New Doc "Dark Water Rising" Illuminates Katrina Rescue Efforts
IDA sponsors film nationally as part of Guardian Campaign
As the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches on August 29th, award-winning filmmaker Mike Shiley is screening his new documentary
Dark Water Rising: The Truth About Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescues in dozens of cities across the country. IDA is sponsoring the 75-minute movie nationally, beginning with coast-to-coast test screenings in twelve U.S. cities as part of our Guardian Campaign. The film portrays many aspects of what being a guardian means, both for individuals and society at large, emphasizing just how important and irreplaceable each animal's life is. From the individuals who left animals tied to trees in their backyards like mere disposable property, to the government officials who refused evacuees the right to bring their animal companions when evacuating, to the heroes who risked their lives saving the thousands of dogs and cats stranded in the disaster-stricken city, at the film’s heart is the message that animals need to be respected as the sentient creatures they are.
Dark Water Rising is the story of the tens of thousands of animals who were left behind in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, and the courageous people who set out to rescue survivors against all odds. Many guardians were forced to leave their animal companions behind to die because Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rescuers would not allow animals in transport vehicles or emergency shelters. Floodwaters trapped at least 40,000 animals in their houses for months, where many died from starvation. Humane volunteers from around the country came to rescue animals in Katrina's wake, braving toxic floodwaters and breaking down doors to save animals' lives. IDA-Project Hope was on the front lines of this historic effort, and coordinated with many groups to rescue, shelter, feed and transport animals.
The film documents the heroic rescuers' efforts, showing both the tragic and heartwarming sides of animal rescue. For every animal that was reunited with a guardian or adopted into a new family, many more starved or died from illness. Shiley exposes the fatal shortcomings of the federal response to Katrina in hopes of raising public awareness about the need for comprehensive animal evacuation plans in preparation for large-scale disasters. This is especially relevant now that the House of Representatives passed the
Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act and the Senate is about to vote on it. If the PETS Act passes, local and state authorities will be required to provide for the needs of animal companions and their guardians during disasters to be eligible for FEMA grants.
To learn more about the movie, see the In Defense of Animals release here.
For an archive of animal-related Katrina action alerts, newsletters, etc., click here.
(Text / Photo Copyight In Defense of Animals / Mike Shiley, 2006)
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