Bruce Friedrich, Vice President for Policy with PETA, has criticized the U.S. government for not allowing U.S. Nationals to take their animal companions with them as they fled the turmoil-stricken area, likening it to the Hurricane Katrina rescue efforts in the United States that forced people to choose between risking their own lives or staying behind to protect their animals.

Volunteers at the Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals (ESMA) have been caring for the dozens of cats and dogs that have flooded the shelter since the protests began.

Some animals that walk the streets are simply abandoned, but well. Others are getting injured from bullets or tear gas used to control protesters. Equally worse is the state of some animals locked in pet shops or other shelters, where the operators have fled. Although ESMA is working with owners to get to the individual shops, many of those animals are also lacking food and water.

Wherever you are in the world, you can help. Co-founded by U.S. Liason and associate professor at Northwestern University Law School in Chicago, Dr. Kristen Stilt, ESMA operates mainly from money provided by its co-founders, but about 20% of its expenses are paid for by donations.

“The dollar has strong buying power in Egypt,” Stilt said. “Thirty dollars would feed a dog or a cat for a month. Five dollars would cover two rabies vaccines. The salary of one of our typical workers is only about $100 per month, which sounds poor but is actually a quite decent salary.”

Those interested in making donations can do so online.

Photo: Crashsystems/Creative Commons

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