KANAB, Utah -
A Utah-based animal rights group is sending an emergency responder to earthquake-ravaged Haiti to set up an emergency veterinary clinic. The Best Friends Animal Society said its efforts will help to prevent the spread of disease in the country.
Thousands of animals have been affected by last month's 7.0 earthquake in Haiti. The Best Friends Animal Society is part of a global coalition that will help vaccinate animals. The coalition, known as the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), includes the World Society for the Protection of Animals, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Humane Society, ASPCA and others.
The group hopes to lure thousands of dogs and other animals to feeding stations and then vaccinate them to stop any diseases from spreading. Prior to the earthquake, Haiti had one of the highest rabies rates amongst humans and animals, said Temma Martin with the Best Friends Animal Society.
"With the dogs running loose int he city, they're afraid that disease can be spread as the majority of the dogs are not vaccinated against rabies," she told Fox 13 News. "They're also going to help set up teams to vaccinate livestock as well to protect the food sources that people have there. They obviously have chickens and pigs and cows that they use for food so they want to keep those animals healthy as well."
The Best Friends Animal Society has responded to other disasters to care for animals. Their rapid responder dealt with animals in crisis situations in Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, an earthquake in Peru and crisis situations in the Middle East.
The group said it may need volunteers for future missions to Haiti. You can find out details by clicking on the links to this story.
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Thousands of animals have been affected by last month's 7.0 earthquake in Haiti. The Best Friends Animal Society is part of a global coalition that will help vaccinate animals. The coalition, known as the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), includes the World Society for the Protection of Animals, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Humane Society, ASPCA and others.
The group hopes to lure thousands of dogs and other animals to feeding stations and then vaccinate them to stop any diseases from spreading. Prior to the earthquake, Haiti had one of the highest rabies rates amongst humans and animals, said Temma Martin with the Best Friends Animal Society.
"With the dogs running loose int he city, they're afraid that disease can be spread as the majority of the dogs are not vaccinated against rabies," she told Fox 13 News. "They're also going to help set up teams to vaccinate livestock as well to protect the food sources that people have there. They obviously have chickens and pigs and cows that they use for food so they want to keep those animals healthy as well."
The Best Friends Animal Society has responded to other disasters to care for animals. Their rapid responder dealt with animals in crisis situations in Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, an earthquake in Peru and crisis situations in the Middle East.
The group said it may need volunteers for future missions to Haiti. You can find out details by clicking on the links to this story.
SEND US YOUR NEWS, WEATHER AND SPORTS PICTURES! www.fox13now.com/pics
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @fox13now
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