By Ginger Kozlowski
Staff Writer

While the devastation of Hurricane Katrina hit far from New Hampshire, residents here have an opportunity to make a difference for some of the storm's furry victims - dogs and cats rescued in New Orleans.

Sherry Morrall of Hopkinton, founder of Puppy Angels, went to Louisiana earlier this month. "We were asked to take dogs from the hurricane," she said. "We transported back 32 dogs and four cats."

Kristina Masson, co-manager of The Barking Dog kennel in Hooksett, hugs Clancy, a dog she thinks is a beagle mix. The kennel is housing several dogs rescued from neighborhoods hit by Hurricane Katrina, and will be receiving more pets in the coming weeks. Those interested in helping can adopt a dog, foster a dog or donate money. Dogs can also be found on www.puppyangels. com, along with an application form. All the pets brought to New Hampshire from the South are being spayed or neutered and given the necessary vaccinations. (Ginger Kozlowski Photo)

Some of those dogs are staying at The Barking Dog in Hooksett. Kristina Masson, co-manager of the kennel, said they have already taken about a dozen applications to adopt the dogs, but more dogs are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

"Some were found in houses," said Masson, "some were tied up, others in the streets."

Though they don't know much more about the dogs than where they were found, every effort has been made to reunite the dogs and cats with their owners before they were sent out of state, said Morrall.

"As of Dec. 4, 90 days from the hurricane, they legally become ours," she said.

It's unlikely anyone would claim the pets at this point, but it is possible, said Morrall, so rescuers are asking people to foster the pets for a while before officially adopting them.

"A lot of those people who are displaced don't necessarily have access to the Internet and that sort of thing" to find their pets, she said. However, most of the owners are in a situation where they can't take the pets back and have surrendered them.

"One poodle that we had, the family left just enough food and water for two days," said Morrall. "The dog was alone for six weeks. It was probably a dog that should weigh 22 pounds - it weighed 6. Most were heartworm positive. We took one of the most beautiful German shepherds with a broken leg.”

She noted that the animals are wonderful dogs, but may still suffer from the stress of the storm and being separated from their families.

Money and foster care are the best ways to help, she said, though adopting dogs is also helpful. Adoption costs $150 to cover the costs of transportation, vaccinations and spaying or neutering. Those wishing to adopt will go through a review to guarantee the animals are placed in an appropriate home.

Call 759-8787 or e-mail puppy_angels@hotmail.com. You can also apply for a dog through the Puppy Angels Web site – puppyangels.com.