All donations made to the USEF Equine Relief Fund from today, Sept. 23, on will be used to assist victims of any 2005 hurricane, including Katrina and Rita, the storm now bearing down on the Gulf Coast.
The fund, established by the U.S. Equestrian Federation\’s leaders following Hurricane Katrina four weeks ago, will assist agencies working directly with the equine victims and refugees from these storms. Every dollar donated will be used to support efforts to deliver food, veterinary services and shelter for horses and ponies in the stricken areas. All donations are tax-deductible.
Donations can be made online at www.usef.org or by check (made out to the USEF Hurricane Equine Relief Fund) and sent to: The United States Equestrian Federation, 4047 Iron Works Pwy., Lexington, KY 40511. To donate by fax, call 859-231-6662.
The Louisiana State University Hurricane Equine Rescue Operation has also reinstated its horse rescue hotline, at 225-578-9501.
Anyone with knowledge of horses needing evacuation or rescue due to the hurricane can contact a Hurricane Equine Rescue Operation representative at this number. This helpline will be in effect on a 24-hour basis beginning today, Sept. 23, at 6:00 p.m.
ADVERTISEMENT
Following the storm, the Hurricane Equine Rescue Operation team and volunteers will begin attempting to retrieve injured or stranded animals and re-uniting them with their owners.
The LSU hotline is provided exclusively for horses needing evacuation or rescue. If you want to volunteer time or services, or provide supplies and/or equipment, visit the website of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (www.vetmed.lsu.edu) or the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association (www.lvma.org).
And the Texas Animal Health Commission has set up an emergency hotline to provide pet owners with information on available shelters by county. The number is 800-550-8242 and operates Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pre-selected shelters are already receiving evacuated horses and other animals. Lists of available shelters/stabling are also available through local emergency management and the Texas Animal Health Commission. These are published on their website (www.tahc.state.tx.us). This link can be accessed in the Hurricane Equine Relief area of the USEF website.
