February 3, 2010

Helping Haitian Relief by Helping the Animals

Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) efforts

The world has been watching anxiously as reliable information slowly reaches us from Haiti following the destruction of the recent earthquake the country has suffered.  Human devastation resulting from the disaster is difficult to fathom but is not the only concern for the impoverished nation.  With the level of humanitarian aid necessary in this kind of crisis, the needs of animals and livestock are too often neglected or under served.

Domestic pets and livestock in disaster situations are susceptible to shortages of water and food sources and often go without medical attention.  The Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) recognizes the important role companion and agricultural animals play in human lives.  Pets left without food or appropriate care can become a strain on society as diseases such as rabies or parasitic infections can spread to humans.  It is often children that are most susceptible.  Loss of livestock results in a shortage of essential food sources and cripples the livelihood of those in agricultural production, hindering the rebuilding process so important following natural disasters.  People that have lost everything often cling to the one thing some of them have left, a family pet.

Aid to the animal population in Haiti has already begun and is being coordinated by a few of the largest international animal relief organizations.  These organizations are assessing the situation so that all involved animal welfare organizations can work together and make sure emergency aid, as well as continued support through the recovery stages, can reach as many animals as possible.  Like aid to the human populace, the need for veterinary assistance will be ongoing, initially to control the immediate concerns for infectious or zoonotic diseases(those that can be passed from animal to human) and the potential risk of disease spreading on an epidemic scale.  In addition, long term assistance will be needed to help rebuild the agriculture industry as well as to establish and maintain animal shelters to control the free roaming animal population. The Canadian Animal Assistance Team is committed to being a part of the animal recovery efforts in the weeks and months to come. 

The Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) was organized in 2005 to provide support to other animal aid organizations helping pets in and around New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  CAAT also assisted in animal relief efforts in Peru after the 2007 earthquake devastated several cities in that country.  At this point, the role CAAT will play in Haiti has not been determined. The situation in Haiti changes daily and the teams that are there are still assessing what is needed.   CAAT is preparing to send volunteers, but if this is not possible we will help support those that are able to be in Haiti and provide assistance. 

Canadians wishing to contribute to efforts occurring now and over the next few months can do so through the CAAT website at www.caat-canada.org or can send donations to CAAT, c/o 4411 King St. E. Kitchener, ON N2P 2G1 or to our Vancouver address at 1635 West 4^th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1L8.

  CAAT is a registered Canadian charity, and all money donated that is specified to go to Haitian Animal Relief will be directed to that end.

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OUR BEGINNINGS:

In May of 2006, eight months following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Pets in Disaster Committee was formed by CAAT and has consisted of team members who spent time in New Orleans rescuing and caring for animals. The Committee has been very fortunate to have as its Chairman, Dr. Benjamin Weinberger, and its Co-Chair, Norma Buchan, R.A.H.T.

Development of First Pet Disaster Plan

The Pets in Disaster Committee has been working with the City of Vancouver’s Emergency Social Services Pet Services Group to draft a plan for the inclusion of domestic pets into the city’s emergency plan, including evacuation and sheltering plans

The Pets in Disaster Committee has secured temporary shelters for pets, emergency caches of collapsible kennels, food and water and medical supplies.

In the event of an emergency or a disaster, there will be a need for volunteers consisting of trained veterinary professionals, as well as trained non-professionals. The Pets in Disaster Committee is currently developing its volunteer database and the organizational infrastructure necessary to be able to respond rapidly to future disasters.

If you are interested in becoming a disaster volunteer or would like more information, please contact us at canadiananimalassistanceteam@gmail.com.

The following positions are currently available to be filled:

Recruitment Officers

Public Education Officers

Liaison Officers

Ontario Disaster Plan

The Ontario Chapter Coordinators, Chris Robinson and Annette Pecak, met with the PWGAE (Provincial Working Group for Animals in Emergencies) in early 2009 and formed a collaboration with this group to be sure that interested members of CAAT are on the frontline for disaster preparedness and disaster relief work for Ontario communities.  If you are interested in being involved in this work, email caat.ontario@gmail.com.