Animal Humane Society assisting pets displaced by Red River Valley flooding

March 27, 2009
Animal Humane Society's Special Case Response Team arrived at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo yesterday and began taking in displaced animals. They were relieved late today by the Humane Society of the United States and Emergency Animal Rescue Service and will be on standby as the situation in Fargo-Moorhead develops.

If you're in the Fargo-Moorhead area and in need of assistance with your pet, please call (701) 281-1574 or simply drop your animal off at the temporary shelter at the fairgrounds.

March 25, 2009
As residents of the Fargo-Moorhead area face record-breaking flood waters, a team from Animal Humane Society is responding to a call to help animals affected by the rising water in the Red River Valley.  The team is among the first animal welfare organizations on site to assist in the disaster area. 

The Minnesota Animal Disaster Coalition (ADC) requested emergency help from Animal Humane Society.  ADC and Animal Ark will be assisting in this effort and all three organizations are expected to be on site Thursday afternoon, March 26 in West Fargo.

This first response team will set up a staging area in West Fargo and is expected to assist between 200 – 300 displaced animals. Those animals may include pets that may have been lost, stray or left by families who need to evacuate the area. 

According to Kathie Johnson, AHS director of animal services, AHS is experienced in these kind of rescue efforts having sent teams to Hurricanes Rita, Katrina and last year’s Ike where 120 dogs were transported to AHS locations to find new homes.  “Last summer we were on-site for the floods in Iowa—caring for animals and bringing more than 40 dogs and cats to AHS sites.  Helping with these natural disasters is an important part of our work at AHS.”

The Animal Humane Society team is expected to be on-site through the weekend when it will be relieved by the Humane Society of the United States and other animal welfare groups.  AHS does not expect to be returning with any animals from West Fargo as the goal is to care for and later reunite animals with their owners.

 

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