For the past week, wall-to-wall television coverage of the Gulf Coast disaster has shown countless stories of people who have lost everything yet are willing to trade what little they may have left to save their pets.

“Veterinarians know how unique the human-animal bond is, especially during a crisis,” said Dr. Cindy Lovern, assistant director, scientific activities, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams are working around the clock with the Louisiana and Mississippi state veterinarian offices to reunite people and their pets and assess the needs of livestock and wildlife.”

Associated Press reports of a little boy becoming physically ill after being separated from his dog Snowball and a woman offering to trade her diamonds so her pets could be rescued may yet have a happy outcome. Snowball has been rescued and soon will be reunited with his young friend. And after three attempts to rescue the dogs belonging to the woman with the diamonds, the waters have subsided to a point where another attempt will be made.

Animals are being evacuated from veterinary hospitals, homes and other locations where they have been stranded. Though the situation is unstable in some areas and some rescue missions have been delayed due to safety concerns, animal rescue is a priority