Everyone on the team arrived on the Thursday and met at the Maison Dupuy in New Orleans for our first get-together that evening. It was rapidly apparent that Deb Parsons-Drake, Senior Director, HSUS Animal Care Centers had assembled a very special team. Laura Bevan has worked with logistical activities for the HSUS including a great deal of work through Hurricane Katrina. Sharon Young has worked on the Marine mammal issues at many levels. Barry Kellogg, a senior veterinarian from HSUS has extensive training and knowledge of disaster work (another Katrina vet) caring for the nimals and wildlife devastated by these events. Jim Reed is a very knowledgeable habitat biologist. Ed Clark, whom I first met in 1986, is from the Wildlife Center of Virginia and very involved in the rehabilitation of wildlife. It was going to be a privilege to work with these people – I knew I would learn a great deal.
My first impression of New Orleans – HOT!!!! And humid. The thermometer read 93F – add 10 degrees for the humidity – I was dripping every time I stepped outside.
