There have been several books written about animal rescue, and the pets of Katrina in particular. Franny has some great articles on disaster preparation. But the inspirational warm-and-fuzzy stories can become a bit cloying. So when the author Karen O’Toole sent me a copy of her new book, I didn’t want to read it. Reading some books are like eating your vegetables—we know it’s ultimately good for us, and we feel better for having done the right thing. And after reading the intro, I was hooked.
Karen O’Toole’s book is good for pet lovers, on a multitude of levels. Bottom line, it will make us better pet parents.
Pros & Cons
Positives
- Short, easily digestible chapters
- Elegant writing, wonderful author voice
- Lots of high quality, touching photos
- Inspirational anecdotes
- Exhaustive "resources"
- Outstanding “How You Can Help” section
Negatives
- Serious theme
- Mostly “dead pet” essays
- Little to relieve the sad outcomes
- A difficult and not a fun read
Description
- Published by Give A Dog A Bone Press
- Written by Karen O’Toole
- ISBN # 978-0-615-32916-1
Review – Orphans of Katrhina: Inside the World’s Biggest Animal Rescue
This book is a moving, devastating, and uplifting scrapbook of stories, observations and photos from O’Toole’s insider experience of the aftermath. She LIVED the Katrina rescue, camped out for weeks in a parking lot inside the city. After reading the book, you’ll appreciate your pets more and better understand and empathize with those touched by the horrible disaster—and become empowered to make a change.
Karen O’Toole wrote this book in response to the “feel good” reporting of happy pet-owner reunions which—though uplifting—were in reality rare as hen’s teeth. Her book strives to bear witness to the horrendous and needless loss of pet life that took place following the Katrina Hurricane disaster, and to honor the memory of the animals that couldn’t be saved.
Pet owners love their animals. Those who live in disaster-prone areas learn quickly the do’s and don’ts of preparation in case of emergency and evacuation. But wildfires, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes and other dire happenings have a way of screwing up all those best-made plans. There’s a reason it’s called a disaster—but that word falls short when it comes to the devastation that befell the people of New Orleans. You can’t discount the loss of lives, of property, the livelihoods wiped out not by the hurricane itself but the flooding that came after. Owners told to secure their pets safely for a day or so away were instead prevented from returning for months.
Meanwhile, the cats and dogs entombed in flooded homes were left to their own devices. Sewers backed up so drinking water left in toilets and bathtubs for pets was poisoned. Pets confined inside so they’d be safe couldn’t escape. No cell phones, internet, or other communication in the city kept rescuers from knowing where to look. Rescue was hit-or-miss (literally breaking down doors) to sometimes find a miracle, but more often heartbreak. It is these silent screams of the animal victims that continue to haunt many of us, especially their owners and the rescuers. What’s particularly heartbreaking is that many of the people who loved their pets did everything right…yet were blamed for being neglectful!
O’Toole is a gifted writer and story-teller. Anyone who loves animals—cats, dogs, horses, birds, cows and more—can’t helped but be touched by the collection of essays about her experiences at ground zero. I sat with a box of tissues, and literally stopped and sobbed for minutes on end after reading some of these accounts. In particular, those in rescue need to read this book
There were many heroes who sacrificed time, money, and even their health to save the Katrina victims (both human and animal). What comes through clearly is the futility these would-be Good Samaritans experienced. O’Toole and others like her were there illegally, yet had they not gone, fewer animals would have survived. I was particularly struck by her writing about the all-too-rare “Hello Kitties” she encountered…maybe five in a three month period. You see, when disaster strikes, cats hide or run away from rescuers. If they do call out, their tiny voices can’t be heard through walls the way determined dogs bark for help. The rare “Hello Kitty” raced into rescuer’s arms with meows, cheek-rubs, and demands for attention, food, and love.
This is not a book for the faint of heart, but it is an incredibly important book. O’Toole includes a host of “next time” suggestions that would make a life-saving difference, but I can only pray there is no next time. It’s a story I don’t want to know, but any caring animal lover needs to understand—so that it will never happen again. Bless O’Toole and the selfless volunteers for their gift of courage and hope. Now go hug your cats and dogs….