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Haiti needs our help: Can you donate?
By Gina Spadafori
January 14, 2010
It’s very rare when we put up something completely off-topic, no connection to pets at all. But the situation is Haiti is dire after the massive earthquake, and I’d like to encourage everyone to help in any way possible. For most of us, that’s going to mean a donation. The Los Angeles Times has a list of charities working the relief effort. Please give.
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Donated yesterday.
There will also be animal issues as a result of the quake.
Comment by glock — January 14, 2010 @ 8:46 am
Gina - do you know which animal related charities will get involved in the relief efforts there? Any suggestions on who to donate to for animal rescue and relief efforts?
Comment by Ingrid King — January 14, 2010 @ 9:54 am
Ingrid.. this link is on Twitter about animal rescue in Haiti..it is new to me..
http://is.gd/6fWg2
Comment by Carol V — January 14, 2010 @ 10:16 am
I was in the military and sent to the 1976 Guatemalan earthquake zone. We dug out any living creature. One of my co-workers rescued a flock of chickens. When you see the horror of an earthquake in a poverty stricken area, all life becomes important to you.
Sadly, the naysayers are out already. If you give to Haiti, you’re not giving to Darfur; if you’re giving to earthquake relief, you’re not giving to flood relief, etc., etc.
I gave to the Clinton Foundation (clintonfoundation.org) and Partners in Health (PIH.org). When an animal rescue charity steps up to the plate, I will give there, too.
Comment by Pam — January 14, 2010 @ 11:28 am
Thanks, Carol! And Pam … I am in awe of anyone who is physically and mentally able to help in a disaster area. I’m pretty sure I could handle it mentally — I’ve seen a lot of rough stuff as a reporter — but physically, no way.
I had a nightmare last night about Haiti … and in my sleep I was reporting that Haiti must have been what SF was like in 1906: Isolated, the collapse of civil authority, no assistance.
And like Haiti, the animals will fare even worse (if that even can be imagined) than the people will. After the 1906 earthquake in SF, thousands of horses were worked to death. It was just considered necessary for the place and the time.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — January 14, 2010 @ 11:40 am
I too wonder about the poor animals but I know the priority is people. With the water system destroyed who will be there to water and feed the animals? This type of disaster is truly tragic and my heart and prayers go to the people suffering in Haiti. It is difficult to comprehend the death and destruction.
Comment by Snoopy's Friend — January 14, 2010 @ 12:02 pm
Gina - in 1976 I was 22. I didn’t know I had limitations.
Unfortunately, given the degree of poverty and the level of destruction in Haiti, I suspect many of the animals will become food.
Comment by Pam — January 14, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
From HSUS website:
http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2010/01/haiti.html
Comment by glock — January 14, 2010 @ 4:14 pm
I will donate, but I hope in the future we have vets standing by to give aid to the animals too. During Katrina I donated to local animal LA rescue groups. I haven’t even seen a dog or cat in any news footage. Maybe they are in hiding.
Comment by sandrafx — January 14, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
The AVMA’s Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams is monitoring the situation and prepared to go. I suspect, however, it’s still such disaster zone it’s hard to get people and supplies in.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — January 14, 2010 @ 7:33 pm
sandrafx, the AVMA is standing by with animal help! Dr. Becker just posted this link to his social media accounts:
http://avma.org/news/Haiti_earthquake/
Comment by Christie Keith — January 14, 2010 @ 7:33 pm
LOL, Gina, look at the times we posted…
Comment by Christie Keith — January 14, 2010 @ 7:34 pm
Oops. Sync.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — January 14, 2010 @ 7:34 pm
Freaky!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — January 14, 2010 @ 7:38 pm
Just got an e-mail: The AARP (yeah, I’m a PROUD member!) Foundation will match donations dollar for dollar up to $500,000.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — January 14, 2010 @ 8:06 pm
I too, in watching all the coverage of Haiti on TV, am wondering where all the animals are. I see none in any of the footage being shown…where are they, I am afraid to ask..
Comment by Sandi K — January 14, 2010 @ 9:23 pm
I sent my donation in, but I wanted to do more, so….
I’m auctioning off a piece (well, I say auctioning but basically, the bid’s by sending me a screencap of your donation, or pledging to MAKE a donation to the charity of your choice that isn’t HSUS and then sending me a screencap if you win) of my artwork. :)
Comment by Cait — January 14, 2010 @ 9:51 pm
As to where the animals are, they are probably scared and hanging out in places where the reporters aren’t. All the noise and crying I imagine is a bit overwhelming.
I can only imagine house pets did not do as well in the earthquake rubble.
I truly do not believe that house pets have been or will be used as a food source.
Comment by Snoopy's Friend — January 15, 2010 @ 11:11 am
Over on PetHobbyist, we’ve posted some ideas on how to donate to help the people and animals of Haiti. I’m investigating a few other organizations that are launching animal rescue efforts and will update that post as I find ones that seem worth supporting.
http://www.pethobbyist.com/sit.....Haiti.html
Comment by Christie Keith — January 15, 2010 @ 11:37 am
Donated a couple of days ago…
Comment by Marcy — January 15, 2010 @ 8:06 pm
Luisa’s never-more-aptly named Lassie Get Help blog has a good overview of the situation in Haiti.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — January 16, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
In some MSNBC video footage I saw a dog roaming the streets.
Comment by sandrafx — January 16, 2010 @ 5:14 pm
Here is more information on the “Animal Coalition for Haiti” (ARCH) from Best Friends. Many of the major animal groups have joined the coalition.
http://news.bestfriends.org/in.....955E35A614
Comment by glock — January 17, 2010 @ 6:40 am
given the sad lessons experience has taught us about which groups will REALLY help on the ground, and which will only collect money and/or behave in ways detrimental to people and animals, I’m going to wait a bit before I choose where to send my money. I want to be sure I give to effective efforts. The coalition BF writes about sounds like a very good step.
Comment by EmilyS — January 17, 2010 @ 9:45 am
Following the suggestion of a friend who works for a federal agency, I did an email to the Whitehouse (whiteghouse.gov) regarding the animal situation in Haiti. In my email I did the following: Mentioned need for State Dept. involvement. Provided info on “ARCH” (Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti). Stressed that animal welfare after earthquakes not only a “feel good” concern, but also a public health issue. Recommended that White House working group on animal issues be considered (along with State Department). Suggested they indicate donation options for animal concerns on (White House)website.
Comment by glock — January 17, 2010 @ 8:41 pm
many pics of rescue dogs now in Haiti:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/.....otie-Lover
(ok, you have to get past the whole DKos language thing…)
Comment by EmilyS — January 17, 2010 @ 10:30 pm
Oh, Emily, that DKos diary has me bawling like a baby!
Comment by Christie Keith — January 17, 2010 @ 10:50 pm
really Christie, who knew? I sure didn’t, stupid American that I am…
Comment by EmilyS — January 17, 2010 @ 11:03 pm
Please Be Very Careful About Where You Donate Your Money. Seek Out The Well Known And Reputable Organizations Such As The ASPCA, Humane Society, PETA. Those Who Do On Going Help For Animals.
Unfortunately In Times Like These, There Are People Out There Who Will Put Up A Mock Site Just To Reap The Cash……So Sad But So True. Same With The Red Cross. Donate With Caution, But Please Do Donate!
Together We Can Make A Difference.
JoAnn Chisholm-Dueno
President/CEO
Hearts For Animals, Inc.
Comment by JoAnn Chisholm-Dueno — January 23, 2010 @ 7:40 pm
Please Be Very Careful About Where You Donate Your Money. Seek Out The Well Known And Reputable Organizations Such As The ASPCA, Humane Society, PETA. Those Who Do On Going Help For Animals.
Comment by JoAnn Chisholm-Dueno — January 23, 2010
“Well-known,” “reputable” and “Do[ing] ongoing help for animals” are not the same thing. I wouldn’t give a pennyto the publicity-sucking pet-killers at PETA, and I gotta say that with their recent behavior the HSUS and the ASPCA didn’t make my Christmas list — and they have a long way to go to get back on it.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — January 23, 2010 @ 8:03 pm