Relief for Paws, Claws, Hooves, and Fins

When you click the purple button on the right (you’re still doing that, aren’t you?), you not only help feed shelter critters, you also get lots of options to help animals all over the world. The site has recently posted special methods of contributing aid to the pets of Japan.

I just learned of an organization called World Vets—sort of a Doctors Without Borders for animals. Right now they’re working with Humane Society International folks and local Japanese vets and shelters to provide assistance where and how it’s most needed. There was a special blog fund-raising drive on March 17 that was successful enough to crash the World Vets’ servers and frustrate potential donors. Though the tech problem has been fixed, the need for $$$ hasn’t.

I realize there’s no end to the organizations vying for your greenbacks. But it’s always good to know which ones will put your donations to the best use.

“Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission—to be of service to them whenever they require it...”
—Saint Francis of Assisi

[For a short introduction to disaster rescue work, read Dr. V’s column at Pawcurious. For an example of rescue mismanagement, read the latest about the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. For an unfiltered description of current rescue work in Japan, visit Pet Captain or Animal Refuge Kansai. For a report of the quake’s impact on wildlife, I encourage you to read Jason Goldman’s article for Scientific American.]

[Akita pic from World Vets; porpoise pic from Global Animal.]