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September 6, 2005, 5:30 p.m.: PETA Asks Lt. Gen. Honore to Allow Companion-Animal Rescues
We have learned that animal rescuers are still being kept out of affected areas in Mississippi. According to humane officials on the ground there, authorities continue to deny requests to enter these areas to help animals. Mississippi residents are reportedly desperate for food for cats, dogs, and horses. Many horses were apparently injured by flying debris as Katrina came ashore, and many strays are evidently running around southern Mississippi.
Today, PETA sent a letter to Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, commander of the First U.S. Army and the official in charge in New Orleans, asking him to issue an order to his subordinates that will allow animal protection groups into the area and desperate Americans to evacuate with their animals.
As we wrote on Sunday evening, many have been told that they cannot take their animal companions—often all they have left of their lives—when evacuating and that they must thus abandon the animals they care for deeply.
It was announced today that the Senate's Homeland Security Committee, chaired by Senators Susan Collins and Joe Lieberman, intends to investigate the response to the disaster by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). We will soon be asking these and other officials to make federal policies pertaining to animals in these disasters a top priority of their investigation. Check back for updates on what you can do!
And in an update that may give hope to many of you, the Associated Press reported that the New Orleans boy ordered to abandon his dog, Snowball, when evacuating the city last week may soon be reunited with his companion.
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PETA's House Government Reform Committee Testimony
Heroes of the Storm
Stars Urge Officials to Take Action to Protect Animals in Disasters in PETA Ad
Read the Latest News From the Gulf Coast
Listen to PETA's Reports From New Orleans
Watch Footage of PETA's Life-Saving Work
See Pictures of PETA's Rescue Work
