I am not surprised by Anderson Cooper 360: Reporter's Notebook that animals are being up in large numbers because of the oil spill.
He writes that we hear about pelicans and sea turtles, but not so much about dogs or cats. However, as people lose their jobs and/or their homes - in places all around America, the pets lose out. Ana Zorilla, of the Louisiana SPCA showed Cooper that her shelter is filled with give-ups, and I've heard that's now true elsewhere in the Gulf region. But Anderson didn't didn't tell the whole story. What he may not have thought about are all the animals just dumped, mostly cats, but dogs too...Animals simply discarded in the woods or even on city streets.
Zorrilla told Cooper that when some families come in to turn in
their pets they can hardly bring themselves to say it's because of the
spill. She says they are just too torn up. She says she'd like BP to
help to may for some of the bills and help keep the family pet at home
instead of at the shelters. She would like BP to pay for pet food and
veterinary expenses so families can stay intact.
BP - where are you? Keeping families in tact, you'd think that might be a priority. My goal is for this piece for be forwarded enough so BP can see it.
(Thank you Anderson Cooper)
Del Monte Foods has donated 20 tons of dog food to help gulf area families keep their beloved pets. Much more help is needed, of course. The people in this area have barely recovered from Katrina, and the oil spill has devastated so many once again. There are waiting lists of people who can no longer keep their pets and are waiting for space in the over crowded shelters to relinquish them. Gulf area shelters are reaching out to rescue groups across the country to pull animals so they don't have to euthanize. Unfortunately, due to the economy, we are all over-full as well. Thanks to Anderson Cooper for helping to spread the word as he did after the hurricanes. Once again, the animals are affected by far-reaching consequences of this disaster. Hopefully, more large corporations will step up to donate and help keep pets in their homes with their families.
I'd just like to add that if these people had received timely payouts as promised by BP, perhaps they would not have had to break their own hearts and spirits by giving up a family member.
JT, I had not heard about De Monte had done....20 tons, wow? You'd figure I'd hear about that...Mary, you are right, I BP lived up to what they were supposed to do perhaps families would have deeper resources.