Stranded by Floods in the Mexican State of Tabasco
VILLA HERMOSA, Mexico-Best Friends Animal Society, the organization that helped rescue 6,000 dogs and cats following Hurricane Katrina, is prepared to launch a rescue effort to reach thousands of companion animals stranded by floodwaters in the Mexican state of Tabasco.
"We've seen dogs swimming for their lives, stranded on concrete blocks, on rooftops, and clinging to anything that will float," said Rich Crook, rapid response manager for Best Friends, the American animal rescue organization. "We're making final arrangements to get in and get as many of them out as we can."
Working with local authorities, Crook has established a staging area/rescue center on the campus of Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco Biological Campus. Four Best Friends rescue teams will be out on the water in the next few days to rescue animals stranded by floodwaters. Those animals suffering from injury or trauma will be brought to the rescue center where they will be treated by volunteer veterinarians.
"Most of the damage is on the northern and southern areas of Villa Hermosa and on the outskirts of the city," Crook said. "We estimate there are 15,000-20,000 animals that will need help."
The most immediate need, Crook said, will be to set up feeding and watering stations for the animals, all of which must be done on the water because houses are submerged to the rooftops.
"We are pleased to be partnering with the university, which has made the campus available for our staging area," Crook said. "This is something that is critical to a rescue of this nature. Having the use of buildings on the campus gives us a place where volunteers can stay and space to care for the animals."
Heavy tropical storm rains inundated the area surrounding Villa Hermosa last week, causing damage to as many as one million homes. Published reports earlier this week said floodwaters had caused $4.7 billion in damage to homes, farmlands and cattle ranches. According to Crook, locals said it took only three hours for the rain to rise over the rooftops.
Paul Berry, chief executive officer of Utah-based Best Friends, said the organization's rapid response teams are trained just for such a rescue operation.
"We've been through this in Katrina and there are many similarities here," Berry said. "As we have done in the past, we will work with local groups and lend our expertise where needed."
Photo: Richard Crook