DONATE! Help Rescue Animals From Colorado Flooding

Suzanne Sophocles hugs her dogs after they were rescued from her flooded home on September 13 in Boulder. Thousands of people stranded by the flood waters in Colorado were finally able to come down by trucks and helicopters, two days after seemingly endless rain turned normally scenic rivers and creeks into coffee-colored rapids that wrecked scores of roads and wiped out neighborhoods. Photo Credit: Jeremy Papasso, The Daily Camera — Suzanne Sophocles hugs her dogs after they were rescued from her flooded home in Boulder, Colorado. Photo Credit: Jeremy Papasso, The Daily Camera

COLORADO — After a week of relentless rains and flooding of historic proportions throughout the state of Colorado, eight people are dead and hundreds have been reported missing.

With parts of Colorado hit by up to 15 inches of rainfall, the floods have reportedly destroyed 1,502 residential structures, leaving many people and animals stranded.

First responders to the vast water-logged area around the size of Connecticut have reportedly rescued hundreds of dogs, cats, horses, cows, goats, and other animals. With places from high schools to churches converting into emergency animal shelters, local humane societies and animal shelters continue to work to reunite families with their beloved pets.

DONATE: Global Animal is collecting donations for several vetted animal rescue organizations working on the ground to help with medical costs for injured animals, boarding and food, as well as helping reunite pets with their guardians in Colorado. Your compassion in action and support of Global Animal Foundation can help save the lives of animals in crisis.

DONATIONS WILL GO TO, AMONG OTHERS:

1. The American Humane Association (AHA) has sent their Red Star rescue team to Colorado to help animal victims of the natural disaster.

According to Justin L. Scally, National Director of Emergency Services at the AHA in Washington, D.C., an advance team is already on the ground, working with Boulder County Animal Control and Code 3 Associates, a rescue organization based in Longmont, one of the hardest hit areas by the flooding.

“Our Red Star staff and volunteers will be working closely with local authorities and other agencies…to find, rescue, shelter and make sure animals separated from their families get home safely,” Scally said.

“Floods are among the most terrifying and destructive of natural disasters,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, AHA president and CEO. “Fortunately, our Red Star team is well-trained and well-qualified to handle this kind of emergency so that we may save lives and reunite families.”

A lone horse stands tied to a fence with floodwater surging up to the animal's torso. Fortunately, the horse was later rescued. Photo Credit: KUSA_9 News — A lone horse stands tied to a fence with floodwater surging up to the animal’s torso. Fortunately, the horse was later rescued. Photo Credit: KUSA_9 News

2. PetAid Disaster Services, part of the Denver-based PetAid Colorado, is also working on the ground in Adams, Boulder, Jefferson, and Larimer counties as well as the State Emergency Operations Center to assist as needed.

“PetAid Disaster Services exists to assist small and large animals who are in need of veterinary care or other services during an extremely stressful and emotional time in a person’s life,” PetAid’s program director Debrah Schnackenberg said.

“We work very collaboratively with all organizations and agencies involved in the disaster and are on-hand to provide resources and advice in regards to pet safety and wellness.”

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The AHA has issued the following tips for pet caretakers recovering from a flood:

Use caution when returning home and walking on higher ground. Snakes, insects and other animals may have found refuge there.
Be cautious about letting children or pets play in or drink ground water. Water may be contaminated.
Be cautious about all food, which may have spoiled when electricity was interrupted.
Keep dogs on a leash and cats in a carrier.
Watch for objects that could cause injury or harm to children or pets.
Give pets time to reorient. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and cause a pet to be confused or to become lost.
Keep children and pets away from downed power lines and debris.
A pet may become more aggressive or self-protective after a crisis. Be sensitive to the changes and keep more room between the pets and other animals, children or strangers.
Animals need comforting, too. Comfort a pet with kind words and lots of pats or hugs. If possible, provide a safe and quiet environment, even if it is not their home.