RedRover deploys trained emergency animal sheltering volunteers to help disaster victims

November 6, 2012 – RedRover, a California-based animal welfare nonprofit, has sent trained emergency sheltering volunteers from across the East Coast to care for animals rescued from the devastation of the storm.

RedRover Responders volunteers will provide temporary emergency sheltering for an anticipated 300 animals rescued from homes and rising flood waters. So far, RedRover has deployed 9 volunteers and staff to Monmonth County, New Jersey, with many more on active standby. RedRover was asked to set up and staff an emergency shelter for the rescued animals by The Humane Society of the United States.

In their distinctive red shirts, RedRover Responders volunteers provide manpower, free of charge, that enables local animal control and law enforcement agencies to care for people and pets when disaster strikes. RedRover Responders volunteers take time off work and travel at a moment’s notice at their own expense to help animal victims of disasters. Just this August, RedRover deployed volunteers to Louisiana to provide emergency care for victims of Hurricane Isaac.

“It’s freezing here,” said Beth Gammie, RedRover Emergency Services Manager. “There’s no power, and no water, but we’re here to care for the animals and provide peace of mind to their families.” Volunteers — many of whom dealt with emergency and evacuation situations in their own states — were prepared to sleep on cots at the emergency shelter with the animals.

With nearly 3,000 trained volunteers in the United States and Canada, RedRover can deploy its volunteers when communities become overburdened by a crisis involving large numbers of animals. In its 25-year history, RedRover has responded to more than 130 natural disasters and other crises, including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005; the Greensburg, Kansas, tornado in 2007; flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 2008; flooding in Fargo, North Dakota, in 2009; the Joplin, Missouri, tornado in 2011; and Hurricane Isaac in 2012.

“Our hearts go out to those affected by Hurricane Sandy,” Gammie said. “People are being forced to flee their homes — it’s really difficult. We’re here to provide comfort and care for the innocent animal victims who so desperately need it.”

Founded in 1987, RedRover focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and into care through a variety of programs, including emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services, financial assistance for urgent veterinary care and education. Learn more at www.redrover.org.

To donate to RedRover’s Emergency Response Fund, visit www.redrover.org/sandy.

MEDIA CONTACT: Leili Khalessi, 916.429.2457 or lkhalessi@redrover.org.