Help on the Way to Animals in Haiti Thanks to New Coalition

As rescue efforts in Haiti continue, one group has been waiting in the wings, silently praying for help to come to them: Animals. And now, thanks to the newly formed Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), it's their turn.

Created by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals, ARCH is a network of organizations working together to provide medical aid, food and shelter to the displaced animals of Haiti. "This is the first time an operation of this kind has been coordinated," A.J. Cady, deputy director of programs for IFAW tells PEOPLEPets.com. "It's building on the lessons we learned after Hurricane Katrina, after the tsunami ... it makes all of us more efficient and makes rescue efforts more effective."

A group of about 12 experienced veterinarians and first-line responders is heading into Port-au-Prince, Haiti, from a staging area in the Dominican Republic tonight. "We've loaded vehicles with food, water and medical supplies, so they'll work all day tomorrow and go from there," Cady explains, adding that the team also has a mobile veterinary clinic. "Up until this point we've been focused on getting the right materials together, and preparing for recovery. Tomorrow, we have to get assessments done to determine what else is needed."

Whereas with other catastrophes — Hurricane Katrina for example — animal rescuers were dealing with house pets, Cady expects a lot of attention will be focused on street animals and livestock in the days ahead. "Our first concerns are for immediate veterinary care, feeding and vaccinations. But our main worry is disease — for instance, a rabies outbreak." He adds that ARCH workers are also ready to help in recovery efforts — whether for trapped animals or trapped people.

While it's too early to know if any animals will be moved to other countries for temporary sheltering, or if any will have to be euthanized due to extreme conditions, Cady stresses that the team will do everything possible to save as many animals as they can. "There's an understanding that animals are an important part of anyone's life — there's a bond there," he says. "In circumstances like this, where someone's lost everything, the pet becomes so much more important ... it may be the last family someone has. We're providing comfort for animals, but those animals are comforting these needy people, too."

To assist with funding these valuable animal rescue efforts in Haiti, visit www.ifaw.org click the "Please Help" button.

Kate Hogan