Criticizing Animal Rescue During Harvey
IF YOU’RE DOING NOTHING WHILE OTHERS ARE DOING SOMETHING…
My heart goes out to everyone suffering the devastation in Texas from Hurricane Harvey, and I’d like to say something about the criticisms I see about those who are rescuing animals during this terrible tragedy.
Not only is criticizing people doing SOMETHING while you’re sitting on social media doing NOTHING plain ugly (and hypocritical), it demonstrates complete insensitivity to people who are devastated by the loss of their family members. If we learned ANYTHING from Hurricane Katrina, it was that people died and were willing to risk their lives to stay with their animals. I’m so grateful we’re not repeating the same mistakes with Hurricane Harvey, and that’s evident in the many human shelters that are also allowing animals.
The animals in our lives — whether they live with us or among us — are not intruders or outsiders. They are members of our communities; they are residents; they are family members. They belong. And they deserve to be saved.
I believe our hearts are large enough to care about everyone — human and non-human simultaneously. Not only do we not have to choose between US and THEM, it is the very idea that we have to ration our compassion that is actually what hinders us from being the best people we can be.
So, either support the rescue efforts for humans or animals or both, and when you see ANYONE doing SOMETHING MORE than you’re doing, praise and commend them, and then put down your phone.
DON’T DO NOTHING BECAUSE YOU CAN’T DO EVERYTHING. DO SOMETHING. ANYTHING.
AND IF YOU’RE DOING NOTHING WHILE OTHERS ARE DOING SOMETHING…just shhhhhh.
[Tweet “If you’re doing nothing while others are doing something, commend them, then put down your phone.”]
Local organizations to support
The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund of Houston’s mayor, Sylvester Turner, which is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
Houston Food Bank and the Food Bank of Corpus Christi are asking for donations.
The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is reporting a critical shortage, and has extended hours at all of its San Antonio-area donor rooms. To donate, call 210-731-5590 or visit their website for more information.
To help animals suffering from the disaster, visit the Houston Humane Society, the San Antonio Humane Society. Wildlife Center of Texas (Houston), Dallas Dogrrr, or Friends For Life Animal Rescue and Adoption Organization (Houston).
The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has set up an animal emergency response hotline (713-861-3010) and is accepting donations on its website.
For more options, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends checking with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster for a list of trusted disaster-relief organizations in Texas.