt out they are in tears. There are some very sick animals who are put in makeshift "wards" in the barns. No bleach bucket outside for shoes, and no where near any acceptable level of sanitation."Triage" doesn't happen regularly, not enough vets & vet techs. The Parvo stalls are in the middle of everything......people in & out of them constantly, and going directly in stalls w/"healthy" dogs. All dogs & cats are kept in crates of all kinds. We got yelled at by VMAT for moving a puppy into a wire crate instead of a veri-kennel after being told to do so by HSUS. Don't know if it was because she was a pit pupand therefore most likely not going to make it out of that hellhole after all she'd been thru- she was air-vacced off the 610 bridge- or what. There are huge buses, vans, RV's, tents everywhere, representives of different states for each large group. Animal Planet had their bus there, and PETA was driving in as we were leaving. That's all well & good, but the "negotiations" for control is disgusting. Whoever gets the gov't "grant" (aka "Contract") runs the show, and makes some nice $$. There are pallets of food, water, crates, etc from Walmart, Petco, Petsmart,and a bunch of others. They just don't have enough people to clean &walk all these dogs, let alone feed, water, and med. They DESPERATELYneed more people to do the basic stuff. We hooked up w/Pasado AnimalRescue & did door to door searches for animal survivors in New Orleans.It is mind-blowing how many pets are still alive, though many are goingdown hill fast. Wednesday we did water rescue in an area that was still flooded, and pulled over a dozen dogs out of houses where they were trapped. We found animals alive in homes that were boarded up & barricaded, having to break in using any means necessary to get to them. The stench is unreal, and most homes are booby-traps- furniture and appliances thrown everywhere by the flood waters, the mold, sludge and god knows what makes walking in very dangerous. You DO NOT want to fall and get that stuff on you. The situation changes hour by hour, let alone day by day. They are beginning to release animals to rescues at least.From what I saw, at least 50% of the dog population is Pitbull/Pit-mixes, approx 25% Rotties & Chows, and the remaining 25% every breed you can imagine. Some of the rescues are taking Pits & Rotties, tho Lamar Dixon may not be allowing them out, Pasado & LSU are. I know there are other groups as well. Save A Dog is still there and flying in volunteers. They are also doing door to door rescue in the city now. IF ANYONE CAN GO PLEASE LET ME KNOW! Hotels are not an option. If you go, plan on sleeping in a tent (bring your own), or your vehicle. Personally, I recommend the vehicle.....Fire Ants are everywhere, and from personal experience, they will find you. I spent 2 nights sleeping in a horse stall before they realized I was there (the ants), but once they did, it was all over. Their bite is EXTREMELY painful and leaves blisters that turn into something resembling a pimple. Nothing seems to kill them. Showers are a luxury,if you can get one. Bring your own food & water, medical supplies, Rubbing Alcohol, bleach, etc to decontaminate yourself after handling the animals, who are still covered with dry toxic sewage.This effort will be going on for months, and people will be needed all the way thru. Right now, the dogs & cats (and every other creature you canimagine) are critical. Many are dehydrated and starving, and it is aVERY ugly scene. I hope things will improve. If anyone goes now, beprepared to separate your personal feelings from what needs to be donejust to get these animals some help. Hopefully it will improve over thenext few weeks/months, and someone will be in charge and get thingssomewhat organized. For those who can't turn off their feelings and just do the job as bestthey can, don't go now. Wait until it gets better. If you have a strongstomach, and can stay focused on just taking care of one at a time, youare needed now. Feral dog packs and cat colonies were well established in New Orleansprior to the hurricane......now they are feeding off each other, andwhatever they can find. It is truly horrible. The animal populationproblem is beyond belief. Out of some 300 dogs Pasado Rescue pulled,only TWO males were neutered, and I think ONE female. There are dogs who were severely neglected prior to the hurricane, mange is very prevalent, and god only knows what else. Most of the Pits have had there ears cropped back to their heads...."Home Jobs" done with scissors or knives.The whole thing is just surreal. I did not dream at all while I was down there, probably due to exhaustion- we were up at 6 am and lucky to get to bed by 3 or 4 am. The nightmares are starting now, and I can't get the images out of my mind. I try to focus on the ones we've saved, and pray they get into homes. Enough for now, this is too long as it is, and I'm starting to cry again. Barbara Pepper