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<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>I would like to share one of
many questions asked of the director of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">cedar rapids</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">IA</st1:State></st1:place>
effort.. this city was completely under water much like what happened in <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Orleans</st1:place></st1:City>. I still
think of those animals there but found solace that we are now better prepared.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>Question </span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>–</span></font><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>
Who is on-site now helping?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>Answer </span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>–</span></font><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>
The shelter was brimming with volunteers and organizations. Each one of these
groups was offering a unique and much needed area of expertise. The Humane
Society of the United States, the Iowa Department of Agriculture, the United
Animal Nation, the Cedar Rapids Kennel Association, 4RK9s…just to name a
few. (All working side-by-side…picture the Coke Commercials from the
70’s and 80’s..without the singing.)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>Question </span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>–</span></font><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>
Is this going to be another Katrina?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>Answer </span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>–</span></font><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>
In my humble opinion, no. Plain and simply…no. I’ve spoken to
dozens of Katrina veterans over the past couple days, and can happily say that
the advice they are giving me was already in place at the shelter. Katrina was
a horrible tragedy, but provided some much needed lessons to be learned, and
best practices to be shared. Every animal organization involved with Katrina
recognizes what worked, and what didn’t. Changes have been made. During
a time like this, our efforts are best served by continuing to work together,
continuing to put aside our preconceived notions of who’s a “good
guy” and who’s a “bad guy.” This is NOT a purebred dog
effort, This is NOT an animal control effort, This is NOT an HSUS effort, its
NOT a dog effort, its NOT a cat effort….it IS an “animal
world” effort. When you’re out there, it IS a TEAM effort. The
effort has been amazing! Every person at that shelter has one thought on their
mind….”how can I help these animals?” It’s impossible
not to be moved to tears when walking through the shelter and seeing how
amazing it is.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Helena Poist<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Proplanner<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>2500 North Loop Drive</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ames</span></font></st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on">IA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">50010</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>helena@proplanner.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>515-296-7526<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>fax: 515-296-3229<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
10.0pt'>http://www.proplanner.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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