As people around the world watch the unimaginable images being streamed out of Haiti, humanitarian aid is finally reaching the people that have been devastated by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck on January 12, 2010. Food, water, medical provisions, shelter and supplies are slowly reaching those affected by the catastrophe.
But the animals of Haiti are also in need. For the millions of livestock, pets and large stray dog population, help is urgently needed for the four-legged victims of the devastating earthquake that ravaged the nation. An international relief effort, the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), is currently underway to help the many animals of Haiti.
Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH)
The international effort, headed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protections of Animals (WSPA), currently includes the ASPCA, American Humane Association, Humane Society International, United Animal Nations (UAN), Kinship Circle and Best Friends Animal Society.
Water, food and medical supplies for the animals are being collected and will be used in a mobile veterinary clinic donated by the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society. The mobile clinic will not only treat injured pets, livestock and wild animals, but will also vaccinate animals to ward off any outbreaks of disease.
A team of disaster responders have gathered in the Dominican Republic and are waiting to get into Haiti. Due to the collapse of the infrastructure and massive destruction in Haiti, the team is committed to help the animals despite the dangers. According to IFAW, once human relief efforts and security measures are in place, the team will be deployed into Haiti. The mobile clinic will be driven from the Dominican Republic into Haiti.
Donations are urgently needed to purchase vaccines, antibiotics, bandages and other supplies for the mobile clinic. If you would like to help, please visit the IFAW website.
Photo Prachi Mantri
With every purchase of our books and toys now through 2/28/10, Brandy and Val will donate $5 to an ARCH members’ animal relief efforts in Haiti.
CAN THE TEAM GO IN ALREADY? THE ANIMALS REALLY NEED HELP NOW!!! LET THE HUMAN RESCUERS DO THEIR JOB, YOU DO YOURS!!
The animals need help now, also. I read a story this morning about a dog “on the other side of a wall” that was trapped and slowly starving to death. Evidently no one would dig him out. It has now been over nine days since the earthquake, so there is probably no hope for him now. But, there must be lots more. Even if they are still digging out humans, the animals deserve help too.
I pray to God that people are trying to help and save
the animals too. They feel pain just like us.
I wish I could go there and bring back all the stray dogs and find them all loving happy homes.
I think it is amazing the efforts people all around the world are cominmg together to help the haitian people. I wanted to do all I could to help. I donated to the Red Cross, but I believe the animals need help as well. I currently work at a pet store and would like to help in any way possible! Thank You for providing an outlet to help the animals as well as the people!
~Jessie Perkins
St.Helens Or
How can I, as an individual, help volunteer my time to save and care for the animals in Haiti?
This initiative has already been shown to be nothing more than a fundraising scam for the usual suspects in the animal protest industry.
Haiti is too poor to have a pet problem and any livestock will very quickly be eaten by all the humans who are sick and starving and need the resources these animal scams will suck away from them.
Shame on Jace Shoemaker-Galloway for making herself a party to the exploitation of a tragedy!
John,
I appreciate people taking the time to leave comments on my articles, whether they are positive or negative.
Sadly, along with the immense human tragedy that has taken place in Haiti, many animals are suffering as well. This is hardly a “fund-raising scam.” Compassionate human beings and animal lovers should be informed and make their own decision. As a writer, it is my job to publish information that is accurate, factual and up-to-date.
Your comments on my articles have resulted in a variety of comments from other readers. Before suggesting that I am a “party to the exploitation of a tragedy”, please perform your own research on the subject before making such inacurate comments.
Thank you.
you should be helping humans not animals. Humans are much more important than animals.
I find it appalling that only now are the Humane Society of America and the other organizations just beginning to get in gear. They have spent far too much time “studying the situation” while animals die in pain and anguish. Such institutions have had countless years to plan, organize, and mobilize rescue teams. Their teams should be all set up and ready to respond at a moment’s notice since such tragic events can and do happen worldwide at any time. They should not be waiting on ‘infrastructure’ in order to get the job done, but should be self-sustaining units. These are not difficult concepts.
Thank you Jace for bringing this to people’s attention. Unfortunately I hesitate to donate any dollars to an organization that will sit back and let animals suffer, using the dollars to support its President hob-nobbing in Washington in a plush office, instead of funding water, food, and medical supplies for a rescue team.