
February 01, 2010, 10:1AM MT
Rich Crook, a veteran rapid response manager for Best Friends Animal Society, will lead the society’s effort as part of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), which is on the ground in Port-au-Prince ready to help animals affected by the earthquake.
Crook will arrive Monday in Port-au-Prince where he will lead a team of veterinarians to set up a series of animal care clinics in the capital city.
“My mission will be similar to previous assignments we had in Ethiopia and Peru, but somewhat different than Hurricane Katrina,” Crook said. “We’ve learned from the ARCH assessment team that there isn’t the acute need that we found in Katrina, and we are dealing with animals that typically roam free in the city.”
Crook will work with a current on-the-ground team that includes representatives from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the American Humane Association and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. He also will work closely with the Dominican Republic Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SODOPRECA).
Crook’s mission to Haiti follows an ARCH team assessment of the situation Jan. 23-25 that included a short field visit to Port-au-Prince and meetings with Haitian governmental officials. Once the ARCH clinics are set up, Crook said the emphasis will be making sure that animals are vaccinated to stop the possible spread of disease and to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines. He expects to be in Haiti for at least a week and perhaps longer.
In the past, Crook has led Best Friends’ rapid response efforts in natural disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, Gustav, the floods in Mexico and Iowa, and the earthquake in Peru. He also led Best Friends’ work in the airlifting of dogs from the war zone in Lebanon and brought a deceased serviceman’s dog back to his grief-stricken family in the United States.
The ARCH coalition was co-founded by the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Key coalition members are Best Friends, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, the American Humane Association, United Animal Nations, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (United Kingdom).
We at Best Friends thank our members for their donations and interest in our efforts to help with Haiti animal relief. All donations sent to Best Friends through Haiti-specific donation mechanisms are put in a restricted fund that will be used solely for Haiti animal relief.
For ongoing updates about Best Friends’ involvement in Haiti, visit our Rapid Response group on the Best Friends Network.
How You Can Help
Text SAVE to 90999 to donate $10 to
Best Friends to help Haiti’s animals.
I’m sure you are already very savvy on all this but basically you:
· Text the word SAVE to 90999 to give $10
· When prompted, reply with YES to confirm your one-time gift
· The $10 one-time donation will appear on your next mobile bill
As always , please let me know if you have any questions,
Thanks for any help with this,
Silva Battista
Co Founder
Best Friends Animal Society
5001 Angel Canyon Road
Kanab, Utah 84741
(435) 644 4896 Office
http://network.bestfriends.org
About the ARCH Coalition
Animal welfare organizations formed the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) in a collaborative effort to bring aid to as many animals, and in as short a time, as possible. At present, ARCH partners include: International Fund for Animal Welfare, World Society for the Protection of Animals, American Humane Association, Best Friends Animal Society, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (UK), In Defense of Animals, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Foundation, Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, United Animal Nations, Kinship Circle, One Voice, Swiss Animal Protection and Petfinder.com Foundation.
Photograph (c) WSPA/IFAW

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