I was reminded of the anniversary of Katrina via text from my good friend Becky Gainey who I met working at the temporary animal shelter set up at LSU in Baton Rouge.  Gabby and I had already been there for a couple weeks when she arrived.  She finished off what I started; managing the front of house operations.  It was a crazy time in our lives, but we both came out of it with amazing black boy cats, my MONKEY and her LOUI.

When we arrived on the scene in Louisiana, just about one week post Katrina, we were surrounded by ANIMAL RESCUE people from every part of the country.  I remember a couple girls who came down in their pick up truck with the words “ANIMAL RESCUE” written on the back window.  The immediate thought in my head was….I WANT TO BE CALLED A RESCUER SOME DAY.  Funny where 5 years gets one.

On the fifth anniversary of Katrina, I was finishing up a long week and a half stretch remodeling our new facility.  I was exhausted but determined to do in-take out of the new place last night.  And we did.  If I hadn’t been so tired and brain dead, I’d have opened a bottle of champagne and taken a photo of us planting my very proud “FIXED KITTENS” sign in the yard by the front porch.

With the help of probably 30 dedicated volunteers whose names I’m unable to mention at this point as I’m pre MORNING TEA (though it’s past noon) and my head isn’t on straight yet, we turned a stinky 70′s house into a rescue megaplex.  I’m so proud.  And so humbled by the blood (literally as Paul nearly took his finger nail off yesterday), sweat (everybody contributed to that) and nearly tears given by everyone to make the place rescue ready.

We took in our first cats last night.  Nine came in for TNR during our first evening’s operations, ironically ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF KATRINA.

I think it’s in the stars people.  I think it’s meant to be.  My name rhymes with Feral.  My new facility opened on the day that began the biggest animal rescue in the history of this country, and while exhausted, I’m full of energy, excitement and hope to help thousands of free-roaming cats get fixed or found forever homes.

Thank you all who are making this possible through your time, donations and dedication.

Beaming……

~ Carol

PS.  The trip we took to Baton Rouge is detailed here on this blog:

http://southboundforanimals.blogspot.com