Latest Oil Rig Explosion May Lead to Further Destruction of Pets on the Gulf Coast

Sept. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- Today’s Mariner Energy oil rig explosion may have dire consequences for more than the people who were on the rig or the people the disaster’s repercussions may affect. It may also lead to the deaths of many of their pets.

The BP oil rig explosion on April 20 and the subsequent oil spill devastated the livelihoods of many fishermen, tourism industry workers, and other workers. Consequently, many of these people could no longer care for their pets and ended up relinquishing them.

Gulf Coast animal shelters suddenly became inundated, and remain inundated, with pets. These shelters have neither the space nor funds to deal with such a massive influx of animals, and they have been forced to euthanize hundreds of animals that only days or weeks before were living in supposedly permanent homes. One shelter has been so overwhelmed that it euthanized 179 animals in a single month.

The latest oil rig explosion now threatens to recreate the same scenario for Gulf Coast pets, or exacerbate the tragic saga they have already endured for several months. If this disaster is followed by a spill, and area livelihoods are further affected, Gulf Coast pets could further overwhelm area animal shelters, leading to the destruction of many more former pets. Even if the latest oil rig explosion does not cause a spill, it could still lead to more pet relinquishments and deaths if the government decides to increase the length or scope of its deepwater drilling moratorium enacted after the BP oil spill.

One pet celebrity has been working hard to bring attention to the issue and raise money to enable animal shelters to avoid having to euthanize so many pets affected by the disasters in the Gulf Coast. Zak George, host of Animal Planet’s “SuperFetch,” has been raising awareness through a mini-documentary called “How to Save a Life: Petritionals Pet Rescue Fund.”

In the video, George visits a Louisiana parish animal shelter, interviews key people involved in pet rescue and relief efforts, participates in a pet food handout, and offers a means for concerned people to help affected shelters through charitable donations. George is YouTube’s most subscribed dog trainer, and he has been promoting the mini-documentary through the online service and other venues. The mini-documentary can be seen here: http://petritionals.com/petrescuefund/.

“I’m trying to do my small part in helping with the animals that have been relinquished, because the economy in the Gulf Coast has been devastated,” said George. “So, I went down there [and] made a mini-documentary to raise awareness.”

Additionally, George is promoting the Petritionals Pet Rescue Fund, a charitable fund administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation with a mission “to support rescue and relief efforts of pets affected by natural disasters and other devastating emergencies.”

George has been encouraging people to donate to the fund, which is currently providing financial assistance to Gulf Coast animal shelters to help them avoid euthanizing any more pet victims of oil rig disasters in the Gulf of Mexico.

For further information on the Petritionals Pet Rescue Fund, visit http://petritionals.com/petrescuefund/.

About Petritionals

Headquartered in Norman, Oklahoma, Petritionals has a mission of helping pets live younger longer. The company aims to create the very best pet nutritional products in the world. Petritionals works with top veterinarians and pharmacists to formulate products that provide maximum health benefits, including reduced stress, weight loss, stronger bones and joints, and prolonged lifespan. Petritionals products are available online at http://petritionals.com.

To arrange an interview with Zak George, please contact Jake Wolfe, Petritionals media contact, at 1-866-449-2480 ext. 4.

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Petritionals has a mission of helping pets live younger longer. Petritionals works with top veterinarians and pharmacists to formulate products that provide maximum health benefits, including weight loss, stronger bones and joints, and prolonged lifespan.