I need to find a place to tuck this before it's lost forever.
There has been some remembrance online about the months and months of hurricane rescue work during and after hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, and Rita (and one other I think - must look it up). I was plonked behind my computer on the landing for the majority of every day. I was a connector and communicator, not a database builder, but I had the privilege and amazement of watching a handful of insanely dedicated Petfinder developers (all working from their own homes day and night) build the Animal Emergency Response Network in real time, scrolling down the right side of my screen in a software called Groove (the best communication software I've experienced, beating the hell out of Slack and other, IMO).
AERN is long gone (publicly). But I found an ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans) page that still has the steps to use it to connect lost and found pets back with their people - even people who relocated thousands of miles away because their homes and entire neighborhoods were destroyed. Our tiny Petfinder team and self-appointed Stealth Volunteers helped connect pets and people - especially those who didn't have internet access 20 years ago - for months, even years. The AERN was taken down (and I think reactivated once for a Florida hurricane) and maintained for future emergencies. But then PF was sold to first one huge company and then another, and that amazing tool was sidelined. I'm sure it probably lives on still on some developer's hard drive (and you know who you are). And then I thought to check the Wayback Machine to take a screenshot:
From ARNO (most of the links are lost to time)
Search Petharbor and Petfinder
These web sites are updated frequently with information on rescued pets and their whereabouts.
Make a Petfinder’s Emergency Database (AERN) Lost Report
Provide owner’s current contact info and complete description of animal and address where animal last seen, so if other groups rescue your animal, there is the best chance to locate and match animal with owner. Petfinder.com 1-800-485-5152
Steps to making a “lost” record in Petfinder’s Emergency database (AERN):
1. Go to http://disaster.petfinder.com/emergency/
2. Click on: My Pets Need Help, I’ve LOST My Pet
3. Form opens in window. This is a long form. Most crucial information that MUST BE in the record to make it usable:
A. Animal Type (Dog/Cat)
B. Breed (select from list)
C. Gender (Male or Female, and whether animal is fixed)
D. Color, markings, special info: write good description of animal
E. Address info for where animal last seen (street, city, zip)
F. Owner name and CURRENT contact info
G. If possible add photo to record. Call 1-800-485-5152 for help.
4. Owners should make note of the Petfinder Record ID they have created, to assist in communications with shelters.
Local Petco stores have internet kiosks where owners can check Petfinder to see if they can locate their animal, and they could also make a “lost” record at Petfinder through this interface.
