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PET RESCUE “OPERATION HELPING HANDS”
UNDERWAY
WFHS, member shelters transporting dogs this week
July 2, 2008 —
The Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies, Inc. (WFHS)
and its member animal welfare organizations and
shelters have begun transporting animals, to aid the
Cedar Rapids, Iowa animal shelter that was
incapacitated by recent flooding.
“The WFHS transport team consists of vans from the
Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County
(HAWS), the Fox Valley Humane Association (FVHA),
and the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control
Center (MADACC),” stated HAWS Executive Director
Lynn Olenik. “These vans will be taking animals to
various shelters around the state who responded to
the request for help from the Humane Society of the
United States (HSUS).”
The vans left Southeastern Wisconsin at
approximately 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, and
are expected to return late Wednesday or early
Thursday. Temporary drop-off shelters will then be
sending animals to the following destination
shelters that have offered their help: Bay Area
Humane (Green Bay), Coulee Region Humane (Onalaska),
Dane County Humane (Madison), Dunn County Humane (Menomonie),
Eau Claire Humane (Eau Claire), Fox Valley Humane
(Appleton), Lakeland Animal Shelter (Elkhorn),
Northwoods Humane (Hayward), Washburn County Humane
(Spooner), Waupaca County Humane (Waupaca), and HAWS
of Waukesha.
“We are not yet sure how many animals will be
returning to each destination shelter,” noted Deb
Lewis, WFHS President. “Many shelters in our state
are already full to capacity, but certainly would
help if they were able.”
Each shelter will determine individually when the
animals they receive will be ready for viewing and
adoption.
The mission of Wisconsin
Federated
Humane
Societies, Inc. is to assist humane
organizations and coordinate and advance the work of
preventing cruelty to animals throughout the state.
Wisconsin
Federated
Humane
Societies, Inc. is the hub for a
cohesive network of humane organizations, providing
programs and expertise that promote individual
strength and organizational sustainability to end
cruelty to animals. For more information about WFHS,
log onto
www.wifedhs.org.
# # #
WISCONSIN
SHELTERS JOIN PET RESCUE EFFORTS
Wisconsin Federated
Humane Societies to Assist in Iowa, Offer Tips for
Future
June 26,
2008 — The Wisconsin
Federated Humane Societies, Inc. (WFHS) and its
member animal welfare organizations and shelters are
joining the Humane Society of the United States in a
rescue mission to aid an Iowa animal shelter
incapacitated by recent flooding.
“The Cedar Rapids
Humane Society has completely lost their facility,”
states Debby Lewis, President of WFHS. “We as an
active federation need to do everything we can to
help them.”
According to HSUS
Disaster Service Coordinator Diane Webber, hundreds
of animals at the Cedar Rapids site are in need of
new homes. These animals have either been signed
over by owners with no alternatives, or are former
stray animals now available for adoption.
Lynn Olenik,
Executive Director for the Humane Animal Welfare
Society of Waukesha (HAWS), is coordinating the
transport effort, dubbed “Operation Helping Hands,”
from Cedar Rapids to the various WFHS shelters in
Wisconsin. “Summer is the busiest time for animal
shelters - everywhere. Cedar Rapids needs our help,
and we’re going to do all we can,” noted Olenik.
Transports will begin the week of June 30th.
“Any WFHS shelters
that have room will be opening their doors for these
pets,” continued Lewis. “Even with the flooding
here in Wisconsin, most of our shelters have
weathered the storm quite well and have room. Those
shelters that are already full have committed staff
and resources to help with the transport efforts.”
Shelters that have
committed to taking in the Cedar Rapids pets include
the Fox Valley Humane Association in Appleton,
Coulee Region Humane Society in LaCrosse, Dane
County Humane Society in Madison, Humane Animal
Welfare Society of Waukesha, Washburn County Humane
Society in Spooner, Waupaca County Humane Society in
Waupaca, Dunn County Humane Society in Menomonie,
Lakeland Animal Welfare Society in Elkhorn,
Northwoods Humane Society in Hayward, and Bay Area
Humane Society in Green Bay.
Hurricane Katrina
brought to light the issue of appropriate shelters
and handling of companion pets. “Ideally, we want
pets and their owners to remain together – which can
ease the stress of the situation on both,” said
Lewis. To that end, WFHS and HSUS offer these tips
for those who have pets as members of their family.
Prepare
for everyday emergencies –
create a pet emergency/disaster kit before you need
it, including food/water, carriers/leashes, medical
records and feeding schedules, cat litter/dog waste
bags, identifying photos and toys. Also, find a
trusted neighbor who will assist if you are not home
during an emergency to take care of your pet.
Think
ahead – find a place
beforehand that can take your pet. Have a list of
regional hotels with their pet policies,
friends/family who will take your pets, boarding
facilities, veterinarians or animal shelters that
may be able to house your companion for the short
term.
Take your
pets along, or shelter at home
– even if you believe you’ll only be evacuating for
a short time, take your pets with you! Evacuating
before it becomes mandatory may give you a better
chance of finding pet-friendly shelter. If you can
remain at home, dedicate a room or area of your
house as your safe room, where disaster supplies are
kept. Have a battery-operated radio handy and do
not leave the room until you’re given the all
clear. When all is clear, keep your pets inside or
securely leashed while you assess the situation.
The mission
of Wisconsin
Federated
Humane
Societies,
Inc. is to assist humane organizations and
coordinate and advance the work of preventing
cruelty to animals throughout the state.
Wisconsin
Federated
Humane
Societies,
Inc. is the hub for a cohesive network of humane
organizations, providing programs and expertise that
promote individual strength and organizational
sustainability to end cruelty to animals. For more
information log onto
www.wifedhs.org.
Information on
Operation Helping Hands will be updated on the WFHS
website as it becomes available.
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