OVER 200 ANIMALS AT LARGEST GUSTAV ANIMAL EVAC SITE

PasadoRescue FIRST & LARGEST TRIAGE ANIMAL AID STATION OPENED FOR GUSTAV on AUG. 30
History of PasadoRescue in New Orleans - sample days... responding first to Hurricane Gustav with "boots on the ground" on Aug. 30th Right, one of the over 200 shelter animals PasadoRescue helped to evacuate from New Orleans shelters before Gustav hit.
Day 1 - Aug 30 6:00am PasadoRescuers depart Seattle; "Everyone has been treating us like gold," says one of the rescuers. "Continental Airlines gave us "Gold Wings" on the flight and brought us extra treats from first class!" Below, some of our crew: Kim K., Joe H., Jen C., Rita L. - the "freshest" they'll look for a long, long time!

2:00 pm Arrive New Orleans; pick-up over-sized transport vans used to evacuate animals. The work begins; NOAA declares Hurricane Gustav a Cat 4.

4:00 pm (just after curfew was implemented) Crew finds stray puppy in streets of St. Bernard Parish. He would have been stranded when the monster storm arrived. Life #1 saved. During Katrina, PasadoRescuers saved 1200 lives in the aftermath.
5:00 pm Evacuate 67 animals from St. Bernard Animal Shelter; offer assistance for evac to ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans); depart for PasadoRescue Triage Barn one hour north of New Orleans. 45 dogs:9 small dogs; 25 large dogs; 20 cats were loaded, no, make that 22... Amber C., a PasadoRescuer, nabbed two ferals! The St. Bernard Shelter is pretty much Tina, their director, and one other person. It's a parish operated shelter with little funds and not a lot of help. We were happy to help get their babies out of harm's way. (All photographs by Amber C., who usually does Pasado's Safe Haven's website. She rescued with Pasado's Safe Haven in 2005 during Katrina and had to leave her baby, Indy, at home. She plucked him from the streets of New Orleans as a stray while rescuing. See her story here, documented by local TV as she packed and was leaving her baby, Indy, behind.
8 puppies - four in BAD condition - were dumped in the St. Bernard shelter parking lot with injuries; covered in bugs according to our rescuers. All were loaded and will be vetted and cared for. 5:06 pm State Veterinary Officer Dr. Henry Moreau states the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales and Parker Coliseum on LSU's Baton Rouge campus will not be used as shelters during the Gustav evacuation. "Lamar-Dixon and Parker Coliseum were tapped into service after Katrina but will not be used as shelters during Gustav," Moreau said. "Do not go to Lamar Dixon or Parker with your pets, horses or livestock. There are no shelter accommodations at those locations."
These were words that frightened us. As we continued to evacuate the St. Bernard Shelter, the edict from the State of Louisiana makes us wonder: how many people will simply leave their animals behind since no large-scale facilities will be available to them? Will this really be another Katrina? Or, will most people take their pets with them? Oh, how we hope! Right, Jen C., a PasadoRescuer in 2005 (and many, many more times since then for floods in the Pacific Northwest and for animal cruelty investigations she has assisted in), loads carriers. How can you ever thank people who drop everything to come and help? Sweat? Leave family and their beloved animals behind?
Right, Kim K., Pasado's Safe Haven's Cruelty Investigator (until she left to attend vet school) returns to help once again. She and the other rescuers tried to beat the clock and load all animals in order to beat the looming darkness of night. They met traffic and thousands were exiting the city. A mandatory evacuation was finally ordered prompting massive lines at gas stations. Do YOU want to help? Learn how you can volunteer, donate, or help in many ways to support what we will face in the coming days...more below!
9:00 pm After a (very) long day, PasadoRescuers arrive at our "home base" for who knows how long. They still have a long night ahead of them: they packed boxes and boxes of medical supplies that would need to be off-loaded and stacked for the night. The first priority: walking 45 dogs and cleaning cages.
One-by-one, the animals who might have been left in the direct path of Hurricane Gustav, are safe, and in the best hands imaginable. PasadoRescuers are our HEROES! Become one of them - read more below! 1:28 am This webmaster was just called by Rita L., our lead rescuer. We had arranged for a hotel room for all the rescuers to bunk for the first night, since we knew it would be a long, first day. "I'm staying in the barn with the animals," Rita called to say. She had already inflated her air mattress and had made a bed on a thick, layer of straw. Sweet dreams - to Rita and all those who are sharing one hotel room and making "do", saving money, so the animals can get the very best. We love you guys. Stay safe.
Day 2
Rita, above, our fearless lead PasadoRescuer, who helped save 1200 animals in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina...HER "BEFORE" shot - after three days at our Folsom farm cleaning 150 kitty litter pans, usually in the dark, without power...
And AFTER a shower! Finally! Rita, with "Taco" - one of the adorable St. Bernard Shelter dogs who needs a home! Rita told us a restaurant finally opened in Folsom and she and her crew of volunteers were able to have a decent meal. For Rita, a vegan, that meant toast. According to her, "Hey, it was a hot meal!" Agh, we're so easily pleased! PasadoRescuers are awaiting word for when they can return to Jefferson and St. Bernard Parishes to bring shelter animals back. Meantime, we'd really like to see some of these little guys & gals get a home. If you'd like to be put in touch with the shelters to inquire about adoption, click here!
Above, Jessie, a PasadoRescuer, who arrived from Atlanta, Georgia to help at our 600 acre Triage Farm outside Folsom, Louisiana. She holds one of 150 cats (who needs a home!!) from ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans) who we evacuated when Gustav blew into the Gulf.
Day 3 When we see an enormous man, who could crush life in their hands if they wanted, instead reach down to gently help a voiceless life, it touches us so deeply. This is Panda, with such a man, who came to help. How we wish we could let Panda run free through all the beautiful 600 acres of PasadoRescue's Triage Farm! Maybe one day Panda will run free. We hope we'll find her a home to make that dream come true!
Sid, right, is a skinny boy. If you can't tell, his haunches and ribs are protruding. Look at the back of his body. He is so sweet. It makes us wonder what goes through the minds of these innocent ones. They sit in shelters, the loud, strange noises of clanging cage doors, voices, barking - then crated up, moved. It's terribly hot. And so sticky and humid. One stranger after another takes control of their life, their destiny. Thank goodness those strangers are the good people, who will lead them only to better days. We hope PasadoRescue was called for a reason, far bigger than just to quickly offer shelter when none was available for evacuation. Could it be that they needed to be seen by you? Or the next person who decided to take a coffee break at their desk and click on our website? How we hope there is a reason to all the madness. If the bones of Sid can cry out to just one kind heart, that alone would be enough of a miracle.
Day 4 Volunteers came to PasadoRescue's Triage Farm, one hour north of New Orleans, all the way from the East Coast. And they got to meet over 200 of the darn cutest animals who had no clue where they were or why the wildest winds and pounding rain surrounded them! Luckily, humans and animals were safe in a sturdy, new barn. Gizmo, was one the animals PasadoRescue evacuated from two shelters prior to the hurricane striking. If he melts your heart (look at those paws - he's got "go-go" boots on!), we'll give you a chance to meet him, in a moment! We weren't prepared for the need to assist with shelter evacuation (we just assumed plans were in place). But we're so grateful that a generous Louisiana resident offered her beautiful farm for our use, at no charge. We find Louisiana folks some of the friendliest and helpful, anywhere.

Take Detective Chris B and the Sergeant from the City of Columbia, above (with PasadoRescuers Joe H, far left, Jen C., and Kim K, and a man seeking assistance for himself and his dog.) Our crew had sought refuge at one point at a Red Cross shelter. But once shelter staff found they had animals, they were turned away. Our crew found a park where they pulled our rescue vehicles under a concrete pavilion. Detective Chris and his Sergeant arrived and spent a good part of the night 'shootin' the breeze (more like howling winds) with our crew. "They were the nicest people to us," says Amber, another PasadoRescuer. "Then they got a little scared for us and thought we should all go to a different location. They really took care of us - like family." In the end, the group found their way to the Goss Baptist Church in Goss Mississippi. "These people were amazing," recalls Amber. "Just so sweet and accommodating."
Day 5 While Gustav's fierce winds and rain pounded the roof of our cavernous barn, these wee ones slept. It brought a sense of calm to all of our rescuers, who looked down on them with flashlights, power long cut off.
Above, Kim K., one of PasadoRescuers, with a tiny charge. A VERY tiny charge! The new barn that was donated to Pasado's Safe Haven sits on 600, lush acres. To see such a tiny life amidst the expansiveness of such a blessed facility for our use, was so moving to us. Our goal now, while we await permission to return evacuated shelter animals, is to find these precious souls homes. We will post new photos every day, in hopes that someone watching this website might just find the Hurricane Gustav love-of-their-life! Please, cross-post this page to help us!
Day 6 Right, Travis, a volunteer from South Carolina, and a dog Amber, PasadoRescuer, named Gus. According to Amber, "They are out for a walk in the beautiful grassy fields that surround the barn. We are so thankful that this land was donated where these guys can live it up while riding out the storm!" Gus is so gorgeous he nearly takes your breath away! Everyone who sees him comments on how beautiful he is. Travis is here with his mom, who was introduced to Pasado's Safe Haven when she took Sanctuary 101, Pasado's annual workshop on starting a sanctuary.
Volunteer at Pasado's sanctuary Volunteer for disaster response
Day 7 Right, the kind of stretch cargo vans PasadoRescue rented in Houston to enable 1200 animals plucked from sure death. We were SO glad we took out insurance on them. After weeks of use, they were in such bad shape. These, right, were rented for Hurricane Gustav and didn't see anywhere near the use but they evac'd precious lives, nonetheless. They sink into the thick red mud, left behind after torrential rains.
Inside our barn - This shot was taken inside one of the many, many stalls in the barn. Crates fill the 27 - 12' x 12' stalls in the enormous structure. Dogs are housed safely in crates and are walked by volunteers several times a day. (Cleaning inbetween walking. PasadoRescuers deserve a huge thanks for what they've been doing for the last 7 days.)

Above, how to melt a man in 98 degree heat...Jose holds little Daisy. The good news! Pasado staff back at the sanctuary in Washington State have been making contact (or attempting to) calling on every report in St. Bernard Parish. The great news is, most folks are back home and animals are fine. There are remaining mysteries yet to be solved (and feral colonies to be fed, we hear), but were working on it! No need for more volunteers at this time. And to those who help, you ROCK for the animals!
Clarification! Folks have asked how much money we make from assisting in a hurricane. Or how much a parish government pays us for the MOU (Memo of Understanding). The answer? ZERO! Pasado's Safe Haven pays for everything: all flights for our crew, truck or van rentals and gas, food for our rescuers and of course any expenses related to animal care. Why? Local government always work in a short-fall. Animals come last. And when it comes to disaster, we can't wait for the sluggish response of government bureaucracy. WE need to act quickly. Pay now, beg later is how things work. And that's why YOU are so important. We rely on your donations to help the animals.
PASADORESCUE IN NEW ORLEANS Day 8
St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro, gave PasadoRescue rights to assist animals through September 30th. We shutter to think if we miss a home where an animal may remain inside in the heat and humidity of New Orleans for days, or weeks. The images of Katrina can never be allowed to happen again, at least under our watch.

Once back at our 600-acre farm, the evening cooled while the dog-walking and kitty litter cleaning began. And Juno was one of the girls to get a break from her kennel. The lush, green grass enveloped the pure white German Shepard, who calmly peered into our camera, asking for someone to please give her the home she deserves. Her family gave her up, and our rescuers could not figure out why. "Everyone has fallen in love with her here!" we were told. It breaks our heart to know she will return to a shelter. Please let us know here if you might be interested in meeting her, and perhaps giving her life after Hurricane Gustav.

As our crew assisted ARNO volunteers and St. Bernard folks in the move out, it was tough for them to let go of these little fellas. After a week of waiting through Hurricane Gustav, you can imagine how the caregivers became close to their charges. It's especially tough knowing that we could have given them at least a part of a week to frolic in the tall, lush grass of our Folsom, Louisiana farm. PasadoRescue never imagined we'd be needed for shelter evacuation upon touching down at New Orleans Airport on Aug. 30th. (We thought we'd be needed for possible post-Gustav rescue or animal assistance.) Things change rapidly in disaster. And we were just glad we had our Louisiana farm ready to go when needed.

One more time little guy... Above, Mike and Cathy (from the St. Bernard Shelter) collect the remaining 67 dogs and cats who were evac'd to Pasado's triage farm.
Right, one of several sickly puppies who were dumped in the parking lot of the St. Bernard Shelter who we also evacuated to PasadoRescue's Triage Barn. Hold on little girl, the worst is over. Only good will come to your life now... Meet all the cuties from the St. Bernard Shelter here. And spread the word - THEY NEED HOMES! See CNN blog here about PasadoRescue... First in New Orleans for Gustav - our deepest thanks to our generous donor of our extraordinary 600 acre farm who MADE evacuation of shelter animals possible!
See our deepest thanks below, to all who have helped!	DAY 12 - Standing down; But remaining The latest from PasadoRescue's evac farm in Folsom, Louisiana: ARNO animals were to be returned but transportation issues arose so as of this writing it may be the end of the week. St. Bernard dogs and cats returned to their shelter already. Candace, an ARNO volunteer, remains with Mike & Kristin, Pasado staffers who came in as our first team of PasadoRescuers left Saturday morning. Mike & Kristin will remain through to the end of the week. They will keep the barn ready, in case Hurricane Ike decides to turn East. We want to be ready for all shelters in Louisiana should they need us again. Mike and Kristin will also work with PasadoRescue volunteers who have generously offered their time to investigate calls we are still receiving regarding animals who may have been left behind during Gustav (some owners were reported to have left until Ike was over. Those animals would need water and food, at the very least.) (How much did it cost to put a team on the ground for the first week?)
Register to volunteer for the next disaster(Strong backs, health, and fortitude required.) Register to volunteer at Pasado's Safe Haven's sanctuary
Missed what PasadoRescue did during Hurricane Katrina? Click here!

One of 1200 animals Pasado's rescued in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina - now living a safe and happy life! Missed what PasadoRescue did during Hurricane Katrina? Click here!	Disaster Rescue isn't cheap: PASADORESCUE EXPENSES FIRST WEEK: Airfare: $3520.00 (for initial crew; coach; R/T) Transport vans rented at airport to use for animals:$2975 (for one week; doesn't count gasoline) Cash sent for crews to use: $1500 (during natural disasters, credit cards can't be processed for gas, food, etc. - we must send cash. Please- any donation helps. DONATE HERE.

Pasado’s Safe Haven has been rated a 4-Star Charity for a record four years in a row. According to Charity Navigator, the nation’s premiere independent evaluator of charities: “Only 10% of all charities in the U.S. have received at least 3 consecutive 4-Star evaluations. This indicates that Pasado’s Safe Haven outperforms most charities in America in its efforts to operate in the most fiscally-responsible way possible. This “exceptional” designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Pasado’s Safe Haven from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.” Michael Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Charity Navigator