New Book Honors Animal Rescuers -- Unsung Heroes of Hurricane Katrina
Operating beneath the radar in most American cities everyday, animal rescue came to the fore after Hurricane Katrina. An estimated 5,000 volunteers went to the Gulf coast to save 600,000 stranded animals.
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) August 16, 2006 -- Operating beneath the radar in most American cities everyday, animal rescue came to the fore after Hurricane Katrina. An estimated 5,000 volunteers went to the Gulf coast to save 600,000 stranded animals. In an unprecedented effort hundreds of animal organizations came together for the largest animal disaster rescue in history.
In their new book, RESCUED: Saving Animals from Disaster with a foreword by US Senator John Ensign (New World Library, September 2006, 360 pages, resources, index, color photos, ISBN: 1577315448 $16.95, www.rescuedsavinganimals.net), Allen and Linda Anderson, Minneapolis-based authors of the popular Angel Animals series, show that animal rescue has become a vital element in disaster preparedness for a nation where two out of three households have pets. The Andersons and their publisher are donating a portion of the proceeds from RESCUED to animal rescue organizations.
The Andersons interviewed hundreds of volunteers, Gulf Coast residents, animal organization leaders, and animal-advocate celebrities. Allen Anderson says, "Animal rescue volunteers don't get keys to the city for their tireless work. They get licks, kisses, grateful eyes, and wagging tails. These displays of appreciation keep them going through conditions that you couldn't pay people to endure. When they reunite a pet with a family member again or find a good new home for a homeless animal, the rescuers say this is reward enough. These volunteers and animal organizations are amazing in their compassion and dedication. They show human beings at their very best. We honor them with our book and give information to pet owners and volunteers that will save lives in future disasters."
Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster tells about:
- How Oprah Winfrey, Matthew McConaughey, a medical doctor, and his wife saved the lives of almost sixty stranded animals left behind in a New Orleans' hospital and the bizarre turn of events following the doctors' heroism
- The heartwarming story that encapsulates everything that is great about America as generous truck drivers traveled thousands of miles to reunite Kitty-Kat with his distraught family
- An entire family that was excluded from a shelter because of their pets and rescued by a compassionate priest and a nationwide dog breed rescue group
- Why thousands of volunteers left the safety and comfort of their homes to live secret lives -- climbing under houses and over fences, braving floods and hurricanes, breathing toxic fumes, caring for suffering animals, searching the Internet to reunite pets with families -- with an extraordinary level of volunteerism, selfless service, and courage
- The airline flight attendants and crews and pet airlifts that saved the lives of thousands of animals after T. Boone and Madeleine Pickens took the initiative
- What animal rescuers want you to know about preparing for disaster, how disaster can strike any family at any time, and the five most important things everyone who has a pet should do to prepare for safely and quickly evacuating from their homes
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and animal rescuers and how to lessen it with proper training.
"Compelling, fascinating, and most important -- highly moral." - Ben Stein, author, actor, commentator
"American Humane applauds the Andersons' tireless efforts to pay homage to the hundreds of individuals from scores of animal welfare groups who gave so much to rescue the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina."
--Marie Belew Wheatley, President & CEO, American Humane Association
"RESCUED is a wonderful tribute to all the individuals, organizations, and government entities that give their all to save and protect animals every single day. It should be a required read for anyone considering entering the world of animal welfare or animal rescue."
--Susana Della Maddalena, PetSmart Charities Executive Director
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