Best Friends

Dear Members and Friends,

It’s the worst flood in nearly a century. In southeastern Iowa, they’ve been comparing it to Hurricane Katrina. And right now, Best Friends has been called in by local authorities to save desperate animals stranded on balconies, rooftops and levees.

Some first reports from the field:

Rigby’s family makes a smart move.
When the water started rising, Scott and his family were ordered to evacuate. With just five minutes to get out of the house, they scrambled to move Rigby and her kittens to safety. Would they reach higher ground in time?

>>See how Rigby and her kittens are doing

Hope and high water in the heartland.
A Best Friends swiftwater-trained rescue team has been deployed to the tiny town of Oakville, now under five feet of water. With dogs and cats trapped atop their homes, and frantic farm animals who’ve been targeted after seeking out dry ground, there’s not a moment to lose.

>>Get the latest on the rescue in Iowa’s flood zone

“We got into an area people forgot. The city is like Waterworld.”
That’s what Barb Davis wrote after her first day in the flood zone. A volunteer with the Rapid Response team, Barb shares her “notes from the field” on a Best Friends blog devoted to the Iowa rescue. Read about the devastation of farms and generosity of farmers, and more.

>>Read Barb’s first-day blog post

The race to raise funds for Iowa’s animals.
Driver Andrew Prendeville will donate all proceeds from this weekend’s race to help Best Friends rescue animals in Iowa. And there’s still time to make it the best race: show Andrew you support the animals when you pledge 25¢ per lap or more.

>>Zoom over to Racing Laps and raise funds

You can help the animals in Iowa, and learn more about the rescue:

Volunteer, adopt, foster and more: details on how you can help.

Best Friends Rescue Fund. Donate to help the animals in Iowa.
Spread the word to friends and family when you forward this e-mail.
Together, we can make a difference. When disaster strikes and animals are in trouble, your generous donations save lives. From beloved family pets to barnyard companions, there’s always hope for each of these tender hearts.

Thank you for being there when the animals need you.

Have a good weekend,



Michael Mountain
Best Friends