After spending the week assisting with repairs on a sanctuary damaged by Hurricane Katrina in Picayune, Miss., IDA contractor Eric Phelps and employee Connie Durkee transported 25 dogs and cats from the Gulf area 1,100 miles north to the Maryland SPCA in Baltimore. The arduous 30 hour drive is well worth it to the dedicated workers who know they are giving these animals a chance at finding their forever homes that they wouldn't have in the south where families are still rebuilding their homes and their lives, many living in tents and FEMA trailers. Some of the animals came from IDA's Project Hope Sanctuary, which has served as a temporary holding facility when shelters in the storm-ravaged areas reach their capacity. Others came from the Humane Society of South Mississippi (HSSM), which fills up on a weekly basis with animals trapped on the streets in the Gulfport-Biloxi area. Through the help of IDA and other organizations working on transport, HSSM's doors remain open to the animals who have survived the storm and its aftermath.

Recognizing that the problem is far from over, Best Friends is planning to open two new rescue centers in New Orleans, La. and Gulfport, Miss. Volunteers with the drive to help are still needed, particularly those who have proficiency in data entry, mechanical skills or expertise in humane animal trapping. Contact hurricanekatrinainquiries@idausa.org or visit www.bestfriends.org for more information about volunteering.

What You Can Do

Project Hope still desperately needs more shelters and rescue organizations outside of the disaster zone to take homeless animals rescued from the Gulf Area. Please contact hurricanekatrinainquiries@idausa.org if you or your local shelter can provide space for needy animals.

We need funds to continue our relief work. As an illustration of the financial resources needed to rescue animals, rental of a vehicle and gas for one week costs upwards of $1000. Please contribute to IDA's hurricane relief fund when making your end of the year donations. To donate, send checks made payable to IDA with a note reading "for hurricane relief" to In Defense of Animals, 3010 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901. Click https://secure.ga0.org/02/varescue and scroll down to donate online using your credit card.

Learn more about the work of Project Hope.

Read more about previous Project Hope victories

• IDA-Project Hope Rescues Three Emaciated Horses

• IDA-Project Hope Rescues Two Horses with Panola County Sheriff's Dept.

• IDA-PH Gives Desperate Dog New Hope

• Help Project Hope Continue Its Lifesaving Work

• IDA's Project Hope Hurricane Relief Team Takes Animals to Northern Shelters

• IDA's Project Hope Animal Relief Team Remains on the Job

• IDA's Project Hope Hurricane Relief Team in Mississippi

• IDA's Project Hope Animal Rescue Team Among Handful of Groups in New Orleans

• IDA's Project Hope Continues Animal Rescue Work in New Orleans