Katrina's aftermath will leave pets homeless

[astonamous]

There will be thousands of abandoned animals left behind after hurricane Katrina. These animals were either left behind or separated from their owners. There are people heading down to help with their rescue and will be needing supplies, money and homes for the animals. Please go to the link for more information and ways you can help. http://www.uan.org/

[jean]

1. not pets, but Gulfport dolphins were taken care of - - -

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/12506683.htm
Posted on Mon, Aug. 29, 2005



Dolphins spend hurricane in Gulfport hotel pool


Associated Press

GULFPORT, Miss. - Three dolphins from the beachside Marine Life park were moved to a local hotel pool to weather Hurricane Katrina.

The dolphins - Katelin, Cayenne and Jonah - usually live in a shallow water tank. They were moved to the Best Western in Gulfport because they needed to be at a higher elevation, said one of their keepers, Dr. Moby Solangi.

Before the storm moved inland Monday, the hotel's human guests enjoyed watching the dolphins.

"I love them. This is my first time ever seeing them this close," said Earlean Winters, who has lived on the Mississippi coast 38 years.

This isn't the first time the sea animals have been hotel guests. Solangi said during any hurricane threat, they are taken to various area hotel swimming pools until danger passes.

[astonamous]

2. Yes they did.

When I first saw that on the news, I thought it was a strange thing to do because of the chlorine. But what do I know?

I guess the animal shelters in the area got all the animals relocated a couple of days ago.

[freeplessinseattle]

3. that was my first thought too, anyone know about the effect of

chlorine?

[Incitatus]

4. I don't think it matters as much since they breathe air

Here is a little info

CAPTIVITY SHORTENS LIVES
According to studies, captive dolphins may only live one-fifth as long as dolphins in the wild, who can live up to 40 years. Captive dolphins are often subjected to large doses of chlorine which is needed to keep their tanks sterile. This irritates their eyes and skin and can cause death from chlorine poisoning. Other fatalities may occur from heart failure attributed to stress, attacks by other dolphins in overcrowded conditions and suicide by ramming the walls of the pool. They are also at risk from ingesting foreign matter dropped into their pools by spectators. Some dolphinaria use physical (food reduction) and psychological (solitary confinement) punishments as a training method.

http://www.animalsaustralia.org/default2.asp?idL1=1273&idL2=1307

[faithnotgreed]

5. louisiana spca (friesander had a good thread about this the other day)

im sending a donation

thank you for posting this also