Hurricane Katrina animal relief - ways you can help

Here is a list of some groups that are helping:

•The Disaster Animal Response Team of Tampa Bay (DART) and the Society for the Protection of Animals in conjuction with Federal Wolf Dog Rescue, Lost Wolf Rescue and Dog Lovers: The Ultimate Dog Store are collecting pet relief items to be transported to the Gulf Coast.

Donations will be accepted through the end of this month, one shipment has already gone north.

All donations are tax deductible, forms are on-hand. Suggested items are: pet food (dog, cat, bird, horse), cat litter, collars, leashes, blankets, towels, sheets, metal crates and airline kennels (all sizes), bowls, muzzles and paper towels.

Dog Lovers: The Ultimate Dog Store, 14330 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, contact Penny Midulla at (813) 962-8646, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

• The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Tampa Bay is collecting supplies. The SPCA and volunteers from the Disaster Animal Response Team are in Hattiesburg, Miss., to help displaced animals.

Needed supplies include medium and large crates, disposable rubber gloves, liquid hand soap, paper towels, garbage bags, canned puppy food, bleach, cat litter, scoops for litter, leashes, collars, harnesses, blankets, dish soap, cleaning supplies, brushes, food bowls and food for guinea pigs, mice and other pocket pets. For a complete list, go to www.spcatampabay.org.

Bring supplies or send checks designated for "Hurricane Katrina Relief" to SPCA Tampa Bay, 9099 130th Ave. N., Largo FL 33773-1441. For information, call (727) 586-3591.

• Emergency Animal Rescue Service is sending volunteers into disaster areas to help tend to lost and abandoned animals. It also is accepting donations. For information, go to www.uan.org.

• The Humane Society of United States Disaster Relief Fund's Animal Response Teams are working with state officials, federal agencies, and other organizations to evacuate animals out of the worst areas. They are preparing to establish pet-friendly shelters and deliver supplies, resources and medical assistance. To help, go to www.hsus.org.

• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is accepting donations to help hurricane-damaged communities rebuild their animal shelters. To make a donation, call (866) 275-3923.

• Best Friends Animal Society is reuniting people with pets that were lost or left behind during Hurricane Katrina. Call (435) 644-3965, Ext. 4455, or e-mail hurricane@bestfriends.org. To volunteer, go to www.bestfriends.org or call (435) 644-3965, Ext. 4242. To make a donation, call (435) 644-2001 and tell the operator you want to make a donation.

• The American Kennel Club its affiliated organization, AKC Companion Animal Recovery, is working with member and licensed clubs in hurricane-stricken states and the American Veterinary Medical Association to determine where shelters and staging areas will be established so that supplies and assistance can be provided. The AKC is shipping crates, exercise pens, and food and water bowls.

Dog clubs, shelters or individuals in need of assistance or that want to help, can call the AKC at (800) 252-7894.

Tax-deductible donations also may be sent to the AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund, American Kennel Club, 260 Madison Ave., Fourth Floor, New York NY 10016-2401

• North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington, N.Y., will transport animals from overcrowded shelters to its shelter. For details, call 1-877-472-3738 or see www.nsalamerica.org.

• Noah's Wish, a national organization dedicated to helping animals during disasters, has a rescue team in Louisiana. To learn how to help, go to www.noahswish. org.

• Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine's Animal Evacuation and Recovery Plan for New Orleans is accepting financial donations to support efforts to house, treat and feed displaced animals. To help, go to www.vetmed.lsu.edu.

• Alley Cat Allies, a national nonprofit clearinghouse for information on feral and stray cats, is working to help cats displaced by the hurricane. To help, go to www.alleycat.org.