NEW YORK- Dozens of animals, among them pets and rescue dogs, were among the victims of the terrorist attacks on Sep 11. To protect them, animal rights groups were mobilized.

The activists acknowledge that their efforts may be considered a low priority in the crisis that claimed more than 6,000 lives, but they continue their work to save the cats and dogs whose owners died in the attacks or who were forced to leave them behind as they evacuated the disaster site.

Jennifer Ferguson, spokeswoman for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), told Tierramérica public opinion in the United States considers the well being of animals an important issue, but of course when so many people have disappeared, humans become the priority.

The organization, which has rescued numerous different species around the world when there have been natural disasters or when humans have created threats to their existence, says it is ready to give a hand at "ground zero" in lower Manhattan.

For now, however, it has not been necessary as the authorities have reported an excess of volunteers and of resources. The efforts to rescue animals in the area are being handled by just one group: the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

On Sep 13, two days after the terror attacks on the World Trade Center, the ASPCA entered the disaster area with 35 pet owners. The animals they recovered were in relatively good condition and it was only necessary in some cases to provide treatment for smoke inhalation, said Karen Colangelo, ASPCA spokeswoman.

But many animals have yet to be rescued. Veterinarians maintain that pets can live approximately seven days without food and water. The activists have set up a telephone number and an e-mail address to handle inquiries about and donations for recovering pets that might still be in the zone.

The activists have also called for assistance for the dogs that engaged in the search for victims among the rubble, as the animals need special treatment as a result of the dangerous materials and toxins found in the disaster area.