2023-10-03 17:28:00
The Animal Disaster Team is well equipped. ©DR
the idea of this team, launched jointly by three associations active in animal protection in Belgium, namely Gaïa, the UWPA (Walloon Union for Animal Protection and FéFRACAF (French-speaking federation of approved shelters for horses and farm animals), has been maturing since the floods that hit Wallonia in 2021.
Floods: aid offered for housing the animals of affected people
“Of course, the human and material toll of these floods shocked us, but the fate of the animals also deeply concerned us. During a major disaster, animals must also benefit from the best possible means of emergency care. Obviously, our country greatly needed an intervention service dedicated to the care and transport of animals,” explains Lara Sohet, coordinator of the structure.
The Animal Disaster Team does not intend to overshadow human rescue services. It is intended to complement the work of firefighters.
“In a crisis situation, many people do not hesitate to put themselves in danger to save their animals. We saw it during the floods. By helping animals, we also protect their owners,” said Sébastien De Jonge, president of the Sans Colliers shelter.
The Sans Collier shelter provides several places to accommodate the animals of disaster victims.
The latter believes that we should not “prioritize distress situations”. “We must not prioritize the causes, we do not steal resources from anyone. This is a completely private initiative,” he insists.
To help dogs, cats, birds and other rodents in danger, the Animal Disaster Team can count on a network of around twenty volunteers to date but which is destined to gradually expand. The organization claims to be able to provide care and transport for animals in distress and then return them to their owners or transfer them to various shelters and accommodation centers.
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