World Vets begins Animal Rescue in Japan

Life can change in a minute..Literally.  Last month I wrote an article educating readers on the importance of Animal Evacuation Plans.  I submitted that article to the Valley Patriot March 3 and just days later March 11, 2011 Japan was destroyed by an earthquake and a tsunami.  Who knew a simple article written for the readers of the Merrimack Valley would turn into an article that would be read worldwide.

Within hours of the earthquake I heard from people all over the country and the world. One of my readers lives in San Fran and other was as far away as Australia.    My blog followers were asking if they could reprint my article or if they could write an article similar to mine.  Of course, spread the word, ALL communities need animal evacuation plans.  March 11 is the perfect example why we need to be prepared for what mother nature may send our way, including a plan to save our animals.

Two weeks later rescue efforts and unfortunately recovery efforts are now taking place and groups are traveling from all around the world to help Japan.   But what about the animals?  The good news is animal rescue groups are packing their bags, gathering their supplies and heading over seas to start their campaign to save the animals.  They are also providing assistance helping people locate their pets that have been displaced in all the ciaos.   The bad news, the Red Cross still chooses not to allow animals in their shelters.  Watching the news, reading the papers and following on line bloggers the story is still the same.  People choosing to    not leave their homes, their farms, their animals because they will not leave without their loved family member.  Same story, many of these people and their pets have now lost their lives.   

Animal rescue groups realize this and are on a mission to save as many animals as possible.  They are gathering food and water, medical supplies and medications.  All in the effort to help save the lives of these animals and to also help prevent the spread of diseases.  The newest challenge, radiation.  Some of the rescue groups are unable to send over any additional volunteers since the fear of the radiation levels started to increase.   They are working closely with groups that are already in Japan.  Until the government has an understanding of the affects of the radiation levels, many of these animals that normally would be transported to facilities in other countries will have to stay in Japan and rely solely on our donations.

One particular group that is leading the way on the rescue is World Vets International Aid for Animals.  Quoted from their website www.worldvets.org

World Vets is a non-government organization (NGO) providing veterinary aid around the globe, in collaboration with animal advocacy groups, foreign governments, U.S. and foreign military groups and veterinary professionals abroad. In response to the recent earthquake and tsunami, World Vets has reached out to the veterinary community in Japan, specifically in Sendai – an area affected by the tsunami where animals are reported to be isolated and injured. Working with a large coalition of Japanese animal welfare groups and international aid organizations, World Vets deployed a first responder assessment team on March 15 and is currently mobilizing their resources to setup ongoing support activities.

“The response from the communities aware of WorldVets’ mission has been overwhelming and we are very thankful to those who have already contributed to our efforts. More help is needed,” says Dr. Cathy King, CEO of World Vets. “Our first responder deployment will make an assessment of the current resources available, the animal related needs that exist and how best World Vets is able to assist animal rescue and sheltering efforts.”  Immediate and long term assistance in this region will be necessary. Dr. King added, "We have a veterinarian from World Vets who will be there long term to coordinate our ongoing efforts and provide direct veterinary care to animals in need, and we have additional veterinary teams ready to deploy."

World Vets is making arrangements for shipments of large quantities of pet food, veterinary supplies and shelter supplies and working to identify and respond to the needs of the Japanese groups, supporting their efforts. World Vets is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing global veterinary aid. Funding is by grants and donations, and aid is provided by volunteer veterinarians, veterinary technicians and lay volunteers. At this time of crisis in Japan, donations are urgently needed to provide veterinary care, vaccinations, and disease control measures.

To learn more about World Vets in Japan and around the world, please visit their site at www.WorldVets.org and make a donation today !

**This article will appear in the April edition of the Valley Patriot

Tracey Zysk, owner of Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care in North Andover MA is a local pet care professional.  She has been featured on local radio, tv and newspapers educating the general public on animal care and animal health & wellness.  Tracey is a proud supporter of Police, Fire & Military K9 units. Tracey  may be reached at wigglewalk@comcast.net.  Become a fan on facebook at Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care and follower of www.traceythedogwalker.blogspot.com

God Bless the animals of Japan...love Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care

STAY STRONG...help is on the way...animal rescues will be arriving soon ! 

I posted my blog regarding Animal Evacuations on March 6, 2011 just five days later Japan was destroyed by a record breaking earthquake and a tsunami.   Lives, animal and human were lost all across the country.  But today March 15 we are fortunate to say we are still rescuing and not calling this a recovery mission only.  Be strong and stay positive..a 70 yrs old woman was found today!

For the animals...well help is on the way.  Worldwide animal rescue leagues are traveling over to Japan to help our friends.  They will need food, shelter and water.  Once the basic needs are met, these precious loves will need homes.  That will be phase two...relocating all these animals to safe ground and to loving homes.

If you would like to make a donation to help in the rescue efforts for the animals of Japan I received the following information from a Facebook friend of mine:  

Diana Guerrero, Animal Expert, Author and professional speaker provided these sites to make donations  
World Association for Zoos & Aquariums Japan Quake Donation Pagehttp://www.waza.org/en/site/get-involved/donate-for-japan

Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue & Supporthttp://japanearthquakeanimalrelief.chipin.com/japan-earthquake-animal-rescue-and-support
on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Japan-Earthquake-Animal-Rescue-and-Support/207835229228979?sk=wall

They include:http://www.heart-tokushima.com/ENGLISH/WELCOME.html
http://www.animalgarden-niigata.com/index.html
http://www.japancatnet.com/

World Vets Donation Pagehttps://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=worldvets&id=1   

Animal Evacuation Plans - in your town

Animal Evacuation Plans

August 2005 the United States witnessed probably one of the worst natural disasters in our country’s history.  Hurricane Katrina.   None of us will ever forget those images we saw of people desperate for help and rescue crews filling boats and airlifting people to safety.  But for me the most chilling and heartbreaking images where those of animals left behind.  Roof tops with dogs clinging for their lives, cats climbing to the highest possible level of a tree and horses up to their necks in water.

With all the ciaos of this disaster the animals were forgotten.  First line responders didn’t have the resources or in some cases the approval to rescue animals.  They were told to leave pets behind.   Although New Orleans a city known to be built under water never thought they would actually be under water had their awakening;  no resources, no help, no game plan.  The ignorance of it will never “really” happen to us played out in a hand of bad karma. 

Can you imagine?  Never, ever would I leave my Boston Terrier Lani behind.  And who is it of a political leader to tell me I have to leave my pet?   Well, we all learned with Katrina that many people felt the same way I do and they didn’t leave.  These folks of Louisiana stayed behind; they refused to abandon their pets.    Unfortunately, many of them didn’t live.   Human and animal lives were lost to the hands of government.  Now what kind of democracy is that?

Less than a year later, the Merrimack Valley experienced its own version of Katrina.  We were nearly washed away by the Shawnsheen and Merrimack Rivers in the historic Mother’s Day flood of 2006.    Lawrence and North Andover were unrecognizable and Lowell was a city of canoes rowing up and down the streets.   Once again, a region that thought that it could never “actually” happen to them…experienced just that.  It did!   

With the help of Anderson Cooper filming dogs tied to trees to drown, starve and die and interviewing people that had survived going back to their homes desperately looking for their pets, the media started getting the awareness out to the people and to our government.  Pets are our family and need to be included in all evacuation plans.

I did my part as an animal advocate and a concerned citizen.  I wrote my letter to Congressman John Tierney’s office.  My request was for the Essex County to mandate animal evacuation plans in their town municipal plans.   Thanks to Congressmen across the country that listened to “their people” voices were heard and action happened.   Our leaders developed plans with FEMA and PETS ACT was passed in 2006.

 PETS Act

Approved by the federal government in 2006, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act contains provisions to include companion animals in all disaster planning, according to the Humane Society of the United States. The act requires that local and state governments include pets in all natural disaster evacuation plans in order for these governments to receive Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants. The act also gives FEMA the authority to assist local governments in making such plans. The bill sets aside federal funding to establish pet-friendly emergency shelters and authorizes FEMA to help evacuate those with pets and just the pets themselves.

North Andover also took this very seriously and immediately incorporated animal rescue into the town rescue plan and the town shelter plan.  Under the leadership of Jeff Coco,  Director of the Town of North Andover’s Emergency Management Team all animals will be included in the rescue process.   If the town does set up a shelter at the senior center animals will be allowed.  No North Andover first line responder will be told to leave an animal behind.

However, not all goes without a little politics…

If for some reason the town is unable to host a shelter at the senior center, because the devastation is too large or too many people are displaced, or the town doesn’t have the finances to support the shelter ( food water bedding)  they may be moved to a regional shelter.  This tends to be in Methuen and this is where the politics takes over human and animal rights.

If the shelter is financially backed and managed by FEMA – animals will be allowed.

If the shelter is financially backed and managed by the Red Cross-animals will NOT be allowed.

I called the American Red Cross to ask for an explanation of this and I was told that animals are not and will not be allowed into one of their shelters.   Basically they are concerned about people’s allergies and medical conditions.  Honestly, I am very disappointed in the Red Cross and apparently they didn’t learn anything from Katrina.  Ask any human being whose life was just saved and they were brought to a shelter knowing they will have the opportunity to live,  I really don’t think they would mind having a stuffed up nose for a couple of days because a dog may be lying on the cot next to them. 

I recommend each of you reach out to your town or city’s emergency management teams and find out what is included in their plan for animal rescues.  North Andover has done a wonderful job in creating a plan, just know  if you have to leave town please ask if the shelter is a FEMA or Red Cross managed facility.   You will have to make your decisions based on that answer.  For me if it isn’t FEMA managed I will not be leaving my Lani and I will pray for the best.

This article will be printed in the March issue of  The Valley Patriot

Tracey Zysk, owner of Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care in North Andover MA is a local pet care professional.  She has been featured on local radio, tv and newspapers educating the general public on animal care and animal health & wellness.  Tracey is a proud supporter of Police, Fire & Military K9 units. Tracey  may be reached at wigglewalk@comcast.net.  Become a fan on facebook at Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care and follower of www.traceythedogwalker.blogs.com