Animal Relief in Haiti
The devastation in Haiti is beyond belief. The loss of life, the damage to the infrastructure, the lack of medical care and the chaos is more than most of us can comprehend. While clearly the people and responding to their needs is the priority, the animals cannot be forgotten.
There are several national and international animal welfare agencies gearing up to go to Haiti, but problems exist that are causing delays. Access to Haiti is getting harder and harder and human relief agencies have priority. There are no in country animal welfare groups, no organized humane societies or animal control agencies and limited veterinary access. The closest help is in the neighboring Dominican Republic.
Here is what I have learned about several of the big names in animal welfare and rescue:
- Humane Society of the United States- The HSUS, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, and their global affiliate Humane Society International are assessing Haiti’s animal-care needs, taking into account the security, transportation, housing, and supply challenges that will be faced in deployment. They are also communicating with human relief agencies, and looking to cooperate with them.
- American Humane- Their Red Star Animal Emergency Services™ is on ready alert at this time and is monitoring the situation. In the meantime, American Humane will continue to explore ways to support efforts to rescue and shelter animals in the aftermath of the tragic earthquake.
- Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH)- the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) will be working on the ground to help the animals in Haiti. They have come together to form the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti so that all animal welfare organizations involved in response efforts can work together getting aid to as many animals, and in as short a time, as possible. Their teams will be working out of a mobile clinic which has been donated by the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society. WSPA and IFAW have pledged funds to fully outfit this mobile clinic, and it will be shipped from Antigua to the Dominican Republic and driven across the border into Haiti.
- American Veterinary Medical Association- The AVMA is closely monitoring the early response in Haiti to determine if and how they and others involved in animal welfare and health may assist in the Haiti response and recovery efforts. As always with disasters like this, the humanitarian rescue efforts will be the focus in Haiti for the first week or so. However, veterinarians are on standby to assist with the tragedy.
These are just four of the bigger animal welfare agencies/associations. I am sure others are ramping up their efforts but also running in to the same barriers. Cash donations to these and other agencies, both animal and human, would be greatly appreciated; just research them carefully for credibility.
The Humane Society Weekly Wish: Dry dog and cat food as well as clean large towels in good condition.
Jack Fisher
Board of Directors
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