Peru Earthquake Relief

A day of rest?

rebecca — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 02:48:44 GMT

Team members help rebuild local pre-school.

By Michael Rinker, Best Friends Senior Editor

Expanding its mission a bit during its last weekend in Peru, the Best Friends team spent its off day Sunday helping to finish the rebuilding of a local pre-school that was heavily damaged in the earthquake.

The pre-school was owned and operated by the mother of Miguel, one of the Peruvian vets who’d been working with us. He would travel about an hour and a half each day to help with the animals, then make the return trip to help his mom rebuild the school.

Our team’s schedule was to work six days a week, then rest on Sundays. But on their final Sunday, team members decided to return the good deeds Miguel had been doing for the animals. “It was clear to all of us that we were going to Pisco to help with what ever they needed,” said Rich Crook, Best Friends rapid response manager.

“Once we arrived Miguel gave us a quick tour of the school and put us to work. We painted, cleaned, moved lumber and supplies, basically helped in any way, all to prepare for the reopening, which happened to be the next day.”

Miguel showed everyone pictures of the pre-school and of his veterinary clinic that used to be across the street, but now is completely gone. “My entire life changed in just 4 minutes,” he said.

Rich observed, “The only thing left that might give you a clue that it was a clinic was the painted dog prints on the last standing wall.”

Miguel was inside his clinic when the quake hit and his father was across the street. Miguel had pictures showing where they both were when the walls started coming down. It was amazing they survived.

Miguel said that during the earthquake the ground was moving so violently in all directions he could not stand up.

“We experienced a 4.8 tremor for 45 seconds while we were here,” Rich said. “It sends chills down your spine to think that these folks endured 4 minutes of an 8.0.”

Miguel’s mother treated team members to a wonderful dinner and shared stories of the earthquake that changed their lives.

Losing their material things was not important, family members are just thankful they all survived.

Job well done

rebecca — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 02:27:04 GMT

Team returns home, leaving successful plan in place.

By Michael Rinker, Best Friends Senior Editor

The four remaining members of the Best Friends team returned to Utah this week after successfully completing the set-up phase and initial operating period of our mission to aid the animal victims of Peru’s devastating earthquake.

Our plan was to initiate a program of vaccinations and spay/neuters, and to provide food, in an effort to stabilize the situation, then put into place a self-sustaining operation staffed by in-country veterinarians and vet techs.

Shari Artadi, who has been working closely with us, will be the logistics/volunteer coordinator handling site set-up, supplies and communications with local stakeholders. Shari, formerly of the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals, played an integral role in coordinating rescue efforts in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.

The veterinarians will follow protocols established by Best Friends medical director Mike Dix, who is one of the four returnees, along with rapid response manager Rich Crook, and staffers Keith Cliver and Pam Crook.

Rich will travel back to Peru next month to monitor the on-going operational phase and determine if any fine-tuning is needed.

After 14 working days in the field, we performed 163 spay/neuter surgeries, 2263 vaccinations and distributed 2800 pounds of dog food. At this point, those numbers meet or exceed our expectations.

Rich said the local vets and vet techs have done a great job and all levels of government officials have been extremely cooperative and supportive, as have the residents where the teams have conducted operations.

He is submitting a report to Peru’s Ministry of Health.

Our assessment team arrived early last month as the government was considering mass euthanasia because of fear about the spread of rabies. Reports said that people had been bitten by hungry animals roaming the streets and there was concern that the longer the animals went without food, the more aggressive they would become.

Our overall goal was to show the country’s Minister of Health and his directors that we’re helping provide a safer, healthier environment in the areas most affected by the earthquake. We presented our plan to government officials in mid-September and they signed on.

Trying times

rebecca — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:16:56 GMT

Despite an earthquake and a robbery, the team keeps going.

By Rich Crook, Best Friends Rapid Response Manager

A few days ago, we had a 4.8-magnitude earthquake – enough to get our attention. Some of the walls and buildings that were heavily damaged by the first earthquake came down as a result.

Our work in San Juan Battista started slowly but picked up quickly. The mayor dispatched a car with a loudspeaker to drive around and announce what we were doing and where. We also sent a team into the surrounding area on foot. All together we vaccinated 172 animals and performed 10 sterilizations.

Shelby Davis, a volunteer from the states, arrived with two suitcases full of supplies, red collars leashes, med supplies and the such. She was sent by Gerald Poole, my original contact, and has been doing a great job.

We have another volunteer arriving, one who participated in our rapid response training this summer. I gave her as much information as I could over the phone, so she knows what to expect.

Jorge, from ADEPA, a local animal welfare group, has been helping us with media contacts. He is rounding up a crew to shoot a couple days’ worth of video. We will be in La Tinguina, a heavily populated northeastern suburb of Ica. We hope to be very busy and get some good video.

We had an unfortunate incident earlier this week. Pam Crook was out getting a soda when a man stole her Leatherman knife (all-purpose tool) from her belt. So I’ve implemented a rule that nobody goes alone anywhere outside the hotel. Until now we’ve had no problems, but you can never be too safe.

Overall the operation is going well and according to plan. So far we’ve vaccinated 1158 animals and sterilized more than 100 in nine days in the field. The locals are thankful for the help we are providing. Seeing the smiles on their faces is what keeps us all going.

Miles of smiles

rebecca — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 02:56:42 GMT

Peruvians give new meaning to walking the dog.

By Rich Crook, Best Friends Rapid Response Manager

A common theme with the animals here is they all seem to be very happy; they come to our clinics in all shapes and sizes, wearing collars, harnesses, scarves and smiles.

Peruvians tend to have a different way in which they transport their animals. Some come in walking their dogs with both front paws in one hand; others come in with a person on each side with a paw in each hand. Still others come in with a dog under each arm, similar to how some folks in the states would carry a child.

I’ve been surprised by the amount of pure breeds I’ve seen – many boxers, rotties, poodles, terriers and shepherds. Most all the animals come in without aggression issues, capable of being around other pets and people. Occasionally we see a dog that could use a bit of schooling but most are well behaved.

Some receive their shots without noticing, while others have a bit more to say about it – again, similar to children; it’s very cute.

On Friday, it was crazy busy. Folks were lined up before we made it to the clinic and the team went full throttle, ending the day with 204 vaccinations and 20 sterilizations.

Pam (Crook) received a couple of rough bites from a dog. She went to the clinic, got her shots and antibiotics, and was back to work in short order. One of the vet techs also was bitten, but not to the degree Pam was.

We decided to spend an extra day in La Esperanze. We were scheduled for two days in La Esperanza but had so many people who wanted their dogs sterilized that we felt another day was warranted.

Television and radio coverage continues with help from ADEPA, a local animal welfare group.

Food for Thought

rebecca — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 01:13:34 GMT

Oct. 5th - Update from rapid response manager Rich Crook.

Thanks to widespread television, radio and newspaper coverage, we’ve been successful in educating people about the benefits of spay/neuter and vaccination. They’re beginning to show up asking to have their animals sterilized, rather than us having to talk them into it. In addition, we’re starting to get a bigger response; people were lined up at the clinic yesterday before we arrived.

Food
Pedigree had shipped us three tons of food, but it ended up in a regional government supply office (the equivalent of a FEMA field office in the states). The offices provide storage for aid going to the people, but evidently they didn’t know who the dog food was for so they simply stored it. We are now working on getting a letter from our original contact with Pedigree to get the food released to us.

Vaccines
In an effort to ease our cash-flow situation, I spoke to our pharmacist about an alternative to paying cash for our de-wormer and vaccines. He is okay with us dropping off an order and sending a check overnight. He understands he will not receive the checks for several days, but is willing to give it try.

Staff
Keith Cliver, who works in Dog Town at the sanctuary, is arriving to replace Roy Coscio, who is heading back to Utah. Roy did a great job. I’ve worked with Keith in the field before and I’m looking forward to his arrival. He’ll be able to pick up some of Roy’s translation duties.

All together now

rebecca — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:32:05 GMT

Best Friends reaches out to Peruvian animal welfare groups.

As the Best Friends team in western Peru continues to tend to animals and educate residents in the ways of animal welfare, rapid response manager Rich Crook has been recruiting local vets, vet techs, volunteers and groups.

The key component to the Best Friends plan for the area is establishing a network that will continue our work when we leave at the end of our eight-week commitment.

Overall, the plan calls for extensive spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations and distribution of food. The goal is to stabilize the welfare of animals in the western part of the country where the earthquake struck, and to avoid government-ordered euthanasia of thousands of animals due to concerns over rabies and aggression.

In addition to Rich, the team consists of sanctuary medical director Dr. Mike Dix, dog caregiver Roy Coscio, who is from Peru, staffer Pam Crook, and Shari Artadi, formerly of the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals.

Rich submitted the following report on their progress with in-country groups.

United for the Animals
I met with Fabiana Portal, who confirmed that her organization spent several weekends in Pisco Playa doing vaccinations, and had just begun doing spay/neuters this past weekend. We will share information on a regular basis about what we’ve done and where. I explained our process for marking animals who’ve been vaccinated – marking the inner portion of the right ear with a permanent marker – and she agreed to follow the same procedure so that we can avoid duplicating efforts.

Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals
Shari spoke with the group’s president Cecilia De Gregory to explain what we are trying to accomplish and see if they’d be interested in working together. Cecilia said they would love to be a part of the operation, and that they can help with dog food, volunteers and some medicines. She said they can send food and volunteers for our work in El Carmen and El Olivos starting Oct. 6.

Association of Defense and Protection of the Animals
We recently found out about this group and met with executive director Jorge Guerrero. The organization is very young and has no money and no official non-profit status, but they are willing to help. We were impressed with what they’ve accomplished to date. One of the ways they can help is by spreading the word in areas we are preparing to work. They can also gain experience by assisting field teams with vaccinations.

Animazul
I have exchanged emails with a representative of this organization and they seem willing to work with us, so we’re setting up an official meeting.

Improving Life Peru
This small organization is helping us by supplying dog food. Although they typically support humanitarian efforts, they found out what we were in town doing and decided to get us the food we so badly needed. They said that until we secure a means for food supply they will continue to help as they can by shipping food via bus from Lima.

Media
Roy and Shari went on local television to talk about our operation and let people know where we’ll be. After an earlier appearance on TV-31, station officials told us we could come back if needed, so we did. The interview went well; Roy and Shari did a great job.

We also have radio spots promoting the project and where we’ll be.

Photos by Molly Wald

Weekend warriors

rebecca — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:31:36 GMT

Best Friends operations begin in earnest.

The Best Friends team, working this weekend with local vets and vet techs in Guadalupe, spayed or neutered 30 animals and vaccinated another 400. They also repaired one hernia and removed a large tumor.

The team consists of rapid response manager Rich Crook, sanctuary medical director Dr. Mike Dix, dog caregiver Roy Coscio, who is from Peru, staffer Pam Crook, and Shari Artadi, formerly of the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals, who played an integral role in coordinating rescue work in the aftermath of the earthquake and is now providing key support for Best Friends’ efforts.

Here is Rich’s report on the beginning of the team’s full-fledged efforts.

We met with three local vets to discuss our respective goals and expectations. The meeting went well. They had some good questions and a few concerns, one of which was how the locals would feel about bringing their animals to a hospital meant for humans. We told them we wouldn’t really know the answer until we gave it a try.

Friday was our first day in the field. The morning was a little slow; we had to get our equipment set up and Dr. Mike did a last-minute inventory check.

By noon, the word had spread and people started showing up.

We finished with 76 vaccinations (mostly dogs) and eight surgeries – a huge success for the first day.

Our team works well together. Pam helps out in all areas, staying busy until Dr. Mike needs her for surgery. He is great to work with in the field – he is easy-going and really knows his stuff. Roy is a terrific guy with a good sense of humor and has been invaluable in bridging the communication gap. Shari knows how to get things done. When we run into a problem or simply need to make an adjustment in the program, I generally go to her. She will be ready very soon to handle the operation.

Day two started with a group of volunteer vets, techs and general helpers brought together by a couple of wonderful Spanish ladies – Charro and Margareta. They have been here for weeks helping feed the children. Now they’ve started recruiting people to help us with the animals.

We had eight countries represented at the clinic this morning: Sweden, Switzerland, Ireland, Australia, England, Peru, Spain and the United States.

We split the group into two teams – one worked the clinic while the other went into the field to perform vaccinations and de-worming. They also encouraged residents to take their pets to the clinic to be sterilized. That proved to be a challenge because the people simply do not understand why we would want to do such a thing. We are trying different approaches to educate and persuade them.

Our operation is working well on several levels, showing folks how much easier it is when you work together, breaking territorial boundaries and providing general knowledge on best practices for the animals.

Wish List - Updated October 1, 2007

debbies — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:30:21 GMT

Here's today's list of items that would be a big help. We update it regularly as the needs change.

DROP-OFF LOCATION AND MAILING ADDRESS:
Rich Crook - Best Friends Animal Society
Hotel Princess
URB. Santa Maria D-103
Ica, Peru, South America

Syringes (3 mil with needles)
Gauze 3x3 or 4x4
Surgical cloth
Toys and treats
Sutures (2.0 and 3.0)
Intubation tubes for small dogs
Mike solution for soaking instruments
Chlorhexadine
Small blankets for post op
Blankets
Heat lamp for post op
Frontline
Revolution

Update from Peru

rebecca — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 02:45:41 GMT

Best Friends medical director arrives to oversee launch of rescue plan.

By Rich Crook, Best Friends Rapid Response Manager

Best Friends medical director Dr. Mike Dix arrived this week along with staffer Pam Crook. Those two join me, recent-arrival Roy Coscio, who is a dog caregiver at the sanctuary and is from Peru, and Shari Artadi, formerly of the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals. We will teach the locals about the importance of sterilizing and vaccinating their animals and why.

In a nutshell, our team will work the three main affected areas of Ica, Chinca and Pisco over the next couple months. We’ll hire local vets and techs to perform spays/neuters, administer combo vaccines and provide basic animal care. Most of this work will be performed by the locals and supervised by one of our vets.

We hope the local folks we hire will be capable – under the guidance of Shari or another strong local personality – of continuing the work we’ve started and move to other areas of Peru.

Over the past week, I have actually gone against one of my rules and split up the team to help accomplish more work in a shorter period of time. Having Shari as our guide, along with the fact that Aldo Wilson, who works at the sanctuary, is a licensed vet in Peru and knows his way around, made splitting up possible.

Aldo stayed behind in Lima to acquire the many supplies we need while the rest of the team went to Ica to secure housing and meet again with local officials.

One would think having a meeting or renting a house would be relatively easy work, but it’s not, at least not in an area recovering from an earthquake. For instance, government offices had to be relocated, so even finding local officials was challenging. As far as renting a house goes, well, I can’t tell you how many times we heard, “Sorry, we already have someone else lined up” or “Sorry we just rented the house yesterday.”

As it turned out, we were able to get a financially sound deal with a local hotel, so everything worked out well.

We then picked up our signed copies of the memorandum of understanding from the local officials. The MOU is the blueprint for our operations here. It got us a fair amount of airtime on a local television station; Shari did great, I smiled and nodded.

Local officials here are an absolute pleasure to work with. For instance, the other day I requested a sectional map of the city so we could plot our work and confirm where and what work others had done. Regional Ministry of Health official Marco Arbulu, a government veterinarian, hopped in the car with us and off we went to someone’s house. Ten minutes later out he comes out with exactly what we needed.

Part of what we will be doing over the next few days is visiting some of the physical locations where we’ll be setting up operations and finalizing preparations. We’ll be setting schedules, posting bulletins about our whereabouts, and meeting with local vets. Work should officially begin this weekend.

Photo by Molly Wald

EM_peru-plan3-dog.jpg

Anonymous — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:41:48 GMT

EM_peru-plan2-surgery.jpg

Anonymous — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:41:35 GMT

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Anonymous — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:41:24 GMT

The Best Friends plan in Peru approved

rebecca — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 00:33:36 GMT

Best Friends, local government agree on plan to rescue animals, stave off mass euthanasia.

By Michael Rinker, Best Friends Senior Editor

Best Friends is moving forward with an eight-week plan in western Peru that calls for more than 1000 spay/neuter surgeries, 1800 vaccinations, and distribution of 15 tons of food, according to chief executive Paul Berry, who approved the proposal Sept. 20.

At stake are the lives of thousands of animals who would be subject to government-ordered mass euthanasia.

Our goal is to show the country’s Minister of Health and his directors that we’ve helped provide a safer, healthier environment in the areas most affected by last month’s earthquake. One of those areas – the province of Ica – signed an agreement Sept. 20 that details the Best Friends mission there. The other areas are Chincha and Pisco.

The government is concerned about the spread of rabies. Reports say that many people have been bitten by hungry animals roaming the streets. Officials are afraid that the longer the animals go without food, the more aggressive they will become.

The key to our plan is to work closely with local health departments and animal welfare organizations, and recruit local vets and volunteers.

Although the plan calls for an eight-week “operational period,” it actually encompasses five other periods, according to rapid response manager Rich Crook, who led our three-member assessment team in Peru.

The plan he submitted to Best Friends officials marked the end of the assessment period. The team has now begun a one-week, set-up phase to be followed by an initial operating period (four weeks) and on-going operations (eight weeks). The latter two phases will overlap, resulting in a total of eight weeks. After that, the plan envisions a one-week exit period.

“This operational plan should be used as a reference to help guide us through the operational process and keep us on mission, understanding that it is a living document susceptible to what should be only minor changes,” Rich wrote.

During the set-up period, we will find safe, affordable, centrally located housing large enough to accommodate staff and volunteers. We would also obtain transportation, including a van for trips to the capital city of Lima and another vehicle to carry teams and equipment into the field each day.

We have begun gathering supplies, hiring staff, and recruiting volunteers both locally and from the United States or other countries.

Rich projects the operation will require four vets and vet techs, including one of each from Best Friends. One administrative person will be hired to handle medical logs and general data tracking, while two general staffers would be hired to assist with daily operations. In addition, Shari Artadi, who has been working with the assessment team, will likely be brought in as a logistics/volunteer coordinator to handle site set-up, supplies and communications with local stakeholders. Shari, formerly of the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals, played an integral role in coordinating rescue efforts in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.

Once the operational period begins, teams will set up operations in the provinces of Ica, Chincha and Pisco; locations will be chosen primarily by local agencies.

During a typical day, veterinary staff would perform spay/neuter and basic care, provide exams and give vaccinations. Volunteers, accompanied by a vet tech, would go into surrounding areas to provide field vaccinations and deliver food while encouraging residents to get their animals sterilized. Teams would operate out of the same location until the numbers drop to an acceptable level, typically two or three days.

As part of the agreement between Best Friends and the government, security will be provided by the state, along with publicity and suitable operating sites.

Rich estimates expenses will be about $17,500 per month, excluding medical supplies. About half the cost will be for local labor ($5,000) and transportation ($4,000). The rest goes to housing, food and air travel to and from Peru for our staff.

To date, Best Friends has spent about $5,500 to send in the assessment team and support their work.

Photos by Molly Wald

A haven for exotic animals

rebecca — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:05:59 GMT

After a ‘sobering week,’ team visits Amazon orphanage.

By Rich Crook, Best Friends Rapid Response Manager
Photo by Molly Wald

The Best Friends team in Peru took a 45-minute boat ride on the Amazon River last week to visit an orphanage for special needs exotic animals. It was interesting to interact with them on their home turf and in the wild.

Our host, Molly Mednikow, founder and director of AmazonCARES in Iquitos, took us to the orphanage, where most of the animals are there by choice and can leave anytime they wish.

Pictured Amazon River flat boats During the trip we saw small Tiki-style villas, houses built on logs tied together floating on the river, bananas hanging off porches, parents bathing their kids while doing laundry in the river, and entire families making their way up and down the river in very narrow, long wooden boats that sit almost at water level.

We docked the boat and walked 20 minutes to the orphanage, passing through the village of Padre Cocha. Along the way we saw hand-made pottery being hardened in the sun, freshly woven palm squares drying on the grass and a couple of watermelon stands.

Other members of the team were photographer Molly Wald and Aldo Wilson, a licensed vet in Peru who now works at Best Friends. He visited the orphanage a few years ago when he lived here.

Pictured Red Uacary Upon arrival, we were greeted by several varieties of monkeys, one of whom was a world-class pickpocket. The staff warned us about him. It was amazing how easily he could unzip a camera bag or swipe your water bottle and have it open and drinking from it before you even knew it was gone.

“Despite my preconceived and utterly illogical dislike of monkeys, I was thrilled to go to the animal orphanage,” Molly says. “It was a great diversion from the sobering week before, when we spent our time in the hardest-hit areas of the country.”

The pickpocket even managed to get her camera, open the memory-card slot and was about to pull it out when she caught him in the act and summoned Aldo and me to intercede.

“I can't say that I was overly fond of the little guy,” she said. “Still, I have to admit that seeing these beautiful, soulful monkeys in person changed my opinion about them. Secretly now, I kind of like monkeys. But don't tell anyone.”

We spent a couple hours with the monkeys and sloth before we made our way down to visit the Macaws and butterflies.

One of our last stops was Lolita, a tapir about the size of a hog. The people who killed her mother tried to raise her. To keep her from escaping, they tied her with nylon fishing line, which cut into her feet and legs. They eventually brought her to the orphanage

We found Lolita to be very polite and she certainly had no issues with us giving her a snack. At one point the little pickpocket monkey, which had decided to follow us, hopped up on Lolita’s back and tried to scam food as we would feed it to her. Lolita would tolerate it for a couple minutes then throw him off.

“It was nice to go back after three years and see that not much has changed,” Aldo says. “The animals I met in my first visit have grown, and I barely remember their names – except Pedro Bello, the jaguar.

“When I first met him I got the chance to be close enough to touch him. Although he was just few months old, he was big enough to intimidate. This time he looked much bigger and I didn’t think he would remember me. I decided to say hello again, but from a safe distance.

“Working with animals, I pay attention to their eyes, their expressions. Much of the time, I remember sad eyes, almost crying. But not in Pedro Bello’s eyes. He is still the same kitty that I met, just 100 pounds heavier.”

To read more about the orphanage, go to http://www.amazonanimalorphanage.org/.

For more on Molly Mednikow and her shelter, go to http://www.amazoncares.upcsites.org/Home.html.

‘They’ve been very cooperative, very helpful’

rebecca — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 05:07:01 GMT

Best Friends working on agreement with Peru to address the animal welfare situation after the quake.

By Michael Rinker, Best Friends Senior Editor
Photos by Molly Wald

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’re fine with us coming in,” he said during a Sept. 13 phone call from Peru, where he and two other Best Friends staff have been assessing the situation for more than a week. “They’re okay with us pretty much doing anything we need to do.”

There has been no promise that mass euthanasia will be taken off the table even if we establish a successful program, but the state veterinarian indicated the government would prefer not to take that step.

Although the memorandum is yet to be completed, it’s likely to call for a Best Friends presence in the field to oversee basic care, free spay/neuter and vaccinations. We’d also work to establish sustainable shelters.

For its part, the government would help us with security concerns, getting the word out to the public, and possibly arranging for buildings that could be used as clinics or shelters.

Rich said officials “have been very cooperative, very helpful.”

The program would rely heavily on local animal welfare advocates.

Molly Mednikow, founder and director of Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education & Safety, has offered administrative and field support.

“Molly has been very supportive of Best Friends and what we would like to do moving forward in the region,” Rich said. “She has generously offered the use of a handful of volunteer vets that were originally coming to help her organization in Iquitos [Peru] and ... we may be able contract the use of her top vet and vet tech for the start of our operation.”

(For more on Molly and AmazonCARES, please gohere.)

We’d also be working with Shari Artadi, formerly of the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals, who has played an integral role in coordinating rescue efforts to this point.

Rich’s team, which also includes photographer Molly Wald and former Peruvian vet Aldo Wilson, was sent in to assess the situation and report back to Best Friends officials in Utah, who would determine our course of action.

Chief executive officer Paul Berry has been receiving information from the team. He and lead counsel Russ Mead are currently formulating the memorandum of understanding.

Rich said it’s likely we’ll rotate vets in and out of the country, and that they would oversee the program.

Meanwhile, he and Aldo will be staying in Peru probably until the beginning of October

Amazon woman

rebecca — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:47:27 GMT

Former Alabaman leaves behind her business career to start no-kill shelter in Peru.

By Rich Crook, Best Friends rapid response manager

The Best Friends team flew into Iquitos, Peru, Sept. 13 to visit Molly Mednikow, founder and director of Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education & Safety.

AmazonCARES has been instrumental in the animal welfare work done in the earthquake-stricken areas of Ica, Pisco and Chinca. Within five days of the quake, it had sent a team of two vets and two vet techs to help injured animals.

On the ground, the team did what it could with what it had, according to Molly. It was difficult without electricity, so they focused on providing food and water while taking care of what trauma cases they could. When power was restored they were able to handle more traumas and begin sterilizing and vaccinations.

Prior to the quake, AmazonCARES and the Canadian Animal Assistance Team had planned to get together in Iquitos where CAAT would help with mobile clinics and similar projects for the better part of a couple weeks. But suddenly it made more sense for the Canadians to meet the AmazonCARES team on the ground to deal with the disaster.

They were joined in Ica and Pisco by the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals (ASPPA), Animal Rescue New Orleans, and Shari Artadi, a former ASPPA volunteer.

AmazonCARES provided funds for food, housing and many of the essentials that would keep the operation up and running for the better part of three weeks.

The Best Friends team – photographer Molly Wald, former Peruvian vet Aldo Wilson and me – traveled to Iquitos to report on AmazonCARES and establish a relationship with the organization. Molly Mednikow has agreed to provide volunteer vets and logistical support to Best Friends as we continue our work in Peru.

We were impressed with all the organization has accomplished since she founded it in July 2003. Molly had been living in Alabama and traveled often to the area on business. She saw an opportunity to help the animals of this community by providing rescue and a no-kill shelter, mobile veterinary services, trap/neuter/return, community outreach, humane education, internships, adoption/foster and special needs program.

The shelter sits on two-and-a-half acres next to a tributary of the Amazon River. It’s a beautiful site filled with Tiki-style buildings and no shortage of native plants and trees.

AmazonCARES focuses primarily on dogs, which account for the highest pet population in Iquitos. The shelter currently has 38 dogs who are housed in an area adjacent to the main meeting building. They have plenty of common area to get out and play, and sufficient resting/sleeping areas. Most are allowed to play with one another until feeding time, when they are separated to avoid trouble.

While the organization doesn’t shelter cats, it does offer a foster program to help place them.

Molly lives on-site in the main house, which is where our team spent the night.

AmazonCARES has eight staff members, most of whom are full-time, including the veterinary clinic in town. They were very polite to us and showed plenty of affection to the animals. They all have their own specialties and are talented people.

Most of the dogs are in good health, although Molly recently took in a couple of dogs in very poor condition, needing medical care and rehabilitation. Diana (pictured left), a beautiful little black doxie mix, had mange and conjunctivitis, and was severely emaciated. But despite the fact she’s been at the shelter only a short time, she is well on her way to recovery.

I was impressed with how active they are with their programs. Molly is particularly proud of her spay/neuter program, which she estimates has reached close to 80 percent of the street animals in Iquitos.

I was particularly fond of her special needs program; if they bring in an animal that ends up unadoptable for any reason, it will have a home for life at the shelter.

Molly and the staff of AmazonCARES are doing a wonderful job. I was impressed with all aspects of her operation. She has a solid veterinary service in town, a beautiful shelter in the Amazon forest, a dedicated staff to help care for the animals, and was able to donate a month of their time to help the animals affected by the earthquake.

To get the latest on AmazonCARES and its work in Peru, as well as pictures from the earthquake, go to http://www.amazoncares.upcsites.org/EarthquakePics.html.

A great compassion for their pets

rebecca — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:25:36 GMT

Best Friends teams with Canadian vet group for spay/neuter and vaccinations, then lobbies against possible government-ordered euthanasia.

By Michael Rinker, Best Friends Senior Editor
Photos by Molly Wald

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.

Rapid response manager Rich Crook was scheduled to meet with government officials Monday to offer alternatives to killing the strays. Internet and phone communication has been spotty, but we’ll report on his meeting as soon as we get word.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Animal Assistance Team, one of the few rescue groups that responded to Peru in the immediate aftermath of last month’s deadly and destructive earthquake, is withdrawing and has no current plans to return.

Government officials and Red Cross workers have told Best Friends that the only hands-on animal rescue organizations in the hardest-hit areas are two small local groups. Both have indicated a willingness to work with Best Friends in any capacity.

Shortly before the Canadians left, they invited Rich and his team – photographer Molly Wald and Aldo Wilson, a licensed veterinarian in Peru prior to coming to work for Best Friends – to accompany them on field operations.

Arrangements were made to use a local government building in Guadalupe as a staging area, an upgrade over the outdoor accommodations in which CAAT had previously worked.

“The team was set up and ready to begin vaccinations and alters in 45 minutes,” Rich said. “They kept the operation very simple and effective; they had an intake process, vaccination-only station, three operating tables and a post-op area.

”They engaged a local person to canvas the streets spreading the word that help was available. Residents started showing up in numbers within 20 minutes; a line extended outside the building within the hour.”

Rich, Molly and Aldo filled small bags with dog food and joined three CAAT vet techs to canvas the back streets as a mobile vaccination unit.

They would simply park their van in a neighborhood and honk the horn. Soon the people would gather around. “These people have a great deal of compassion for their pets,” Rich said.

Aldo helped the techs administer vaccinations – rabies and heartworm preventative – while Rich handed out collars and dog food. The team vaccinated nearly 200 dogs in little more than three hours.

Photo of Dr. Aldo (in orange T-shirt) helping with Spay/Neuter
Aldo also helped CAAT vets perform spay/neuter surgeries, and by the end of the day they’d done about 30.

The following day, on Sept. 9, the Best Friends team traveled to the worst areas of the hardest-hit city, Pisco, where they found residents angry and frustrated over the failure of food, clothing and other supplies to reach them.

Rich said that while their anger isn’t necessarily directed at his team, “I feel some viewed us as a part of the big picture and they clearly feel a bit overlooked.”

As frustration among locals grows, so does concern for the safety of our team. For the rest of their time there, they will restrict their visits to areas that have a military presence.

Although local government officials are more than happy to have our help, Rich is concerned that the country’s Ministry of Health will opt for mass euthanasia of dogs. He emphasizes, however, that the decision has not yet been made.

In his Monday meeting with a state veterinarian, Rich was to present alternatives to euthanasia, including an offer to promote a “locally networked” trap/neuter/return campaign for dogs.

He will approach the two local groups to gauge their interest in managing the program. Best Friends would provide food and basic expenses.

Meanwhile, Aldo will appeal to Peruvian vets to provide spay/neuter and vaccination services.

First-hand report from Peru

rebecca — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 04:09:10 GMT

By Richard Crook, Best Friends rapid response manager

An 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck the central/southern coast of Peru August 15, killing more than 500 people. It was centered off the coast about 100 miles south/southeast of Lima.

Three cities south of the capital were hit the hardest and had the largest populations – Chincha (population 181,777), Pisco (116,865) and Ica (297,771).

The coastal city of Pisco sustained the most damage as it was closest to the epicenter and endured a tsunami eight hours after the initial earthquake.

In Chincha, which is located about 100 miles south of Lima, buildings constructed of concrete sustained moderate damage while those made of bricks and mortar or adobe were destroyed or severely damaged.

We saw a combination of animals in the city, with the majority being companion animals, primarily dogs. Dogs roamed the streets freely and looked to be healthy and well fed; few wore collars and most were intact.

We saw one cat on the trip down from Lima at a roadside stand and two while in Chincha. All three were skinny and seemed skittish.

Livestock appeared to be unaffected by the earthquake.

We arrived late afternoon in Pisco, about 20 miles south Chincha. It was clearly the hardest hit area. Our observations confirmed reports that as much as 80 percent of the city has been destroyed by either the earthquake or the tsunami. Most of the city is in ruins much like the lower ninth ward in New Orleans (from Hurricane Katrina). While buildings made of stronger materials faired better than those made brick or adobe, they also sustained significant damage. Roads were passable but most had debris lining both sides. Piles of debris moved to the oceanfront were a half-mile long and 200 yards deep.

As in Chincha, residents in Pisco lined the streets in all directions.

Animals roamed the streets of Pisco, which seemed to have twice as many dogs as Chincha, but who were pretty much in the same condition of the dogs. We saw no cats. Again, the livestock seemed to be doing well.

We saw about 150 to 175 dogs while driving through the cities.

Ica, which is about 47 miles south of Pisco, sustained damage similar to Chincha.

We arrived late in the evening and settled in.

Shari Artadi, (pictured here with me at the airport) of the Canadian Animal Assistance Team (a group of veterinarians and vet techs) arranged a dinner meeting between CAAT, our team and the group from AmazonCARES. (Pictured below) It was an interesting and informative meeting, and reinforced my original gut feel for what realistic course of action someone needs to take.

When asked what is needed – and realistic – moving forward, they all seemed to agree that someone should set up a mobile clinic capable of spay/neuter, vaccinating and basic-to-intermediate medical care.

We will be joining the Canadians for a trip to Guadalupe on Saturday. From what we are hearing, the area was also hit pretty hard and is in need of vets to assist with basic-to-intermediate care.

CAAT and AmazonCARES (Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education & Safety) will be pulling out next week – not because of lack of need but because they simply cannot stay any longer – leaving no help on the ground (at least none that anyone is aware of). While these areas are large geographically and in population, they become very small when it comes to humanitarian and animal welfare.

On Friday our team will be catching up on emails, sending reports/pictures back to Kanab and touring the cities of Ica and Pisco. We are holding up very well. Aldo and Molly are both doing a great job.

(This photo of boy and dog is at a shelter where they allowed people to bring their pets.)

Photos by Molly Wald

Peru crew begins assessment

rebecca — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 22:11:20 GMT

The Best Friends assessment team arrived at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru, during the wee hours Thursday morning due to a flight delay in Houston that cost them several hours.

Later in the day, they met with Shari Artadi, who's been working alongside the Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT), to get an initial look at the devastation wrought by last month’s earthquake. CAAT is a group of veterinarians and vet techs providing medical care and humane education for needy animals worldwide.

What they saw confirmed what they’d heard: the cities of Chinca and Ica were 40 percent damaged, while Pisco, which was also hit by a tsunami eight hours after the quake, appeared to be about 80 percent in ruins, according to a report by Best Friends rapid response manager Rich Crook.

Other team members are Aldo Wilson, a veterinarian from Peru who now works at the sanctuary in Utah but is still licensed to practice in Peru, and staff photographer Molly Wald.

While driving through the region, they “saw dogs everywhere” along the main roads. The dogs appeared to be “village” dogs, healthy and not feral. Team members saw just a few cats.

Reuters has reported that more than 3,500 pets have been affected by the powerful earthquake, which struck August 15. Many are malnourished and suffering from fractured femurs, tibias, and skulls, according to a story on the news agency’s Latin American web site.

The quake killed more than 500 people, injured hundreds more and left thousands homeless and hungry.

In a bit of positive news, the Best Friends team noticed that the Peace Corps is allowing homeless residents to bring their animals with them into the humanitarian tent it has set up for people who’ve lost everything but each other.

Several animal welfare groups are reportedly on the scene, but the team came across just two during its initial, cursory tour – CAAT and the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals.

CAAT members “are doing what they can,” including some spay/neuter surgeries, Rich said.

Rich, Aldo and Molly, who are staying in Ica, were scheduled to have had a dinner meeting with CAAT Thursday night.

On Friday, they plan to meet with a representative from Peru’s Ministry of Health, the agency that has been overseeing recovery efforts.

After that, they will take a more detailed look at the situation, traveling to more remote locations to assess animal welfare needs in the stricken areas.

The team will spend a week traveling to the hardest-hit areas to evaluate conditions and document the immediate and long-term needs for rescuing the animals, providing veterinary care, medicines, equipment and shelter.

(Click image to donate) Back at the sanctuary in Utah, Best Friends will review the assessment to determine how we can most effectively support the efforts of local organizations to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals.

Written by Michael Rinker
Photos by Molly Wald

'Don't abandon us'

debbies — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 01:11:13 GMT

In the wake of a devastating earthquake, Best Friends is sending a team to Peru to determine how we can help the injured, hungry and homeless animals there.

(Click image to donate) A Best Friends team arrives in Peru today to assess the needs of displaced animals in the desperate aftermath of an earthquake that killed more than 500 people, injured hundreds more and left thousands homeless and hungry.

The three-member team will spend a week traveling to the hardest-hit areas to evaluate conditions and document the immediate and long-term needs for rescuing the animals, providing veterinary care, medicines, equipment and shelter.

Back at the sanctuary in Utah, Best Friends will review the assessment to determine how we can most effectively support the efforts of local organizations to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals.

"The whole situation there is very serious, and we want to get on the ground there as quickly as possible to see how we can help,” said Best Friends president Michael Mountain.

Reuters reported that more than 3,500 pets have been affected by the powerful earthquake, which struck August 15. Many are malnourished and suffering from fractured femurs, tibias, and skulls, according to a story on the news agency’s Latin American web site. “These animals are suffering greatly and they also need our help,” said veterinarian Francisco Cavero.

In addition, unconfirmed reports say that starving residents have been eating feral cats and perhaps their own companion cats. “We were surprised that when we inspected [the city of Pisco] we only found kittens and no adult cats,” said Shari Artadis, who is working alongside the Canadian Animal Assistance Team. CAAT is a group of veterinarians and vet techs providing medical care and humane education for needy animals worldwide.

Some survivors, driven by fear of the animals or by the thought they are competing with them for scarce food supplies, have talked about poisoning or shooting pets who are running loose.

Ms. Artadis and Celeste Mendoza, of the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals, will meet the Best Friends contingent when it arrives in Lima, according to Rich Crook, rapid response manager and team leader. He is accompanied by Aldo Wilson, a licensed Peruvian veterinarian who now works at the sanctuary, and photographer Molly Wald.

Ms. Mendoza has been working with the government to coordinate rescue work. Her group issued this statement in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake:

(Click image at right to donate) “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.”

She and Ms. Artadis will take the Best Friends team to the hardest-hit areas – Pisco in particular – where they are tentatively scheduled to meet with the district Minister of Health, who will escort them through the devastation so that they can conduct the assessment.

Rich said he expects the team to return to the U.S. on September 15.

In addition to the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals and CAAT, other groups first on the scene were the Humanitarian Association for Animal Welfare and the Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education & Safety, both based in Peru, as well as Animal Rescue New Orleans.

Currently, Best Friends is directly involved in active rescue efforts at the FLOCK cat sanctuary outside of Las Vegas and the Pets Alive shelter in Middletown, N.Y.

Written by Michael Rinker
Photos by cdellaflora@flickr.com