Maybe the print is too small, but I can't find 'animal rescue' in the federal charter...
Posted on 09/16/2005 1:50:14 PM PDT by sinkspur
On Wednesday, one of our Disaster Animal Response Teams in New Orleans rescued a St. Bernard from a rooftop – a dog they described as the most emaciated animal they had ever seen in all their years of handling animals. The veterinarian who treated the dog was shocked that the animal, who weighed just 40 pounds, was still alive.
Who helped us rescue this animal? It was several National Guardsmen, who heeded our rescuers’ pleas to take them through the water on a tank so they could get up on the roof to save the dog.
But the troops’ actions were not ordered by the National Guard – nor by the White House, the Defense Department, the Department of Homeland Security, or the state of Louisiana. In fact, despite our repeated requests, none of these entities has formally agreed to marshal their ground forces to help rescue the pets and other animals slowly starving to death in the affected areas.
At a press conference just a few hours ago, I implored the federal government to come up with the nation's first animal rescue plan. Now, I am writing to ask you to give them the same message: Please call or email President Bush and other officials today and urge them to help us before it’s too late.
Time is running out for these animals. Every hour that passes means more pets, locked behind closed doors in the disaster zone, will die of starvation. Our teams are working as hard as they can to reach as many pets as they can - and as we reported to you on Wednesday, we’ve rescued thousands. But there are thousands more.
At this 11th hour, when so many lives are at stake, we are asking you to help. I urge you to contact these government officials today and ask them to help rescue animals before it is too late. Please click here to call or send an email to President Bush and other federal and state officials who have the power to order National Guardsmen and other responders to assist with food drops, help supply our own operations, and do whatever else it takes to save animals.
One of our rescuers said it best: “We should not have to rely on the compassionate instincts of individual Guardsmen to rescue these animals. We need the full commitment of the government.”
Members of Congress have also been calling on President Bush and the federal agencies to actively assist with direct animal rescue. With most of the human victims of the catastrophe removed from the city, it’s not too late to save animals’ lives. It’s time for the government to recognize the incredible bond between people and their pets, and step in to help.
On behalf of the animals and our disaster teams, thank you.
Sincerely,
Wayne Pacelle President & CEO The Humane Society of the United States
P.S. Do you have a question about our disaster response for animals? Then please read our frequently asked questions. If you don’t find your answer there, then call us at 1-800-HUMANE-1 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern time, or reply to this email (disaster@hsus.org) with the topic of your question identified in the subject line. Thank you!
It is time for the National Guard and military, which apparently have some time on their hands, to assist in the effort to rescue animals.
e-mailing and BUMPING
For your lists.
I am going to email peta. I am sure they will get right on it.
Doing the same....
Where's PETA?
Your objection is noted. Thanks for bumping the thread.
Your objection is noted. Thanks for bumping the thread.
This may be just me, but if I evacuated my home, my dog would go with me. I would never leave my animal like that.
I lived in Houston for 20 years, and every year you went through hurricane season. I was there for Alicia.
No running water, no electricity after Alicia taught me alot about being prepared. One thing I kept was a list of things so dear to me that, if I were required to evacuate, I would want to save these few things. It would have taken only a few minutes to gather up all those things.
The some humans acted like animals or worse.
While I sent money to other areas my two teenage daughters felt for the animals and send some of their hard earned money to an animal operation down there.
Still waiting for PETA to launch a major operation of their volunteers into the area. Oh, thats right, no big news shots or money in that.
Every one of those animals that has had the fortitude to survive this long should have whatever assisstance is available...
I hope someone "on-site" will mobilize a concerted effort.
here, i'll help you out:
"You are an evil, meanspirited person for not wanting the government to rescue these poor,defenseless animals! You care more about a few measly tax dollars than you do about these poor kitties and puppies that will die horrible deaths if the federal government doesn't spend millions of dollars to rescue them!"
Ah, principles that blow away whenever the image of a 'suffering kitty' enters their minds.
Actually,
I think PETA should be called out here.
ALL the money they collect to 'save the animals'.
Well, where are they?
"It is time for those of us who have much to share with those who have nothing."
You can share all you want. Just don't pee on the constitution for your 'pet' causes.
A word of dissension here...
These military are for the most part national guard troops, away from their jobs and their families are suffering income loss every day they are away. Every day they wade around in the sewer that is New Orleans puts them at greater risk. I don't think this is why we train and equip an army.
Since the humane society wants to "volunteer" our troops for this duty, maybe its time for them to volunteer their own members and their own time and their own money and their own expertise.
/curmudgeon mode off
/flame proof suit on
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