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As global humanitarian organizations are beginning to make inroads in helping the Haitian people recover from the massive devastation caused by the recent earthquake, the Haitian government has also asked for aid for its animal population.
By Susan Campbell for readersdigest.ca
Ellie Ross has seen first-hand the havoc that uncared for animals can wreak after a natural disaster. The Canadian animal behaviour specialist and a Reader’s Digest Pet Expert worked with United Animal Nations and ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
“Some people balk at the idea of sending money to help animals over humans in this kind of circumstance, but it’s nothing like that,” says Ross. “Imagine trying to fend off hungry, potentially rabid dogs when you have no shelter and are weak from lack of food.”
According to Ross, Haiti currently has an estimated 500,000 feral dogs running the streets and they will instinctively form packs to survive. “Medicine to vaccinate the animals from contracting rabies is greatly needed, and other diseases are capable of spreading from animals to humans like anthrax and cholera. Donating to help the animals definitely also helps humans in the long run.”
Read on to learn about organizations that are providing relief efforts for animals in Haiti, and in turn, for the human victims of the earthquake.
Next: Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT)
