As the last human victims were brought to safety, the empty streets of New Orleans began to echo with new cries for help.  Frantic yelps from a supposedly empty house.  A lonely meow.  In some areas, even a whinny or a cheep.  Left behind when their owners fled, the animals were starving, frightened, and desperate.
    Authorities estimate over 50,000 animals were abandoned in Louisiana and Mississippi when Katrina struck.  Because shelters and evacuation units refused to take animals, owners were forced to leave their pets behind.  Some left food and water and hung “ANIMAL INSIDE” signs on their homes, praying rescuers would help their pets.  Others, not wanting their pet to starve or drown, actually authorized rescuers to shoot their animal.
    Humane Society volunteers and Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams are working around the clock to find all the pets left behind.  The Katrina effort is the largest animal rescue effort ever in the United States. But time is running out.  While thousands of animals have been rescued, many thousands more remain missing or have already perished.

    Even after animals are rescued, their odyssey is not over.  Many animals are suffering from starvation, dehydration, injuries, and illnesses from being in the contaminated waters.  Rescue workers photograph each animal with the hope that it can later be reunited with its owner.  Each pet is then bathed for decontamination, given any needed medical treatment, and fed.  Many pets were being temporarily housed in the Louisiana State University Expo Center, before being transferred to shelters and foster homes throughout the United States.
    Sadly, many owners will never be able to reunite with their pets.  Homeless and destitute themselves, these owners are simply grateful to hear that their pet ended up in a safe and loving place.
 

    Dogs and cats are not the only animal victims of Katrina.  Many farms were devastated by the winds and flooding.  Animals trapped in barns may have perished from heat and fumes.  Others were left without food or water.  Horses and mules that pulled carriages for tourists now roam downtown New Orleans.  And while New Orleans’ zoo was safe on high ground, several aquariums were flooded and lost many animals.  In the days following the hurricane, sea lions and dolphins were being pulled from the flood waters.
 

    Dwight, Pine Bluff, and Lakewood Animal Hospitals are teaming with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation to raise money to help the helpless.  The clinics will match every dollar donated, to $1000.  Then, the American Veterinary Medical Association will match our contribution.  That means every dollar you donate becomes $4 to help the animals!
    Donations will help purchase needed medical supplies, pay for rescue and transport of animals, and help arrange foster and adoptive homes for pets.  Collection jars are available in each clinic.
At press time, over $1000 has already been raised!