Help For Animals Arrives In Haiti

(Port-au-Prince, Haiti – January 25, 2010) – A coalition of animal protection organizations including In Defense of Animals (IDA) has arrived in Haiti to aid animals left imperiled by the devastating earthquake. The team represents the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), a coalition that was formed specifically to deal with the Haiti crisis.

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