Emergency Animal Rescue Stories: One Woman’s Dedication ... (ISBN 0761563547)

All About What Really Matters- Animal Rescue:
While this book might not contain as many fuzzy, feel-good, heartstring-tuggers as Crisp's earlier book, Out of Harm's Way, I think her second effort measures up just as well to her first. This book features stories from disasters that didn't generate as much press and also focuses on the nitty gritty of animal rescue work- she describes some of the dangers, the politics, the risks, and the disappointments. The book isn't intended to be a bunny-hugging Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul- it serves as an eye-opening introduction to the difficult but ultimately satisfying world of animal rescue, written by a true trailblazer in the field. Recommended (and inspiring) reading for anyone considering volunteering for EARS.

Stay Away:
The El Dorado Hills Telegraph Tuesday, April 10, 2007 11:56 AM PDT Noah's Wish, an organization devoted to helping animal disaster victims, has closed down. The non-profit is being investigated for misuse of funds. Philip Wood/The Telegraph Employees, volunteers open up as charity shuts down By: Cheri March El Dorado Hills-based Noah's Wish, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping animal disaster victims, has closed its doors amid an ongoing investigation by the California Attorney General. But not before many former volunteers and employees reportedly walked off the job. "I decided to leave Noah's Wish in December 2006 because I was absolutely disgusted with (founder) Terri Crisp," said Patricia Jones, former media director for the nonprofit. Jones would comment further due to the ongoing investigation by the California Attorney General. Founder Terri Crisp started Noah's Wish in 2002, but the nonprofit gained national recognition for its animal rescue efforts during Hurricane Katrina in late 2005. Former workers say there is no doubt that Noah's Wish helped animals in Slidell, Louisiana after Katrina, but allege mishandling of funds led to an investigation into founder Crisp. According to a 2005 audit, Noah's Wish generated $8 million in donations after Katrina, but spent just over $1 million on disaster relief efforts. In January 2006, Crisp told media that Noah's Wish had received only $5 million in donations. However, 2005 tax return forms stated less than $2 million of Noah's Wish funding was restricted, meaning only that amount was delegated specifically towards Katrina relief work. Because the bulk of the money was paid via PayPal, donors could not indicate how their funds were to be used-leaving spending up to the charity's discretion. Former employees pointed out Crisp's alleged lavish spending of company money: brand-new vehicles, plasma television sets for Crisp's office, and a $5,000 painting commissioned by artist Dan Rojas for the nonprofit's office. The organization has allegedly not responded to a disaster since Katrina, yet continued to solicit funds. In a letter to Noah's Wish partners dated February 2007, Crisp asked for help, calling preparing for future disasters increasingly challenging. "It's natural to assume the time to support us is during disasters, but there are funding needs everyday," she said. "In order to sustain our mission between disasters, an ongoing source of funding is imperative." Former workers also report favoritism for relatives and family friends within the organization. In late 2005, Crisp appointed her daughter Chief Operations Officer. The daughter is also listed as a board member on the group's 990. Other board members included Crisp's cousin, Crisp's daughter's fiancée, as well as another married couple. A statement on the Noah's Wish Web site said that as of March 28, Crisp was no longer associated with the group. The site also acknowledged the investigation, indicating restricted funds as a source of inquiry. "The California Attorney General has taken the position that certain funds donated to Noah's Wish during this period, and its immediate aftermath, are restricted and may only be used for the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina, rather than the animal victims of other disasters or for general disaster preparedness," the statement read. "Noah's Wish disagrees with the Attorney General's position with respect to those funds, but is working cooperatively with the Attorney General toward a timely resolution of the dispute." The nonprofit said it has set aside disputed funds and agreed not to use those funds pending final resolution of the investigation. Due to lack of funding, Noah's Wish ceased operations early this month. "As a former volunteer and employee all I can say is the public and volunteers were constantly praising Noah's Wish for being so organized, so on the ball," said a former worker who wished to remain anonymous. "If this is true, how could the organization not know the laws pertaining to non profit organizations donations?" In an email sent to staff, Crisp defended the nonprofit's spending. "So, ask yourself, if you were an organization who started to receive an avalanche of donations and it became apparent pretty soon after the mail started to arrive that there was going to be enough money to pay the expenses for that disaster, what would you do with the donations that continued to come in? Send them back? Tell people to quit sending money? This was the dilemma we faced." Phone and email messages left for Noah's Wish last week were not returned. Founder Terri Crisp could not be reached for comment. The Attorney General's office could not comment on the investigation, said an office spokeswoman.

Recommended:
Emergency Animal Rescue Stories looks at how disasters affect rescuers behind-the-scenes. I found it a particular poignant point by Terri Crisp to illustrate the enthusiasm of new volunteers in the field and the devastation felt by all rescuers when they find they cannot help every animal. I appreciated Crisp's candor in sharing her experiences with the reader. By selecting a wide variety of disasters that did not get much media attention, Terri Crisp shows how EARS responds to disasters, how they work during a disaster, and the people they encounter. I found that reading the 'human' side of things in a book for animal lovers helped me understand that in order for EARS to be successful, they have to take into account what happens to the people (both owners and the rescuers) when animals are lost, killed, or found. By the end of the book, it becomes quite obvious that the life of a rescuer is extremely hard--physically and emotionally. Whether you're an animal lover or not, you'll find from reading the book that animals affect people no matter what. Like some of the other reviewers, I was not a big fan of Crisp's writing style because the narrative voice and the dialogues seem stiff and forced for the most part. However, when she focuses on a specific rescue during a disaster, the writing smoothes itself out, and I find myself immersed in the narrative. I haven't read Out of Harm's Way yet but judging from comments by other reviewers, I suspect it focuses more on animal rescue stories which could be why it was better written. I look forward to reading it and other books by Terri published in the future.

An inspiration.:
Terri Crisp is an amazing woman who inspired me and many other people to get involved in animal disaster work. She laid the groundwork for the animal disaster relief movement. Terri's dedication, in spite of vicious attacks from petty people, continues to inspire. I'm sure that mistakes were made during Katrina. That was pretty much the status quo for every relief organization involved in the effort, animal related or not. And these animal organizations, sadly, all fight against each other. I'll never understand it when they all claim to have the same goal. It is such a waste of time and resources.

A Wonderful Book:
This is a great book....inspiring, diverse, a roller-coaster of emotions for me...the people who dedicate their lives to rescuing animals in disasters deserve high-praise...I live in south Florida and have been thru more hurricanes than I can count...so I understand what it takes to form a team and go into the disaster-torn area, never knowing what you will find...and these people, heroes all, do it gladly.