Okanagan Mountain Park Fire - Kelowna, British Columbia

Update #5

Friday - September 5, 2003 - 4:30 p.m. West Coast Time

The Reception Center at the Parkinson Recreation Center in Kelowna was scheduled to close at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2. The work that Noah's Wish was doing was completed on Monday, September 3. We were involved with the Okanagan Mountain Park fire for a total of 11 days. During this time we helped a total of 944 animals at the center in addition to 450 other animals in the community. The Noah's Wish team was made up of myself, 5 coordinators, and 18 volunteers. In addition to this group we had half a dozen convergent volunteers who helped out in many ways. Thanks Giavanna, Kyle, Curtis, Mandy, Jerry, and Genna.

When we were finished all the animals we had placed in foster homes were either back with their owners or arrangements had been made for families who could not yet reclaim their animals. Most of these situations were because homes had been destroyed by the fire. There were only two animals who came to us as strays and they are now in foster homes. If the two cats are not reclaimed within 30 days they will be adopted by individuals who have already been approved. We were very pleased at how smoothly the paperwork went at the end and there were countless pet owners grateful to Noah's Wish for what we had done to help them and their animals.

The most unique animal we helped was a red eared slider turtle named Barney and the five gold fish that had initially been purchased to feed the dinner plate sized turtle but had since become his buddies.

We also got a good laugh when the un-neutered pygmy goat named Butthead arrived in the backseat of his owners car, minus a cage to keep him confined. We wondered how long it would be, if ever, before they could ride in the car without having to hold their breath.

The cat that I mentioned in Update # 4 that belonged to Arny was found. Apart from some minor burns to his paws Tony was fine. He is being treated at the Lakeshore Veterinary Hospital and Noah's Wish will be paying all his veterinary care bills too.

The support that we got from the community was more then generous. First of all we had over 700 people complete applications to foster animals. Thankfully many of the applicants could house more then one. There was the foster family who took 15 cats belonging to the same family. Keeping animals together makes it more comfortable for the animals and the owners have only one place to go when they want to visit. There were all the donations of food, leashes, collars, portable cages, litter boxes, litter, scoops, fans, humane cat traps, cat and dog toys, treats, and much more that the public brought us. The picture below shows one family arriving with a gift for the animals from each of the children.

There were all the businesses that helped us too, some of which include: Petcetra, Total Pet, Buckerfield's Pet Store, Ruff and Stuff Consignment Pet Supplies, Staples, Wal*Mart, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, Telus Mobility, Simply Computing, and Travel Time RV World. Their support was greatly appreciated!

I must also thank the National Anti-Vivisection Society in Chicago, Illinois for once again believing in the work of Noah's Wish and helping to support our efforts. They have been there for us time and time again and their help is greatly appreciated.

Of course I want to send a very special thanks to "The Noah's Wish Team" that was in Kelowna, which includes:

Amy Booth

Donna Booth

Charlie Crosby - Coordinator (Region 1)

Jane Curtin

Laura Dean

Susan Elfrank

Don Gingras

Rose Gingras

Cheryl Hubbard

Judith Kato

Katherine Kato

Janet Laurin

Pam Legault

Vicky McDonald - Coordinator (Canada)

Diana Miller - Coordinator (Canada)

Gail Moerkerken

Sheryl Riley

Charlene Ruttle

Deborah Silk - Coordinator (Canada)

Carola Stader

Shawne Street

Donna Toews

Donna Wackerbauer - Coordinator (Canada)

There was also the Noah's Wish team that was in Cranbrook, British Columbia poised and ready to respond should the fire near that community necessitate additional evacuations:

Suzette Clark

Kimberly Collings

In closing I would like to share a few more insights from the coordinators and volunteers who helped out in Kelowna in addition to some other people who sent me e-mails about the work Noah's Wish was doing.

►► Laurel Ambrose, Calgary Humane Society Volunteer

As a Calgary, Alberta based volunteer for the humane society, I just want to say, "Good work and thanks so much for coming to Canada and helping us during these horrible fires."

►► Rose Gingras, Noah's Wish Volunteer

Since August 1 my days have been both exhausting and exhilarating. Faces of fear, frustration, worry, and anger are almost constantly before my eyes. Evacuees coming to us feeling helpless and having very little hope left. The experience of watching a family reunited with their pets when they have lost all else is unmatched. The comradeship between our team is amazing as we work together with one common goal in mind, giving each other moral and sometimes physical support to get through the day. Seeing the support from the community whether by simply buying a yellow ribbon to wear, volunteering long hours, or making donations costing sometime hundreds of dollars. I can only stand in awe of what all I have seen. I'm horrified by the devastation and suffering, but thankful at the same time to have been a part of this disaster. I've learned so much in the past few weeks. I suspect it may take months to comprehend it all.

Thank God for what the volunteers at Noah's Wish have been able to accomplish and may we always be there in disasters to continue doing what we do best.

►► Janet Laurin, Noah's Wish Volunteer

I thank Noah's Wish for the opportunity to make a difference. There are many people in the world who would like to do something meaningful but without commitment and guidance many never have the opportunity. Noah's Wish has given me that opportunity. The Noah's Wish team is made up of individual rocks but when you put us all together we are a mountain able to accomplish great things.

►► Marj Lonsdale, Convergent Volunteer

I commend the Noah's Wish team, especially coordinators Barb Hartman and Bev Westerman. The organizational skills and ability of the group to handle stress are commendable. I quite enjoyed working with these professional individuals. They worked long hours in the heat and smoke and still kept a smile on their face. I can not say enough good things about them.

►► Lori Masters, BCSPCA Volunteer

I want to congratulate Noah's Wish on the incredible work you do. While volunteering at the SPCA I observed the great teamwork between your coordinators and volunteers and the SPCA staff and volunteers. The welfare of the animals always came first for your team. I had never heard of Noah's Wish before, but I now have the highest regard for your work. I think your knowledge and experience helped tremendously in this disaster.

►► Gail Moerkerken, Noah's Wish Volunteer

It is difficult to put my thoughts in order right now. I left home on August 8 to volunteer with Noah's Wish in Kamloops. It is now August 30 and I am wrapping up my experience in Kelowna. Both disasters have caused thousands of people and animals to be evacuated. What I have seen in all the victims is fear and a loss of security and that has been hard.

The people of British Columbia have rallied around each other though. Strangers are now friends. Neighbors now know each others names. Families who were once estranged have now been reunited. It has truly been amazing to be witness to all of this.

The countless thank you's, hugs, and warm wishes that have been so generously given have overwhelmed me. I will be forever changed by my experiences of the past month.

I am finding it hard to say goodbye again to another community who has welcomed Noah's Wish with open arms and incredible support. I know I will miss the Noah's Wish team that I have worked with and come to know so well. We have been through so much in the past month, always there for each other at every turn with encouragement, a gentle hug, or a compassionate smile.

I now believe that out of the ash, the Phoenix shall rise!

►► Deborah Silk, Noah's Wish Coordinator

When rescuing animals there are always those moments that bring some much needed comic relief for the Noah's Wish team. During this fire, myself and Noah's Wish coordinator, Charlie Crosby, set out in search of Stanley a long haired grey and white cat. His brother Ollie had been rescued by Noah Wish coordinators Vicki McDonald and Diana Miller the previous day. Ollie's family was delighted that he had survived the fire but they were still worried sick about Stanley.

The challenge in finding Stanley was he could be inside or somewhere outside, thanks to a cat door. With a key to the house we hoped to step through the front door and find Stanley waiting for us. When we arrived in the subdivision of recently built homes, the address we were looking for was 727 South Crest Drive. Thankfully the fire had not touched the homes so we thought we'd have less of a challenge locating Stanley and Ollie's home. We succeeded in finding 724 and 728 but our other choices had yet to have house numbers installed. So, we picked the house we thought was 727.

Before we even tried using the key we discovered the front door was unlocked. After entering the house we were further surprised to find a long haired grey and white cat sprawled out on the couch. It had to be Stanley and we then knew we'd picked the right house. We were ecstatic! Before we could grab Ollie's buddy he jumped off the couch and ran behind a cabinet in the living room. We had a plan for our elusive Stanley though. Charlie positioned herself at one end the cabinet and I took the other end, blocking Stanley's escape routes. With a little coaxing I was finally able to grab him. Secure in my arms, the mad feline was howling to be set loose. But I prevailed. With Stanley secure in a carrier we loaded him into the back of my truck. It was not until then that we noticed for the first time a small sign with a house number on it in the window of the house we'd just left and it was not 727. We had picked the wrong house, but how could that be? What were the odds that two cats that looked exactly alike lived so close to one another.

We found ourselves faced with a real dilemma . . . should we leave the cat or take him with us? The cat we had in the truck had slightly burned paws and he was covered in soot so we made the decision to take him back to the Parkinson Recreation Center and try to figure out who he belonged to. Before we returned to the center we did find the correct house, used the key to get in, but there was no Stanley to be found. We were now even more convinced we had the right cat.

Concerned we might be labeled "catnappers," we were quick to call Stanley and Ollie family upon our return to the center. After explaining our dilemma, they too were puzzled and promised to come to the recreation center as quickly as possible to solve the mystery. While we awaited their arrival we had a veterinarian treat the cat in question.

It wasn't until later that evening that our owners arrived. One look at the long haired grey and white feline and they knew it was their Stanley. After much rejoicing we tried to figure out how Stanley had ended up in the wrong house. We finally decided that because the area was so smokey, Stanley must have gotten mixed up. His house and his kitty door must have looked just like the neighbors. We wondered what he must have thought once he got inside though. It made us wonder if Stanley was not a regular visitor in this home.

I am sure Stanley is still shaking his head wondering how we found him. The only explanation I can give is that 726 South Crest Drive just happened to be where the rainbow ended at that particular moment in time.

►► Rick Simpson, Security Volunteer at Parkinson Recreation Center

As a volunteer assigned to security at the Parkinson Recreation Center I saw a lot. The organized and compassionate response by the Noah's Wish volunteers towards owners and their pets impressed me greatly.

Report submitted by: Terri Crisp - Director, Noah's Wish