Recovery efforts have begun following Hurricane Ike

A team, led by Best Friends Rapid Response Manager Rich Crook, arrived in Texas on Monday at the invitation of Galveston County Health District Animal Services.

Since that point in time, they have been assisting with local recovery efforts and were instrumental in getting the local shelter operational, so that they may once again begin to house animals.

There are many areas on the island that are heavily damaged and Crook noted, “It looks as devastating as Katrina, but without the water.”

The team is now assessing the area’s needs for search and rescue of animals who may require assistance following Hurricane Ike.

In addition to the many companion animals who are in need of rescue, an estimated 20,000 cattle and horses are roaming the region in desperate need of fresh food and water, as the salty storm surge has tainted both grasslands and stock ponds. For more information on this, and how you can help, click here.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Though not deployed in this instance yet, you can help fund Best Friends’ efforts to help save companion animals in emergency situations with an online donation to the Best Friends Rescue Fund.

2. The The Joe Vickery/Galveston County Animal Shelter is currently in need of supplies, including food, collapsible wire cages, de-wormer, disposable cat litter pans, and Frontline® flea & tick control. Donations may be brought to the shelter at 3412 Loop 197 North in Texas City, Texas (map to location).

3. Interested in helping with Rapid Response in future emergency situations? Prior to sending volunteers in to the field, specific coursework is required in advance, which is available through the FEMA website. At this time, only volunteers with proof that they have successfully completed the following five FEMA courses will be placed on the “ready” list:

- FEMA IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System, I-100
- FEMA IS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
- FEMA IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
- FEMA IS-800.B National Response Framework, An Introduction
- FEMA IS-10 Animals in Disaster, Module A: Awareness and Preparedness

Additional volunteer requirements can be found in the Rapid Response community resources, in the “Requirements for Volunteers” folder.

After you’ve taken the courses, please contact Ellen Gilmore at elleng@bestfriends.org to find out more about joining the Best Friends Rapid Response team.

For more information:
• The Houston SPCA has activated a disaster hotline. If you need to report lost or found animals, please call 713-435-2990, 877-661-0161, or 713-861-0161.
• The Orange/Jefferson County disaster hotline is 409-980-7280 or call the Humane Society of Southeast Texas Rogers Spay and Neuter Clinic at 409-838-2510.
• Best Friends Animal Society Rapid Response Community

Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff
Photo credit: taken by Mark Harmon