May 21, 2008
Rescue from Chaitén
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| Safe at the shelter. © HSI |
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After a tumultuous two-week deployment to the area affected by a recent volcanic eruption in Chile, the Humane Society International (HSI) and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) animal rescue team is on their way home. The Chaitén volcano, silent for 9,000 years, started spewing ash on May 2nd, forcing local residents to leave the area. The evacuation forced residents to leave behind thousands of pets and farm animals to fend for themselves.
Although this trip proved to be an arduous one—in difficult working conditions, with supplies lacking—our team was able to bring relief to animals caught in the path of the volcano. We had invaluable assistance from many local volunteers and animal protection organizations, including Rescate y Protección Animal (REYPA), Albergando a Un Amigo (AUA), and the Coalition for the Ethical Control of Urban Animals (CEFU).
A key element in our response was setting up a much-needed temporary animal shelter. While the military continued evacuating animals from Chaitén, our team got to work constructing a temporary shelter for animals coming from the disaster zone. Military personnel were able to bring 100 rescued dogs to the facility, where they began a life-changing journey.
The 100 dogs were in surprisingly good physical condition, but were mentally stressed, making some hard to handle. They seemed to know that they were lucky to be alive; they would not have survived unaided in the deserted city.
Out of the Ashes; Onto the Road
Once the dogs were out of immediate danger, the team's next task was the daunting transport of the animals to a veterinary school in Puerto Montt. Normally, this would be a short trip, but severe weather and multiple landslides made the roads nearly impassable. Despite the difficulties, our team pressed on, since this was the only route to safety for these animals.
After scouring the region for crates and other hard-to-find supplies, the team loaded most of the dogs onto two trucks for the journey. Fortunately, they made it safely to Puerto Montt after a harrowing two days. The military is still bringing animals out from among the ashes, and those animals will follow the same route as this first transport.
Once Lost, Now Found
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| Two puppies fed by the rescue team. © HSI |
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The dogs brought to Puerto Montt were met by evacuees from Chaitén eager to be reunited with the pets they had been forced to leave behind. Many families who had traveled to the veterinary school to search for their animals cried tears of joy when they were finally reunited with their beloved companions. Those dogs not immediately identified will be housed at the veterinary school or kept in foster homes until they are claimed by their guardians or put up for adoption.
Although the on-the-ground part of this mission has come to an end, we are providing funds to local groups to continue the work that our disaster team started. We will stay in close contact with them and continue to provide assistance as necessary.
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May 8, 2008
HSI and The HSUS Deploy Animal Rescue Experts to Chile After Volcanic Eruption
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© Jorge Cadenas/La Tercera |
| Animals amid volcanic ash in Chile May 2008. |
Humane Society International (HSI) and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have been in communication with Chilean animal welfare organizations since the eruption earlier this week and have now sent highly trained animal rescue specialists to the affected area.
The evacuation forced residents to leave behind approximately 4,000 companion animals and 50,000 farm animals to fend for themselves.
The team will deploy to Chile on Thursday, and travel to heavily impacted Chaitén.
"After hearing that local news reports are calling Chaitén a 'city taken by dogs,' due to the large number of animals wandering the now-abandoned streets, I knew we had to move quickly in order to save these desperate animals," said Scotlund Haisley, HSUS senior director of emergency services.
"We are also attempting to get animal rescue specialists into Myanmar to help animals in areas devastated by the recent cyclone."
In Chile, HSI/HSUS expertise was urgently needed, as the volcano continues to billow poisonous ash, spew lava and endanger the many animals stranded there.
Drinking sources in the evacuated town of Chaitén have been contaminated by volcanic ash and food supplies are scarce, leaving the animals in a dire situation.
HSI/HSUS animal rescue personnel will join forces with Chilean animal welfare groups Agrupación Cultural Amor a Los Animales (ACUAA) and Coalición por el Control Ético de la Fauna Urbana (CEFU). The goal will be to offer fresh food, water and medical assistance to affected animals.
HSI/The HSUS will also strive to assist in reuniting animals with their families once residents are permitted to return to their homes.
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Updated Dec. 4, 2008.
