Posted on 09/02/2005 8:30:43 AM PDT by Iluvlabs not libs
September 2, 2005 -- Thousands of abandoned pets are on the brink of drowning or dying of thirst as a result of Hurricane Katrina, and many more are feared dead, animal-rescue groups said yesterday. Despite very limited access to evacuated areas, rescue efforts have begun, with teams from FEMA, Noah's Wish and the Humane Society racing against time.
Many people who ended up in shelters were forced to leave their pets behind because the Red Cross and the Louisiana Superdome don't allow animals.
"I'm guessing we're going to have tens of thousands of animals affected," said Dick Green, manager of animal emergency services for the American Humane Association. "There are literally thousands of animals in New Orleans alone stuck in homes . . . going without water. They don't have food. Every day that goes on, the situation worsens."
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
And I have to say, if I were doing rescues down there, I would be plucking up a kitty here and a dog there. What is wrong with that?
Not to mention the fact that the humans had the ability to leave, and for whatever reason chose to stay. The pets had no choice. They are suffering because of their owners.
Now before anyone freaks out on me, I am not saying the animals are more important.
But we can do both. And believe it or not, there are people who would rather donate to save innocent animals rather than humans. So what.
In the end, it doesn't matter what I think, or what any of us type on a forum.
Give money to whatever organization you want. Just do something.
[Freepmail me to get on or off the Kitty Ping List.]
HSUS has their wacky elements.... they are, though, sometimes the primary animal shelter provider in many areas. They are doing the work that needs done, whether some in their midst are screwed up or not.
Animal rescuers will be, at minimum, another set of eyes and ears to HELP FIND humans, even if they don't have the right kind of equipment to save humans.
Then they can let the Coast Guard, National Guard etc. know where to find them by pinpointing the humans' locations.
And this is all being done with PRIVATE money, with privately supplied equipment, and with volunteers. Why would you want to stop them - or even more absurdly, punish them?
21 posted on 09/02/2005 11:41:01 AM EDT by shhrubbery! (The 'right to choose' = The right to choose death --for somebody else.)
I agree Shhrubbery
I never said anything about donations. I only said that if any rescue efforts are made right now to save animals when people are still dying, that those engaging in the animal rescue should be prosecuted.
>Did any of you geniuses stop to think that thousands of rotting carcasses of dogs, cats, horses and livestock is going to add to the toxic soup of the flood waters?<
Good point. Also, although we don't want to admit it, people (especially the elderly and very young) will be endangered by packs of starving dogs in the coming days.
Those who wish to donate, can go to the AKC website,
http://www.akc.org/
They've worked in hurricane areas before, with very good success.
PETA is a con. Most of the money collected goes into massive salaries and more fund raising. The rest may well be split as you said.
Once Reggie and Sheba are taken care of, though, I'd gladly help the human victims who aren't trying to kill me. All of this after helping the humans whom I know and love, of course (wife, daughter, close friends, etc.) But then I'm a selfish bastard in the finest Randian tradition.
I don't know when it was decided, or by who.
I consider myself a conservative Republican, and have plenty of compassion for the plight of the pets that were left behind.
I don't have to brag about my efforts in public.
You radio or otherwise notify someone who is ready and prepared to take people. They're different resources and different skill sets. The tunnel vision that says there is only ONE important job in this effort is misguided. In a tragedy this huge there are many things that have to happen at the same time.
Saving dogs and cats when it is possible might save the few things that some of these people have left. I am no bleeding heart but when I saw the films of one small dog on a car begging for someone to pick him up, I can't describe my feelings.
I listened to the story of one Gulfport survivor that lost everything but found his dog on his neighbor's roof. All he could do was cry and hug his dog
No one in their right minds would put pets above animals, but if there is any way at all, as many pets should be saved.
Money for dogs while people are dying? Talk about misplaced priorities. Get real.
I saw a sea lion that must have come from the aquarium. People were using buckets to put water over him.
The dogs & cats will need our help too. But, what about the gators....who will help them?
But you do have to criticize the efforts of others in public?
You tell em!!!! Yes it is important to save the lives of humans, yet it is us humans who domesticated animals and we are reponsible for them as well.
I've taken in my share of stray pets lost after hurricanes/floods in my area and will do it to the best of my ability when another hurricane comes my way.
People who don't care about animals or saving their lives shouldn't care about a thread posted for those of us who do.
You're being ridiculous. Animal rescuers are trained to rescue animals. They are NOT necessarily competent to lift a 250 pound woman off a roof. And imagine the lawsuits if they even tried.
We have thousands and thousands of trained human rescue personnel at the ready to rescue humans (as well as billions and billions of our taxpayer dollars ready to throw at them). There is NO SHORTAGE of help for humans -- the problem is getting to help TO the victims.
Whatever the limitations of the animal rescuers, I'll bet, as someone posted above, that these volunteers will be able to help save some HUMAN babies.
Please answer this question: How is having volunteer, privately funded, highly trained animal rescuers going to HURT the effort to rescue humans?
Never heard of them before this. Hope they're good.
To leave people that need help so you can rescue animals is criminal behavior in this state of emergency.
If animal rescuers have a boat or helicopter, they have the equipment to save people. Period.
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