The Gulf oil spill continues to affect human lives and animals who have suffered from the disaster. In the forefront are the area’s sea animals and birds. However, it’s not just the wild animals who have been displaced, but also the domestic ones.
When Gulf Coast jobs were lost because of the spill, many people who made their livelihoods there had to start seeking work elsewhere. These families had to pick up and move, often leaving their cats and dogs behind.
A shelter in Violet, La. is taking in animals at 10 times the typical rate. Inundated by pets left behind, the shelter is operating at double capacity.
Beth Brewster, Director of St. Bernard Parish Animal Shelter told MSNBC’s Nightly News, “I continue to be surprised. I just keep thinking that it’s going to end soon, and it just doesn’t.”
After the report aired, the shelter was flooded with phone calls from eager adoptive parents. People from all over the country wanted to offer a new home to the latest victims of the oil spill.
Amber Meadow adopted Lucky, a chihuahua. “She looked sad, like she needed a home, she needed someone to love her, like she missed her family,” she said.
There has been such a positive response that some of the animals have waiting lists of potential adoptive parents.
Even those who cannot take in a pet have started doing what they can to help by donating money to a new program, Friends of the Animal Shelter of St. Bernard (FOAS), which helps owners keep and care for their beloved pets.
Photo 1 courtesy of St. Bernard’s Parish Animal Shelter via Petfinder, photo 2 courtesy of St. Bernard’s Parish Animal Shelter via Petfinder.