trapped in attics, starving on rooftops, animals wait for rescue, die by the thousands

this was written Tuesday, and an update is below it:

Hurricane Katrina: Trapped in attics, starving on
streets, animals wait for rescue, die by the thousands

Time is running out. Over 2 weeks have passed since
the hurricane hit, and thousands of animals wait,
starving, dehydrated, on rooftops, in attics, on the
streets and in hiding, alone and abandoned. While
animal welfare organizations and volunteers have
undertaken animal rescue, rescuers have faced numerous
obstacles from the National Guard, FEMA and other
agencies. These include being denied entry into
certain areas, and not being allowed to break into
houses despite written requests from pet owners to
rescue the animals trapped inside.

In addition, hundreds of people were rescued from
floodwaters, but forced to leave behind their beloved
animal companions. Many have heard the story of the
dog "Snowball", taken by a police officer from the
arms of a little boy waiting for a bus to the
Astrodome. The boy cried until he vomited.
(http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/09/1765407.php) A
man at the Superdome reported being forced to leave
his cat, understanding that he would be arrested if he
did not. Countless animals were left behind on
rooftops while their owners were rescued by boat.
Others, who were able, refused to leave behind their
animals, only to face armed police and threats of
arrest later when the mandatory evacuation order was
issued. Many of these pet owners are poor, and were
unable to evacuate the city prior to the hurricane.


Public pressure helped lift the ban on animals on
evacuation buses, but this came several days too late.
In some areas, the army is now assisting in rescue,
but it is unclear as to whether this is policy or if
this is a voluntary effort of a small number of
soldiers. Many National Guard soldiers have been
upset at the order to specifically not rescue animals.
Other law enforcement has not been so kind, as a
sheriff in the town of St. Bernards Parish was caught
on videotape shooting stranded dogs in the street
(http://neworleans.indymedia.org/news/2005/09/4919_comment.php#5109).


Rescue efforts continue, and volunteers are leaving
food and water for animals in the street, and trying
to leave food in as many houses as possible where
animals are witnessed or reported, to keep them alive
until their owners are able to return or they can be
rescued.

Those wishing to donate money or time, or to see
updates on rescue efforts, see: http://www.bestfriends.org,
http://www.pasadosafehaven.org, http://www.noahswish.org.

Animal advocates also urge that people call the
following people/agencies, urging that animal rescue
be made a priority:

President Bush: 202-456-1111 comments [at] whitehouse.gov,
president [at] whitehouse.gov
General Honore: 404-469-7281
Gov. Blanco: 866-310-7617
LA Coast Guard: 225-376-5000
Homeland Security: (202) 282-8495
FEMA: (202) 646-2168

US Coast Guard: 1-800-323-7233
Army National Guard: 1-800-464-8273(?)

http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/09/1766930.php

i just posted a bunch of #s to call on the newswire,
so link to that if you want from the story if you use
it.