World Animal Protection - Animals in Disasters Blog

Update: puppy is sitting up, responsive and has eaten her first meal in over a week

A remarkable difference: sitting upright though still a long road ahead to recovery. © World Animal Protection

The young female puppy I told you about last time made it through the night with the help and care of her owner and was sitting up when we arrived to check on her and give her more treatment.

Though unsteady on her front legs, she was able to keep herself upright and we gave her medications to treat pneumonia as well as more glucose and water.
 
It was such a relief to see her sitting upright and wagging her tail. She had trouble coordinating her movements and her head lagged behind what seemed like her clear intention to nuzzle Dr. Pholperm.
 
She was very vocal and made a kind of groaning whine. I noticed she was docile and relaxed while our vet cared for her but lifted her head as best she could towards him each time he reached for a new syringe of water or new treatment.
 
As he'd done the previous day, Steven Clegg, our manager of disaster operations in Asia Pacific stepped in and laid his hand on her, which seemed to relax her again. She just wanted some contact and care.

Steven Clegg reassures Pam as Dr. Pholperm treats her the previous day. © World Animal Protection

Her owner Valia was very happy to see her coming back to health and told us he'd decided to name her "Pam".

We dropped in twice again before leaving Epi Island, each time giving her a bit more treatment and care. I cannot promise Pam will live but I can promise you a very dedicated team of people who care for animals did our best to give her a chance both through immediate care and veterinary treatment as well as educating her owner on how to help her. We will continue to check in on her and keep you updated on little Pam’s recovery as we continue to roll out aid to Epi in the near future.
 
Without your support dogs like Pam would have no chance and would face long, lingering deaths from preventable conditions. And it isn’t just dogs. We’re helping as many animals as we can and only because of you can we help them survive the aftermath of this disaster.

Moments from death, a young pup’s life is saved

When we first saw her, she was in the words of our vet: “moments from death.”

Little more than a skeleton, she lay in the grass at the side of a path, her tiny chest moving with each laboured breath. I’ve honestly never seen an animal that close to death and it was heartbreaking.
 
Our vet Dr. Naritsorn Pholpherm immediately began palpating her body and trying to determine how to save her. He said she was severely dehydrated, malnourished and could not lift her head.
                                               

Six months old and hours from death. A tiny puppy lies in the grass on Epi Island, Vanuatu. March 23, 2015. © World Animal Protection

Dr. Pholperm said the priority was getting her hydrated as she stood no chance of recovering nor was her body in a state where she could metabolise medicine. He began helping her by injecting her with glucose and then gave her water with a syringe. She lapped it up and you could see with each mouthful and as the glucose took effect, the life coming back into her eyes. Her tail began wagging but you could see the exertion even that happy gesture caused her.

The puppy eagerly drinks water given by syringe. © World Animal Protection

Her owner, Valia walked over and explained she had been ill for more than a week after eating what he suspected was a poisonous fish washed up after Cyclone Pam. He said she had stopped eating “many days” before and stopped drinking yesterday. He had clearly given up any hope for her and seeing her wretched state, on an island without regular access to veterinary care, it was easy to see why.
                                    Valia looks on as Dr. Naritsorn Pholperm treats the little pup. © World Animal Protection

Before we left her, we carried her into a shaded area within Valia’s compound and made her a comfortable bed. We gave Valia glucose and the syringe to feed her and instructed him on how to give her water at regular intervals. We also promised to return the following morning to treat what we suspected was pneumonia, contracted by lying in the moist, humid grass where she was unable to lift her head.
                                                Dr. Pholperm, assisted by Steven Clegg carries the puppy to a better environment for a much-hoped-for recovery. © World Animal Protection

While it was so painful for all of us to see her suffering, we left somewhat reassured that she had a better chance of survival, was more comfortable and her owner now knew how to help her.
 
I’ll be sure to update you about our return to check on the puppy.

Animals at risk as food shortage grows

Two weeks after Cyclone Pam tore through Vanuatu, we’ve completed our initial assessment of the needs of animals affected by the disaster and we’ve been delivering urgent aid to those that are suffering.

We’ve seen multiple animal injuries and deaths from falling trees and structures. Our vets have also treated pre-existing conditions made worse by the Category 5 storm.

A chicken walks past a collapsed house in Lokopui, Epi Island, Vanuatu.

But for the surviving animals, it’s the growing food shortage that poses the biggest threat across multiple islands reeling in the wake of the worst disaster of this kind in decades.

In Lokopui village on the northern tip of Epi Island, we met with church leader David Sam, 35 who told us not since 1951 had they experienced a disaster even approaching this scale of destruction. He said that Cyclone Pam was the worst they had ever suffered.

David Sam recalls the night the cyclone hit. © World Animal Protection

Thankfully no people in Lokopui were hurt during the storm, but sadly one of the village’s sows was killed by falling tree, and more than ten chickens lost their lives in the chaos. With no shelter big enough to accommodate all the animals, they were set free from their tethers and pens to try and survive the night on their own.

A pig stands amid fallen debris. Epi Island, Vanuatu. © World Animal Protection

In the days that followed one of the village puppies developed a fatal respiratory disease -- a problem we’d seen in other villages around the island.

David’s 80-year-old mother, Nadi spoke emotionally about the dire situation she and her community were facing.

“Our lives are destroyed,” said Nadi. The cyclone’s destructive winds have wiped out the crops the people and animals of Lokopui rely on to survive.

“How do we get our food or our lives back?”  

David’s mother Nadi pleads for help for her community and its animals.  © World Animal Protection

The food situation here is rapidly becoming critical. Many animals are staying alive only by eating the remaining coconuts in Lokopui and rural communities across dozens of islands. We’ve advised farmers to spread these out as much as they can until our emergency feed arrives.

A farmer opens coconuts for his pigs. Epi Island, Vanuatu. © World Animal Protection

In two weeks the food will run out for the animals.

People and animals all over the country are facing this problem of food security. 80 percent of families in Vanuatu rely on their animals and crops for food and their livelihoods. When the cyclone damaged those crops, the situation was made even more terrible.

Protecting animals in the wake of a disaster is critical to safeguard their welfare and help communities rebuild. World Animal Protection is helping protect animals in Vanuatu by delivering emergency feed for animals that are in desperate need.

Two piglets in Lokopui. Epi Island, Vanuatu. © World Animal Protection

Animal survivor stories from Vanuatu

Some of the animals we've met so far on our disaster response operation following Cyclone Pam have really touched our hearts.

At the Port Vila veterinary clinic we saw a beloved family dog with a broken pelvis
sustained when record-breaking winds ripped through the capital. Despite his painful injuries, 'Teo', a seven-year old Bichon Frise is one of the lucky ones who found immediate aid in Dr. Karin O’Connor's clinic.

 Teo has been recovering since sustaining a broken pelvis when Cyclone Pam hit. © World Animal Protection

An adorable little stray kitten somehow knew to turn up at the clinic when she was left with a broken leg. 'Crystal' is a bright eyed, communicative cat who, despite her injuries reached out a paw and wanted to play when we saw her. We spent some time petting her and were relieved to know she is in good hands.

Crystal, 6 months old

Together with Doctor O'Connor, who graciously donated her time to help, our response team has treated many hungry and ill animals on Efate. One of the most touching was a group of week old pups who were so hungry they tried to nurse off one of our team's fingers. We immediately fed them and their mother who wolfed back the emergency food we left for her and got straight to nursing her pups.

Pups enjoying a good meal for the first time since the cyclone. © World Animal Protection

Now with two more World Animal Protection vets who've just arrived from our Bangkok office, we are headed for Epi in the Shepherd Islands. The high livestock and pet population as well as its location in the worst of the storm's path make it highly vulnerable and we know the needs will be great.

Communications are down in Epi at the moment but we will keep you updated as best we can over the next few days.

Helping animals in need in Vanautu

As we wrap up our third day in Vanuatu, we've moved through villages across Efate Island, where the capital Port Vila is located.

Chickens seek whatever shade possible after the cyclone completely destroyed their coop. March 19, 2015 Efate Island.

© World Animal Protection

Along the way, we've treated and fed animals like dogs, goats and cats and are now heading for the Shepherd Islands to continue our aid delivery. These islands are listed by the Vanuatu government as among the most critically in need of aid and also have high animal populations.

A four year old male ram suffering from parasites and skin infections. We gave him deworrning drugs and antibiotics to get him back to good health. Ekipe village. Efate Island. MArch 20, 2015. © World Animal Protection

What we've seen so far, is that surviving animals pre-exisiting poor health have been made worse by the stress and trauma from Cyclone Pam and that food shortages are the major challenge. We aim to coordinate food delivery to coincide with humanitarian shipments of food aid to help entire communities at once and avoid competition for food resources. The people of Vanuatu love and depend on their animals and would otherwise go hungry as they share the food aid meant for them.

Livestock like goats and cows are foraging on leaves and grasses not yet dead that have been blown off trees or flattened by the cyclone but we know this will run out in the next week or so.

It is urgent that we provide food to animals across the country to prevent an emerging crisis of a potential famine before the newly planted crops can grow and sustain them again.

Communications are down in the areas we are heading so my next update may be once we return late in the week. Know that because of your support, we are out working every day to help the animals in the hardest hit areas and giving them the help they need with food, shelter and through mobile veterinary clinics where our vets are equipped to treat disease and injuries.

Food running critically short in Vanuatu as entire islands described as "flattened"

Our disaster team arrives this evening in Port Vila and will get straight to work helping animals affected by Cyclone Pam.

Aerial surveys of outlying islands depict entire communities wiped out, houses, farmlands and gardens partially or totally destroyed and damages reminiscent of that last seen in late 2013 when Typhoon Haiyan decimated parts of the Philippines. Residents had drawn large white "H's" on the ground or made them from mirrors, appealing for help the only way they can, as communications with many islands are still down.

A dog lies among downed trees in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila. March 15, 2015 © World Animal Protection / Nicky Kauatonga

Food is predicted to run out for both people and animals by the end of March and that, along with shelter and emergency medical care are the priorities for helping survivors. We are working hard to get critical medicine and veterinary supplies shipped in from New Zealand but in the meantime, are equipped to help the animals we encounter in our first days.

The time to help is now as the needs are being described as "unimaginable" so please donate to help us secure more medicines, food and shelter materials so we can make sure the animals receive the care they need alongside the people in this nightmare.

I will be reporting from the field beginning tomorrow with updates on what we are doing, what we know of the needs and locations of the worst impacts and how you can help us help the animals who need it. Please help us help the animals in Vanuatu.

A young boy and his puppy stand in a makeshift shelter following the destruction of their home. Port Vila. March 15, 2015 © World Animal Protection / Nicky Kauatonga

Ensuring animals are safe following eruption of Turrialba volcano in Costa Rica

When the Turrialba volcano suddenly came back to life in a cataclysmic eruption on March 12, our Costa Rican based disaster response team immediately reached out to Costa Rica's Animal Health Department to determine how animals were affected and their immediate needs. We were relieved to learn that civil defence are working to get cattle and other animals evacuated from the danger zone.

 

_{One of the many animals affected by ash falls following the most recent eruption}

Turriabla is surrounded by farming communities, including one of the country’s most important dairy farmers. The eruption was so great, ash falls reached the capital San Jose, potentially affecting pets as well.

We have a long history with this volcano and, since 2007 have conducted trainings and drills with the Costa Rican Animal Health Department (SENASA), Societies for the Protection of Animals, local emergency committees, the Red Cross and the National Police. We have also included the the Veterinary Emergency Response Unit (VERU) in this activities - emergency reserve teams of vets we have sponsored and trained specifically to act quickly to address animal needs in disasters.

We believe preparedness across all responders is critical to reducing casualties and animal deaths. By taking care of the animals, we protect farmers as well who more willingly evacuate as well as ensure their livelihoods can continue once the disaster has passed.

We were very pleased to see that as a result of the 2009 risk reduction programme we initiated specifically for the communities surrounding Turriabla, not a single animal was lost when it erupted the following year.

Turrialba's eruption on March 12 was one its largest in hundreds of years.

The preparations are key to survival for animals in the area. But, perhaps the biggest impact will be made possible by the activation of the new national Animal Health Department emergency veterinary fund (that we helped create for the past three years) to cope with the volcano and recent flooding in the same area. As a result SENASA and the Civil Defense department have a streamlined, coordinated ability to respond with rapid access to funds to respond to emergencies. This will enable animals to get immediate help when they need it the most.

We will keep you posted on developments but are confident with the years of work in the area, the animals have a very good chance of surviving and local communities can resume their regular lives as soon as the eruptions and ash falls cease.

Help is on the way for animals suffering after Cyclone Pam devastates Vanuatu

Super Cyclone Pam dwarfs Vanuatu. With winds of up to 270 km/hr, the storm has devastated the country where a majority of the population's livelihood is dependent on subsistence farming. Image source: NASA

Our disaster response team is on the way to Vanuatu to help animals who've been injured or left without shelter after the category five storm has left Vanuatu reeling.

As the storm developed, we sent out emergency preparedness tips for animal owners to radio stations and newspapers across Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tuvalu and New Zealand. The storm is so big it has affected them all, with Vanuatu reportedly the worst affected. We know from experience that these messages can help people prepare themselves and their animals before a disaster and have a much better chance of surviving.

Now, as the extent of the animal and human needs becomes clearer, we're joining the international effort and will immediately begin helping animals. Our work will complement the humanitarian relief by protecting people's friends, and main source of livelihoods.

Just over a year ago, we were in Vanuatu following Cyclone Lusi, a much weaker but nonetheless terribly destructive storm. At the time, we discovered that a major problem for animals was getting veterinary care for wounds or illnesses that they sustained as a result of or made worse by Lusi.

Thanks to your support, we provided veterinary kits to each of the six provinces in Vanuatu. Our aim was to improve Vanuatu's ability to help animals in future disasters, and Cyclone Pam will be the first time that is put to a terrible test.

Most of Vanuatu's population is dependent on small farms as we saw during our 2014 response to Cyclone Lusi. Here, Dr. Naritsorn Pholperm and a local farmer talk about animal health and disaster preparedness. © World Animal Protection

In the capital city, Port Vila, we anticipate pets will need vet care, shelter and emergency feed. In more rural areas, we know that most farms would not be equipped for a disaster of this magnitude so, working with local vets and agriculture officials, we will go where the animal needs are greatest and focus our relief efforts there.

I'll have more updates for you from the field later this week.