———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle - kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Subject: Emergency Sheltering Volunteers Needed In Iowa

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
Communicating during disasters to mobilize volunteers, supplies, and other resources for animal victims. www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

6/24: Emergency Sheltering Volunteers Needed In Iowa

Kinship Circle has been asked to continue staffing two surge shelters for Iowa flood victims for the remainder of this week and next week.

County coordinators at both Lee County Fairgrounds and Johnson County Fairgrounds need VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST WITH EMERGENCY SHELTERING DUTIES.

1. IF YOU CAN GO TO IOWA THIS WEEK OR NEXT WEEK, NOTIFY US NOW.

2. SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO:

kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net -OR- pawsitivedirections [at] yahoo.com (DON’T SEND TO BOTH)

* YOUR NAME:
* PHONE NUMBER (cell you’ll have with you):
* FULL PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
* BRIEF INFO RE: YOUR ANIMAL DISASTER AID EXPERIENCE:
* ARRIVE/DEPART DATES IN IOWA
* TYPE: IOWA VOLUNTEER in subject line of email

This info is needed for the Iowa flood disaster. It’s also filed for future disasters in which we’re asked to send qualified independent volunteers. THANK YOU all for your concern for animal flood victims in Iowa. We deeply appreciate your experience, professionalism and devotion to animals in disasters. Kinship Circle

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Normally I don’t crosspost solicitations for donations, but this email gives some info regarding the current situation in the Midwest…

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: American Humane Association - email [at] americanhumane.org
Date: Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Subject: Help animals displaced by flood

American Humane, June 2008

Breaking News: American Humane Assists Animals in Flood-Stricken Illinois

Over the weekend, American Humane’s Red Star Animal Emergency Services unit deployed to Adams County, Ill., to help animals affected by the severe flooding in the Midwest. As an area that was overwhelmed by the scope of this crisis, Adams County was in dire need of assistance.

American Humane answered the call by joining forces with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Together, we are working to find and set up emergency shelter sites for the many animals made homeless in recent days. It’s a collaboration that is allowing the county to keep as many animals as possible fed, sheltered and healthy through the duration of the crisis.

Your donation today will allow us to continue these vital operations and prepare for the inevitable next disaster. In some situations, animals’ survival instinct simply isn’t enough — they desperately need caring donors like you to make our rescue efforts possible.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle - kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Subject: IOWA FLOOD: Notes From The Water’s Edge

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK has been asked by the Iowa Dept. of Agriculture/Veterinary Response Coordinator to support rescue operations for Iowa animal flood victims and send volunteers where needed. If you’ve seen the expanse of Midwest floods in news coverage — you know we have our work cut out for us! We thank KC Primary subscribers for their patience during this time…as we’ve been unable to focus on other campaigns.

RELIEF GLOBAL
6/20/08: IOWA FLOOD - Notes From The Water’s Edge

PHOTOS: Louisa County, Oakville area, Iowa.
Credit: Molly Wald
View more photos from rescue operations 6/18 and 6/19/08: flickr.com/photos/mollywald/sets/72157605698148806/

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle - kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Sun, Jun 15, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Subject: IOWA FLOOD: Emergency Volunteers Needed

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
Communicating during disasters to mobilize volunteers, supplies, and other resources for animal victims. www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

RELIEF GLOBAL
6/15/08: IOWA FLOOD: Emergency Volunteers Needed

KINSHIP CIRCLE is working with Iowa Dept. of Agriculture Veterinary Response Coordinator, Mark Shearer, and Iowa State Veterinarian David Schmitt. We have been asked to coordinate out-of-state volunteers at key counties where flooding has occurred or is anticipated. Anyone willing to deploy must be flexible and realize we have no control over how floods proceed.

TO VOLUNTEER:

1. RESPOND TO: kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net -OR- pawsitivedirections [at] yahoo.com (DO NOT SEND YOUR INFO TO BOTH)

* YOUR NAME:
* PHONE NUMBER (cell you’ll have with you):
* FULL PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
* BRIEF, COUPLE SENTENCES RE: YOUR ANIMAL DISASTER AID EXPERIENCE:
* DATES YOU CAN BE IN IOWA NEXT WEEK:

2. YOU MUST CONTACT ON-GROUND ORGANIZER IN IOWA, LISTED BELOW, BEFORE SHOWING UP.

* DO NOT CONTACT THEM UNTIL YOUR ARRIVAL DATE IS FIRM
* They can answer questions about specific driving directions to staging area.

3. PRINT OUT ALL CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS IN THIS EMAIL.

* Have them with you in Iowa and be prepared to “float” from site to site.
* They are fairly close-by and emergencies are expected.

‘This is our version of Katrina,’ Iowa residents say. Cedar Rapids: Firefighter Jeremy Wagner saves a cat from a flooded attic on 6/13/08. www.newser.com/article/D91A1F880.html

* At least 24,000 evacuations so far
* 83 of Iowa’s 99 counties are declared disaster zones

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle - kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Thu, Jun 12, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Subject: MIDWEST UNDERWATER: Rivers Still Rising

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
Communicating during disasters to mobilize volunteers, supplies, and other
resources for animal victims. www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

RELIEF GLOBAL
6/12/08: Midwest Underwater - Rivers Still Rising

Residents walk through several feet of floodwaters to get to higher ground along Rocky Ford Road in Columbus, Ind., 6/7/08. Hundreds of residents had to be rescued as floodwaters shut off several areas throughout the city… (Photo: AP/Columbus Republic, M. Dickbernd)

This alert represents available information at this time. As more calls for aid become known, we’ll post updates to this disaster report.

IN THIS ALERT:

1. Iowa: Rising Floodwaters Threaten Animals
2. More Refuge & Support Needs For Animal Victims
3. Report From Pasado’s Safe Haven
4. Iowa Floods: Mandatory Evacuations Expand
5. Indiana Flood Report: No Outside Help For Now

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle - kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Wed, May 14, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Subject: Mother’s Day Tornadoes Hit MO, OK, GA

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
Networking resources for animal disaster victims + companion animal campaigns

RELIEF GLOBAL, www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters
5/14/08: “Mother’s Day” Tornadoes Hit Missouri, Oklahoma, Georgia

This alert represents all available information at this time. If more calls for aid become known, we’ll post updates to this disaster report.

IN THIS ALERT:

1. Midwest Tornadoes Ravage Rural Areas
2. Missouri: Scared Animals Begin To Emerge From The Debris

==================

1. Midwest Tornadoes Ravage Rural Areas

==================

SOURCES

Storms kill 23 across 3 U.S. states

Storms kill in Midwest, Southeast

MAY 10-11, 2008 STORMS STRIKE IN MISSOURI, OKLAHOMA, GEORGIA
At least 23 people died in tornados that touched down 5/10 and 5/11/08.

Buffy the dog lies on the floor of the wreckage of her family’s home near Racine, Mo., on Sunday. (Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press)

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UPDATE, 4/15/08, via the National Wildlife Federation (NWF):

The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to approve the National Landscape Conservation System Act by a vote of 278-140! This Conservation System protects wildlife in 26 million acres of majestic landscapes and watersheds across the America. We could not have succeeded without your support!

Interested in learning more about the areas included in the National Landscape Conservation System?

Please visit www.conservationsystem.org

Stay tuned, as we now expect the bill to go to the Senate for their consideration.

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With a Congressional vote coming up this Wednesday, Drew at The Wilderness Society asked me to ask you to contact your rep and urge them to grant permanent protection to the National Landscape Conservation System.

Just what is the the National Landscape Conservation System, you ask?

In June 2000, the National Landscape Conservation System - the most innovative American land system created in the last 40 years - was established to protect the crown jewels of the public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

The 26 million-acre Conservation System includes more than 800 individual units: 15 National Monuments, 13 National Conservation Areas, Steens Mountain Cooperative Management Protection Area in Oregon, Headwaters Forest Reserve in northern California, 38 Wild and Scenic Rivers, 183 Wilderness Areas, more than 5,100 miles of National Scenic and Historic Trails, and 604 Wilderness Study Areas.

The mission of the National Landscape Conservation System is to “conserve, protect, and restore these nationally significant landscapes that have outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific values for the benefit of current and future generations.”

The Conservation System offers the spectacular qualities of the National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges. But the System represents an innovative shift from conventional management: protecting large landscapes-entire ecosystems and archaeological communities-not small, isolated tracts surrounded by development. Arizona’s Agua Fria National Monument contains hundreds of archaeological structures and sites; to understand the story these sites tell, the monument includes surrounding lands where their inhabitants traded, hunted, and farmed. Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument encompasses 800,000 acres, including parts of the watershed of the Grand Canyon.

The National Landscape Conservation System Act (HR 2016), which moves to the House floor on April 9th, will if passed formally establish the proposed Conservation System. You can take action and urge your rep to vote yes on HR 2016 here.

To learn more, visit www.conservationsystem.org - or check out this nifty video intro from The Wilderness Society:

And be sure to spread the word!

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Tagged: kcfreecycle animals animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts the wilderness society wildlife conservation nature National Landscape Conservation System National Landscape Conservation System Act National Landscape Conservation Act west American west American southwest National Parks National Wildlife Refuges National Parks System news in the news video youtube

Via the Associated Press, a sad example of what can happen when people don’t don their thinking caps on the internets (or in life, for that matter):

Man scammed by Craigslist ad

JACKSONVILLE, Ore. — A pair of hoax ads on Craigslist cost an Oregon man much of what he owned.

The ads popped up Saturday afternoon, saying the owner of a Jacksonville home was forced to leave the area suddenly and his belongings, including a horse, were free for the taking, said Jackson County sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Colin Fagan.

But Robert Salisbury had no plans to leave. The independent contractor was at Emigrant Lake when he got a call from a woman who had stopped by his house to claim his horse.

On his way home he stopped a truck loaded down with his work ladders, lawn mower and weed eater.

“I informed them I was the owner, but they refused to give the stuff back,” Salisbury said. “They showed me the Craigslist printout and told me they had the right to do what they did.”

The driver sped away after rebuking Salisbury. On his way home he spotted other cars filled with his belongings.

Once home he was greeted by close to 30 people rummaging through his barn and front porch.

The trespassers, armed with printouts of the ad, tried to brush him off. “They honestly thought that because it appeared on the Internet it was true,” Salisbury said. “It boggles the mind.”

Jacksonville police and Jackson County sheriff’s deputies arrived but by then several cars packed with Salisbury’s property had fled.

He turned some license plate numbers over to police.

Michelle Easley had seen the ad that claimed Salisbury’s horse had been declared abandoned by the sheriff’s department and was free to a good home.

“I can’t stand to see a horse suffer so I drove out there and got her,” Easley said. “The horse didn’t look abandoned. She is in good shape for being 32 years old.”

But it looked odd, so she left a note on Salisbury’s door explaining the ad. She then decided to call to make sure the ad was legitimate when the second similar ad appeared.

“I feel bad because I was a part of it,” Easley said. “It felt right to call the police.”

Fagan praised Easley’s honestly but said prosecution was likely for anybody caught with Salisbury’s property.

Items can be returned with no questions asked, Fagan said.

Detectives have contacted Craigslist’s legal team to try to trace the ad.

And this isn’t the first time such a hoax has appeared on Craigslist, either.

So please, exercise caution when responding to ads placed on Freecycle, Craigslist and the like; if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you want to gift an item to someone in need, it’s probably best to give it directly to a non-profit organization. And don’t give out too much personal info to strangers, on- or off-list.

More safety tips here.

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Tagged: craigslist freecycle kcfreecycle critical thinking skepticism common sense

Just thought I’d pass this along as an update to Friday’s post.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle - kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Sun, Mar 23, 2008 at 1:03 AM
Subject: Homes & Help Needed For Flood Survivors

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK - PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST
Networking resources for animal disaster victims + companion animal campaigns

RELIEF GLOBAL * www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters
3/22/08: Missouri Floods - Homes & Help Needed For Animal Survivors

IN THIS ALERT:

1. UPDATE: Piedmont, Missouri Flood Disaster
2. Foster Or Adopt A Feline Flood Survivor!
3. Illinois Shelter Faces Rising Floodwaters

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle - kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Tue, Mar 18, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Subject: Animal Shelter Underwater! Piedmont, MO

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF - PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST
www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/

RELIEF GLOBAL
3/18/08: Animal Control (& Town) Underwater! Piedmont, MO

IN THIS ALERT:

1. PIEDMONT ANIMAL CONTROL UNDERWATER - EMERGENCY
2. Piedmont, Missouri Evacuated for Flooding
3. Animals Saved From Floods At Southern IL Shelter

Kinship Circle has just learned tonight (3/18) that the town of Piedmont, in rural Missouri, has evacuated due to severe flash flooding. We are posting as much information as we have at this time and will follow-up with more verified facts as they become available.

We know, but have not yet confirmed:

* The town’s animal control is underwater, animals evacuated. Some died in floodwaters.
* Stray Rescue St. Louis (active in Katrina rescue) appears to be headed to Piedmont.
* It has rained nonstop 48+ hours and other Missouri/Illinois shelters may need help.

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