"Left behind in New Orleans" - woman and 12 of her 15 cats rescued

[Benbow]

by a retired one-legged mechanic and his airboat.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4215390.stm

Diana Womble could barely speak when Ron Henry and Robyn Mooney found her on Sunday morning, six days after the waters of Lake Pontchartrain poured into New Orleans.

Her house was four feet deep in water, boat the only way to reach it. Mr Henry, a grizzled, one-legged retired mechanic covered in tattoos, piloted his air boat up to her front gate.

"Grab your medicines and let's go - you gotta evacuate," Mr Mooney called.

An emotional Ms Womble appeared at the door. "I have 15 cats," she called to her would-be rescuers. "I can't leave them."

[AtomicKitten]

1. I've been wondering about the pets.

I know they are still rescuing people, but I can't help but wonder what becomes of the poor creatures. And this lady's three cats left behind. Shooting them seems so brutal, but perhaps a better fate than starvation. God help these people and animals. Bush hasn't.

I try to put myself in their shoes. I don't think I could bear to leave my pets behind. I would probably stay too.

[rox63]

2. The Humane Society is trying to rescue animals

From the hurricane zone. You can contribute to their effort at their web site, if you are so inclined: http://www.hsus.org/

[SofaKingLiberal]

9. Are they letting them in yet?

The last I heard they were being kept out of the area.

[The Stranger]

3. If they are alive after the storm hit, pets should survive a few days.

Eventually, people will return and care for them again.

[doodadem]

5. I doubt that.

I heard an interview with a guy this morning that was trying to get word to his family that he'd gotten out, but that he had to leave "Dusty" behind in the attic. I'm assuming poor old Dusty was a dog or a cat.
I've seen alot of clips of dogs trying to keep dog paddling thru the water, and you know they're about to go under from exhaustion. Cats clinging to roofs, or flotsam in the water, and you know they're going to starve to death.
Untold numbers of large animals dead. I saw one interview of a guy coming back to a farm where he raised minature horses, and all their little bodies were laying around drowned. I did see one horse hanging out on someone's front porch, and watching the water go by.
It all makes me very, very sick to my stomach....

[LisaL]

10. Just like you cats and dogs can't live without food and water.

[skids]

4. Pets are a primary reason why many don't "just get out"

...and FEMA and others should know this by now. I've seen at least three separate mentions of poor people in New Orleans who stayed because they could not evacuate with their pets. Newsflash -- pets aren't allowed on a bus, or on an airline. The only way to get them out with you is with personal transportation.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Our cats were why we braved the big ice storm of '98

------------------------------------------------------
Save New Orleans, then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[LisaL]

8. Some people still can't get out because of pets.

Just saw on TV a poor woman sitting down there, crying. She can not leave because she is told she can not take her dog with her, and she refuses to leave the dog. So sad.

[soothsayer]

13. FLA is finally going to open pet-friendly shelters, thank god

Fuck people who don't understand how important pets are.

[expatriate]

7. I've stayed behind with pets in disaster situations.

It never even came to a decision, I knew that if I couldn't take them to safe haven, that I was staying to take care of them.

That isn't to condemn people who do make the decision to leave pets behind. Everyone has a different situation, and sometimes you have to do things that are agonizing. But I never had to endanger anyone but myself to stay with my pets.

Considering that with some notable exceptions, pet animals have treated me better and been far more loving than most of the people in my life have been, I think I would always choose to protect and stay with my pets.

[Atlas Mugged]

11. This, as I've said many times before on this board...

...is a huge issue with me. My pets are very important part of my life.

If anyone wants to donate to the animal rescue, I recommend:

katrina.petfinder.com

They were profiled on MSNBC this morning and I was impressed enough to donate.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

12. Bush: No Child Left Behind, except in New Orleans.

Bush: No Child Left Behind, except in New Orleans.