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Flooding in Delaware. Cats, Chained Dogs, and Farm Animals Mostly at Risk.

June 27, 2006, 12:0AM MT

Sussex County Hit Hard. Governor Declares State of Emergency for Seaford and Blades as animals perish...

NOTE: NEVER LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND, CRATED OR CHAINED

June 30 Update: Delawareans Respond with Help for the Animals; Horses and Many Dogs Saved

The crisis has subsided as Delaware's large humane organizations stepped in to assist and coordinate. Concerned animal lovers across Delaware began calling and emailing to mobilize for help as soon as the crisis became known. Whimsical Animal Rescue, Inc. of Seaford, which had put out the early alert, was quickly contacted by Delaware Humane Association, and calls were referred to Delaware Humane and Kent County SPCA for assistance. Since Whimsical is a small local group, these larger organizations stepped forward to use their capabilities to provide the assistance the animals needed.

Tammy Magaha, President of Whimsical Animal Rescue, Inc. and Sussex County Animal Association. reports "Things are fine here now. We got calls on 13 dogs and 5 horses stranded/swimming etc. All have gotten back to their owners..." She also confirmed that cats perished and expressed concern for the many chained dogs in the area.

The number of farm animals who drowned in the flooding will take time to ascertain but is estimated to be in the tens of thousands. The Washington Post reported June 28th that as many as 80,000 chickens died in the Delmarva area, citing one farmer in Dorechester County, MD who alone lost 30,000 4-week old chickens.

And the Delaware SPCA has unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art Disaster Preparedness Plan for animals...

See Full Story for all the details of this update.

June 29 Update:

John Caldwell, director of Delaware SPCA, says actually the shelters and homeless animals are doing pretty well considering. That assessment is describing the homeless pets in shelters and SPCA. Mr. Caldwell said they are not seeing a loss of life or influx into shelters at this moment. Best Friends is currently checking with other agencies/orgs to see if help is needed.

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As of 6:25pm Tuesday evening June 27th, the Governor has declared a State of Emergency for the Seaford and Blades areas, reports WGMD News Radio.

State and local officials continue to assess the damage caused by the weekend flooding. They are also preparing for more rain as there is a chance for rain and thunderstorms all week.

About 35 people remain in a Red Cross shelter set up at Woodbridge High School. The rain also has caused thousands of dollars in damage to crops and livestock, and thousands more in bridge and road damage.
story

Visit Delaware on Line
click here

From a rescuer---
An on-the-scene report from one animal rescuer who lives in the area
states: "It's a nightmare over here. Animals are being found deceased. cats/kittens and dogs/puppies. I have found the owners of several that were swimming in the streets. I have others holding on to dogs they have found on top of trash can, sheds, and swimming to survive."

In another report, she adds: I..am currently overwhelmed with the many dogs and horses evacuated from flooded areas to my farm since it is not flooded...Horses standing neck deep in water. I can only imagine how many chained dogs drowned in this mess..."

Please Come to Their Aid

Western Sussex has long had a shortage of help for those looking out for the animals. Now they have a State of Emergency, and need our aid.

A "Flood Disaster" Forum has just been opened here on Delaware Best Friends - please post your needs for assistance and offers to help.
Click Here

Helpful Links

DELAWARE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
http://www.state.de.us/dema/

DELAWARE SPCA
http://www.delspca.org/disaster.html

DISASTER TIPS
http://www.health-news-and-information.com/3stfrancishealth/libv/p49.shtml

Comments

Posted June 29, 2006, 12:2AM by dogster

There is nothing posted on the link for Delaware Flood Disaster forum. If speciifc help is needed, please post details with names and contact info. I have been helping out with the Katrina animal disaster for 10 mos and from what I can see here in DE, there is no "disaster." If help is needed - please POST. Thank you.

Posted June 29, 2006, 5:51PM by dogdetective

We have a database of volunteers - let us know if you need help.

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Posted June 30, 2006, 9:2AM by phhaddock

Friday, June 30 Update

People across Delaware have responded with help for the animals - 13 dogs and all 5 of the horses have been saved.

The crisis has subsided as Delaware's large humane organizations stepped in to assist and coordinate. Concerned animal lovers across Delaware have been calling and emailing to mobilize for help as soon as the crisis became known. Whimsical Animal Rescue, Inc. of Seaford, which had put out the early alert, was quickly contacted by Delaware Humane Association, and calls were referred to Delaware Humane and Kent County SPCA for assistance. Since Whimsical is a small local group, these larger organizations stepped forward to provide the assistance the animals needed.

Tammy Magaha, President of Whimsical Animal Rescue, Inc. and Sussex County Animal Association, did confirm that cats perished and again expressed concern for the many chained dogs in the area.

The number of farm animals who drowned in the flooding will take time to ascertain but is estimated to be in the tens of thousands. The Washington Post reported June 28th that as many as 80,000 chickens died in the Delmarva area, citing one farmer in Dorechester County, MD who alone lost 30,000 4-week old chickens.

And the Delaware SPCA has unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art Disaster Preparedness Plan for animals...

For all the details, see the full story here.

Posted June 29, 2006, 12:2PM by michelle

Thursday, June 29 Update:

John Caldwell, director of Delaware SPCA, says actually the shelters and homeless animals are doing pretty well considering. That assessment is describing the homeless pets in shelters and SPCA. Mr. Caldwell said they are not seeing a loss of life or influx into shelters at this moment. Best Friends is currently checking with other agencies/orgs to see what, if any, help is needed.

Note:
On the forums(message boards), a kind gentleman has posted availability of space for animals in need. Others are also posting a helping hand. Thank you!
http://network.bestfriends.org/MessageBoards/Forum.aspx?f=732