DAY 5: LET’S PAUSE FOR THE PAWS

By Sally Deering

http://sallydeering.wordpress.com

(Liberty Humane Society cares for homeless animals post Superstorm Sandy.)

(Weehawken, NJ) Surviving Superstorm Sandy is like riding “The Time Machine” and landing in 1974 during the gas shortage. As of 12 noon today, motorists began lining up for gas rationing. And although we’re moving in the right direction, there’s still so much to be done to get back that ‘normal’ feeling.

As we pick up the pieces, let’s not forget our furry little friends – the dogs and cats that were lost because of the storm and those that have been rescued and housed in shelters — many with no electricity. If you’re an animal advocate, now’s the time to reach into your wallet and make a donation or volunteer some time and show some love to these needy animals.

The Liberty Humane Society (LHS) in Jersey City has announced that all of the animals they are caring for have made it safely through the storm, thanks to their dedicated staff, on-site volunteers and storm foster families. But the LHS shelter still has no power, and that means they can’t make adoptions because they are unable to open to the public and process the necessary paperwork.

If you can open your home to an animal (cat or dog) to decrease the stress on space, the LHS staff and the animals would be sincerely grateful. And they’re asking foster families who fostered dogs through the storm to keep them a bit longer. It’s so much better than keeping the dogs in the

Cat volunteers are welcome in the cattery and the staff can use help cleaning. If you volunteer, bring a flashlight or lantern. You might even want to bring a book and let one of the kitties nap on your lap. If you are a certified dog walker, you’re welcome to come by and walk dogs. The LHD will be open to volunteers from 9-2 every day until the electricity is restored.

 

(photo courtesy LHS)

If you can make a donation now’s a good time. Just go to www.libertyhumane.org.

In Ocean City, Superstorm Sandy forced many residents to flee their homes and some were not able to bring their pets. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) sent its Water Rescue Team to the scene with its rescue trailer, two rescue boats, and animal capture and transport equipment. Working alongside friends at the ASPCA, IFAW’s team continues to conduct land and water rescues of stranded animals.

All IFAWs rescue and relief efforts are made possible through donations. If you’d like to help IFAWs continued rescue and shelter of animals, go to www.ifaw.org and make a donation.

Let’s do what we can for helpless animals that depend on us. In the words of Mahatma Ghandi, “The greatness of a society and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals.”

Sally Deering is an award-winning writer.

Contact her at [email protected]; follow her on Twitter @SallyDeer.