AID FOR ANIMALS AFFECTED BY TURKEY EARTHQUAKES
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Experienced disaster responders from the charity Humane Society International are working hard in challenging conditions to provide emergency relief for thousands of dogs, cats, and other animals affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey.
The team has joined local groups to help injured animals, establish field veterinary hospitals, distribute food and medicine, and set up water bowls on street corners.
HSI has also given emergency financial aid to local rescue group Yuk Hayvanlarani Koruma Ve Kurtama Dernegi (Working Animals Rescue Foundation), which is enabling vets and response vehicles to get supplies to the animals most in need.
“Thousands of rescued dogs and cats are in urgent need of veterinary care as they cope with injuries, shock, dehydration, and malnutrition,” explained HSI’s director of disaster response Kelly Donithan, who’s previously helped animals caught up in emergency situations in Australia, Africa, and Beirut.
“Several animal shelters in the impact zone have been destroyed, so HSI will be helping with the safe relocation of their animals. It’s heartbreaking to see people and their animals suffering the physical and psychological impacts of a disaster of this magnitude, so we are keen to help in any way we can.”
● Donate to the relief effort at https://donate.hsi.org/ page/113088/donate/1?ea. tracking.id=turkey_syria_ media_2023
● Turkish Airlines has flown earthquake rescue dogs and their handlers home for free on special flights. The airline didn’t want the dogs to travel in the cargo hold after their hard work locating victims trapped in the rubble, so allowed them in the passenger cabin, while some even got to fly business class.
● Tributes have been paid to heroic German Shepherd Proteo, deployed by Mexico, who sadly died while searching for survivors buried under the rubble.