Sacramento, CA (September 22, 2005) – United Animal Nations (UAN), North America’s leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services, today committed $100,000 to a reconstruction fund to rebuild animal shelters damaged by Hurricane Katrina. UAN hopes to raise that pledge to $250,000 after evaluating available resources.
The fund was established by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to reconstruct animal shelters and restore the capacity of animal protection efforts in the region. UAN is the first to commit additional money to the fund and is directing its moneys to shelters whose rebuilding plans include spay/neuter facilities.
“UAN has long been devoted to giving people and organizations the means they need to help animal victims of disaster,” said UAN president & CEO Jennifer Fearing. “By helping shelters in the Gulf region with the daunting task of rebuilding their facilities and fortifying their spay/neuter services, we hope to extend our immediate efforts into part of a lasting solution for pets in crisis.”
UAN has been coordinating with authorities and other humane organizations in Louisiana and Mississippi to help animals displaced by Hurricane Katrina since the storm hit. UAN is currently caring for nearly 300 animals, including those rescued from New Orleans at a temporary shelter in Monroe, Louisiana and at a second shelter in Jackson, Mississippi. UAN is also partnering with International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Code 3 Associates to conduct water and land rescues in New Orleans. That team has rescued hundreds of animals from the flood-ravaged city.
News editors and producers: Please include United Animal Nations (UAN), www.uan.org, in any round-up stories and reference lists detailing aid organizations and charities helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
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