Melanie and Cindy deployed to Iowa Tuesday July 1st, and share their observations.
Update July 7, 2008:
Two new/fresh experienced volunteers with Rapid Response are headed to Oakville Wednesday morning to help with the cats. Marti received this wrap-up email from Melanie this afternoon:
Made it back home late today. Thanks for the email. I am so glad that you found other volunteers to go to Oakville. We hated to leave not knowing what would happen to the cats we were getting to know and love. The town still has a lot of water. The "locals" were all glad we were there and gave us tips on where to find other animals. Thank goodness the pig situation got taken care of and I am sure the pigs are off to a much better place and can live happy healthy lives. Thank you for what you and Ellen do.Original Article:
Received via email Thursday July 3, 2008:
We made it to Iowa. Oakville is still 50% under water. There is only one way in and out which consists of a lot of gravel roads. The closest town is Wapallo, and is where the EOC is located. We saw several cats in Oakville along with many animal tracks. All were scared and many just looked lost. It will be nice to get trappers into the area. We are glad to be here. Received via email Saturday July 5, 2008:
There is a good possibility that most residents will not return - there is too much damage. I am getting concerned about what will happen to the cats in Oakville. We saw about 30 last evening and they are getting dependent on our feeding stations. They sit and wait until we walk away. Six cats were at one food station last night. We had a surprise when three pigs showed up at one of our feeding stations, but the good news is that they were rescued yesterday along with two other pigs. 
Rich Crook is arriving on the scene late this coming week to begin a TNR program in cooperation with the local authorities. However, with Melanie and Cindy departing Monday morning July 7th after a seven day volunteer engagement, Rich has asked Marti and Ellen to assess finding two more volunteers who can help for an additional three-four days this week until he arrives.
How You Can Help:
If you are a
qualified Rapid Response volunteer (meaning we have all your paperwork
on file, and you are available Monday July 7-Friday July 11, please contact Marti Lombardi national volunteer coordinator at martil@bestfriends.org. You must be approved by Rich Crook and Ellen Gilmore to be deployed. If you are unsure of the status of your paperwork, contact Best Friends volunteer coordinator Ellen Gilmore at elleng@bestfriends.org.
Help fund Best Friends’ effort to save companion animals trapped by the Iowa floodwaters with an online donation to the Best Friends Rescue Fund or phone in a contribution to 435-644-2001 ext. 4801.
To participate as a Rapid Response member, review the requirements on the forums and other news items, and contact Ellen Gilmore at elleng@bestfriends.org.
Posted by Marti Lombardi for the Rapid Response Community of the Best Friends Animal Society.
Photo credit Melanie Wheeldon