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Hurricane Katrina: Campaign Urges National Animal Organizations to Spend the Millions Raised to Help Family Pets, as Intended

Thousands of Needy Pets Awaiting Rescue Still Roam New Orleans and the Gulf Coast

KANAB, Utah, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Three months after Hurricane Katrina, thousands of homeless pets still cling to life on the streets, waiting to be rescued, according to an assessment revealed by Best Friends Animal Society today.

The organization, which runs the nation's largest companion animal sanctuary, is launching a petition drive on behalf of these pets and their displaced families.

"Compassionate citizens have already given their money to this cause. Now we're asking them to give their voices, too, by signing a petition to ensure that these dogs and cats in the Gulf Coast region are not abandoned and that donated money be spent for what it was intended," said Paul Berry, Best Friends' director of operations.

Most national organizations suspended rescue operations over a month ago. But three months after the hurricane, independent rescuers report that thousands of displaced pets, belonging to people who have lost their homes, are still clinging to life, and that their situation is critical. Many of these pets are in destroyed and abandoned areas where food sources such as garbage cans are not available, and many of the structures these pets are using for shelter will soon be bulldozed.

"We've been working on the frontlines of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts since late August, and have not given up," said Berry. "Our emergency rescue shelter outside of New Orleans still has up to 600 animals on any given day and brings in up to 40 animals a day from volunteer rescuers who continue to work in the field."

Berry said the Best Friends assessment, which was conducted last week, has confirmed some urgent and disturbing facts about the ongoing need for rescue efforts. The report (http://www.bestfriends.org) cites interviews with local animal control officials, veterinarians, rescue agencies, and volunteers across the region.

"People all over the country donated tens of millions of dollars to rescue these animals," said Berry. "All it takes now is a commitment from the animal welfare organizations to finish the job they undertook."

That commitment includes:

* Providing volunteers to continue rescuing displaced pets still alive on
the streets, encouraging volunteers to continue rescuing pets still
alive on the streets, and providing staging areas to get them to safety
* Conducting a national adoption drive for all pets not reclaimed by their
families

"Working together, we can do better than simply allowing these pets who have clung to life for so long to become the next generation of strays who will reproduce and ultimately be euthanized," said Berry.

Best Friends is asking everyone who donated money to the rescue effort to sign a petition urging national animal welfare organizations to continue the rescue work as long as these traumatized family pets are still alive.

"We are inspired by Mayor Nagin's plan to rebuild a better New Orleans," said Berry, who is a native New Orleanian. "If funds remain after the rescue efforts are complete, they should be used to build a better New Orleans for companion animals. Once the remaining pets are safe, we can join together to invest in programs that will radically improve the quality of life for animals in the Gulf Coast region."

These programs would include:

* Low-cost, high-volume spay/neuter facilities
* Neighborhood no-kill sheltering and adoption capabilities
* Affordable health care for pets of low-income families
* Model legislation to end dog fighting and related animal abuse

"This was an unprecedented tragedy for people and their pets," said Berry. "But for local humane groups, once the rescue efforts are complete it can now be a unique opportunity to create a new reality for companion animals.

"So many people have given their time, effort, and money to the cause. Now they all need to add their voice to how the remaining money should be spent. That's why we're launching a petition drive to support this vision for the animals."

For a copy of the report and to join the petition drive, please go to http://www.bestfriends.org.

About Best Friends Animal Society

Best Friends Animal Society is working with shelters and rescue groups nationwide to bring about a time when there will be no more homeless pets. Best Friends operates the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless animals, provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs, and publishes Best Friends, the nation's largest general-interest animal magazine.

"A better world through kindness to animals"