RSPCA in Haiti helping pets, poultry and people

Tuesday, 2 March 2010 12:00 AM

An RSPCA chief officer has been deployed to earthquake stricken Haiti to take over the day to day running of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), a group of 21 animal charities from around the world.

ARCH was formed specifically to deal with the Haiti crisis. It is led by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). The Coalition is already on the ground in Haiti, working with local people to help injured animals as well as provide a massive vaccination programme for livestock, poultry and pets.

Chief officer Kevin Degenhard will leave the UK tomorrow (2 March) to take over the role of co-ordinator from WSPA's Gerardo Huertas, who is the charities' disaster operations director for the Americas.

Kevin said: "Being asked to take on this role is both a massive honour and a great responsibility. I will spend two months in Haiti helping to co-ordinate the running of the mobile outreach clinics and other field operations and working with the Haitian government to put the ARCH programme plan for animal welfare into action."

A vital part of rebuilding communities in Haiti is helping people to look after their surviving animals, as they depend on these animals for food, protection and companionship.

"The situation on the ground at the moment is still very difficult, but the ARCH team is working very closely with local people, and I am confident that we will be able to help make a difference to the humans and animals affected by this terrible tragedy," he added.

So far ARCH has helped over 2,000 animals* and is now working with the Government of Haiti to help rebuild services for people and their animals.

This sort of operation is only possible because of the combined efforts of all the animal welfare groups involved in ARCH, and it is through this co-operation that we strive to make a real and lasting difference to the people and animals of Haiti.

For updates on our emergency relief work in Haiti, or any of the other emergency international relief work we do, go to web page http://www.rspca.org.uk/inaction/international/emergencyresponse

For photographs and requests for interview, please contact RSPCA press office on: 0300 123 0244.

- Ends -

Notes for editors:

*The latest numbers of animal treated in Haiti - The last day on record is Feb 22, and the total at that time stood at 2,226. This figure will have increased significantly since then, and an update will be available shortly.

About ARCH Coalition

The Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) is jointly led by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in partnership with over a dozen of the world's leading animal protection organizations.

Animal welfare organizations formed the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) so that we could work together to bring aid to as many animals, and in as short a time, as possible. At present, ARCH partners include: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (England and Wales) International Fund for Animal Welfare, World Society for the Protection of Animals, American Humane Association, Best Friends Animal Society, In Defense of Animals, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Foundation, Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, United Animal Nations, Kinship Circle, One Voice, Swiss Animal Protection and Petfinder.com Foundation. ARCH members urge other animal welfare groups to join in the group efforts.

About the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) saves animals in crisis around the world. With headquarters in the United States and representation in 15 countries, IFAW and its 1.2 million supporters work passionately to prevent animal suffering.

About WSPA

The World Society for the Protection of Animals is the world's largest alliance of animal welfare organisations. With consultative status at the United Nations and a network of over a thousand member societies in 156 countries in the world, including the RSPCA, we strive to create a world where animal welfare matters and animal cruelty ends.

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk

Tags: