World Animal Protection - Animals in Disasters Blog

Helping tens of thousands of animals affected in Cabo Verde

I frequently hear the question, “Why do people stay?” Living in zones vulnerable to volcanoes, floods and other disasters, threats to their safety and livelihoods are an unwelcome and often unpredictable part of life. People and their animals live in risky areas the world over and Fogo Island communities are no different.

A common link I have found when talking to them is it simply comes down to no other choice. People do not have the means, or the ability to relocate where they’ve often lived for generations. Traditional homes sometimes represent their spiritual connection to the land and the past traditions.

Volcanoes are a particularly complicated situation as they are among the most fertile places when not erupting and make some of the best farmland. When money and opportunities for making it is scarce, the allure of fields enriched by previous eruptions is easy to understand.

Until late November 2014, in the caldera of Volcan Pico do Fogo, a thriving wine business and hundreds of family farms were the lifeblood of local economies. Goats, by far the most prevalent animal we saw on our assessment of the volcanic disaster on Fogo Island, had plenty of food and life was good.

Then, almost in an instant, everything changed.

Some of the many goats we treated on our assessment in Cabo Verde. December 17, 2014. © World Animal Protection

We worked on Fogo island last week assessing the effects of the volcano’s eruption on thousands goats, cows, pigs, donkeys, mules, chickens, cats and dogs. We’re here as with other disasters because animals need our help and no one else could be. We could only do it thanks to your support.

A tiny piglet, one of twenty five we treated on one farm with vitamins and deworming drugs in Cabo Monte, Fogo Island, Cabo Verde December 18, 2014. © World Animal Protection

We’ve helped pets and livestock displaced by the volcano and worked with local government officials to help where it is most urgently needed as we develop a plan for the next few months to bring the animals back to health.

On our first day, we met a man named Juan Batista Fernande and he asked us if we could look at his little two-year-old female cat named Chaina. She was part of the family and he explained she was normally very friendly but has hid and seemed scared of everyone since moving into the evacuation zone. When we coaxed her out of hiding, we were releived to see she was healthy, if a little skinny. We gave her food as well as a deworming medication as worms are a persistent problem for many animals in the area.

Chaina eats the food we provided. With her owner Juan Batista Fernade, Sergio Vasquez and Gerardo Huertas from our disaster response team. © World Animal Protection.

We met a friendly dog named Piloto, the Pires’ family dog. Four years old, energetic and tail wagging wildly, his white coat was ragged and we suspected he could have parasites as well. As he was quite thin, we fed him and gave him vitamins and deworming medications. His owner was very happy and thanked us for helping the animals in this difficult time.

Piloto eats food and medicine while Sergi and Pires family friend, Caetano (29) talk. © World Animal Protection

We’ve seen the immediate need and provided emergency feed for an estimated 2,400 animals as well as food for the next two months until the local government can raise funds sufficient for their long term care. We’ve also given veterinary supplies and medications to keep an estimated 20,100 animals healthy as they recover from the effect of relocation, illness and ashfall.

I’ll keep you posted on the progress and need on Fogo Island.

Old friends: Maria Andrar and 'Mule'

Extremely young and elderly animals have little or no chance when disasters strike. They are frequnetly the first to succumb to illness or injuries; too slow to escape and often in fragile health to begin with.

As we made our way around Fogo Island yesterday, we came across a mule whose owner Maria Andrar told us was well over twenty-five years old. Formerly her main source of transporting produce these two were now mostly “just friends”.

Maria Andrar listens as Sergio Vasquez explains how we will treat 'Mule'. Two local government officials look on. Mosteiros, Fogo Island, Cabo Verde December 18, 2014. © World Animal Protection

With a gentle smile full of affection, Maria said she’d always called the old white male “Mule”. They lived in the area least affected by the volcanic eruptions in a relatively small wedge of green. By luck of geography, they enjoy a wetter micro-climate in the rain shadow of the volcanic peak that soars above and dominates the entire place.

Despite living in the relative lushness and cooler temperatures in contrast to the searing heat of the rest of Fogo, “Mule” was in bad shape. His skin was split and raw where advanced mange – a mite-bourn infection that leaves animals with hairless, painful open patches of skin that eventually open and bleed – had taken hold. Clouds of flies covered his wounds. He stamped his hooves to shoo them away, but he was obviously tired, distressed and looking miserable. With no access to veterinary service, Maria had been unable to help him and this obviously weighed on her as she watched her friend suffer.

"Mule", with large, scaly patches on his legs and body indicating mange. Mosteiros, Fogo Island, Cabo Verde December 18, 2014. © World Animal Protection

Sergio Vasquez approached him to examine his overall health while Gerardo Huertas prepared a deworming medication. After giving him the medicine through and oral applicator, we sprayed his wounds with a blue antiseptic and anti-mite medication to both begin the healing process and keep the flies at bay.

Administering deworming medication. © World Animal Protection

Sergio Vasquez holds 'Mule' while Gerardo Huertas sprays anitseptic and anti-mite spray on his wounds. © World Animal Protection

We’ll keep you updated on 'Mule' who seemed a bit puzzled by his new bright-blue blue coat. But the lack of flies and the treatment we administered makes us confident his twilight years will be much improved thanks to the care he received as a result of your help.

Caring for the forgotten victims of disasters

James Sawyer, our Director of Disaster Managment feeds a three-year-old dog named Russe. Cabo Monte, Fogo Island, Cabo Verde December 18, 2014. ©World Animal Protection

Evacuated animals in disaster zones are often among the least considered, forgotten victims. Unless owners are prepared and have a plan, fast, unpredictable and terribly destructive disasters often leave them no choice to abandon or release their animals in the final moments of safety.

Think for a moment about animals with no one particular owner. The friendly cat that hangs around the neighbourhood; the “community” dogs seen across the developing world. Eking out existence through the kindness of strangers and dodging blows from less friendly people in the villages and towns, these animals truly live on the margins.

We see it everywhere following disasters, dogs who previously found food and occasional affection from villagers and residents of towns, left alone, injured, scared and hungry in the wake of events they do not understand that turn their familiar patterns of life into scary, dangerous unknowns and sadly often slow, painful ends.

With 50 years experience responding to disasters we’ve been there to help these animals. Evacuating survivors, treating injuries, and providing feed and health-boosting medications to many, reuniting them with their displaced communities and finding permanent homes for the luckiest few.

He was old and exhausted. Lying in the shade at the side of the road. A large open wound on his back haunch, you could just see what he once was. A large, formerly powerful dog, he was now tired, injured and wasting away.

We had to help him. We disinfected his wounds and fed him dog food – surely his first large meal in days if not weeks. We’d carefully mixed in medications into his food to bring him back to health and injected him with antibiotics to ensure his wounds would not get infected.

Gerardo Huertas, team lead on the Cabo Verde response feeds the injured dog. Cabo Monte, Fogo Island, Cabo Verde December 18, 2014. ©World Animal Protection

Displaced along with an entire village engulfed in lava, he and hundreds of other dogs were suddenly in new unfamiliar ground, where the peace achieved by clear territories and power structures was no longer in place. The old guy’s time as top dog was clearly over. His body bore the tears and scars of vicious bites from other dogs running scared and fighting for a spot in the new world.

We spoke to some people nearby who said someone had been caring for him as best they could since the eruptions but was not around at the moment. We left additional medications and agreed with the local government officials that he was one to revisit and keep an eye on. We want to ensure he makes a full recovery and slowly regains his health and the communities rebuild around him.

Gerardo Huertas and Dr. Sergio Vasquez disinfected the old dog's wounds and administered tetracycline, a long acting antibiotic to ensure he'll recover from recent traumas. ©World Animal Protection

Our young local contact, Manuel do Santos, 31 promised he would. As an energetic, caring man as well as an animal lover, Manuel was instrumental to us finding and helping animals like the old dog by the side of the road. We’ll be supporting him over the next few months as he coordinates the delivery and distribution of aid we’re providing. I will also keep you up to date on how the dog and the thousands of other animals on Fogo Island are doing.

Cabo Verde volcano update: baby Serghina's story

Inside the caldera of Volcan Pico do Fogo. The surrounding landscape was fertile famrland and home to thousands of animals and people. The eruption that began on November third has displaced them and obliterated two villages. ©World Animal Protection 2014

In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 23rd, 2014, Augusto Pires 60 and his son Augustino 30 were asleep. Their home and farm were located in the fertile plains within the caldera of Pico do Fogo, a large volcano in Cabo Verde.

Suddenly, near 3 A.M. the volcano burst to life for the first time in nearly twenty years. Lava flows began slowly surging forward while the ground shook, shockwaves reverbrated through the air and superheated gas rose rapidly from a newly opened volcanic vent in the shadow of the main peak.

After weeks of steady build up, the terrible moment had arrived. Releasing their 35 goats and accompanied by the family dogs, they evacuated along with 1,300 other people and their animals, displaced over a period of weeks by advancing lava flows.

Dr. Sergio Vasquez treats Faisca while her woner Augstino Pires holds her. ©World Animal Protection 2014

When we met Augusto and Augustino two weeks later, they were struggling to keep their flock of goats and their dogs healthy. The day was hot and extremely dry and our pickup truck kicked up a long trail of ash and dust as we made our way to communities across Fogo Island.

Many of their goats – all females – were suffering horribly advanced cases of udder infections known as mastitis. A three-year-old named Faisca had just given birth that morning to two kids. She delivered a stillborn male and a healthy, frisky female black and white goat only 6 hours old.  

Dr. Sergio Vasquez got to work immediately, assisted by Gerardo Huertas and James Sawyer. Administering antibiotics, deworming medications and vitamins to Faisca and any others showing signs of illness.

The animals were living in a hot, arid location, far from their normal home. Grasses and food was hard to come by in the drought ravaged rocky soil.

My attention turned to the tiny newborn, shakily taking her first steps. Her mother could not feed her and I asked Augustino how was she feeding. He said other females were giving her milk. He thanked us for helping Faisca as once back to health, she’ll be able to resume care for her baby.

Sergio and Sergina. ©World Animal Protection 2014

In a show of gratitude, Augustino and Augusto readily named the kid “Serghina” after the man who came to her mother's rescue.

Racing to help communities devastated by volcanic eruptions in Cabo Verde

While our Asia-based disaster response team is now on the ground in the Philippines assessing the damage from Typhoon Hagupit, our Americas-based team is gearing up to deploy to Cabo Verde.

Fogo Island, or "fire" island  in Portuguese, has seen nearly constant volcanic eruptions from Pico do Fogo since November 23. This week, news reports describe "catastrophic" destruction. 

Fogo's eruption seen from space. image credit: NASA / public domain

With an economy largely based on agriculture, this eruption - the first in nearly twenty years - has been particularly devastating as the lava flows have destroyed vast areas that include the most productive farmland.

A farmer and his goats in Fogo. Photo by Cayambe / CC BY

We've been in contact with local government officials and they tell us there is an urgent need for emergency feed, veterinary care and evacuations or animal rescues. The affected animals include thousands of goats, cattle, poultry, donkeys, rabbits, cats and dogs. Both people and animals are struggling as their homes are destroyed and volcanic ash contaminates vital food and water supplies.

I'll keep you updated from the ground on our emergency relief efforts and how we're helping the people and animals in Cabo Verde.

Pico do Fogo in quieter times. Photo by Pascal Givry / CC BY

Update: Typhoon Hagupit, disaster response team on the way to help animals

A lucky survivor amidst a typhoon ravaged landscape. Animals are often forgotten victims of disasters. Where the need is greatest, we will be there. ©World Animal Protection/Ezra Acayan 2014

Our Bangkok-based disaster response team is headed to the Philippines to assess the impact and animal needs following Typhoon Hagupit lashing the Philippines over the weekend.

We'll be working with local governments and veterinary associations to determine what the needs are and how best we can help. Our initial efforts will be centred in Albay, Legazspi and Masbate. I'll keep you updated as we learn more. I just wanted to let you know that thanks to your support, we will be there helping the animals and people who depend on them.

Update: assisting evacuations, ready to deploy: Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby)

While preliminary news reports suggest that human fatalities were low, Typhoon Hagupit is slowly making its way across The Philippines now.

 

The Philippines regularly experiences floods and storm surges brought by typhoons. Filipinos go to great lengths to save their animals, sometimes putting themselves at risk to do so. © Ezra Acayan/World Animal Protection 2014

We're cautiously optimistic that the mass evacuations - among the largest ever in peacetime - have kept people safe. What we now want to determine is the impact the storm has had on the animals.

 

While our Mayon response is focused chiefly on evacuating and caring for livestock due to the rural setting, urban disasters demonstrate the  importance people place on their pets as well. We are always ready to help animals in all settings survive and, in turn, help their owners. © Ezra Acayan/World Animal Protection 2014

Hagupit crossed over Bicol Region where we're already evacuating animals from Mount Mayon's eruptions. With over thirteen years experience in the area, we were able to immediately get in touch with local vets and government to ensure animals were being evacuated to safe places to survive the storm.

A young girl holds her cat at an evacuation centre. © Ezra Acayan/World Animal Protection 2013

With the sheer size of the storm, we are concerned about other areas that may have not been as prepared. As well, it will lash both urban and rural settings so we'll be identifying where the need is greatest and focus our initial efforts there if our help is needed. Whether it is farm animals or pets, we are ready to help.

We work to ensure that entire communities - people and animals have the help they need in disasters. © Ezra Acayan/World Animal Protection 2013

We've been working through the weekend and stand ready to deploy if the animals and their owners need us. I'll keep you posted but rest assured, the preparations we've put in place are being used, and many livestock and pets that would otherwise have been left to the mercy of the once Super Typhoon are safe in the areas where we've been working.

Philippines braces for Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby)

Another major typhoon is due to make landfall in the Philippines over the weekend. Typhoon Hagupit, known locally as Ruby, is set to cross a similar path to the devastating Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) which leveled many communities in the Visayas Region last year, killing over 6,300 people and millions of animals.

Hagupit's projected path. Graphic courtesy Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)

A cat that survived Haiyan, Central Visayas, Philippines. November 2013. During and following disasters animals need the same things as people: shelter, clean water and food. ©World Animal Protection/Chester Baldicantos 2013

Today we have been sharing disaster preparedness advice with media and government authorities in the Philippines to help people in the Visayas and Bicol regions protect their livestock and pets during the high winds and storm surges that accompany typhoons.

In rural Philippines, people and their animals live closely together and experience, on average 20 - 24 typhoons annually. ©World Animal Protection/Chester Baldicantos 2013

Evidence shows us people who are well prepared to protect and evacuate their animals, are also much more likely to survive and rebuild quickly after disasters.  

As the typhoon builds in strength off the coast of the island nation, our disaster response team is in touch with government and veterinary colleagues there, ready to deploy and assist if needed. We've also been advising our contacts on coordinating potential evacuation sites to accomodate animals.

For the moment, here are the tips we are sharing via Filipino media:

Protecting Animals During a Disaster: Advice for animal owners
 
1. Typhoon Ruby – advice for livestock owners
 
If it is safe for you to do so, move your animals to higher ground or a designated safe place:
•  Bring a 72 hour supply of suitable food and water
•  Travel with an emergency kit for your animals (this may include animal identification       and records/documents/important contact numbers/first aid).
 
If you have no choice but to leave your livestock behind:
•  Before evacuating, and if it is safe for you to do so, move your animals to a                    designated safe place
•  Leave them enough food and clean water for 72 hours. They will need protection           from the elements and shelter
•  Untie them so they have a chance to escape should floodwaters rise. Tethered or           penned animals have no chance in a flood or storm surge. Animals are strong              swimmers and untying them gives them a chance to survive
•  When returning after flood waters have receded, have plenty of fresh water                    available
•  On your return, check and secure fencing as these may have shifted in the floods.
 
2. Typhoon Ruby – advice for pet owners
 
Prepare for your pet – Checklist: Emergency Survival Items
 
Food: Store at least three days of non-perishable pet food (canned or dried) in an airtight, waterproof container (remember the can opener!). Ideally this should be the same food as your normally feed your pet so as to avoid stomach upsets.
 
Water: Store at least three days of water for your pet, in addition to the water you need for your family (remember an animal can drink more water than usual when under stress). Plus you will need extra water to clean up after your pet.
 
Medicines: Store any extra supply of medicines your pet needs in a waterproof container, as well as any special dietary needs or supplements.
 
Veterinary/Medical Records: Store copies of any medical and vaccination records in a watertight container or zip lock bag including your vet’s name and telephone number (in case you have to shelter your pet or place them in foster care).
 
First Aid Kit: Prepare a first aid kit. Talk to your vet about any specific requirements such as tick/flea prevention, antibiotic ointment and saline solution (i.e. eye wash solution separate from your family use)
 
This is a message from World Animal Protection.

We're hoping for the best for the animals and people in the Philippines. But, I want to tell you we're taking action for them now as we've been doing for over 50 years globally.

Relief as survivors of Typhoon Haiyan reunite. Animals are very important to Filipinos as part of the family, or vital components of their livelihoods. ©World Animal Protection/Chester Baldicantos 2013

Since Haiyan, we've been working non-stop, treating and vaccinating thousands of animals in the immediate aftermath. In April, we piloted a typhoon resistant farm project to help better protect animals from future disasters. In September we also conducted community evacuation drills in Central Visayas implementing a new SMS early warning system while training and equipping local vets with bikes, mobile phones and emergency packs so they can immediately help animals following disasters.

World Animal Protection staff and staff of the Innamarga farm test out the typhoon resistant shelters we introduced earlier this year. ©World Animal Protection 2014

To date we have helped over 70,000 animals there and with your continued support we can help animals caught up in disasters worldwide.

Pet owners don't want to abandon their animals as disasters approach. We work with governments worldwide to ensure animals are part of disaster and evacuation plans. ©World Animal Protection/Chester Baldicantos 2013