After Florida suffered from drought and wildfires in 1998, we knew that bigger and better was the answer to our problems when rescuing animals. Our team had rescued over 650 animals and several people from the path of the firestorms that were raging across central Florida. Back in 98 we used pickup trucks with livestock trailers. Today we have specialized trucks and trailers to house the rescued animals and also to transport them inland or wherever they need to go. Our equipment is some of the most unique in the country.
Hurricane Charley found us using the Drag Racing team's equipment that Ronnie and Linda Graves owned to help with the rescues in Punta Gorda. They provided a trailer that became a base of operations for the Humane Society of the United States, Charlotte County Animal Control, and the Florida Dept of Agriculture, along with another 44' trailer that housed our rescued critters. There was a Kenworth Motorhome 32' long with living quarters, 2 Dodge pickup trucks (diesel) and a Toyota Tacoma involved as well. We also used Ronnie and Linda's 5th wheel camper to house team mates. During this rescue, we burned up several small portable generators and figured out that waste disposal is a must also.
After Hurricane Charley, we were directly involved with rescues in our own county when Francis and Jeanne hit central Florida. Our equipment was put to use to serve mankind. Animals were not affected drastically in our area except for one falling barn that killed two horses and trapped a third for 24 hours before we got to her. The owner was already getting her freed by that time. The other animal concerns were a lack of electricity that kept ranchers from getting water from their pumps to their livestock. We put a 300 gallon tank in a 3/4 ton Dodge 4x4 and had it out several days delivering water. Our 1 ton Dodge Dually was on the road with a flatbed trailer delivering food and water to 2 sites in Sumter county. FEMA would only deliver the ice to all 3 sites, not the food and water. It was delivered to our fairgrounds and we had to spread it out. Our county public works didn't pony up with the trucks to do it so we did. They also would not provide us with fuel or water from Sumter county. This problem has been alleviated now, and in the future we will be provided fuel and water if we are running rescue in Sumter County.
Ronnie Graves recognized a need for a specialized unit to be ready before the next Hurricane season. He firmly held fast to the thought that another bad season would be upon us. Little did he know how correct he would be.
The lack of government help in disasters for animals is appalling. I truly hope that Katrina taught some lessons and that citizens will not allow our government to abandon them again. Countless numbers of animals were left in Southern Mississippi for a week after the storm before we were allowed to respond. DO NOT BLAME FEMA, OR THE PRESIDENT for this. The state of Mississippi was responsible for the delay. They held us for 4 days after we arrived before they finally let us go into the strike zone to start working. Once they relinquished control of the Incident command to Florida teams, things went a lot smoother. Now in all fairness, they were a bit overwhelmed, still, they held us up It took a lot of diplomacy on the part of Laura Bevin with The Humane Society of the United States to finally get them to release us.
Thank god that HSUS was there
Check out the Katrina page for more info and photos
THE LOGISTICAL TRAILER
(Ronnie's ARK)
35' Gooseneck flatbed with hydraulic landing gear  30 KW Power Technologies Diesel Generator (Kubota Powered) Freezer Stainless Steel Jenn-Aire Barbecue Range 600 Gallons of Diesel fuel capacity Porta Potti with hot and cold shower also 200 lbs Propane capacity on demand water heater and pump system for whole trailer 500 Gallons of fresh water capacity 20' Cargo box to store our supplies in and keep them dry 750 Gallons of sewer storage under belly of trailer |
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The 44' Classic Dominator enclosed gooseneck was outfitted
with stainless steel kennels donated by The Humane Society of the United
States and built by Shor-Line in Kansas City, Kansas. We installed them in
the front of the trailer, leaving room to carry cargo in the back. A water
tank was built into the nose so we could furnish water to our rescued
animals and two air conditioners were added to keep them comfortable.
Douglas Georgia Animal Shelter was over filled. 73 dogs got an overnight
trip to Vero Beach Florida to a no kill shelter. THANK YOU VERO
