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The rescue shelters really need CRATES. Wire crates and shipping crates, but mostly wire crates because it's hot and the wire crates have better air circulation. There's no air conditioning in most of those places. They need size LARGE crates, which can hold large dogs and/or multiple small dogs/cats. The larger dogs don't have enough room in the crates they have.

Please spread the word. Anyone able to donate crates - preferably ship them overnight. Ask local pet shops if they will DONATE the crates. Ask shippers if they will DONATE shipping. Here are addresses to just two shelters that need crates:

Gonzales Temporary Animal Shelter (housing over 2000 animals already)
9093 Saint Landry Road
Gonzales, LA 70737

Or this triage center:

Jefferson Feed (handles 30-200 animals a day)
4421 Jefferson Highway
Jefferson, LA 70121

According to the UPS website, these two zip codes should be receiving UPS shipments if you want to ship by UPS.

Much of what I'm reading says dog food companies have donated tons of food, so they don't need food. For now, just ship CRATES, size LARGE.

I called Jefferson Feed and spoke with them directly, and she said they need CRATES and that's about all. She didn't even say they needed money. (Wow.)

There are other shelters opening up. The Coast Guard rescued about 500 animals yesterday, and they're setting up tent shelters with fans for them, and teaching college students to care for the animals. So some rescues are continuing.

If you can't get a business to donate crates, and you can't afford one yourself, then pool your money with other dog/cat owners and get at least one crate. Children could raise enough money for a crate in a couple hours selling lemonaid (KatrinaAid). People will pay $5 or $10 or $20 for a cup of lemonaid if they know the money is going to help rescue Katrina pets.

Thanks for your compassion, and please spread the word, both on and off FR.

I would like to send a crate and will pass the word tomorrow to friends as I know time is of the essence. But wondering if someone at the various rescue sites could than find a warehouse that the federal government of some real animal lovers with empty buildings in various places centrally located and they could than store all the crates after not needing them anymore? Than when there is any other big disaster they would be available for immediate shipment by truck or train.