Single update subject today: pets are dying.

[tzikeh]

"Just got email from friend at LSU.  [... the National Guard] have started forcing evacuations with no pets allowed.  Yet another person who was staying [in order to] keep his dogs alive was forceably removed from his home in New Orleans.  Can't supply address, but they're trying to contact SPCA on this."(more here).

"On the flooded streets of New Orleans you can hear the dogs barking for miles. They are trapped -- in houses, on roofs, tied to porches. They are frightened and hungry. For the pets left behind after Hurricane Katrina, relief is on the way, but it's a race against time."(more here)

Call FEMA at (202-646-2763) right now. They are taking names and numbers, petition-style, up to the meeting which is going to determine whether or not animal rescue will continue.

Many, many, MANY links and phone numbers where you can make a difference for the animals left frightened and alone are at the bottom of this blogpost.

These people have nothing left. How much worse will they be if they don't even have their pets?

Three insta-links to get you started:

The Humane Society
ASPCA
Best Friends

And, to offer a little pet cheer, here are some pet rescue stories with happy endings:

Puppy love

Military kitten

And some looting we all can get behind.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated. -- Mahatma Gandhi

Comments

[dragovianknight.livejournal.com]

Linking.

Jesus fucking Christ.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

I just updated the post - now there's a little cheer there for you. Check the latest links at the bottom.

[dragovianknight.livejournal.com]

Thank you for those links.

[killabeez.livejournal.com]

Did it. Thank you, sweetheart. D. gets paid tomorrow and I will send some more $ to HSUS. The woman who answered my call said that they are allowing people to bring their pets now, and that they've been told a rescue convoy from LA SPCA is en route. Don't know if that's more than hearsay or not.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

God I hope they're allowed to bring them now.

also - some cheerful pictures

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

I just updated the post - now there's a little cheer there for you. Check the latest links at the bottom.

[bluster.livejournal.com]

I know that people come first, but damn...part of helping people is helping their beloved pets. Rather than donate money to the Red Cross I donated to HSUS. I can't help but think my money is needed there more.

Thanks for the great links and all the information. It's been really appreciated.

[laddical.livejournal.com]

Can I use your icon?

[bluster.livejournal.com]

Sure!

[laddical.livejournal.com]

Thank you muchly!

[bluster.livejournal.com]

I forgot to mention that it was made by kelliem, so she's the one who should get the credit. Enjoy it!

[par-avion.livejournal.com]

Called. FEMA guy said that it's been worked out, and that animal rescue is continuing, but I left my name & number anyway.

[danceswithwords.livejournal.com]

God, this is so heartbreaking. People who've lost everything shouldn't be forced to leave their pets behind to likely suffering and death.

The dKos post had an update that FEMA had decided in favor of letting people evacuate with their pets. I really hope that's accurate.

[rydra_wong]

Small mercies ...

And I really hope FEMA are telling the truth, because on the evidence so far I don't trust them any further than I could throw them.

victory!

[mecurtin.livejournal.com]

FEMA allows Guard to assist pet rescue (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/8/125125/4588)!

[darthhellokitty.livejournal.com]

EXCELLENT!

This whole thing has made me think about my babies. If we're ever called to evacuate (i.e. Mt St Helens is going to erupt or something), we're leaving right away, and Calvin and Rose are going straight into the car with us. If we have to just not mention them to whatever Motel 6 we go to, well, I think that's OK.

[mzcalypso.livejournal.com]

Most Motel 6's will take animals--at least according to a friend of mine who shows her Shelties. Red Roof Inn is also good for that...

[tazlet.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the post and update.

[mzcalypso.livejournal.com]

A woman at FEMA says there's an article on animal rescue at the CNN website, and they've rescued over 900 animals already.

Now the tough part--finding somewhere for them to live. It would be horrible for them to survive all that only to be put down.

If anything ever happens here, if the little guys don't go--I don't go.

[thebratqueen.livejournal.com]

Can't get a cite but I've heard they nearly made a woman leave her seeing eye dog behind except there was a news crew there that basically shamed them into taking the dog too.

As I say, only getting this via word of mouth but maybe someone with good google-fu can find a source for it.

[dualbunny.livejournal.com]

I called the number, the woman on the phone was very pleasant, told me they are most definitely working to save pets and re-unite them with their owners.

She asked me if my call was about a spam email, I said I supposed it could be. I said I would share what I heard from her with the person I got the email from. So I am. :]

Hopefully she was the real deal, and this is a spam?

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

:) It wasn't spam; it was just happening earlier in the day. They were actually taking names and numbers and walking them into the meeting. luckily, it was resolved that they would continue to assist rescuing animals. I should have updated.

[dualbunny.livejournal.com]

I'd been guessing that from posts I read *after* I called. :] Just didn't want to lose my nerve! Very glad to hear it was resolved well though.

[miraminx.livejournal.com]

Here via a link in killabeez's journal; I just wanted to say that this organization:

United Animal Nations (http://www.uan.org/ears/)

also does a lot of animal rescue work.

[m-jadis.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the information. This is heartbreaking.

Nicking your quote:

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated. -- Mahatma Gandhi"

Thanks for sharing it.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Go right ahead - I didn't say it. ;)