Freeport, Grand Bahama (EINPresswire.com) — The Animal Wellness Foundation (AWF), as part of its disaster response efforts, is providing hay to surviving horses on the island of Grand Bahama in the aftermath of the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in August. Large animals are often not a central focus of animal disaster response efforts after an emergency, but their needs are often as acute as those of stranded or injured dogs and cats, the AWF said in a press release.
The team departed from Fort Pierce, Florida, on October 7 and returned later in the day. Once on the ground, the team traveled to three farms to assess structural damage and equine health needs. The mission was led by Jennifer Skiff, director of international programs for the Animal Wellness Foundation, Laurie Hood, Florida state director for Animal Wellness Action, and Dr. Bess Darrow, an equine veterinarian based in central Florida.
Animal Wellness Action team arrives in the Bahamas. Photo: Courtesy Animal Wellness Action
The Bahamas does not produce its own hay, and with such incredible human dislocation on the islands, there is no safety net for horses.
“These horses need us, and we are prepared to meet their needs in crisis,” said Skiff. “Our plan is to stabilize them, attend to any immediate needs, and to provide food for as long as six months.”
AWF was a member of a coalition of humane organizations facilitating the rescue of 72 homeless dogs from Nassau after Hurricane Dorian caused mass destruction on August 24th. Each U.S. organization played a specific, coordinated role, with AWF tasked with taking pet food and supplies to the islands as well as bringing the dogs back. AWF continues to provide relief to animals affected by the hurricane and has since ordered a six-month supply of hay to feed the remaining 19 horses on Grand Bahama. Over 200 animals and their guardian perished at the Ol’Freetown Farm during the hurricane. Searches continue for goats, and pigs that may have survived.
About Animal Wellness Foundation
The Animal Wellness Foundation is a Los Angeles-based private charitable organization with a mission of helping animals by making veterinary care available to everyone with a pet, regardless of economic ability. AWF organizes rescue efforts and medical services for dogs and cats in need and help homeless pets find a loving caregiver. AWF advocates for getting veterinarians to the front lines of the animal welfare movement; promoting responsible pet ownership; and vaccinating animals against infectious diseases such as distemper. AWF also supports policies that prevent animal cruelty and that alleviate suffering.
About Animal Wellness Action
Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) organization with a mission of helping animals by promoting legal standards forbidding cruelty. We champion causes that alleviate the suffering of companion animals, farm animals, and wildlife. AWA advocates for policies to stop dogfighting and cockfighting and other forms of malicious cruelty and to confront factory farming and other systemic forms of animal exploitation. To prevent cruelty, AWA promotes enacting good public policies and works to enforce those policies.