Helping animals in Haiti

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I have pulled the following two articles from the respective sites of the ASPCA and the US Humane Society. I am passing this information on to people who read my blog as a service to those organizations.

ASPCA update:

While humans are the first concern for rescue in Haiti, organizing are lining up for the right time to step in and help the animals.

The ASPCA has joined the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH). The coalition was created to address the needs of animals in Haiti following the earthquake that devastated the country. ARCH is headed by The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and in addition to the ASPCA consists of a number of animal welfare groups including American Humane, Best Friends, The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International (HSI).

There are an estimated 5 million head of livestock in the country (mostly goats), a large stray dog population, an untold number of companion animals and native wildlife all adversely affected by the earthquake.

The ASPCA has joined ARCH under the belief that partnering across organizations is the most effective way to address the serious and enormous problems facing animals in Haiti.

Currently, a team is staging in the Dominican Republic waiting to get into Haiti to begin work. IFAW and WSPA have also begun to stock a mobile clinic with vaccines, antibiotics, bandages, food, and other supplies in anticipation of bringing direct aid to animals.

Here's an ASPCA link to send contributions to for the animals.

Humane Society update:

Like you, all of us at Humane Society International are deeply saddened by the reports of death and destruction in Haiti caused by Tuesday's massive earthquake. We're grateful that government and relief agencies are mobilizing to assist the hundreds of thousands of people in need of water, medical care, and shelter.

And as with any disaster of this magnitude, animals are also suffering and in dire need of care. To try to help these animals, here's what HSI is doing right now:

• We're working with Sociedad Dominicana para la Prevención de Crueldad a los Animales, which is based in the Dominican Republic and has offered to get a team of animal responders and veterinarians into Haiti;
• We're sending a veterinarian trained in disaster response associated with our partner organization, the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, to the Dominican Republic to spearhead our assessment;
• We have joined the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti, and will be working with the World Society for the Protection of Animals, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and other partner groups on a coordinated response to this crisis;
• We've communicated with humanitarian relief agencies and are poised to address the security, transportation, housing, and supply challenges that accompany deployment.

As you read this, we remain uncertain about how we will be able to respond to the crisis in Haiti, but I can tell you that we will do everything we can to help that country's people and animals in the coming days. If you'd like to support HSI's International Disaster Fund, which we use to help relief efforts around the globe, click here.

I will send you another email as soon as I have more information to share.

As always, thank you for your compassionate concern.