Best Friends Animal Society: Haiti Update
Haiti Update
Rich Crook, a veteran rapid response manager for Best Friends Animal Society, will lead the society’s effort as part of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), which is on the ground in Port-au-Prince ready to help animals affected by the earthquake.
Crook will arrive sometime today in Port-au-Prince where he will lead a team of veterinarians to set up a series of animal care clinics in the capital city.
“My mission will be similar to previous assignments we had in Ethiopia and Peru, but somewhat different than Hurricane Katrina,” Crook said. “We’ve learned from the ARCH assessment team that there isn’t the acute need that we found in Katrina, and we are dealing with animals that typically roam free in the city.”
Crook will work with a current on-the-ground team that includes representatives from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the American Humane Association and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. He also will work closely with the Dominican Republic Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SODOPRECA).
Crook’s mission to Haiti follows an ARCH team assessment of the situation Jan. 23-25 that included a short field visit to Port-au-Prince and meetings with Haitian governmental officials. Once the ARCH clinics are set up, Crook said the emphasis will be making sure that animals are vaccinated to stop the possible spread of disease and to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines. He expects to be in Haiti for at least a week and perhaps longer.
In the past, Crook has led Best Friends’ rapid response efforts in natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, Ike, Gustav, the floods in Mexico and Iowa, and the earthquake in Peru. He also led Best Friends’ work in the airlifting of dogs from the war zone in Lebanon and brought a deceased serviceman’s dog back to his grief-stricken family in the United States.
The ARCH coalition was co-founded by the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Key coalition members are Best Friends, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, the American Humane Association, United Animal Nations, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (United Kingdom).
Experienced volunteers may be needed. For more information click here.
Crook will arrive sometime today in Port-au-Prince where he will lead a team of veterinarians to set up a series of animal care clinics in the capital city.
“My mission will be similar to previous assignments we had in Ethiopia and Peru, but somewhat different than Hurricane Katrina,” Crook said. “We’ve learned from the ARCH assessment team that there isn’t the acute need that we found in Katrina, and we are dealing with animals that typically roam free in the city.”
Crook will work with a current on-the-ground team that includes representatives from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the American Humane Association and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. He also will work closely with the Dominican Republic Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SODOPRECA).
Crook’s mission to Haiti follows an ARCH team assessment of the situation Jan. 23-25 that included a short field visit to Port-au-Prince and meetings with Haitian governmental officials. Once the ARCH clinics are set up, Crook said the emphasis will be making sure that animals are vaccinated to stop the possible spread of disease and to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines. He expects to be in Haiti for at least a week and perhaps longer.
In the past, Crook has led Best Friends’ rapid response efforts in natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, Ike, Gustav, the floods in Mexico and Iowa, and the earthquake in Peru. He also led Best Friends’ work in the airlifting of dogs from the war zone in Lebanon and brought a deceased serviceman’s dog back to his grief-stricken family in the United States.
The ARCH coalition was co-founded by the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Key coalition members are Best Friends, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, the American Humane Association, United Animal Nations, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (United Kingdom).
Experienced volunteers may be needed. For more information click here.