Credit: Jorge Cadenas/La Tercera

Animals amid volcanic ash in Chile May 2008.

By Scotlund Haisley

After a tumultuous two-week deployment to the area affected by a recent Chilean volcanic eruption the HSUS/HSI Animal Rescue team is on their way back to the States. Although the trip proved to be an arduous one—with supplies lacking and difficult working conditions—our team realized their goal of rescuing animals from the evacuated city of Chaiten.

A key element was setting up a much-needed temporary animal shelter. Once the team constructed this shelter, 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 difficult to handle. They seemed to know that they were lucky to be alive—many would not have survived unaided in the evacuated city.

Support Our International Disaster Fund

Animals affected by disaster won't survive on their own. Help us assist animals in Chile, China and other crisis situations now.  U.S. donors  International donors

Once the team had rescued the dogs and settled down, their next task was the daunting transport to a veterinary school in Puerto Montt. Normally, this would be a short trip, but severe weather and multiple landslides made the roads nearly impassible.

After the HSUS/HSI team scoured the region for dog crates and other hard-to-find supplies, they loaded 84 dogs onto two trucks for the journey to Puerto Montt. The team persuaded local officials to allow them to tend to the dogs during the trip, despite customs laws that would have normally prevented them from opening the truck during the trip, a restriction that would have put the dogs at risk. With care along the way, all 84 dogs made it safely to Puerto Montt after a harrowing two-day journey.

These 84 dogs were met in Puerto Montt by evacuees from Chaiten anxious to be reunited with the animals they were 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 pets.

The remaining dogs will be housed at the veterinary School or in foster homes until they are claimed by their guardians or put up for adoption.

While theirs was a difficult journey, the rewards of our team's work in Chile far outweighed the challenges. I am very proud of the work that our animal rescue team has done, and am confident that they have made a lasting positive impact on both the Chilean people and the country's animal inhabitants. It is at times like these that I feel most privileged to be an animal rescue specialist—I truly feel that there is no greater cause than alleviating the suffering of animals in need.

Although this mission has come to an end, we will continue to monitor the situation in Chile, communicate with local animal welfare groups and offer further assistance if it is needed. As we continue to support this area in its time of need, please support our efforts by donating to the international disaster fund.