When Hurricane Sandy hit and I heard Mayor Bloomberg say that local shelters here in New York were accepting pets, I let out a sigh of relief. Seeing the faces of beloved pets left behind in the aftermath of Katrina are images that I will never forget, so I was grateful that no one was faced with the impossible decision of having to save themselves, or leave their homes without their furry family members.
However, many companion animals did get separated, with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reporting that New York City and Long Island shelters have taken in almost 400 animals. As we are all sadly aware, our shelters simply do not have the room to accommodate such a disaster in a kill state. That is why it is imperative we support all the shelters in our area who have to contend with people who continue to buy from breeders and pet stores instead of saving a life by visiting the city shelters such as Manhattan’s Animal Care and Control.
While my prayers go out to all affected by this natural disaster, the thought of homeless animals in cold, dark shelters breaks my heart. Please go to your local shelters and offer to volunteer to walk, feed and give some human touch and comfort to the animals who so desperately need it. Ask your local shelter what supplies they need. Most shelters are in desperate need of towels, flashlights, pet food, blankets and of course, donations.
I urge you to support some of my local favorite shelters:
Or the bigger charities:
The animals thank you and I thank you.
To donate to animal rescue efforts, visit the website of the Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA.
