International rescue team aids animals in Turkey affected by earthquakes
Organizations from the US, Poland, and the UK that provided care to animals on the ground in Ukraine are now working to save animals in Turkey
A group of rescuers, including Florida Urgent Rescue (US), Million Hearts Foundation (Poland), and Dogs Life Rescue (UK) who teamed up to save animals in Ukraine is now rescuing those in Turkey in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes. They are joining forces with Turkish animal rescues and shelters, including Tanisan Seversin and Haytap.
FUR Executive director Mike Merrill with an earthquake survivor at the Kurtaran Ev shelter near Istanbul (Photo courtesy of Florida Urgent Rescue).
"Whether it's an earthquake, a hurricane or a war zone, people and animals are in danger," said Mike Merrill, founder and executive director of Florida Urgent Rescue, in the organizational release.1 "It's a different emergency, but many of the problems are the same. We have experience providing assistance in disaster areas, and they desperately need help."
According to the release, Florida Urgent Rescue (FUR) has an extensive background in leading animal rescue missions in hurricanes and natural disasters. In fact, last year, FUR collaborated with partners worldwide to rescue animals on the ground in Ukraine. Two of these partners are now working with FUR again.
Million Hearts Foundation and Dogs Life Rescue have completed various rescue missions in Ukraine and Poland. The 3 groups teamed up with Transform a Street Dog last year, another US based rescue group operating on the ground in Ukraine, transporting animals from Zhytomyr, Ukraine to Poznan, Poland.
Along with significant losses and people left homeless after the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, animals are in danger as well. Shelters are overwhelmed, veterinary care and supplies are limited, animals are scared and hiding in the rubble, and survivors need veterinary care for their pets.1 The international team is providing equipment and supplies, trapping strays, helping with veterinary care, transporting animals, and helping local rescues groups.
Reference
International rescue team is helping animals in Turkey after the devastating earthquakes. Florida Urgent Resuce. March 10, 2023. Accessed March 10, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-rescue-team-is-helping-animals-in-turkey-after-the-devastating-earthquakes-301768893.html
