IFAW US: Washington State Flooding Update
The International Fund for Animal Welfare's Emergency Relief Manager, Dick Green filed this update just about an hour ago on IFAW's monitoring of the situation surrounding the massive flooding in Washington State.
Good morning. I have now heard from Grays Harbor, Snoqualmie, Puyallup, Pacific, and Mason Counties. I was in contact with Thurston and King Counties last week. In addition, I have been in daily contact with Department of Agriculture and at this time there have been no requests for rescue, transportation, sheltering, or food. For the most part, the local communities and county DEM have been able to provide needed support. There are local rescue groups active in the area but I do not know where they are operating and I am not aware of which national NGOs might be active in the region. There are at least eight animal shelters in operation at this time - the largest at Evergreen (Olympia) and Puyallup Fairgrounds.
Given the amount of time that has transpired and that the majority of western rivers have started to recede, I would say that our chances of providing water rescue are quite low. I-90 and I-5 are now open and many of the smaller highways are opening as well which will allow counties to get a better idea of what is needed by today or tomorrow. I would suspect that the greatest need will be for food delivery and to provide back-up for sheltering teams that have now been at it for nearly a week.
I have contacted Dave Richardson from Spokane Humane Society and he has offered the services of their van for food transport. This converted bread truck would be ideal for hauling hay and animals if needed for short runs. In addition, we have access to a converted school bus from HEART that would also be ideal for transporting food and animals. HEART has put out a request for responders and I am confidant that between those folks and HQ staff, we will be able to handle any request that might come our way.
For more information on IFAW's Emergency Relief efforts around the world, please visit IFAW.org.
The Animals in Haiti Need Your Support We urgently need your donation to help IFAW's emergency relief teams on the ground in Haiti. Your donation will help us buy the bandages, vaccines, antibiotics and other supplies for our mobile veterinary clinic.
We have partnered with WSPA to mount a coordinated animal relief response, and our team has deployed into the devastated country.
Your donation will go directly into IFAW's Emergency Relief fund, and will be used immediately and where needed most to help the animal victims of Haiti and our Emergency Relief work around the world.
I hope the efforts were successful! Lets hope for the best.
Fred Smilek is the acting president of the Society to Save Endangered Species. It was founded two years ago by Fred Smilek along with his two best friends Charles and Jonathan. http://www.fredjsmilek.com
Posted by: Fred Smilek | February 24, 2009 at 02:28 PM
I hope the efforts were successful. Let's hope for the best!
Fred Smilek is the acting president of the Society to Save Endangered Species. It was founded two years ago by Fred Smilek along with his two best friends Charles and Jonathan. http://www.fredjsmilek.com
Posted by: Fred Smilek | February 24, 2009 at 02:29 PM