|
|
 |
|
|
Join the Discussion
|
We have to remind ourselves that this is not like the fires, floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes that EARS has responded to in the past. In addition to this being a human created disaster it is also a crime scene. Great efforts are being made to secure evidence to ensure that those responsible for this terriorist act are brought to justice. This is one of the reasons, access to the area is being restricted.
In addition, human safety is a major concern. There are still buildings near the World Trade Center that are at risk of collapsing. With the number of fire fighters and police officers already killed in the act of responding, extraordinary safeguards are in place to prevent any further loss of lives. Unskilled people will not be allowed into the area.
We do know that people have been escorted by the police to their homes and animals have been retrieved. I wish I could give you the specific numbers, but there is no organized way at this time to gather this information. Unfortunately, in a disaster there is a lot going on, with a lot of different people and organizations involved, so it's unlikely we will realize anytime soon the full impact of this disaster on the animals.
HOSTGARY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dateline September 14, 2001
 Today is a day of prayer and remembrance, for the innocent victims of the inhuman crimes that occurred in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania on 9/11/01, and for the courageous rescue workers who still risk their lives in the hopes of finding live victims amongst the wreckage. While those brave men and women search rubble, we search our souls to find meaning in our loss, but lacking meaning, we reach out to grab the hands of those closest to us, whether they be loved ones or strangers. There are those who thought this kind of disaster would bring us to our knees. They are right, in part, as today we are on our knees in prayer; but, believe me, we will rise again and be stronger than ever in our solidarity and determination that this kind of unspeakable act will never again be perpetrated upon the Land we love; the Country we love; or the People we love.
The airplane "bombings" of the twin towers of the WTC in New York, the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania, are horrifying and mind-numbing, and the toll of human life is heart-wrenching. As we have watched these tragedies unfold, the thoughts of many animal lovers have also turned to compassion for the poor cats and dogs left homeless, through an owner who will never return, or regrettably being left behind when another owner was ordered to evacuate an apartment.
Fortunately, there are groups who make this kind of concern their business, and they unfailingly rise to the forefront to help creatures who cannot help themselves. With a lot of help from friends, here are resources for people who have lost animals, or for people who just want to help.
The ASPCA
"As of late Monday afternoon, the ASPCA's command center moved from the
disaster area to the society's headquarters at 92nd street in Manhattan.
ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement agents are still available to assist in the
rescue of stranded animals, and any animals in need of care will be
treated at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.
In addition, pet owners may call to report their pets as abandoned. The number is (212) 876-7700 x4PET. An ASPCA Law Enforcement Officer will be dispatched from the command center and escort pet owners to the location of their pet. The ASPCA has coordinated efforts with the New York City government and will be assisted by the New York City Parks Department to gain access to buildings."
(Pet owners will need to provide a photo and proof of address.)
Update 9/20/01
For more information on what the ASPCA is doing to help the animals
impacted by the disaster--and to see photos of these rescue efforts--visit
http://www.aspca.org. Readers interested in contributing to the ASPCA
Disaster Relief Fund may do so online at our site; donations can also be
sent to the ASPCA Disaster Relief Fund, 424 East 92nd St., New York, NY
10128, and will be gladly accepted at (212) 876-7700 x4516 or 4515. And
tri-state area residents, take note--please inform us of any pets whose
owners are missing by calling our emergency hotline at (212) 876-7700 x4PET.
web site.
Hudson County Animal League
P.O. Box 3589
Jersey City NJ 07303
201-200-1008
http://www.hcalnj.org
As soon as we make sure all pets are safe in the Hudson County area, we will use our resources to assist the shelters and rescue groups in South Manhattan with fostering, supplies etc.
According to Ms. Mollis, the HCAL has full plans to shelter homeless animals from NJ and southern Manhattan. Donations can be sent to the above address; checks should be made out to Hudson County Animal League.
EARS (Emergency Animal Rescue Service)
"I know that all of us are in shock over what is happening in the country right now. It is hard to comprehend how many lives will be affected by this tragedy. Of course the focus right now is to help and protect people, but naturally all of us can't help but wonder how animals will be affected by what is currently unfolding in New York City and Washington, D.C."
Terri Crisp, EARS Director
Manhattan Center for Animal Care & Control
24 hour hotline: 212-722-3620
Brooklyn Center For Animal Care & Control
2336 Linden
Blvd.
Brooklyn, N.Y
718-272-7200
www.nycacc.org
(These two are "kill" shelters, so check here first for missing pets.)
Other Emergency Rescue Groups
(I do not have any more information about the activities of these groups, so it's best to call first.)
Bide-a-Wee
410
East 38th Street, NYC
212-532-4455
Hearts & Homes for Homeless Dogs
4810
Surf Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, 11224
Mel & Roseanne - Rescue dogs available
718-372-2794
e-mail: luckycanine@yahoo.com
Fund For Animals Have-a-Heart Clinic
355 West 52 Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues)
New York
212-977-6877
Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition
253 Wythe Ave Brooklyn, N.Y. 11211
718-486-7489
Email Lists Unite
While we all mourn the loss of human life and watch in awe the heroism of untold thousands of firefighters, police officers, Port Authority workers, and other volunteers, animal organizations remind us to remember also the animals who are secondary victims of this despicable act of war.
As we deeply mourn the loss of so many
lives, grieve the end of our collective innocence and reflect on our sense of
shaken security, let us take a moment to remember the cherished animals of
those lost in the attack. The little ones who lived with the victims of this
despicable act of terrorism will wait patiently, in countless homes and
apartments, for those they love, but who will never return. As we send our
caring thoughts to the victims families so devastated by this national
tragedy, let us remember the loyal animals whose lives were also changed
forever. Let us hope that those who lived with a single victim will not be
forgotten or lost in the chaos, but will be moved into homes where they will
receive the love so violently taken from them - as their dear, late human
companions would have wished.
In solidarity,
Susan Duncan
Pet Loss Research Center If you know anyone, or
anyone who knows anyone, who worked for or with, or was related to anyone
who worked for or with anyone who was victimized by yesterday's attack, you
should "spread the word" that a network stands ready to broadcast to the
rescue "nation" that these pets need assistance. We encourage landlords
whose tenants might have been involved in this tragedy to check the homes of
these individuals to see if they left an animal that needs care, and friends
and neighbors to pound on doors and listen for squawks and woofs and meows
of need.
Thank you.
Siamese Rescue
In closing, I must regrettably mention one warning. There are heartless, cruel people who will take advantage of the innate goodness in all of us to respond to catastrophes such as we face by digging into our pockets. I urge you to use care in your donations, that they reach the proper agencies. Do not respond to email requests for money unless you are knowledgeable of the source. Do not respond to phone requests for donations. Be generous in giving blood to the American Red Cross, and whatever money you can afford to legitimate organizations, but be very careful out there. For links to donation sites, or how you can otherwise help, see the sidebar. By reaching out with our hands across America, and across the world, we will get through this.
Next page > Updated Info 9/20/01 > Page 1, 2
| About Cats Chatroom: |
|
|
|
Subscribe to Feline Fine, the About Cats Newsletter |
|
|
| Frannycats.guide@about.com |
Copyright ©1997 - 2001 Franny Syufy
Licensed to About.com |
|
