Animal Rescue New Orleans

NOTE: Out-Of-Town Volunteers, along with residents, STILL NEEDED!

Animal Foster Information

Thank you for your interest in fostering a dog(s) or cat(s) for Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO)! We need you to help us continue saving animals from the streets of New Orleans and the many parishes in surrounding areas. Your support will not only help us to save lives, but will enable ARNO to trap and rescue more animals from animal control facilities and kill shelters. The surrounding parishes have experienced a drastic increase in Katrina owner surrenders, as many people cannot find new places to live that allow pets.

Please fill out our online form to apply as a foster parent.

If I am approved to foster, how long will I have my foster pet(s)?
Depending on available transports and the health of your animal, you will have your foster pet from 3-12 weeks.

How will I identify my foster pet to the vet and to ARNO?
The foster coordinators will assign each of your foster animals an ARNO ID#. Before bringing your foster pet(s) to the Vets be sure to get your ARNO ID #. There are participating ARNO vets for consistency of care and invoice reporting that we would like you to use. We will assign you a vet to use that is in your general area. Contact Jennifer at whippetdogs@yahoo.com or (703) 626-2683 to receive your ARNO ID#.

Should I bring my foster animals to the Veterinarian?
Yes, we would like you to bring all of your foster animal(s) to a licensed veterinarian within the first week. ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans) will cover ALL vet costs. ARNO has accounts at several local vets that are listed below that we would prefer you to use. Check back for updates on area veterinarians available to you. If you need to use a Vet other than the Vets listed here, you will have to pay yourself then ARNO will reimburse you. Please explain that this is a foster pet and ask for “rescue friendly prices.” (Emergency situations are answered in another area further below.) You can fax your invoice to ARNO at: (504) 522-0239. Please include your ARNO ID#.

Be sure to give the Veterinarian the ARNO ID# for each of your animals. Also, please have the Vet print out separate invoices stating all services for each of your foster pets. On the invoice, the client information will be ARNO, but your name and info should be listed as the contact person for that invoice or animal, as well as the ARNO ID#.

Please notify your attending Vet that a Health Certificate will be required with name, address TBA at some point in the future in the case that the pet is not adopted locally. Any transport out of state requires a Louisiana Health Certificate with the name and address of the person who is on the receiving end. ARNO also requires a full medical ‘passport’ for each pet that can be in the form of copies of invoices with what has been medically provided to the animal. All medical records for each animal follow the animal until it reaches its permanent loving home

ARNO Currently has Accounts Set up with the following Veterinarians:

Jefferson:
Ark Animal Hospital
4025 Jefferson Hwy
Jefferson, LA 70121
(504) 834-0906

Metairie:
Lake Animal Hospital
604 Veterans Blvd
Metairie, LA 70001
(504) 837-1730
(near Dorignac’s Supermarket between Bonnabel and Causeway Blvd. on Veterans Hwy.)

Baton Rouge:
Azalea Lakes Veterinary Clinic
15225 Jefferson Hwy.
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
(225) 755-3838

Lafayette:
Gloria Switch Road Veterinary Hospital
236 West Gloria Switch Rd.
Lafayette, LA 70507
(337) 896-0325

What should I ask my Vet to test my foster dog(s) for?
1) Fecal
2) Full vaccinations (DHCLPP or DHCPP if under 2 lbs., i.e. no Lepto)
3) Rabies
3) Heartworm test (Idexx Occult)
4) Bordatella
5) Fecal
6) Scan for chip number or if none, microchip
7) Frontline for fleas (plus Capstar if immediate flea relief needed)
8) Heartgard, if applicable
9) Spay/neuter surgery will be scheduled on all pets.

Puppies are vaccinated at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. (They can be as early as 6 weeks if you are sure of their birth date.) Rescues, because of questionable age, are usually started at 8 weeks of age and given boosters at 4 week intervals as follows:

1)	At 8 weeks of age:	• DHLCPP (or DHPP if under 2 lbs., i.e. no Lepto) • Internasal Bordatella • Fecal

2)	At 12 weeks of age:	• Boost DHLCPP (or DHPP if under 2 lbs., i.e. no Lepto) • Fecal • Rabies can be done at 12 weeks, but our vets recommend 16 weeks

3)	At 16 weeks of age:	• Boost DHLCPP (or DHPP if under 2 lbs., i.e. no Lepto) • Fecal • Rabies (if not done at 12 weeks of age)

4)	Spay/neuter surgery will be scheduled on all pets, puppies must be over 2.5-3 lbs.

Note: “C” in the inoculation acronym stands for “Corona” virus inoculation; some vets today believe that the Corona virus vaccine is the most likely to form cancerous tumors. So the attending vet may choose not to give Corona virus vaccine. Fyi: DHLCPP stands for Distemper, Hepatitis, Lepto, Corona, Parainfluenza, and Parvo.

What should I ask the Vet to provide my foster cat(s)?
1) Fecal
2) Full vaccinations (FVRCP)
3) Rabies
4) FeLFIV test (Idexx)
5) Scan for chip number, if none microchip
3) Check for earmites (treat with Ivermectin drops directly in ear)
6) Check mouth for possible tooth problems
7) Revolution if available, plus Capstar if immediate flea relief needed)
(Advantage or Frontline fine if Revolution not available)

What if my foster dog(s) is/are Heartworm positive?
Please contact ARNO if your dog is heartworm positive BEFORE any treatment begins. Some medical situations may cause the dog to be pulled out of foster early to start treating their medical needs if long term, i.e. heartworm treatment. We have preferred vets to use for our heartworm treatment. Please contact us if your foster is heartworm positive. Contact Jennifer at whippetdogs@yahoo.com or (703) 626-2683 and she will facilitate scheduling appointment and transportation (if needed). Be patient, as we treat more than one dog at a time, so scheduling of appointments must be staged as to not overburden the clinic. If you need more information than what is here call Robin (504) 913-2328 or Charlotte (504) 522-0222.

What if I have to take my foster animal(s) to the closest Vet possible due to an emergency?
Please get your fosters pets the care that they need. However, if you need to use a Vet other than the Vets listed here, you will have to pay yourself then ARNO will reimburse you. Please explain that this is a foster pet and ask for “rescue friendly prices.”

You can fax your invoice to ARNO at: (504) 522-0239. Please include your ARNO ID#.

My foster dog is coughing, is there anything I can use to help right away?
Yes, but it should be under the recommendation of a vet. There are many children’s over-the-counter remedies that he/she might recommend. If the dog is in distress, bring the dog to the vet.

Should I keep my own dog(s) separate from my foster dog(s)?
Yes. This is very important. Since we do not know the current health status of most of the dogs, we recommend that you keep your foster dog(s) separate from your own pets for 10 days. This will ensure that things like kennel cough or intestinal illnesses are not spread.

You should also bring your dogs to a separate area to go to the bathroom if at all possible. Be sure to keep your foster dog feces cleaned up in the yard to make sure if they have any illnesses that they will not be spread that way. All personal pets must be up to date on shots before a foster enters your home. Always let the attending vet know that you have other pets in your home, that way you can be advised by the vet if he/she feels that a booster is recommended for your own pets.

Should I keep my own cat(s) separate from my foster cat(s)?
Yes. This is very important. Since we do not know the current health status of the cat(s), we recommend that you keep your foster cat(s) separate from your own pets for 10 days. This will ensure that illnesses such as upper respiratory infections (URIs) and others if they have them will not be spread to your own pets. All personal pets must be up to date on shots before a foster enters your home.

Will my foster dog be cat friendly?
Note that we know nothing about the personalities of the dogs. They may or may not be cat friendly. Use caution and remember that these dogs are traumatized and you need to err on the side of caution. You will begin to see your foster pets personalities come out as they get more comfortable and secure in their surroundings. They will need your love and affection. When you are not home, always keep your foster dog kenneled and away from your cats.

Will ARNO provide me with food for my foster animal(s)?
Pet food is available for foster parents. It is available at the ARNO warehouse in the Elmwood section of Jefferson Parish at 271 Plauche St., Jefferson, LA 70123.

Other Questions?
If you have a question that you desperately need answered you can contact any of the following:
Robin (504) 913-2328 or Charlotte (504) 522-0222 or Jennifer (703) 626-2683.
Email addresses for the above, respectively, are:
Arneworleans@cox.net, arnocharlotte@cox.net, or whippetdogs@yahoo.com.

Thank you for all you are doing to help the animals!

SUPPORT EMERGENCY PET EVACUATION LEGISLATION

Senator Fontenot (District 13, Louisiana) is searching for Louisiana evacuees who were stopped from evacuating from Katrina with their pets, in order to enlist their help with testifying in support of upcoming emergency pet evacuation legislation.

Click here for more detailed information.