Yes it is so heartbreaking to see those pets suffering; a lot of them have owners out there somewhere who would be missing them too. Its awfully sad.
At least most people understand what's happening to them. Those poor animals are not quite wild, yet not quite human. Instincts will take over and they will be fine as long as they are running loose—for a while. But then something will have to be done.
I keep wondering what I would do in that situation. My first responsibility is to my children, so I would probably have to leave the pets behind in order to ensure a dry, safe place for them. That makes it even sadder.