Whitehouse Alert for Animals in NO-Tues 11/22

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Whitehouse Alert for Animals in NO-Tues 11/22

THIS HAS BEEN MADE EASY. PLEASE HELP KATRINA'S FORGOTTEN!

 

Phone Numbers

 

Comments: 202-456-1111

Switchboard: 202-456-1414

FAX: 202-456-2461

 

TTY/TDD

 

Comments: 202-456-6213

Visitors Office: 202-456-2121

E-Mail Please send your comments to comments.

 

Due to the large volume of e-mail received, the White House cannot

respond to every message. For further up-to-date information on

Presidential initiatives, current events, and topics of interest to

you, please continue to use the White House website.

 

Vice President Richard Cheney: vice_president

Sample letter and talking points follow below.

 

Sample letter and petition-

 

1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

Phone: (202) 456-1414

Fax: (202) 456-2461

 

E-mail: president

 

Dear President Bush:

 

Traumatized by Hurricane Katrina, massive flooding, and months of

existing without human care, they wander the streets by the thousands.

Fighting illness and injury, they escaped their homes when doors and

windows blew open. Lost, confused and terrified, every waking moment

is spent desperately searching for enough food and water to survive

one more day. Untold numbers of them are dying often right beside the

food and water bowls left by a handful of remaining rescuers who could

not refill them in time.

 

I am reminding you of Katrina's Forgotten, the companion animals left

behind when evacuees were forced to leave without them. For a short

time, they were the focus of intense national attention. Volunteers

and large animal protection groups mobilized to rescue them and

massive shelters were set up for their care. Three months have passed.

Only a handful of committed volunteers continue to rescue.

 

Louisiana has announced it has moved from rescue to recovery and

outside help with animal rescue is no longer needed or welcome. Even

though there are areas with no active animal control agencies,

functioning animal shelters or needed resources, the state of

Louisiana claims the animal rescue operation is over and local

authorities can handle the problem. As a result, Louisiana Governor

Kathleen Blanco, acting on the advice of Assistant State Veterinarian

Martha Littlefield, has refused to extend the executive order giving

out-of-state veterinarians the right to practice in Louisiana. The

order expired October 25, 2005. Rescuers are being threatened with

arrest if they attempt to feed animals in Orleans Parish. Out-of-state

veterinarians willing to volunteer their services to help are being

told that to do so could mean jail time and thousands of dollars in fines.

 

The animal crisis remains and as bad as the situation is now, in six

months it will be even worse. Despite horrific conditions, the animals

are still breeding. Only a small percentage of pets have been spayed

or neutered, and rescuers are reporting frequent sightings of new

puppies and kittens. Animal advocacy groups would like to help and

have plans for an immediate, large-scale spay and neuter program for

the pets of Louisiana. Necessary to this effort are dozens of

veterinarians experienced with high-volume surgery and many

out-of-state veterinarians have agreed to help, free of charge.

Additionally, the advocacy groups have not found any in-state

veterinarians able to participate in high-volume spay/neuter program.

 

We have a moral and ethical responsibility to feed, treat and find

homes for the thousands of pets struggling to survive. We are

requesting that you intervene and extend the executive order giving

out-of-state veterinarians the right to practice in Louisiana.

Families who have lost everything are counting on your help to reunite

them with Katrina's Forgotten.

 

For the families and pets who lost each other, we thank you,

 

Please include this petition in any/all written correspondence~~~not

only as an opportunity for more signatures, but mainly so they will

see just how many people really DO care!

 

 

" Why is Compassion Illegal in Louisiana? " petition at

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/740552969

 

General " Talking Points "

 

General " talking points " for calls or letters to the Whitehouse:

 

I'm calling (or writing) today regarding the current ban on animal

rescue in Louisiana, ordered by Governor Kathleen Blanco upon the

advice of Assistant State Veterinarian, Dr. Martha Littlefield. Dr.

Littlefield has no rescue " field " experience nor has she visited any

of the Parish's disaster zones to witness first-hand, the need to

extend the executive order that will allow out of state vets and

professionals to practice within the state of Louisiana. Governor

Blanco is being ill-advised into beliving her state can handle the

remaining thousands of animals left on the streets, hiding, fearful

and dying by the hour of dehydration and starvation. The essence of

this problem began when Governor Blanco imposed a ban on people taking

their pets with them during their own rescue which included service

animals for the blind, deaf, and handicapped! Denying a service dog

entry under any circumstances even in an emergency is illegal in most

states. Most states in this country have animals from Katrina, and we

are all trying to reunite them with their owners or adopt them out to

good homes.

 

There are still MANY rescuers, volunteers, veterinarians and other

animal professionals who WANT to help Louisiana animals survive, but

are at risk of going to jail under this ban. The animal health care

professionals are willing to volunteer spay/neuter programs which are

so desperately needed. This too, has been denied under political " red

tape " . Louisiana vets have told Commissioner Bob Odom that they can

handle the situation now that it has diminished. This is simply not

the case. Louisiana simply does not have enough of their " own " people

or resources to care for the thousands of animals that remain or they

would have done so already!

 

The lives of thousands of animals who were required to be left behind

by uncaring officials remain in jeopardy. In the majority of cases,

these animals that escaped their homes when doors or windows flew open

with high winds or floods are someone's pet and most likely represent

the ONLY thing these people have left from this catostrophic event

that changed their lives forever.

 

The world is now watching Louisiana and it's officials once again.

Will the humane and caring choice be made or will a cruel one

devastate even more lives?

 

ALERT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS-

PLEASE also CC your letters (if in USA) to your reps and senators and

CALL them if you can. There are 800# in D.C.

 

Find here:

 

www.house.gov

www.senate.gov

 

AND every white house contact you can find:

 

president

Firstlady

 

Tip - put CC list on the bottom of your letters so they cannot be

swept under the rug.

 

Please sign petition and send letters, faxes, emails and make calls on

11/22. This is being cross posted widely. Permission to cross post.

Thank you.