"We know there are wonderful humanitarian organizations that are taking care of critical needs," said Tania Warnock, director of development for the foundation. "But there are some gaps that we can fill, and that's helping with horses. Obviously, humans are everyone's top priority, but we don't want to forget about our animals either."
Several Oklahomans have volunteered their barns for displaced horses or horses that now cannot be kept by their owners.
Warnock said hay and feed shortages and the West Nile virus also are concerns.
Debra Montgomery of Wiggins, Miss., a 30 minute drive from the Gulf Coast, will get a $500 check mailed by the foundation this week.
"We have been blessed with people helping us," Montgomery said, crying. "I cry every day. It's just overwhelming. It's such a blessing to know that people out there are thinking of you."
A tornado spawned from Katrina struck the Montgomery family's 25-stall barn. The twister took off the roof and damaged the stalls, Montgomery said. The couple have more than 20 horses and all but one, Smart Peppy Colonel, survived with just scrapes.
Colonel, a show horse, was found in a neighbor's field across the street the next day. He was found with broken bones and huge cuts across his body.
"It was horrible," Montgomery said. "His right front shoulder was exposed almost to the bone. It was bad."
A friend drove from Florida and took Colonel to a vet in her state. Days later, the veterinarian's office called and told the Montgomerys not to worry about the bill.
An anonymous person picked it up.
West Nile virus is a threat for horses that survived. Warnock said 200 doses of vaccine, valued at $7,000, have been sent to the ravaged area.
Dr. Laurissa Heinz, a Mississippi veterinarian, said the animals are susceptible to disease because of stress.
"Those that are close to the coast have a triple whammy," she said.
Foundation members nationwide volunteered stables for safekeeping.
Doug Milholland of Purcell opened his barn. So far, no one has taken him up on his offer.
"I've been through some tornadoes, and I know what it's like to be devastated and not have anything," he said. "So I just wanted to help out."
