Haiti Rescue

Helping animals in Haiti: LCA partners with ARCH — Watch the video project funded by LCA!

WATCH THIS VIDEO BY IFAW OF WORK IN HAITI! - VIDEO BY LCALCA is a member of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), which is jointly led by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

ARCH is a coalition of the world's leading animal protection organizations working together to bring aid to as many animals, and in as short a time, as possible. Governmental resources and relief agencies are mobilizing and addressing the massive humanitarian crisis. Helping animals in disaster-stricken Haiti is ARCH's way of helping Haiti return to normalcy as early as possible - as animals play a very vital role in the rebuilding of communities.

After the massive earthquake struck Haiti on January 12th, 2010, the Haitian government formally requested assistance from ARCH, and the ARCH field team arrived in Haiti on January 23rd, 2010 to begin assessing the animal situation and providing direct care.

Dog going through trash in Haiti Photos © WSPA/IFAW

Mobile clinic in Haiti Photos © WSPA/IFAW

ARCH is delivering relief in stages. IFAW and WSPA's Disaster Operations are coordinating the efforts of the coalition on the ground in Haiti. Teams are rotating through the country every one to two weeks and include such specialists as veterinarians and animal control experts. The first stage was delivering immediate first-aid to companion animals. The next stages will be vaccinating animals to stop the spread of disease, especially rabies and anthrax. Only about 100,000 Haitian dogs out of an estimated population of 500,000 were vaccinated against rabies last year. ARCH field responders will administer vaccinations and emergency care and address other animal needs from a mobile veterinary clinic.

ARCH team in Haiti helping animals Photos © WSPA/IFAW

The ARCH team has been meeting with officials from the Haitian government as well as international agencies, such as the United Nations, to define the country's most pressing animal-related problems, as well as identifying options for a wide-ranging, long-term plan which includes options for creating and improving infrastructure for veterinary care, a large-scale vaccination program and animal population control services.

Dogs in Haiti Photos © WSPA/IFAW

"We had not considered including animals in the plans we're working up now, but after meeting the ARCH team, we can see that it would be good to do so," said Jean Marie Claude Germain, the Haitian Minister of Environment, "In addition to preventing deforestation and protecting our water reserves, we are also discussing the need for a vaccination program in order to prevent the spread of diseases amongst the animal populations."

Frightened cats in Haiti Photos © WSPA/IFA

 ARCH Members

• World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
• American Humane Association
• Best Friends Animal Society
• RSPCA (UK)
• In Defense of Animals
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• American Veterinary Medical Foundation
• Antigua and Barbuda Human Society
• ASPCA
• United Animal Nations
• Kinship Circle
• One Voice
• Swiss Animal Protection
• Palo Alto Humane Society (PAHS)
• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
• Finnish Federation for Animal Welfare Associations
• Animal Medical Care Foundation (AMCF)
• Petfinder Foundation
• Mayhew International
• Last Chance for Animals (LCA)