Dark Water Rising: The Truth About Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescues

[Guest guest]

Last year, the Bay Area responded with open arms to the devastation

caused by Hurricane Katrina by taking into their homes the

bewildered dogs and cats who had been abandoned and left to suffer

the wrath of the storm alone. In observance of the one-year

anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the Marin Humane Society and In

Defense of Animals present a special one-time screening of Dark

Water Rising: The Truth About Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescues,

Wednesday, September 6, 7pm, at the Smith Rafael Film Center (1118

4th St., San Rafael). Award-winning documentary film director Mike

Shiley will make a personal appearance to introduce his new film and

answer questions, and Captain Cindy Machado of the Marin Humane

Society will present information about disaster preparedness for

people with pets. A $10 suggested donation will benefit animals in

need.

 

THERE IS ALSO A SF EVENT ON AUGUST 30th AT THE ROXIE THEATER.

 

More than 2,500 of the four-legged Katrina survivors were brought to

the Bay Area for care prior to being reunited with their families or

placed in new, loving homes. They were the lucky ones — more than

35,000 companion animals perished in New Orleans due to disaster

policies that didn't take pets into account. Dark Water Rising

introduces us to the courageous people who traveled to New Orleans

from around the country and risked their own lives to rescue trapped

and starving animals. The film also begs the question: How can we

protect our pets if something like this happens in the Bay Area?

 

Haunted by his memories of the dead, frightened and emaciated

animals he saw while filming in New Orleans, Shiley says, " It's my

deepest hope that this film motivates people to put pressure on

Congress to pass the PETS Act so that never again will anyone be

forced to evacuate without their pets. "

 

The roles MHS and IDA played in the aftermath of the hurricanes

The Marin Humane Society was centrally involved with pet rescue

efforts in the aftermath of the hurricanes last fall. Leading the

first-ever pet airlifts to transport animals out of the disaster

region, 2,500 rescued dogs and cats were flown to the Bay Area as

part of MHS' Operation Orphans of the Storm. Animal shelters and

rescue organizations around the Bay cared for these animals until

they could be reunited or rehomed.

 

" I will never forget the looks of relief and gratitude in the eyes

of the dogs and cats as they emerged from their airplane crates into

the arms of volunteers waiting to care for them, " says Diane

Allevato, executive director, Marin Humane Society. " We were happy

to help these animals, but they deserved much better — they deserved

to be evacuated with their families. "

 

In Defense of Animals also played a key role in disaster relief

efforts for animals, sending volunteers to the hurricane-stricken

area to rescue animals and transport them to regional shelters with

the ability to care for them. IDA's Project Hope volunteers are

still involved in transporting animals out of the affected areas.

 

" This powerful film of bravery and compassion documents the courage

and dedication of caring people to right the wrongs of others, " says

Elliot Katz, DVM, president, In Defense of Animals. " Viewing it made

me more determined than ever to advocate for disaster relief and

preparation. I hope that the harsh lessons we've learned from this

disaster have not been in vain and that our national leaders will

commit to animal evacuation plans being part of all future disaster

planning around the country. "

 

Tickets for the screening of Dark Water Rising will be sold at the

door beginning at 6pm. Space is limited. For further information,

please call In Defense of Animals at (415) 388-9641 or the Marin

Humane Society at (415) 506-6256.

 

Please note:

Filmmaker Mike Shiley is available for interviews.

The film trailer can be viewed at:

http://darkwaterrising.com/trailer.html

 

CONTACT:

Sheri Cardo

Marin Humane Society

(415) 506-6263

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