“IDA is pleased to be able to help millions of animals in need, address animal and public health concerns and have a long-lasting impact for the animals and people of Haiti,” said Anand Ramanathan, IDA’s Executive Director.

The ambitious program of animal disaster relief work is aimed to help a countless number of animals and people recover from the disaster and build resilience to better protect communities against future disasters. This operation, to be implemented through an agreement and in close cooperation with the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of the Environment, and the Ministry of Health, includes:

* An epidemiology network: Assist the government in protecting people and animals from disease outbreaks. A laboratory and lab workers will be provided to do things such as carry out targeted vaccination campaigns for Anthrax and Newcastle disease.

* Training of Haitian veterinarians and veterinary health workers; the goal is to train a minimum of 200 animal health workers to address current and future animal welfare problems.

* Restoration of the ‘cold chain’ to allow for effective vaccination campaigns: Haiti had embarked on several ambitious vaccination programs prior to the earthquake. It is now vital to rebuild the infrastructure to keep vaccinations cold up through delivery.

* Animal population studies: Haiti’s animal demographics have changed dramatically as the result of recent disasters. Accurate, updated survey data will inform coalition work.

The coalition also announced the arrival of a fully-equipped veterinary mobile clinic to Port-au-Prince. The donated unit will support ARCH’s animal rescue efforts that have already treated over 3,200 animals including dogs, cats, goats, cattle, horses, and other animals.

Coalition members arrived in Port-au-Prince days after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake shook the Haitian capital to provide immediate medical aid to the stricken animals.  Teams continue to treat injured and sick animals with medications including antibiotics and de-worming medicine, they are also providing anthrax and rabies vaccinations for thousands of animals. According to the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture, there are an estimated 5 million farmed animals in Haiti (not including birds), and approximately 500,000 dogs living in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

About ARCH (Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti)

Animal welfare organizations formed the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) so that we could work together to bring aid to as many animals, and in as short a time, as possible. At present, ARCH partners include: International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA), American Humane Association, Best Friends Animal Society, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), In Defense of Animals (IDA), American Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Foundation, Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society,  ASPCA,  United Animal Nations,  Kinship Circle,  One Voice,  Swiss Animal Protection,  Palo Alto Humane Society (PAHS),  People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA),  Finnish Federation for Animal Welfare Associations, Animal Medical Care Foundation (AMCF), Petfinder.com Foundation, Mayhew International, and Last Chance for Animals.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Anand Ramanathan, In Defense of Animals, 508-364-6802, anand@idausa.org

Note to editors: Broadcast-quality photos and video available.

The ARCH team is meeting with officials from the Haitian government as well as international agencies such as the United Nations, to define the country’s most pressing animal-related problems, as well as identifying options for a wide-ranging, long-term plan which includes options for creating and improving infrastructure for veterinary care, a large-scale vaccination program and animal population control services.

“Many of the animals in Haiti were already in poor shape before the earthquake hit,” said Anand Ramanathan, Executive Director of IDA. “So our approach is twofold – deliver immediate relief to animals, and help ensure lasting progress in Haitian animal welfare. Right now, the city is in ruins and the country’s economy in shambles. The fundamental structures of Haiti, both physical and economic, need to be built stronger than before, which will pave the way for building long-term animal protection programs upon that foundation.”

“We had not considered including animals in the plans we’re working up now, but after meeting the ARCH team, we can see that it would be good to do so,” said Jean Marie Claude Germain, the Haitian Minister of Environment. “In addition to preventing deforestation and protecting our water reserves, we are also discussing the need for a vaccination program in order to prevent the spread of diseases amongst the animal populations.”

Only about 100,000 Haitian dogs (out of an estimated population of 500,000) were vaccinated against rabies last year. In addition, the Haitian government lacks sufficient medicines and vaccines to protect pigs, cows, and other farmed animals against common diseases, such as anthrax and pig cholera.

“We are now at high risk of disease, which is why it is so important to start a vaccination campaign as soon as possible,” said Dr. Michel Chancy, Haiti’s Minister of Animal Production.

The first shipment of medicine and equipment needed to treat animals is expected to arrive in Port au Prince from the Dominican Republic today.

IDA’s representative, Connie Durkee, is part of the animal disaster response team that is helping animals in Haiti now. She reports “Many animals needed help on the ground. One of them was this dog who was rescued after nearly two weeks after the quake. We are so glad we could be here on time to be able to treat him and provide much needed care.”

Other members of the ARCH team have returned to Santo Domingo, in order to assemble supplies for this animal disaster response. The coalition team will also continue its assessment in the areas beyond Port-au-Prince, implementing immediate veterinary aid to animals in cooperation with the Haitian government.

About ARCH Coalition

The Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) led by IFAW and WSPA, is a partnership of over a dozen of the world’s leading animal protection organizations. ARCH was formed so that we could work together to bring aid to as many animals, and in as short a time, as possible. At present, ARCH partners include: In Defense of Animals, International Fund for Animal Welfare, World Society for the Protection of Animals, American Humane Association, Best Friends Animal Society, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (UK), American Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Foundation, Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, United Animal Nations, Kinship Circle, One Voice, Swiss Animal Protection and Petfinder.com Foundation. ARCH members urge other animal protection groups to join in the group efforts.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Anand Ramanathan, Executive Director, 508-364-6802, anand@idausa.org