It has been 15 months since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, and still our  work with the abandoned and injured animals goes on.

On December 13th, 2005, Barnwater Cats received 6 cats from Bogalusa,La. through Alley Cat Allies. These kitties came with a multitude of health issues, including Chlamydia, pneumonia, a collapsed lung, Giardia;  and two were positive for heartworm. To date, all have been adopted and are living happily   in their new and forever homes.

In March, we were made aware of an animal shelter in Waveland, Mississippi that was in dire need of help.Margery Smith and I responded to Val Spencer's plea by deploying immediately to New Orleans, then driving to Waveland. After spending several days cleaning and feeding the animals and taking some in for vet care, we selected 7 that we were going to take back to Denver. These seven required emergency boarding and medical treatment) for eye infections,severe diarrhea,etc.)  in Louisiana for their own protection and to prevent any further cruelty.Upon our return to Colorado, further medical treatment was required for conditions ranging from a collapsed trachea(we lost Buffy) to follow-up treatment for a cat that had had a nail impaled in her eye from Katrina.This little girl was transferred to Good Samaritan and adopted out to a wonderful family who adore her. Thanks, Beth!

Because of these experiences, we are extremely dedicated to continuing our work with these hurricane- impacted animals, both dogs as well as cats. Our hurricane project fulfills the  very critical and specific need of rescuing these homeless and injured animals who, to this day, are still wandering the streets of the Gulf Coast, many sitting on steps leading to homes that no longer exist, waiting for families who will never return.

We were especially blessed this year to have financial help from the American Humane Association,the Humane Society of the United States, the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, Gary- Williams Oil Co., Animal Assistance Foundation(who made additional emergency funding available to us), and so many of you who gave large personal donations. We thank also, our wonderful shelter vet, Dr. Monica Watterud, who has never wavered in her support and has been through this whole ordeal, standing by our side with patience and kindness.

In July, we selected two cats from the Montgomery,Alabama shelter that needed help. Their ACO drove the cats to Birmingham, where they were met by American Airlines flight attendant/angel, Cheryl Gardner. She flew them to Dallas, where they spent the night in her guest room, then she flew them into DIA, at no charge to BCRO!  Teddy and Gracie are beautiful cats and may be seen on our website, www.barnwatercats.org .

On the local front, we are working with a wonderful woman who has rescued 2 adults and three kittens from her yard in north Denver. We are helping her with medical costs and will be placing  the cats into a foster home right after Thanksgiving.These cats and kittens will be available for adoption immediately.

In closing, I'd like to thank all of our friends and volunteers who have made this such a memorable year. Without your support, there would be no Barnwater Cats Rescue Organization.We have all worked hard and been willing to give when there was nothing left to give. Thank you from me, thank you from all of  the cats who have no voices but still manage to cry in the dark for the homes they have lost or have never had. Only you can make a difference....and, this year, above all others, you have!

With love and gratitude,