Help hurricane Katrina victims with a donation

There are times we all have to be thankful for what we have and open our hearts and wallets for those in need. The true scope of hurricane Katrina's damage won't be known for days, but it is clear there is and will be much suffering for many people and pets in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. We've donated money to the Red Cross (whose site is clearly being overwhelmed by people wanting to make a donation) and Humane Society and we'd ask you to consider your own donation.

If you're interested, here are some trustworthy sites through which you may make a donation:

• Red Cross
• Network for Good
• US Humane Society Diaster Relief Fund
• Salvation Army
• Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Many of these Web sites are operating slowly today because of traffic from others who wish to donate, so please stay patient.

There is also a unique site that has been launched to try to match those in need of shelter with those who have it to offer. Not sure how much it can help in the short-run since the Katrina victims don't have electricity or access to the Internet, but it can't hurt to share the site: http://www.shelterforkatrina.org/.