Hope Arrives for Companion Animals in the Gulf

The effects of the Gulf oil spill on wildlife have been widely documented, both here and in other places. There are the sea turtles burned alive, the unnecessarily toxic dispersant killing off the lowest levels of the marine food chain, and the mounting toll of oiled wildlife.

But the ramifications of BP's negligence go far beyond marine wildlife. Companion animals are afflicted as well, an under-reported development noted on Change.org last month. Now this story is slowly getting a little more attention, and more importantly, the pets involved are getting some much-needed relief. According to the AP, pet owners in the Gulf area are giving up their pets in growing numbers, thanks to the economic fallout from the oil spill.

If you live on the Gulf, it's more than just your backyard, it's your lifeblood. When the fish die, when the waters are crowded with cleanup ships and Coast Guard cutters, you're forced to come face-to-face with some very tough economic realities. Suddenly, a pet can become an unforeseen financial hardship. As one charity worker puts it, "It comes down to feeding your family or feeding your dog. That's the decision they have to make."

It's a less-necessary decision today than it was a month ago, thanks in large part to Del Monte Foods, who donated 20 tons (that's about 2,300 big bags) of pet food. With help from Best Friends Animal Society and the Sula Foundation, the Louisiana SPCA and Catholic Charities of New Orleans are distributing pet food at relief centers. (The Humane Society of the United States also coordinated a food drive in June.)

Other groups are working to provide free basic veterinary care in affected areas. For many pet owners, just a routine round of tests and vaccinations can be a financial deal-breaker in these times.

These are necessary and important steps to help people keep their companion animals, but as we noted last month, too many pets have already been surrendered, and already-crowded shelters are in dire straits. The good news is that a coalition of business and non-profit interests are organizing emergency transports to take animals from crowded Gulf-area shelters to other parts of the country where rescue groups can help find new homes for these victims of the Deepwater Horizon debacle.

Giving up a pet because circumstances beyond your control no longer make it possible for you to support it is a tough position to be in, one that none of us would ever want to experience. The people who have to make these traumatic, life-changing decisions shouldn't be vilified. They deserve a helping hand, and, months after BP's tragic mistake shut down the Gulf's economy, companion animals are finally getting some assistance.

To find out how you can help, contact the Louisiana SPCA or the shelter in your area. If the shelter near you is coordinating food donations, check out Best Friends' Four Legged Food Drive Action Kit.

Photo credit: sneakerdog