Posted on 09/09/2005 9:50:11 PM PDT by corbie
We had two teams out on boats on Thursday. Troy Snow has written about his crew in an earlier posting. Ours was similar, so Ill keep this brief.
Our team was me and Dr. Debbie Rykoff DVM. Also aboard and helping out was a crew from the Salt Lake Tribune. Leah Hogsten took photos for the Trib and gave these to us. (Thanks, Leah.)
The thing I want to say is simply that there are thousands upon thousands of animals stuck out here, on car roofs, on porches, cats on roofs of houses. We saw no other animal rescue orgs anywhere. I know theyre all doing good work on the peripheries but, oh man you see and hear these fluff pieces on TV of people being reunited with their pets, and you look around out here on the boats at this vast, endless wasteland of toxic water and animals hanging on, 11 days after the hurricane, and their time is running out.
The only other boat we saw yesterday was an airboat from Fish & Game. They were scouting the ground behind. Rumors are theyre beginning to shoot the animals today. I believe these stories are now true. Thats whats going to be happening.
These animals only have days at most, and are clinging to life. They are the forgotten ones. Theyre emaciated, starved, dehydrated. Literally water water everywhere and not a drop to drink. Dr. Debbie revives them in the boat as they start to lose consciousness. Gives them fluids. All those we took yesterday have survived.
Keep us in your prayers,
Paul.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bestfriends.org ...
Bless you for your efforts. Sadly, I believe that animals fall into a secondary position from humans. After all living people are helped, and all human remains are recovered; I would support starting an effort to help living animals. Sorry.
For your Doggieping List
I would put live animals before human remains.
If that were the real choice, of course you are right. The reality is, there is rarely such a choice between the two... let each all forward and help as their talents allow. Rescuers of people and animals alike.
I read last night that the navy has set up a kennel and has been picking up as many animals as they can while searching for survivors.
And for those which cannot be rescued, this may be the most merciful thing.
God bless these little babies, and God bless those who must decide.
http://www.bestfriends.org/
Praying for the people and the animals. God's mercy is unlimited.
Sadly, we all know that a certain percentage of the hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid, designed to help people, will go to waste.
I hope that folks worried about humans (and that includes all of the animal lovers on FR) will not begrudge the monies we pet lovers donate to help these innocent critters.
There's also an organization, called Take The Lead, that is currently working to aid those involved in the sport of dogs get their lives back together.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.