Look at this adorable dog: She’s an all-American mixed breed, a.k.a. mutt, who looks to be part black Lab, part terrier, and part clown.
Aren’t her ears cute? Her left one flops down, while her right one stands erect. Her face is wiry,yet her coat is smooth. With her white markings, she resembles a cross between a Schnauzer and a skunk!
Her name is Indigo, and she’s a survivor of the tragic tornadoes thatdevastated Alabama and Mississippi in April. Nowavailable for adoption, Indigo was pulled out ofthe animal shelter in Cullman County, Alabama, just 30 minutes before the twisterstruck.(Cullman was especially hard hit.)
Happy-go-lucky Indigo loves to play fetch (see photo below). Shewill run very fast after her prize,retrieving andreturning it to the person who tossed it. Of course, the prime prize for Indigo and her saviors atSnooty Giggles Dog Rescuewould be a loving new home.Tomeetthis gorgeous gal, go here.
Meanwhile, at the request of the Joplin Humane Society in Joplin, Missouri, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) dispatched its disaster response teamlast Mondayto lead emergency sheltering efforts and assist in field rescues of animals displaced by the Missouritornado.
Tim Rickey, senior director of the ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response team, happens to be a native of Joplin and former animal control officer there.Regarded as a national expert in disaster response, Rickey led recovery efforts following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike; major floods in Iowa, Tennessee and Kentucky; and multiple Missouri incidents including ice storms, floods and tornados. He arrivedinJoplinMonday morning to help local agencies establish an emergency shelter that will provide temporary housing for owned animals until they are reunited with their families.
Through its shelter response partnership network, the ASPCA coordinated the transport of nearly 150 animals from the Joplin Humane Society to Wayside Waifs (Kansas City, Mo.) and the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri (Springfield, Mo.). This freed up cage space, enabling the Joplin shelter to accept incoming animals displaced by the disaster.
Were ensuring that existing shelter animals are out of harms way, said Rickey, who added that many of the dogs and cats rescued so far are suffering from lacerations, broken bones and eye injuries that appear to have been caused by the storm. The ASPCA will continue to provide ongoing assistance, personnel and resources in Joplin as long as were needed.
The emergency animal shelter, where owned pets will be housed indefinitely, is located in an empty warehouse facility at 5171 North Main Street, near the Joplin Humane Society.
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is supplying two Emergency Relief Waggin’ vehicles filled with crates, blankets, bowls, and other supplies. The ASPCA is also working in conjunction with the Humane Society of Missouri.
Residents wishing to report lost pets or rescue needs should contact the Joplin Humane Society at 417-623-3642.
