Animal rescue efforts underway in Iowa
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Iowans are attempting to cope with some of the worst flooding in the state in years, and some of that coping means dealing with thousands of stranded animals. The Des Moines Register reports:
Officials from the Humane Society of the United States boarded a plane from Washington, D.C., on Friday morning to assist local animal rescue efforts because of the flooding in Cedar Rapids and throughout Iowa. By today, the Humane Society will have at least seven staff members operating statewide and will have deployed a 75-foot animal transport semitrailer truck capable of housing 100 animals, three boats, a mobile command center and a pickup truck. ‘We’re trained to respond to any disaster of any size - land, fire or water - year-round,’ said Scotlund Haisley, senior director of emergency services for the Humane Society in Washington. Haisley said the society responded in less than 24 hours to a request that came Thursday from the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Josh Colvin, operations manager for the Animal Care and Control Center for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, said there is a need for help in Cedar Rapids. ‘From what I’m understanding, Cedar Rapids is overwhelmed with animals because of so many evacuations,’ Colvin said. Des Moines Animal Control Unit Supervisor Scott Raudabaugh said the city and Animal Rescue League of Iowa are working to keep pets safe.