Why is Compassion Illegal in Louisiana?

Why is Compassion Illegal in Louisiana?

• The horror in Louisiana is not over for the animals, although it is no longer in the news main headlines.
• There are still thousands of survivors who have made it thus far, and are now being treated as garbage, and denied humane treatment.
• For a time, they were the focus of intense national attention. Large animal protection groups mobilized to rescue them, massive shelters were set up for their care, people around the country volunteered to help them.
• They wander streets by the thousands. Lost, terrified. Fighting illness and injury. Desperately searching for enough food and water to stay alive one more day. They survived Hurricane Katrina, massive flooding, and months without human care. But every day, untold numbers of them are dying – sometimes right beside the food and water bowls that the handful of remaining rescuers couldn’t refill in time.
• They are the forgotten dogs and cats of New Orleans.
• Worst of all, the state of Louisiana has announced that it has now moved from rescue into the "recovery" phase, and that outside help with animal rescue is no longer needed – or welcome. 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.
• 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. That order expired October 25. Any out-of-state vet practicing in the area now would do so at the risk of jail time and thousands of dollars in fines.
• But just because the state says the animal rescue operation is over doesn’t mean the need for it has ended.
• The state claims that local authorities can handle the problem, but rescuers on the ground know this is not the case.
• Jane Garrison, director of AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com says: "We are literally seeing animals on the streets starving to death. Many of these animals are people's companions who escaped their homes when doors and windows blew open. It would be completely unethical to allow them to die on the streets," she says.
• "This nation's animal rescue community can help Louisiana meet this crisis if the state will simply acknowledge the problem still existsand allow us to work. This is not only humane and ethical; it is in everyone's best interest," says Becky Robinson, national director of Alley Cat Allies (ACA). "If the state government doesn't allow us to feed, treat, and find homes for the thousands of animals struggling to survive now, it is in for a rude awakening the beginning of next year, the number of free-roaming cats and dogs will be devastating."
• A veterinary technician in a neighboring state says: "PLEASE - I have seen some of these dogs from the aftermath of Katrina....I have one at the clinic I work for (we had a couple others, but found their people), and am trying to help the Dr. of another nearby clinic with 8 that she has there....these animals have essentially been through a war, and have touched my heart DEEPLY. There are still MANY LEFT that NEED to be caught - but the state is trying to ban rescuers now."
• AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com and Alley Cat Allies are calling for the state to reverse its course and accept outside help in the form of veterinarians and more volunteers. Visit their sites for more information.
• PLEASE HELP US HELP THEM!