Yarmouth-based IFAW comes to the aid of animals in Haiti

As millions of animals are also displaced and injured in wake of disaster, Cape Codders head to Haiti

The IFAW-WSPA led Animal Rescue Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) team members provide first aid to companion animals impacted by the devastating earthquake that shook Haiti on January 12, 2010. More than 25 dogs and cats were treated Friday (Jan. 29) in the Delmas neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. (c) IFAW-WSPA/M. Booth

By Samantha Pearsall

When news reached the U.S. that over two million people were injured or left homeless and an estimated 200,000 dead after the earthquakes devastated Haiti earlier this month, thousands of first responders packed up and flew down to help while millions poured in from donors.

One thing was overlooked though. The millions of animals displaced, injured, and sick.

On the 7th day of operation in Haiti (Jan. 30), ARCH teams headed to the area of Bon Repos and treated 29 dogs, 5 cats and 3 pigs. (c) IFAW-WSPA/J.C. Bouvier

In an effort to aggressively address the heightened concerns of spreading diseases and displaced dogs and livestock, Yarmouth Port-based International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) spearheaded the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti. ARCH consists of dozens of other animal welfare organizations worldwide, including American Humane Association, Best Friends Animal Society, and Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (UK).

Working together towards a common goal

Chris Cutter, IFAW Animals in Crisis Communication Manager, explained IFAW and other animal-related service groups that worked in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina learned a valuable lesson five years ago. “We need to work together and cooperate on large scale emergency events and since [Katrina] we’ve been working toward this,” he said, referring to the coalition. “Instead of having lots of well-intentioned and capable groups working parallel, we have come together under one umbrella to do a better job in Haiti by being managed under a single unit.”

Identifying the issues

ARCH (Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti) responders treated 64 dogs, cats and pigs in a day's work in Port-au-Prince, after the devastating Jan 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti. (c) IFAW-WSPA/J.C. Bouvier

Last week, the ARCH team, including three Cape Cod members, met with representatives from the Haitian government and the United Nations to identify the most pressing needs in animal relief. According Cutter, there are an unknown number of dogs that need vaccinations, medical attention, and new homes. In addition, Haiti is home to an estimated five million livestock, with goats making up a large portion.

All of these animals are at risk for contracting diseases and potentially transferring those diseases to humans. An estimated 500,000 dogs live in Haiti but last year only 100,000 were vaccinated against rabies. The Haitian government does not have access to sufficient amounts of basic medicines and vaccines to prevent common illness, such as anthrax and pig cholera.

Immediate vet care and vaccines

That’s where ARCH comes in. In cooperation with the Haitian government, the team is working to immediately implement veterinary aid to make sure all animals from dogs to chickens are healthy. They are also setting up feeding stations and vaccinations for rabies, leptospirosis, and other diseases. “An outbreak could be catastrophic,” Cutter said.

While Cutter explained IFAW is sympathetic to the human devastation, “we are a donor-driven non-profit. People give us their hard earned money because they love animals and they want us there on the grounds to save animals. That’s our responsibility and moral code.”

You can follow IFAW in Haiti on their Animal Rescue Blog here.

Cape Codders in Haiti for IFAW

Currently there are three IFAW staff members from Cape Cod and 20 ARCH members total that are working in Haiti. Dick Green, IFAW’s Disaster Relief Manager, is managing the coalition and also acting as a political liaison between ARCH and the Haitian government. He is planning a process for short-term and immediate needs and also coordinating a long-term massive vaccination program. Emergency Relief Director Ian Robinson is a veterinarian who also helps manage the coalition. “He’s a jack of all trades,” Cutter said. Michael Booth works as a hands-on responder as well as the communication liaison for IFAW and ARCH by gathering information and taking photos.

“One of thing is for sure, we can’t just put things back to how they were,” Cutter said. “The situations with some of these dogs are horrific and heartbreaking. We have to be there for a while. We’re not sure how long, but we will leave things in better condition than they were before the earthquake. It’s just an enormous challenge.”

Samantha Pearsall is a recent college grad with a background in journalism and marketing. As a lifelong Cape Codder, she of course enjoys the beautiful beaches, the friendly people, the fresh seafood, and all that makes our seaside community so unique. She is a freelance writer and photographer (www.escapecod.net) and also works in fundraising for the Community Health Center of Cape Cod (www.chcofcapecod.org).