Ferret Friends Disaster Response moved to Disaster Response Status on
4/16/99.
 
This is the update:
 
Regarding St. Lucie County Florida: FFDRI Director Chere McCoy entered the
Disaster Area on Saturday 4/17/99 & Sunday 4/18/99.  "I attached the logo's
to the car, loaded the car with supplies (for the animals) and headed to
St.  Lucie County.  Since I am only 15 miles from the area that was
consumed by the fire it was a short trip (till I encountered the road
blocks, police and fire departments).  Most of the effected area was
cordoned off and no one except residents were allowed to enter.  However
thanks to magnetic signs on the side of my car, the fact that the car was
loaded down with supplies and that the authorities in the area checked my
tags (FFDRI1), I was allowed into the area.
 
What sad sights to see; the fire had jumped and skipped.  Most of the homes
were not close together, but between the houses were pines (which had been
totally dry due the drought).  I drove up and down streets looking for
people with animals that might have been missed or had not gone to the
local animal shelter for help (this is common in a disaster - people are
stunned and in shock).
 
There were a lot of people everywhere most still in shock and picking
through what had been their homes.  Surprisingly many people had their
children and animals with them.
 
I stopped at each residence (you really couldn't call it a residence - it
was burned rubble) where there were people and animals.  I opened the trunk
and took out what ever was needed for whatever animal that was accompanying
the people.
 
Two memorable case's:
 
A little boy and his family, the little boy had his cat: boogie on a
harness; I gave his parents cat food and some cat treats.  The little boy
gave a small amount of treats to "Boogie" and then indicated he needed to
keep the rest for later - to make "Boogie" feel better.
 
The second was a man and woman approximately 60 years old (they could have
been older) with their dog "Seth".  I gave them dog food and some really
great treats which I had collected at the HSUS EXPO 99 in Atlanta.  They
were grateful beyond belief and began to cry and thank me profusely.
 
Saturday and Sunday I continued my journey up and down roads where the
homes had been burned out and there were people with animals.  As I
distributed the food and other items I did not tell them my name; what I
told them was: Ferret Friends Disaster Response International is a large
organization of people who care about animals in distress during and after
disasters.
 
All our supplies are deleted now - so I am hoping you who are reading this
will help us replenish them.  If you can help, we need medical supplies for
the animals to rebuild our basic disaster kit.
 
Send your supplies to:
 
Ferret Friends Disaster Response International
% Chere McCoy
8775 20th Street, Lot 614
Vero Beach, FL    32966
 
Good night, god bless and thank you
 
Chere McCoy
[Posted in FML issue 2652]