Category: Disaster Relief

When a horse needs help

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, March 1993:

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – –
Held the weekend of February 6-7, the First
International Conference on Equine Rescue
could have run days longer, in Rich Meyer’s
estimation. As horse expert for the
American Humane Association, Meyer
knows horse rescue ranks among most shel-
ter directors’ and animal control officers’
worst nightmares. First, there’s the sheer
size and strength of the animal to contend
with. Second, where there’s one starving or
abused horse, there are usually several.
Third, shelters set up to handle dogs and
cats usually don’t have facilities for live-
stock: big trailers, paddocks, pastures.
Their regular veterinarians tend to be small
animal specialists. And their budgets aren’t
easily stretched to accommodate the special
needs and appetites of equines.

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Andrew aftermath: The hurricane is over, but the storm goes on

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, December 1992:

MIAMI, FLORIDA–– First came Hurricane
Andrew, devastating south Florida and tearing a path of
destruction along the northern edge of the Gulf of Mexico
all the way to Louisiana. In the wake of the August 24
storm, animal rescuers impressed the world with prompt,
professional response. Observers including New York Times
correspondents, military personnel, and coordinators of
relief for human disaster victims praised––and sometimes
envied––what they saw.
“Noah was there!”, ANIMAL PEOPLE declared.
Then came exhaustion and frustration. In some
instances the need for help dragged on months longer than
public attention remained focused on the plight of the vic-
tims, both human and animal. Donations were fewer, as
were accolades. Combat fatigue soon followed. In other
cases, individuals who gained a sense of meaning and self-
worth from helping out insisted on continuing to “help” long
after their efforts ceased to be useful––and felt hurt when
told to go home.

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Hurricane Andrew: Noah was there! Disaster spotlights preparation

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, October 1992:

MIAMI, FLORIDA — Thousands of
animals drowned, were swept to their deaths
by winds reaching 200 miles an hour, or were
crushed by falling trees and collapsing build-
ings. Fragile habitat was harmed from southern
Florida to coastal Louisiana. But while
Hurricane Andrew hit too suddenly for anyone
to build an ark, thousands more animals were
saved from the August 24 disaster through the
prompt efforts of volunteer rescuers. As the
human relief response came under critical
scrutiny from victims and the media, observers
had only praise for the contributions of animal
control and humane workers.

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