Matthew McCONAUGHEY has flown to the Southern areas devastated by the hurricane Katrina and tried to give a hand to the victims.

The 34-year-old actor gave up his Labor Day celebrations on Monday to save 70 pets left stranded in Slidell, Louisiana, by Katrina.

The SAHARA star also visited a hospital where a stranded doctor had promised to take care of evacuees' dogs, cats and hamsters until they were rescued.

McCONAUGHEY spent almost a week in the disaster area, guarding the 50 dogs, 18 cats and two hamsters, that were ferried to safety on rescue boats.

The actor confessed he was very impressed with the heroics of the doctor who stayed behind to look after the animals.

He said, 'I will not leave until the dogs are safe, McCONAUGHEY recalls.