Animal Rescue and Katrina

[zipo]

With the outpouring of aid to the victims of Katrina, I wanted to make sure we didn't forget about the animals affected by this tragedy.

Many people form intense emotional bonds to their pets, and the rescue of these animals will have great beneficial effects beyond saving the animals themselves, as those reunited with pets they were forced to abandon in the flood will have their grief and healing greatly facilitated.

Here's a link to the Humane Society disaster relief fund, or google if you prefer for similar efforts - I hope it's not considered spam under the circumstances.

https://secure.hsus.org/01/disaster_relief_fund_2005

In no way is this meant to diminish or detract from the human suffering wrought by Katrina - and it's not meant to start a debate about the value of human vs animal life. This is just an attempt at addressing another aspect of this vast catastrophe in a positive way.

[Colonel Kataffy]

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In no way is this meant to diminish or detract from the human suffering wrought by Katrina - and it's not meant to start a debate about the value of human vs animal life. This is just an attempt at addressing another aspect of this vast catastrophe in a positive way.

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I know you don't want it to be a human vs. animal value debate, but...given limited resources, it is.

[zipo]

>>I know you don't want it to be a human vs. animal value debate, but...given limited resources, it is.<<

Well, chewing gum and walking at the same time also involves competition for limited resources, in a sense. And most of us can manage that /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Colonel Kataffy]

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Well, chewing gum and walking at the same time also involves competition for limited resources, in a sense. And most of us can manage that

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Sadly, the current administration can only chew a fraction of the gum, thus they shouldn't even think of walking.

It saddens me that there has not been enough effort and resources dedicated to the saving of pets. Humans cannot have fulfilling lives without their animal friends and buddies.

[OtisTheMarsupial]

Zipo, I agree with you. This is not humans vs. animals.

1. Animal aid can be human aid because animals comfort people. Human victims of Katrina shouldn't have to lose their pets as well as their homes.

2. Humans have federal funding, donations from US citizens, donations from non-US citizens, and International Aid. The animals don't have as much being offered to them. They are not provided for through tax dollars and such. ALL they have is our donations.

3. Many people will donate to both causes. Some will split thir donation, but many will simply double it.

[zipo]

Great points mushu and otis - thanks.

>>3. Many people will donate to both causes. Some will split thir donation, but many will simply double it.<<

Exactly what happened with my wife and I. Our first donation was to the American Red Cross. Then as we were made aware we made another to the Humane Society.

[xniNja]

Just an opinion, but I disagree. There's a very real difference between human and animal "aid." This goes without saying, but every dollar going to look for a dog or cat doesn't go towards the man, woman, or child. I can mildly appreciate the comfort and such a pet provides their owner, but you'd need a better argument to convince me it's anywhere near the same level of significance as the peoples lives themselves.

[OtisTheMarsupial]

Evacuees anguished at leaving pets behind (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/04/katrina.pets.ap/index.html)

[lozen]

Making a little boy leave his dog behind as he gets on a bus. If it was me i would not get on the bus. My dog is my child.

[zipo]

>>Making a little boy leave his dog behind as he gets on a bus. If it was me i would not get on the bus. My dog is my child. <<

Agreed. My wife and I had made donations to both the Red Cross and the Humane Society over the last two days. However, after hearing the callous responses of some posters about this issue, any additional donations will be made to the humane society, period.

Many, many people and governments and resources are being devoted to the human tragedy Katrina has wrought. Now, dog/cat people need to directly give to dogs/cats via the appropriate agencies.

[TransientR]

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Just an opinion, but I disagree. There's a very real difference between human and animal "aid." This goes without saying, but every dollar going to look for a dog or cat doesn't go towards the man, woman, or child. I can mildly appreciate the comfort and such a pet provides their owner, but you'd need a better argument to convince me it's anywhere near the same level of significance as the peoples lives themselves.

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You don't know much about people and their pets then. Guaranteed people died in New Orleans because they were unwilling to abandon their pets. You might think that is foolish, but people can have a stronger attachment to their pets than their house.

Knowing their pet is alive may well give some despairing people the will to live.

Frank

[El Barto]

What about the rats?

How many street rats have drowned in this flood?

Can't we save the rats?

[OtisTheMarsupial]

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...the callous responses of some posters about this issue...

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You know, I have a lot of faith in people. Sometimes too much. I just really hope these posters grow up a little and develop some compassion.