Specially trained volunteers from Hawaii and California care for animals removed from hoarding situation in West Oahu
HONOLULU (July 21, 2009) – United Animal Nations (UAN) has deployed eight volunteers specially trained in emergency animal sheltering to help care for more than 400 animals rescued from a suspected hoarding situation at a West Oahu property on Sunday.
  EARS volunteers are caring for hundreds of dogs, cats and fowl who were rescued from a suspected hoarding situation in Hawaii.  |
Seven volunteers with UAN’s Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) traveled to Oahu from across awaii and one flew from California to help local and national organizations with what may be the largest animal rescue operation in Oahu’s history.
EARS volunteers are working with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Hawaii Dog Foundation, CatFriends, Wild Bird Rehab Haven, Hawaiian Humane Society, Joey’s Feline Friends and Love A Cat Charity.
After the death of the property owner, the surviving spouse contacted the Oahu SPCA and surrendered more than 100 dogs, 100 cats and 200 fowl living at the site. These animals were housed in outdoor kennels or were roaming freely throughout the property. Some of these animals were emaciated and suffering from serious skin and eye infections and parasite infestation.
An emergency shelter large enough to handle the animals was established at the Oahu SPCA facility in Kalaeloa through the generosity of Hunt Development Group. The HSUS obtained much-needed sheltering supplies at a generously discounted rate from The Home Depot.
Rescuers began to remove animals from the property early Sunday morning and transported them to the temporary facility. At the shelter, veterinarians continue to perform health assessments and provide necessary medical care. Staff and volunteers from all the involved organizations have banded together to provide these rescued animals much-needed care.
Distinguished by their red shirts, UAN’s EARS volunteers are specially trained to care for animals rescued from stressful situations and housed in temporary shelters. EARS volunteers have sheltered and cared for animals rescued during 11 criminal seizure cases in the last year alone.
“EARS volunteers are expert at running temporary shelters and supporting communities that are overwhelmed by a large influx of animals,” said UAN Emergency Services Manager Janell Matthies. “They have been working non-stop to help the animals acclimate to their new surroundings, providing them with clean kennels, food, water and attention like they have never experienced before.”
- Read more about this situation on our Emergency Response Blog.
- Support our efforts by donating to the Disaster Relief Fund.
Founded in 1987, United Animal Nations (UAN) focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the bond between people and animals through a variety of programs, including emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. Learn more at www.uan.org.
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