Like most internet forums, you'll find all types of people here. Please don't let those who can't walk and chew gum get to you. Because they can only do one thing at a time, they assume everyone else is so limited, when actually it is entirely possible to organize to help animals and help people simultaneously. The Coast Guard and other search-and-rescue teams do it all the time.
Besides, if the "people first" crowd would stop and think for a moment, they'd realize that every live animal taken out of the city is one less dead animal left there to add to the contamination.
Not only that, but searchers for animals are going to find people in need of help too, and with some luck, get help for them.