What is the future of our furry friends left from Katrina?

[AJE]

Anyone who has ever loved an animal would understand the horror: Hurricane Katrina left untold thousands of cats, dogs and other pets wandering debris-strewn streets, floating in floodwaters and trapped in houses, abandoned during the confusion and evacuation. Katrina's four-legged victims seem utterly alone, either left behind on purpose or turned away from evacuation buses. “We hear them barking from abandoned homes, we see them stranded on rooftops, and wandering the streets barely able to keep their heads above water,” said one reporter in New Orleans. Working with local animal shelters and government offices, animal welfare groups have sent teams to help save pets from the danger zone and reunite them with their owners.

I am interested in hearing from the bubbler family about this topic. Feel free to add any comments, concerns or links.

-- American Humane Association: www.americanhumane.org, (303) 792-9900

-- ASPCA: www.aspca.org, (866) 275-3923; report lost or found pets at disaster@aspca.org

-- Best Friends Animal Society: www.bestfriends.org, (435) 644-2001; report lost or found pets at (435) 644-3965, Ext. 4455 or hurricane@bestfriends.org

-- Humane Society of the United States: www.hsus.org, (888) 259-5431

-- Noah's Wish: www.noahswish.org; report lost or found pets at (530) 622-9313 or info@noahswish.org

--Pet911 www.pets911.com

--Petfinder.com

[talleyJudy]

For really entertaining, interesting, informational reading, I suggest

"Out of Harm's Way" by Terri Crisp

Terri Crisp is the founder and director of http://www.noahs-wish.org

Look for this book in your Public Library, and if they do not have it, they can get it for you through InterLibrary Loan.

Read the book, examine the web site, and then do as your heart and head moves you.

[andy]

I hope people don't get too swept up in the moment and take pets that they aren't prepared to care for.