Written by PETA
UPDATE: PETA has sent a second letter to Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton urging that the Department of State allow U.S. citizens in Egypt to allow their companion animals to be evacuated with them. The evacuation of companion animals from disaster zones is a life-or-death issue affecting animals and people. Please help these animals and U.S. citizens in Egypt and use our e-mail form to urge the State Department to allow companion animals safe transport out of Egypt with their families.
Amid the political riots in Egypt, the U.S. State Department is evacuating U.S. nationals. But evacuees are being told that they are not allowed to take their companion animals on the planes. People are being forced to choose between risking their lives by staying in Egypt or abandoning their nonhuman family members to fend for themselves.
For people fleeing Egypt, having their entire family together—including their companion animals—is important to their peace of mind. Please use our e-mail form to urge the State Department to allow companion animals safe transport out of Egypt with their families.
Written by Michelle Sherrow
I am disappointed by the one-sided PETA approach to this. During an evacuation of this nature. This is not just a state department problem. How many of those living in Egypt with pets had contacted the embassy either before bringing pets or upon arrival to find out what the evacuation plan was for pets. I knew when I Lived in the Middle East that pets were space available in an evacuation and I coordinated with Arab friends to assist me if I had to leave my pets behind. When tasked with evacuating people, the types of plane and the capacity are not always controllable. Ulitmately, as sad as it may be, people have to come first. Pet owners can assist by knowing what to expect in a foreign country or disaster and how to prepare for worst case scenarios. PETA needs to take this as an opportunity to educate pet owners, not just criticize the government.
PETA, I'm all for saving animals; however, sadly Clinton won't be able to do anything here.
Animals are not allowed to be brought into the United States unless quarantined and proven no threat to the environment here in the United States.
While dogs and cats may not be a threat to the environment itself (i.e. overpopulate with no way to control the population or no natural enemies), diseases could come into play that will factor in.
Plus, honestly, I don't want my money to be wasted on something that will not happen. These owners will sadly have to say goodbye to their pets and flee, and hopefully they will be able to get away safely and the animals find a safe place or new owners to love.
Is this harsh? - yes, but it is the facts.
I would rather you use your money to help stop true cruelty than waste time on something that WILL NOT HAPPEN.
While never desirable to abandon beloved pets, shouldn't the US government's priority lie in protecting its citizens first? In light of the current situation, the concern for their pets seem rather petty. It's like a fireman rescuing people from a burning building - clearly you take care of the people first, animals (if time provides) later.
But they are FAMILY! Would you leave your children behind? It reminds me of the horror of Hurricane Katrina! Make room for them on these planes!Come on US Govt. Have a heart!
I signed. Hope they will allow poor pets to escape. It's heartless to leave them there.
Thank you for posting this important notice in support of all those who have to flee for their lives and who have such an impossible choice forced on them. It is vital to get this message to our government not just for the current situation, but for all future similar situations - animals are part of the family and must be allowed to evacuate with their families!
Has our Govt forgotten Katrina & what happened to animals in New Orleans??? Pets/companion animals are members of families - why do they have to be left behind & suffer because our Govt. won't take them w/their families on the planes.
What a terrible situation to create for people and their companion animals. Personally, I wouldn't be able to leave a companion animal behind. I wouldn't be able to live with my decision. I would have had to stay behind. This policy is probably causing some people to die not to mention all the companion animals that are left behind to die. Awful!
Gosh, they had that president for long enough and thought he was brilliant and now, when things go wrong, they have to point the finger at someone. Those poor animals don't know what's going on amidst it all. Completely unfair and as usual humanity thinks of itself. The people of Egypt are also digging themselves a deeper hole because a lot of the money countries make are from tourism and no one wants to vacate in a country that is constantly rioting.
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