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| Pets affected by the earthquake in Peru will receive help from several agencies. |
The earthquake that hit Peru on August 15 killed more than 500 people and left thousands homeless — along with more than 3,500 cats, dogs and other pets. To help assess the situation and make plans to care for the animals, Best Friends Animal Society has sent a team to evaluate conditions and put a support plan into place.
“The whole situation there is very serious, and we want to get on the ground there as quickly as possible to see how we can help,” said Best Friends president Michael Mountain.
Best Friends staff members will meet with representatives from the Canadian Animal Assistance Team and the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals, who are already working with the animals affected by the quake. Together, these groups will work with the local government to coordinate rescue efforts. They will visit the hardest hit areas, such as Pisco, and may meet with the Minister of Health.
“The Ministry of Health has requested help for animals dying of hunger and thirst in the south,” said a statement issued by the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals. “Many of them have been abandoned by their owners, stuck or trapped in the rubble…Nobody is helping these animals, as they are not a priority.”
Other groups aiding in the rescue efforts are the Humanitarian Association for Animal Welfare, the Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education & Safety, and Animal Rescue New Orleans.