How To Help The Displaced
Pets Of Hurricane Katrina
by:
Hannah Chastain
The temporary shelters are filled and the
pets left behind by victims of Hurricane
Katrina are turning up in shelters and Humane
Societies across the South.
Many rescuers have stopped trying to find
the dogs and cats, and have opted to just
leave food and water for the unlucky thousands
of animals trying to survive.
The Atlanta Humane Society is currently
housing pets that belong to Hurricane Katrina
evacuees in the Atlanta area and is offering
free medical assistance to any evacuee pet in
need.
The Arizona Humane Society is in New
Orleans trying to help provide for the pets
left behind.
“It’s very dire,” Kim Noetzel told Reuters
News Service. Noetzel is the marketing
director for the Arizona Humane Society and
the organization is doing everything it can to
help the displaced dogs and cats affected by
Hurricane Katrina.
We all can help too.
The Atlanta Humane society is accepting
donations for its relief efforts on its
website, www.atlantahumane.org.
PetSmart Charities Rescue is providing
specially designed vehicles to transport dogs
and cats from hurricane-ravaged areas into
safety. Over 150 animals have been saved by
the rescue effort from one of the largest pet
store chains in the country.
Those who want to help PetSmart’s efforts
can maketax-deductable donations by calling
1-800-423-PETS or visiting
www.petsmartcharities.org.
Petfinder.com has set up a database to
help reunite pets left behind by the disaster
as well as try to find home for pets without
one. The database, according to the website,
features the following:
- A place where displaced hurricane
victims post the locations of their pets so
that rescuers can go in and save them.
- Rescuers post the descriptions and
photos of pets they find.
- Volunteers post their offers of foster
care for displaced pets.
Petfinder.com also has an area where those
who want to help can make a donation to help
support the
Petfinder.com Foundation Disaster Fund.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, an
estimated 30,000 pets have been left homeless
by Hurricane Katrina. Helping websites like
www.katrinafoundpets.com, can help reunite
loved ones with the furry friends they had to
leave behind.
