LA state vet being obstructionist re: animal rescue this season

Don't know if anyone posted this, but it's outrageous. They are saying they won't let any out of state vets in (they kicked them out at the end of October last year...to demonstrate how needed the out of state vets were, the Best Friends Rescue org JUST left the area two weeks ago with their remainig 15 dogs) at ALL this season.

This was posted a while ago but I just now read it on Erics DogBlog:

LOUISIANA STATE VET'S OFFICE ANNOUNCES PLANS THAT WILL HOBBLE ANIMAL RESCUE EFFORTS DURING A DISASTER
May 4, 2006 : 12:00 AM
© by Laura Allen, All rights reserved

"The Louisiana State Veterinarian’s Office announced Saturday that it is not in the business of evacuating animals during an emergency. Dr. Renee Poirrier stated it is each individual’s responsibility to evacuate their pets in an emergency. The state vet’s office plans to have a few temporary shelters, but their location will be kept secret from the public until a disaster hits. It is not clear how people will find these shelters in an emergency. Also, the state vet’s office will require pet owners to take care of their pets in the temporary animal shelter. It is not clear how this will work if people are forced to evacuate or where the pet owners will stay during this time. Dr. Poirrier warned animals would be “removed” if a pet owner did not come and take care of the pet for two consecutive days. In other words, in Louisiana, as far as the state vet’s office is concerned, you are on your own in trying to save your animals during a disaster.

This announcement came during a meeting at the Hotel Crown Plaza in the New Orleans French Quarter of several rescue groups including Best Friends Animal Society, Southern Animal Foundation, St. Francis Animal Sanctuary, and Muttshack as well as officials from the American Red Cross and the City of New Orleans. The state vet’s office used the meeting as a forum that seemed to discourage help from private animal rescue groups and particularly, out-of-state veterinarians during a crisis. Dr. Poirrier stated unequivocally the state vet’s office which is actually headed by Martha Littlefield “will never again allow out-of-state vets to come in” and help save animals stranded and dying as a result of a disaster. She made clear all veterinarians working in Louisiana during a crisis must have proper credentials from this state. She did not even offer a relaxed licensing plan for vets to help during an emergency. Russ Mead, Best Friends Animals Society’s attorney and representative at the meeting, told Dr. Poirrier he could have offered $10,000 per week for a vet after Katrina but there simply were none to be found in the area to help with the Best Friends Animal Society’s rescue effort. She had no response to Mr. Mead’s comment."

more at link and follow the rest of it into the first comment. There are tons of contacts listed.
http://www.ericsdogblog.com/

The way these people handled the crisis and animal rescue groups during Katrina was obscene to begin with. They had out of state vets lined up begging to come help, and they turned them away. Now they are saying no out of state vets, ever.They are taking an even harder line with rescue groups...they are going to be responsible for the deaths of even more animals than they were this time. I can't even say how disgusting and obscene this new tactic of theirs is. @#%$#@!

Please note that while these appear to be current and correct, I make no promises in that regard.

Dr. Martha Littlefield-Chabaud
P.O. Box 1951
Baton Rouge, LA 70821

State Veterinary Liaison, Renee Poirrier: 337-981-8587 or 337-298-1636

They are running low on food supplies. If you can afford it, please make a donation.
http://www.animalrescueneworleans.com

They also still need volunteers to help with cleaning cages, feeding, and walking.