On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina turned the gulf coast region into a sea of loss & despair. Our nation sat in dismay as our government failed to respond. We watched people stranded on rooftops, forced to leave their beloved pets behind. We saw the desperation and determination of the animals swimming in toxic sludge begging to be rescued as countless boats passed them by.
600,000 animals searched and pleaded for help as they were left behind with no choice but to endure a hurricane, floods and a fight to survive the streets on their own. Some of them were in a race against time, trapped inside homes, chained to trees, starving to death. Others had to fight to stay alive on the streets. People from across the United States, Canada and countries abroad heard their cries and took it upon themselves to do something about it. These people gave their time, their money and their hearts to help these most innocent of victims in the largest grass roots operation in our history. LEFT BEHIND WITHOUT A CHOICE follows volunteers and staff of animal rescue organizations as they recount their animal rescue efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Ordinary people with little to no training left their jobs and their own pets, paid their own travel expenses, lived in tents and put themselves in dangerous situations for the love of the animals who were suffering.
Most media reports left us with the impression that once the animals were rescued off the streets their struggles were over. "Left Behind Without a Choice" explores the less media-friendly side of the animal rescue efforts. The physical & emotional conditions of the animals are told by the very people who cared for them and nurtured them back to health as they recount their journey with Hurricane Katrina animal rescue. A few animals’ stories have been completely documented from peril to the path to recovery and are included in this documentary.
Some of the interviewees for this film (click on each photo and it will tell you who it is)
All volunteers initially went down through Animal Ark Shelter in Hastings, MN to the Best Friends Animal Society camp in Tylertown, Mississippi (St. Francis Animal Sanctuary).
Please visit www.animalarkshelter.org and go to "shelter life" to read the very nice blog Mary wrote about this film.
Also, check out the Best Friends website at www.bestriends.org OR for a direct link to their Hurricane Katrina page, http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=specialreports&mode=cat&catid=04061773-BDB9-396E-9001EF6EC01318A4
Please help pass our Smiley's info along also. Just to know he is safe and happy would mean so much. I understand what it is like to not know if your pet is okay. (they are family members to) Hoping people find the pets they lost or at least find they are happy and safe. xxx
"Jane's Trailer" for Tom McPhee's multi award winning "An American Opera". "An American Opera" won 5 awards appearing in 24 film festivals on 4 continents including the Gold Remi from the 40th Worldfest Houston and the Gold Camera from the 40th U.S. International Film and Video Festival
"Christopher's Trailer" for Tom McPhee's multi award winning "An American Opera". "An American Opera" won 5 awards appearing in 24 film festivals on 4 continents including the Gold Remi from the 40th Worldfest Houston and the Gold Camera from the 40th U.S. International Film and Video Festival
On Saturday, October 25, I will participate in the PAWS Mutt Strut, which will bring 1,000 animal lovers and their pets together for a 1.5-mile walk through FDR Park. We will raise badly needed funds for PAWS’ lifesaving programs including adoption outreach, spay/neuter clinics, and low-cost vaccination services. We will also raise awareness of the harsh reality that thousands of healthy and treatable animals are killed in Philadelphia each year, simply because they do not have homes. The Mutt Strut will offer us a day of companionship and celebration, and will enable PAWS to give countless more animals the chance to experience that companionship and safety for themselves. Please give whatever you can, and consider joining me on October 25! WWW. FIRSTGIVING. COM/PAWSVOLUNTEER
There but for the Grace of God go I...our 14 year old doxie traveled with us as we evacuated Houma, unsure whether Katrina would come our way or stay east. It could have been us!!! Thank you for taking on this story with so many facets. Oh, and thanks for the add! Make custom Glitter Graphics
Thank you for all you do and being our friend! Smiley a lost large puppy dog needs everyone’s help to get home. We miss him so very much. Even just to know he is happy and okay. Florida & Tampa Bay Area residents please view his myspace and photo. God Bless everyone out there helping the innocent!
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