When Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf coast in August, Americans did what they always do in times of disaster; they rushed to help.Animal rescue organizations from across the country responded to the situation and sent volunteers to help save these four-legged victims of the storm. Most metro Atlanta rescue groups helped, in a variety of ways. Some sent staff and volunteers to help with rescue efforts and to care for the animals after they were rescued. Others set about acquiring items that would be needed to care for these animals, including food, crates, bedding, food and water dishes, litter and litter boxes, leashes and collars, medicine and much more. Still others worked to prepare shelter for animals that would be coming to stay in the area or were just passing through on the way to a shelter in another state.

Atlanta-area volunteers sprang into action over the past month to help animals stranded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's destruction. Whether they drove down en masse to assist with seach-and-rescue efforts or stayed here to care for the four-legged evacuees, Atlanta volunteers went above and beyond the call of duty to help our furry friends. Here's a sampling of some of our local heroes:

Dr. Melinda Merck, a Roswell veterinarian who treated some cats rescued fro Katrina, says that some pets can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) just like humans. Merck treated a cat who had been pulled from a single story house that had flooded. The cat was discovered sitting on top of a filing cabinet barely above water line. After rescue, the cat showed signs of emotional distress. "Any time the rescuers left the cat for longer than 45 minutes, he started crying and jumping up on the highest furniture. So don't tell me animals don't have memories. It can take a cat 3 years or longer to feel safe again after any traumatic event."

Nestled among the dozens of businesses that operate out of a quiet office park in Doraville, a different kind of operation is going on, one that requires extraordinary dedication, devotion, and lots and lots of love (not to mention a very special landlord).

FurKids, Inc. is an animal rescue organization striving to provide a no-kill haven for homeless, abused, and abandoned animals. The office space in Doraville was opened less than a year ago by founder Samantha Shelton, who hopes to turn the location into a one-stop adoption center in the near future.

There are cat shows and then there are Cat Shows. All cat shows bring together hundreds of cats in dozens of breeds from all over to be judged on the qualities that best represent each of the breeds. For two days, each cat is judged by each of the six judges on everything from physical characteristics to personality. It is an ongoing competition, with numerous cat shows being held every weekend across the country and around the world. The best shows bring together the best cats for head to head competition, and the Cotton States show is always considered one of the top shows nationally.