CHAPTER SIX

Written by Cindy
Photos & captions by Lori
October 23, 2005

At the entrance to the building were three trays filled with disinfectant. Every person who wanted to enter the building was required to step in the disinfectant before entering the building, every time.

We arrived at the shelter Sunday, October 16 in time for the afternoon shift. We received a tour and direction from Kim who was working as the inside coordinator and was also an "untrained convergent volunteer".

This is right outside the front of the pole building. The white tent housed the "intake and reclaim" area as well as the "volunteer sign-in" area. The green tent housed the vet's examining area.

The building had diesel-powered air handlers that pumped cooled air into it. It was basically a metal pole building and would have been unbearable in the heat. There were also fans around to move air for the animals.

A portion of the shelter inside the pole building

We were both assigned to a cleaner as walkers. We quickly learned to used a leather glove on our left hand to keep the nylon slip leash from cutting into our hands. We worked in what was called the small dog building though the dogs ranged in size from small to quite large. The main breeds present were pit bulls, labs, poodles, beagle, and of course, mixes.

Here is where the vets did the spaying & neutering

The cats were also in this building. The cleaner would point out the next dog to take, she would clean the crate, put in fresh water, put in a towel or blanket, and feed while we were out. We walked a path on the loose gravel driveway beside another municipal building; every time a vehicle passed it would kick up incredible dust.

This is where we walked the dogs at the Slidell Animal Shelter, operated by Noah's Wish. The bank along the right side of this dusty road was the only "grass" for them. Most of the dogs were more than willing to go on the road. We were very glad to be wearing hiking boots, though, when some of the dogs decided that the rather steep bank was the ONLY place to pee and/or poop!

The dogs were desperate for grass and many preferred going down along the steep bank to do their business. This involved holding onto the leash and climbing down the bank in order to clean up after them. The bags were then dropped off in buckets, which we emptied later. We tried to give the dogs lots of pats and talked to them as we were walking.

CONTINUE WITH
IN THE EYE OF THE STORM:
KATRINA "A-TEAM" TRIP HERE