Dog House sponsors animal relief drive

The Bloomington city government and The Dog House LLC, a local company that provides cageless animal housing for out-of-town pet owners, are co-sponsoring a charity drive for animals left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. \nThe DOG-n-KATrina animal relief drive, which runs until Nov. 30, will benefit Noah's Wish, a California-based charity caring for stray and temporarily abandoned animals of Slidell, La., approximately 30 miles northeast of New Orleans.\nDog House owner Jimmy Dasenbrock said he came up with the idea for the drive after seeing images on television of stray animals in areas affected by the hurricane. \n"When I saw the turmoil that the dogs and cats were going through, I just wanted to do something," he said. \nDasenbrock contacted the Bloomington mayor's office with the idea for the drive, and Mayor Mark Kruzan was receptive to the idea. \n"Dog House owner Jimmy Dasenbrock ... and I discussed the idea of the city participating, and we (at the mayor's office) are happy to do so," Kruzan said. "I care deeply about animal welfare and have long been (an) advocate of animal rights, both as a state legislator for 16 years and since taking office as mayor last year." \nShortly after the Slidell, La., animal shelter was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, Noah's Wish set up a temporary shelter to house animals found in the town and its surrounding county. \nAccording to its Web site, volunteers have so far helped feed and provide medical care to more than 1,600 animals since Aug. 31. They have also helped the Slidell animal control office rescue animals in the immediate area. \n"Miracles continue to happen every day," Noah's Wish founder Terri Crisp said on the organization's Web site. "Just last week, a dog was rescued from a nearby highway. When she arrived at the shelter, we realized she was nursing, so there had to (have been) puppies left behind. We took the dog out to the area she was found and she quickly led us to a porch where we found her puppies."\nThe charity reports both the mother and her puppies are currently in good health.\nRequested items for the DOG-n-KAT animal relief drive include animal crates, beds, food bins, bowls, collars, leashes, flea control, grooming supplies, nail trimmers and shampoo. Other non-pet-related items requested by the charity's Web site include Post-it notes, extension cords, batteries and hand sanitizer gel. \nAll money collected in the Bloomington area will be either donated directly to the charity or used to cover the cost of transporting the items to Louisiana. The charity plans to continue operating its temporary shelter until Tuesday. Then it will help the town rebuild and stock a permanent shelter and find homes for animals who were not claimed by their original owners. Noah's Wish will use the donations to cover incurred costs from its work in Louisiana and future rescue missions. \nBloomington donations are currently being accepted in the atrium of City Hall at 401 N. Morton St. and at The Dog House at 2010 S. Yost Ave. Monetary donations can also be given directly to the charity through its Web site, www.noahswish.org. \nMayor Kruzan urged students and area citizens to contribute to the drive. \n"The city (has) extended its support to those impacted by the recent hurricanes in many ways, such as providing supplies, volunteer coordination and information locally, and this is just another way to help out," he said. "Animals everywhere -- in our own community, those affected by the hurricane, and worldwide - need help and it is up to compassionate individuals to provide this help"