Animals of Katrina Need You

[Boxer*Mom]

You’ve seen the devastation -- it’s all over the news.

According to the Associated Press, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco says, “At first light, the devastation is greater than our worst fears. It's just totally overwhelming.”

Hurricane Katrina has caused widespread devastation. The lives of millions of people have been impacted -- homes flooded, belongings destroyed, and family pets left stranded or worse.

The American Humane Association has deployed our animal emergency responders, and we need your help so they can help as many animals as possible!

Donate

Here’s a sample of heartbreaking stories we’re hearing from the affected areas:

* A 72-year-old woman was forced to evacuate. She had to leave so quickly, she couldn’t round up her three cats. She’s in a remote area and fears help may not get to her for days.
* One woman was away on business when she learned on the news that her town was evacuated. She doesn’t know how to get to her three kittens in her second-floor apartment.

There is massive national response to the needs of the human victims. The American Humane Association, in collaboration with other animal welfare organizations, is responding to the needs of the animal victims.

We cannot do it alone. Please take a moment to donate. We need your help immediately!

For the animals,

Marie Belew Wheatley
President and CEO
https://secure2.convio.net/aha/site..._ID=1044&JServSessionIdr010=rpahtq3vx2.app24a

 

[oriondw]

I dont know... I would never leave my guy.


Hell, we had mandatory evacuations for Charlie last year and we stayed

If we go down, we go down together. Ill pass the link on to few people i know

 

[Renee750il]

I'm the same way, Dmitri. If I have to leave, the dogs go in the car with me. Anyone who doesn't think I can take them with me needs to stick their arm in the car and try to stop me

I'm just glad that there is rescue that cares about the animals though. It's criminal the way people are expected to leave their pets to fend for themselves. That assumes that one life is worth more than another.

 

[BigDog2191]

I'm the same way, Dmitri. If I have to leave, the dogs go in the car with me. Anyone who doesn't think I can take them with me needs to stick their arm in the car and try to stop me

I'm just glad that there is rescue that cares about the animals though. It's criminal the way people are expected to leave their pets to fend for themselves. That assumes that one life is worth more than another.

I agree-- the whole time I thought we'd have mandatory evacuation in my area, I was thinking "there's nooo way I'm leavin' without Rocky!"

 

[Boxer*Mom]

Latest on American Humane's rescue work

http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pa_disaster_relief

 

[frznbuns]

If everyone on Chazhound would donate $10 and all of your doggy friends would donate.. It would make a great difference.. I have donated,, Please donate too!!

 

[Whitedobelover]

so true frzn... and i agree i would never leave my dogs or cats. id leave my hubby before them LOL not to say id leave him but hes a big guy he can find his own way out... for get clothes grab the dogs and their food and lets go!!!!! lol

 

[Boxer*Mom]

If everyone on Chazhound would donate $10 and all of your doggy friends would donate.. It would make a great difference.. I have donated,, Please donate too!!

I'm so glad you did. Any donations from here and there do add up to help make a difference.

 

[bubbatd]

It's so great to know there is help going on for the poor animals .

 

[MyDogsLoveMe]

600 refugees and you will be happy to know their 4 legger furry family members arrived in Utah last night (this is where I live) to be housed at camp williams until they can either go back to New Orleans, find family members to live with or relocate here to Utah. They were so overwhelmed at the genorisity of our fine state. We have so far 5 vets and 2 vet technicians who are donating their time, Petco and Petsmart have donated food, bowls, treats etc. The local humane society has donated kennels and donations pour in. The state of Utah is offering all the services needed to help these souls get back on their feet, new job training, alot of business are opening their doors and offering jobs etc. Right now I couldnt be more proud of where I live than I am today. Utah as a whole has raised over 3 million dollars from telethons, business donations etc for the victims of Katrina. And they keep on giving. I am not tooting my horn but in the wake of the devastating disaster I beem just knowing we are doing what we can to help and now I am off to go through closets to get clothes that we dont use, books I dont read, see what extra toiletries I have and take to local church for delivery to camp williams!!!!

 

[EliNHunter]

Here's a good site

Reporting on the conditions of the shelters and animals. Unfortunately, a S. Miss. shelter had animals drown and even lost one of their staff...

http://www.petfinder.com/disaster/#checkin

 

[EliNHunter]

This makes me sick...

"Butch Upchurch, 38, and his wife, Karen, 41, had about five minutes to leave their home on the western side of New Orleans. They grabbed bank statements, insurance papers and some water and food. Upchurch's mother, his son and two of his nephews squeezed into the car. There was room for one of their dogs, but pit bull CoCo, the larger one, didn't fit. They kissed her goodbye and prayed she would survive."

They chose their own food and water over their own pet while they could drive out of the city and get more food and water. The poor dog couldn't sit on someone's lap? This makes me ILL...

 

[MyDogsLoveMe]

Oh thats to bad about the dog, but unless we are directly in that situation then it is hard to know what we would do. I hope and pray the dog did make it to higher area and did survive. My thoughts are with both the families and the animals. They didnt choose food or water they chose their lives.

 

[EliNHunter]

I can't fathom packing my car with water and food knowing I was going to higher ground and would escape the disaster and live and leave Hunter behind with a kiss "hoping" he would be ok. Even if that dog survives, he's going to be a distressed, hungry, frightened mongrel. So sad...

I can understand those with NO MEANS who were being evacuated by helicopters, etc., and had no choice. These people had a CAR...

 

[bubbatd]

I know I would have done any thing to get him in......make a hole in the trunk for air and put him in there.

 

[EliNHunter]

Or pile their crap on top of their car and take the baby.

 

[MyDogsLoveMe]

Boy I knew I was going to get flack for that comment. Please dont get me wrong I am not agreeing or disagreeing with what happened, I was just trying to also point out that unless I was in that same situation at that time I cant tell you what my state of mind might be or might not. Part of me wishes I could retract but I can not imagine the horror people were going through either being evacuated by car, helicopter, boat or on foot. I have never been in that situation to where I could say how I would react. I could not imagine leaving behind my dogs and rabbits, but I also cant sit here and honestly say what I would do in any disaster situation unless I was there to experience the pain, fear and horror. I see the devastation and pray for those who are missing, those who have passed and that includes the animals whether they be dogs, birds, cows horses etc. Are we going to pass judgment on the ones who couldnt get the livestock or horses, please I am not trying to be a pain in the butt and I imagine I am going to get more flack over this, but like all of you I am just expressing my opinions and feelings. Please let us all remember exactly what was lost in the path of destruction-lives-homes-employment-animals-diginity etc and not pass judgment on those who didnt or were unable to get their entire family including the furry ones or others but sit and pray for those who lost everything

 

[EliNHunter]

I completely understand where you're coming from and that we wouldn't know unless in their shoes. HOWEVER, if I had my own means of transportation to get out of the city, I would certainly make room for my pet and keep the "human food" out only to buy the next state over. I hope they're thinking about their sweet dog while they chomp on their ham sandwiches, that's all...

 

[MyDogsLoveMe]

Eli I understand, but then again like said we dont know how long it took them to even get out of the city, how far they made it and the conditions they encountered. God please I understand like I said my animals along with my rugrats are my kids and god forbid I hope I never ever have to face that decision cause it would break my heart.

 

[EliNHunter]

I hear you... but I still stand on the stance that if you had your own car and means to get out, you chose that your "pet" was disposable while you leave it behind.