Animals in disaster zone need care, too

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The city's ASPCA is providing special veterinary care for pets -- and psychological help for pet owners -- after the collapse of the World Trade Center.

The organization's mobile veterinary unit is treating animals brought to Manhattan's Pier 40 -- a West Side location just above the downtown security zone, said spokeswoman Karen Colangelo.

She said rescue dogs being used in the search are suffering from eye and respiratory problems caused by dust around the collapsed buildings, and from cuts to the pads on their feet.

RESOURCES To contact the ASPCA hotline, call  212-876-7700, Ext. 4PET (4738)

The organization also is operating a hotline, with most calls coming from downtown residents whose pets are trapped in buildings inside the security zone.

"Although it's far from ideal that dogs and cats be without water or food," Colangelo said, "they can survive for several days, perhaps longer. So... as long as they're not getting a lot of smoke inhalation, they probably should be OK."

A psychologist is also on hand to counsel pet owners. "A lot of it is just being there for people to talk to them," Colangelo said.