Animals Caught in Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: How You Can Help

June 4, 2010— -- With the oil spill still not under control, oil is continuing to seep into the marshes and wetlands areas, suffocating dolphins, turtles and a variety of bird, including the brown pelicans, the Louisiana state bird.

As frustration over BP's inability to control the spill and clean up the oil grows, many groups are down in the Gulf, taking matters into their own hands, raising funds and helping directly in cleanup efforts.

If you want to help support this effort, we've compiled a list of some of the organizations that are at work in the Gulf.

How You Can Help

The Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana is organizing food distributions for those affected by the spill. You can donate money online or volunteer your time if you live in the gulf.

The Community Center of St. Bernard provides food, hot meals and counseling to those affected by the spill. You can buy a t-shirt that says, "Save The Gulf Coast," and the proceeds go to helping the fishermen and their families.

The Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of New Orleans has helped organized disaster relief sites where food is distributed. Mental Health assessments and vouchers to help pay utility bills are also given. You can volunteer your time or donate.

If you live in the coastal region and need to report a sighting of wildlife injured or affected by the spill, call BP's oiled wildlife retrieval hotline at 866-557-1401.

The Gulf Coast Oil Spill Volunteers Facebook group has been created to help mobilize people who want to get the training required to help in cleanup efforts. Over 8,000 members have joined the group, where they have posted information for residents in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.

See details from the group are here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=121928837818541&v=info

Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research is the organization which treated the first oiled bird discovered in this spill.

To support their efforts with a donation, visit: www.tristatebird.org/donations

The New Orleans-based Audubon Nature Institute has positioned triage units in the affected areas to treat any affected sea turtles or marine mammals, such as sea otters.

You can support their efforts by making a donation at http://www.audubontransactions.org/support/fund1.php or calling 504-861-5107.

The International Bird Rescue Research Center has a team of specialists prepared to assist with rescue efforts.

If you want to volunteer, they suggest calling the BP Community Support Team Hotline 866-448-5816.You can make an online donation by clicking here.

Mobile Baykeeper, based in Alabama, is an environmental group participating in cleanup efforts.

They are currently taking donations to support their work related to the spill on their website: http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org/support-join/donate

Tampa-based Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary says it's the largest wild bird hospital in the United States. It is currently asking for volunteers and donations to help with the Gulf oil spill, particularly with any cleanup efforts that may happen in Florida.

For details, visit their website: http://www.seabirdsanctuary.com/

The Associated Press contributed to this report.