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Basset Hound Rescue Network has an urgent need for a 15,000-Watt generator. The shelter is in the high desert in Acton, a remote area in Southern CA. They were snow in on 12/17/08 with blizzard. One cannot see his hands in front of his face.
The shelter is in the high desert area. They are NOT in the mountain area.They have an average of 70 basset hounds and mix.
"On December 17, 2008, a major snow storm brought in by the unusual extreme Arctic Weather. Our region was hit with snow blizzard, and with an extreme wind at 50 mph , and gusts at 75 mph. IT WAS FREEZING! POWER WAS OUT. FROZEN WATER PIPES & PUMPS BURST. Two well water pumps burst, due to no power. Water tank also burst a subterranean pipe – which drained the tank overnight. Pipes burst, because the water was sitting in the freezing temperature areas for long to form significant ice crystals. We had no power, no heat in the kennels, no running water. Help cannot reach us. Water truck could not come in. Road closed."
As of 9:30 AM today 12/19/08, they are on #2 day with no water. Everything is frozen. Power is off and on. They still use Dial up modem to communicate with "outside world". No flushing water for toilet. Guess shelter workers use plastic bags for toilet. Back to the old days, except the shelter has no "outhouse" and Sears catalog.
Founder sent me an e mail and said: We are on day #2 of no water - melting snow for the hounds to drink as we are still frozen aorund here, hopefully that will change today - but the melt is not happening as fast as we would like. We still have 3' of snow on our road and yesterday the neighbors bulldozer broke in the drift so its stuff right in the middle of our road, lol. Figures."
We have Arctic Weather in Southern CA!!!!
In times like these, the power goes out and that means there is no electricity to run the pumps for water (so no water either) , no way to heat the kennels, and all the other things that one might take for granite with power!
A generator can make a big difference to this rescue, out in the boonies, where help cannot reach them!
We are talking about non-paved road full of snow, slip N' slide, "You are on your own for a while till someone can get to you" situation. Communication with land line is in/out. Dial up modem (Yes, dial up) is also in/out without power. Hope you get the picture.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts.
1st UPDATE: . As of today December 23, 2008 @ 11am, the shelter still has no RUNNING water. Power has been restored.
The parts for the damaged water pumps are in order for the tune of $450. They have a small generator on loan from a dealer in Saugus at $20/hour when we use it, and $5/day as “standby”.
They have 50 portable gallons of water in one gallon water jug/each to supply water to animals for drinking.
Next storm forecasts is on Chrismas Eve!
2nd UPDATE - Christmas day . "An arctic storm hit us here at Daphneyland and left 3-5 FEET of snow.Knocking out power, bursting pipes and blocking our road for 4 days - no running water for 7 days. We were completely self-sufficient for those 7 days due to sheer determination and emergency planning. We are still recovering and have another storm upon us tonight - Christmas.
2 weeks prior to this storm, a female basset named Holly. She was an owner surrendered by being driven up to the ranch unannounced. Not wanting harm to befall her - we took her in. We called our vet to schedule a spay, but as she showed every sign of being in heat, we were advised to wait until December 18 for the spay, so that her cycle was completed, thereby not complicating the spay.
Holly timing was not great due to the blizzard. Power ins and outs and caring for 100 hounds precluded any attempt to get her to the vet. Gestation is 60-62 days - not of huge concern, or so we thought.
Tuesday Holly's milk came in and yesterday Holly "dropped" - meaning the pups we were unaware of, entered are preparing to make an appearance here at the shelter.
Holly's temp is at 99.4 - we are told we can expect delivery within 12 hours of 99.0 - We will have a bunch of puppies. OK. Some of us won't be able to sleep tending to Holly and her up coming pups.
As you know, puppies are not cheap to whelp and a million things can go wrong. If everything goes right, we have puppy shots, deworming, spay & neuter, wellness visits, food and supplements.
Help us name the up coming Blizzard Pups - once they whelp I'll post them - then we can play "Guess who Daddy might have been"
Update on 1/23/2009: The brand new 15,000 Watts generator arrived to the shelter today.
Update on Blizzard Pups: 3/8//2009: All 8 pups were born on 1/7/09: two males and six females. They are ready to be adopted. Check out their bios and pictures here http://www.bassetrescuenetwork.org/AvaiableDogs.aspx
Thank you all. You are the best!
Ha Adolfo
Rescuer's Helper
www.rescuershelper.com
E-mail: info@rescuershelper
Phone: 1-323-325-2712