SOUTHWEST MISSOURI — The Humane Society of the United States has deployed its Animal Rescue Team to flooded Missouri at the request of the Humane Society of Missouri to help animals in distress.
"Our Animal Rescue Team is on the ground today and more en route to help local communities after these devastating floods," said Scotlund Haisley, The HSUS' senior director for emergency services. "Natural disasters such as this one tear families apart. It is our mission to bring them back together," he said.
The HSUS has the only nationwide, full-time animal rescue team. The team responds to man-made disasters, natural disasters and handles other crisis requests for service.
The HSUS saved more than 16,000 animals in 2006-2007 and was instrumental in assisting with the passage of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act in Congress, which requires that animals are included in community disaster planning.
- Team expertise includes working with companion animals, horses and farm animals. Response services include assessment of animal-related needs; emergency search and rescue of animals (including humane trapping); establishment and management of temporary emergency animal shelters; evacuation support; veterinary evaluation of animals; relocation and support of disaster-affected animal facilities and volunteer management.
- The HSUS has a modern, well-equipped fleet of self-sufficient response vehicles. These include a command center with satellite communication, mobile animal shelters and climate-controlled transport trailers, veterinary equipment, boats, all-terrain vehicles and support vehicles.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
