Want to help the animals?

In the evacuation of areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, thousands of companion animals were left behind. For some, their human caretakers won't be back for months. In other cases, their owners will never return.

Animal welfare societies have been working to save these unfortunate creatures, but sheltering this many animals is a challenge. In order to make room, shelters in and around Louisiana have had to rotate their animals out to far away locations.

Last Tuesday, PAWS Chicago sent a contingent to Arkansas to pick up scores of homeless pets from a Humane Society shelter. You can help by fostering or adopting one of these dogs or cats. Or you can support the organization's efforts by making a donation.