Sunday, September 23, 2007

A Day for Thanks

Just wanted to take some time to express a heartfelt Thanks to everyone who is helping us with this.
I have to keep it brief – my seven year old son is timing my computer use, has set up booby traps across the office door and gives me violation notices for overuse (we’re working on recycling to conserve paper since they are numerous). Apparently my housecleaning, laundry and creative cooking skills are on the decline. (I’ve been blessed with a gifted, Type A kid who can run a Disaster Preparedness Booth with little help from me.)
At least the dogs, horse and birds are not complaining.

Thanks To:

Petlvr.com for the shout
http://www.petlvr.com/blog/2007/09/a-shout-out-for-the-animal-victims-of-peru-earthquake/
Please check out Hart’s blog and consider posting an animal rescue story there on Sept. 27 (information will be posted on the blog soon)

Kim at Bark-n-blog for linking to us and adding some information
http://www.bark-n-blog.com/
way cool dog site

Patrick at Critter News
http://critternews.blogspot.com/

Shelby who is going to Peru and Denver Humane Society. Shelby volunteers with them and they are donating vet supplies for her to take to Peru.

Alissa who rounded up red collars and leashes for the animals in Peru. (a red collar indicates the animal has been spayed and received shots and may save its life if mass euthanasia happens)

Patricia, a member of our team, whose media knowledge and contacts have helped with everything from the video she made (on top of the page) to the initial Best Friends contact.

Thea, Gerald, Marcia for going to Peru and bringing much need attention to Help Peru animals.

Best Friends, as always – what can we say? Stepped up and committed when other US Rescue organizations wouldn’t.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

The Best Friends plan in Peru approved














Breaking News:

Best Friends, local government agree on plan to rescue animals, stave off mass euthanasia. (September 21, 2007 : 5:33 PM)
Click the link below to read the plan:
http://network.bestfriends.org/peru_quake/news/18954.html

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Our Yahoo Group

We have created a group to help network people who are interested in helping in any capacity with relief efforts for Peru animals.
Click to join PeruEarthquakeAnimalDisasterResponse


Monday, September 17, 2007

Best Friends Update















September 16, 2007
(except From Best Friends Article)
"Best Friends working on agreement with Peru to address the animal welfare situation after the quake.
Best Friends is drafting a proposal to help animals left injured and displaced by the earthquake, a strategy we hope will also stave off the possibility of mass euthanasia।
The so-called memorandum of understanding will communicate our intentions to the Peruvian government, which has indicated it supports our presence and purpose, according to Rich Crook, Best Friends rapid response manager, who has been talking with officials and other animal welfare organizations।"

‘They’ve been very cooperative, very helpful’ - Best Friends Article 9/16/07

Animal Disaster Relief: Guadalupe, Peru (you tube video From Amazon Cares)

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Peru Animal Situation - CRITICAL

9/11/07

Note
: The situation in Peru is still CRITICAL for the animals. Once again there is talk of "government ordered euthanasia of the animals".

Please Help:
Donate (links below)
Volunteer
Sponsor Volunteers
Donate Supplies
Spread the Word

Ica Zoo:
We have heard rumors and confirmed reports about the terrible situation of animals in a private zoo in Ica. Gerald Pool has worked hard on getting a official government request for help for those animals. Columbia has offered to send in a team of zoo vets to administer medical care and assess the condition of those animals.

Best Friends article - "
A great compassion for their pets’"
excerpt from article:
"Faced with increasingly frustrated earthquake victims and concerned about possible mass euthanasia of dogs, the Best Friends team in Peru is working intently to protect the animals now and moving a bit more cautiously as it gathers information for a longer-term solution."


Amazon CARES You Tube video (photos of relief efforts, volunteers, animals)


Announcement by Peru's Ministry of Health

This forum post is from an official press release by the Ministry of Health of Peru requesting assistance for animal help.

Tails Pet Magazine article - Marcia Maxwell-Pool discusses the situation in Peru

Saturday, September 8, 2007

ASPPA - Peru Video (in Spanish)

Amazon CARES Update

9/8/07
Amazon CARES:
Field Report: Peru Rescue / Intl। Response?
(excerpts from newsletter posted by Molly Mednikow)
Date : September 7, 2007
I did not get a report out on September 6 as promised.
Several team members are quite ill (including me). We are
suffering from high fevers (mine reached 101!), stomach
issues and congestion. I belief working long hours in the
sun, little sleep, suspicious food, and the dust we are
breathing in are some of the culprits. The only reason I
had had some time to work on the Internet is due to my
being quarantined.

Due to the sheer number of volunteers CAAT provides, the
group has a very strong and important role in the ongoing
relief work. Amazon Cares has only 5 people here (with
only 8 employees I consider this quite a commitment). We
closed our Veterinary Clinic in Iquitos, which provides
essential funding to support our animal shelter (which I
have learned is the ONLY shelter in all Peru)!

Members of the CAAT team came with many medicines and
supplies to donate, however, they did not expect to perform
this quantity of spay/neuter surgeries. Luckily both teams
are sharing supplies and medicines, and every morning
Veterinarian Esther Peña buys new medicines and supplies
for team use. Amazon Cares is also paying for housing and
meals for the entire team, as well as bus rental and most
other transportation costs. The housing is in the home of
Esther’s mother! Many thanks to Esther’s family for making
room for this large group and providing delicious food (I
know her food did not make anyone ill), and doing
everything to make us feel comfortable.

The financial burden for all involved continues to grow.
As of this moment, September 7 at 1 PM, our donations total
$620. I do not enjoy begging for money, but the situation
here is dire, and we need funds to continue helping animals
in need. Please help us spread the word! The $620 are the
donations collected from the website of Amazon Cares, which
we are sharing with participating organizations.

Despite our desire to assist this region with ongoing
efforts with the complete support of the Ministry of
Health, the government has made clear that they can not
support our efforts with ANY funding...."
(Click Link above to read full report)

Earthquake Photos Link:
http://www.amazoncares.upcsites.org/EarthquakePics.html

Make a donation to Amazon Cares:

Friday, September 7, 2007

Best Friends News

9/7/07
Best Friends International has a team on the ground and have posted updates on their website "Peru Earthquake Relief"
http://network.bestfriends.org/peru_quake/news/
Click the link below to donate to
Best Friends Peru Earthquake Relief efforts in Peru:




Tuesday, September 4, 2007

9/4/07
Amazon CARES:
Current News re: Animal Earthquake Relief Efforts
(excerpts from newsletter posted by Molly Mednikow )
http://www.amazoncares.upcsites.org/newsletters/newsletter/4866003/44545.htm
I am currently working in the disaster areas of Peru in the aftermath of the August 15th earthquake. My name is Molly Mednikow, and I am the Founder and Director of Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education & Safety, Amazon CARES, based in Iquitos, Peru (the Amazon region). I happened to be in the USA when the earthquake occurred. Within five days I sent four people from Amazon Cares to Ica, Peru to assist in disaster relief for animals. Soon after that three volunteers from Animal Rescue New Orleans arrived. All of this was due to a request for help from ASPPA, the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals, based in Lima, Peru. Their initial call for help (translated from Spanish) basically said

“The Ministry of Health has requested help for animals dying of hunger and thirst in the South. Many of them have been abandoned by their owners, stuck or trapped in the rubble. We need balanced food for dogs and cats, but the most important donation is financial, as we have to rent transportation to deliver donations and rescue workers to the disaster zones. Money is also needed to purchase medications as there are many animal accident victims. Nobody is helping these animals as they are not a priority. Don’t abandon us. We need your collaboration. The most humble can save a life.”

Sunday, September 2, 2007

9/2/07
Best Friends International Article liking to our blog:
http://network.bestfriends.org/news/18371.html

Amazon CARES


Molly Mednikow Sunday September 2, 2007, 11:29 am
I am the Director of Amazon Cares, and we currently have a team of Vets at work in the disaster areas of Peru. We closed our Vet clinic in Iquitos, Peru temporarily to bring 2 Vets and 2 Vet Techs plus myself to these areas of Peru. We also arranged for a 20 member team from the Canadian Animal Assistance Team to come help for 2 weeks! Working with the Ministry of Health, and an emergency plan is just now falling into place (we have been working under extreme chaos for 5 days, but yesterday finally had some semblance of organization, despite less than favorale working conditions). We are also working on short and long term plans. Other organizations involved are Animal Rescue New Orleans and ASSPCA, the Animal Protection Organization located in Lima, Peru. Yesterday, Sept. 1, we worked in a tent city and were joined by 4 Veterinarians from Ica as well as a cadre of Vet students. Situation is dire. Donations can easily be made through our website as we are a registered US charity. www.amazoncares.org. All funds go directly to this effort. Sincerely, Molly Mednikow

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Disaster Animal Victims of Peru Earthquake Need our Help NOW





9/01/07
New Story Link from Best Friends International:
http://network.bestfriends.org/news/postdetail.aspx?gu=international&np=18351
8/31/07
Breaking News:
Just received this from Best Friends Animal Society letter:
". . . And the rescue work continues. A small team from Best Friends is heading out to Peru to help assess the needs of the animals and local groups following the earthquake there. No story on that yet, but we’ll keep you posted."
(follow up to Good News below- didn't want to use their name before they announced it ).

Watch Our Video:
We have a video up on you tube with pictures from Peru please rate it so we can get more coverage and help:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=PeruPetsNeedhelp

From The Field:
I am Thea Martin (volunteer) working with Gerald Pool and Marcia Maxwell - all three of us from California and have hooked up with ASPPA. We have now responded to Ica, Chincha and now Pisco (Pisco 3 times). A team of vet techs and vets are from Canada via Amazoncares are here with us and we are all together responding as a team. The vets take care of spay, neuter, vaccinations and we three are feeding and watering animals. The department of health (Ministries of Health) had two meetings with us and are excited about a larger longer response that we have indicated we would very much like to push for. They are very much in need of food, water, vet supplies, volunteer vets and care givers in all three larger cities mentioned as well as some smaller towns. The department of Heath is excited about the possibility that a large organized response would be a model for South America - especially the education part about pet care and over population issue.
Good News:
One of our US Animal organizations contacted me today for contact information. They are going to go in with a DART (Disaster Assessment and Response Team) which includes a member who is from Peru and lives in the US. (would love to use their name but will wait for permission).

This is my first Blog so please be kind. 8/30/07

About Me (seriously not into shameless self promotion but want to tell about myself for credibility):

I am a trained Animal Disaster Response volunteer. I trained with a National organization in the US. I have responded to Katrina (adopted a HW+ injured, blind in one eye Border Collie), a fire and flood and help with animal disaster preparedness training and awareness.

In 2006, 200 homes in my community flooded, including my own. I evacuated my six year old son, 3 dogs and twenty-eight parrots alone in waist deep water. During that time I also rescued and adopted a horse and got a small scale animal rescue going locally. We went into condemned areas and got out trapped pets whose owners were not allowed in, did food drops, set up a temporary shelter in my friend’s grooming shop and coordinated with local vets and boarding facilities. (Lived with my parents for eight months after I lost my house and am still recovering financially, repairing my home and my barn)

I have a MA in Special Education and teach eight grade special ed. My job did give me unpaid leave for Katrina and 1 day unpaid for the fire (I backed it up to time off and weekend) but they have denied other unpaid leave and have been less than sympathetic on other occasions. Apparently I am the only person in my district of 5,000+ people who wants do Disaster Response work of any kind and take leave without pay to do it.

How this became my cause:

I have three close friends (trained Disaster Response people, two are also psychologists who do trauma counseling in disaster zones) in Peru. The responded right after the call for animal assistance came in. I would be there right now but am unable to afford the transportation costs associated from the trip. May end up there yet if that is my path since things fall together for me in the exact way they need to happen for growth, self awareness and in my quest to help animals and others. If I go I will be using ½ of my sick leave for the year to do it.

I received a call from them Sunday, August 26 begging for any help I can get to them and in. So far their expenses have been over $3,000 half of that for a vehicle rental for the week. They told me the animal situation is desperate and Peru needs help. I started an e-mail campaign to get them some donations then began e-mailing and calling contacts across the US to try to raise awareness and get some help down there.

What friends and I have been trying to do:

1. Organize a team(s) of trained volunteers including vet techs and possibly a zoo vet to go down into the region with medical supplies to hook up with local existing animal organizations and help them in whatever capacity needed.

2. Find individual and/or corporate sponsors to pay for their travel expenses and vehicle rental costs so they can get there. (We can get medical supplies donated through and from contacts)

3. Find a nonprofit willing to get on board to accept donations for volunteer travel expenses and Peru animals so that donations would be deductible

4. Solicit donations from various organizations to be shipped directly to Peru (there seems to be an issue of cost effectiveness and customs) or to be taken in the country with volunteers. In process- have some commitments

5. Find a way to prevent customs issues for volunteers taking animal supplies in. DONE- have three contacts in the Peruvian Consulate who have shown me what paperwork is needed and how to expedite the process.

6. Disseminate information coming directly out of Peru and have bilingual friends translate and contact local people in the field.

7. Develop media interest for this situation

8. maintain daily contact with my friends by phone and e-mail to keep current on the situation

What We Know:

The animal situation is bad and getting worse every day.

The Ministry of Health has requested international assistance for help with the animals.

Many animals were abandoned by their owners and left to fend for themselves. There are injured animals roaming the streets and trapped.

There is talk of killing ALL stray animals (including abandoned pets) roaming the streets in some towns. Poisoning has been mentioned but people and children are eating the food left out for the animals so shooting would be the way of culling.

There are three local organizations in Peru working for the animals: ASPPA-Peru, Amazon CARES and HUAW HUAW. (am researching a fourth I heard about today).

ASPPA-Peru and Amazon CARES are working together. Amazon CARES is a registered nonprofit in the US. They have agreed to take donations and transfer those marked for ASPPA-Peru to them. They are trying to get in contact with HUAW HUAW.

Our Canadian brothers and sisters in the north, stepped up as always, and sent a team of 14 vets into the area. They will be there for three weeks.

Some small teams from US organizations (ARNO) are down there but the need is great and the resources and volunteers are few. (have heard rumors of small teams and assessment teams from other organizations but have not confirmed these)

What They are Doing:

The vets and vet techs are doing spays/neuters on tables and desks in less than sanitary conditions with minimal equipment and supplies. They are vaccinating. They are treating injured animals. Treated animals get a red color so workers know they have been treated and if it comes to a killing time they might be spared.

Volunteers are doing food drops, working with locals who need animal help, attending meetings and trying to get other plans in place with city ministers to avoid mass kills of animals.

Note: The minister of Pisco is receptive to opening an animal shelter (modeled after Katrina shelters) if supplies and volunteers can be found.

What You Can Do:

1. raise awareness about the criticalness of this issue to SAVE animals

2. Sponsor volunteers

3. volunteer

4. Donate

Animal Organization Links, Blogs, stories (some are in Spanish):

http://www.ASPPA-Peru.org

http://www.amazoncares.upcsites.org/newsletters/newsletter/4866003/44235.htm

http://network.bestfriends.org/international/news/18313.html

http://network.bestfriends.org/international/news/18243.html

http://fecipa.blogspot.com/2007/08/asociacion-huaw-huaw-de-peru-hace.html

http://www.rpp.com.pe/portada /nacional/93575_1.php

http://www.elcomercio.com.pe /ediciononline/HTML/olecultimas /2007-08-23/olecultimas0420864 .html

http://lta.today.reuters.com /news/newsArticle.aspx?type =domesticNews&storyID=2007-08 -23T203956Z_01_N23369530 _RTRIDST_0_LATINOAMERICA-SISMO -PERU-ANIMALES-SOL.XML

http://www.andina.com.pe /NoticiaDetalle.aspx?id=138737

http://www.laprimeraperu.com /noticia.php?IDnoticia=2837

http://www.larepublica.com.pe /content/view/173656/658/

http://www।larepublica.com.pe /content/view/174044/658/

http://www.caat-canada.org/

Organizations that have agreed to help:

http://www.Cloudstar.com - My dogs love their stuff and smell great after a “Buddy Wash”