Yesterday I posted this diary to bring attention to the organizations and agencies that were working to help the animal victims of Katrina.
Unfortunately my diary was hijacked by someone who felt the need to accuse me, and everyone posting within it, of being bigots and racists - thats right, racists - for even suggesting that animals deserved assistance in this disaster along with humans.
Obviously this produced a firestorm of accusations and counteraccusations that were in no way productive to the matters at hand.
While I understand the hijacker's anger and frustration at the mounting human tragedy and devastation unfolding in the city of New Orleans, not one person in my diary suggested that the people of that great city go without the help that they were desperate for. No one suggested that assisting animal victims held precedence over helping human victims. In fact, they were saying the opposite. My diary even opened with this statement:
While we are all horrified and disgusted at the human tragedy and continued devastation that is taking place in the great city of New Orleans, and all along the southern coastline, there is another tragedy taking place that is also affecting thousands of innocents. The animal victims of Katrina.
A vast majority of the members of this community were just as disturbed and passionate about saving the poor people of New Orleans as the hijacker claimed to be. Most had already helped profusely and have continued to contribute and offer assistance to that cause.
But unfortunately, the attempt was made to twist the call to also save other innocent lives, (animals in this case), into an issue of race, which it was not. There have always been calls to save helpless animals during disasters. For example, during 9/11, animal aid organizations were searching for and saving helpless pets trapped in the buildings surrounding ground zero, while hundreds of other aid agencies came to the rescue of the human victims. No one called the animal rescue workers racist.
As the richest, most diverse nation in the world, I believe we have the capacity to help all innocent life in times of disaster.
Anyone who has ever worked with animals or owned a pet knows of the unconditional love and comfort that they provide. They know of the intelligence that they possess, of the strong emotions, including pain and loss that they can feel. They know of the help and assistance provided by aid and rescue dogs.
They also deserve our help.
Having said that, I am again going to post the links to animal aids organizations, so that those who wish to help can do so. I encourage others to post additional aid agencies, including state and local agencies, that are working to help this additional need in this great and devasting catastrophe.
What You Can Do
Contributions and other offers of aid and support can be made through the following agencies and organizations:
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
Visit their Web Site
Make a Disaster Relief Donation
You can get a web banner, linking to the HSUS Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, for your own web site or blog here:
http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/hurricane_katrina_donation_banners.html
AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY
Visit their Web Site
Make a Disaster Relief Donation
ASPCA
Visit their Web Site
Make a Disaster Relief Donation
AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL FOUNDATION
Visit their Web Site
Make a Disaster Relief Donation
PETCO FOUNDATION
Make a Disaster Relief Donation
BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY
Visit their Web Site
Make a Disaster Relief Donation
NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMERICA
Visit their Web Site
Make a Disaster Relief Donation
NOAH'S WISH
Visit their Web Site
Make a Disaster Relief Donation
UNITED ANIMAL NATIONS
Visit their Web Site
Make a Disaster Relief Donation