Disaster Relief
Network for Animals (NFA) has a proud track record of urgent intervention in times of crisis. At the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, we were one of the first animal welfare organizations on the ground, ready to support the country’s animal victims wherever possible. Even as most of the world’s attention has shifted, we continue to work with our partners in Ukraine and Poland to feed, treat and evacuate animals that would otherwise be killed in the warzones.
As global temperatures rise, natural disasters such as droughts, floods and heatwaves will become more frequent and intense. We are committed to supporting animals who get caught up in these catastrophic conditions. In January 2022, NFA worked alongside the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and our partner, the Have a Heart Equine Sanctuary (HAHES) to urgently rescue horses and foals who faced potential death by drowning following heavy flooding along the Orange River in Namaqualand, South Africa. In 2020, NFA also rushed financial aid to Australia, the United States, the Philippines and Lebanon to support countless helpless animals affected by life-threatening disasters.
A Selection Of Recent Disaster Relief Campaigns
Turkey 
2023: We are always on the ground when disasters strike, rushing to the aid of animals in the direst of need. It is often during times of crisis that animals become forgotten, abandoned victims, desperate for any bit of help that often never comes.
We are proud to say that we were on the ground when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake – and a subsequent quake of 6.4-magnitude, and 5.8-magnitude aftershock – devastated parts of Turkey in February 2023, and when 90 more aftershocks followed. We immediately sprang into action, trawling ravaged landscapes for animal victims along with HAYTAP (Hayvan Hakları Federasyonu), a dedicated animal rescue organization working in the Antakya region. We helped rescue injured and displaced cats, dogs, puppies, birds and even farm animals like pregnant cows.
Rescued animals were given critical treatment, food and shelter at our emergency field tents, and in the coming weeks and months, we will help to ensure that these tragic victims heal and find loving homes. Many lost their families in the tragedy, while others were forced to be separated from their owners as shelters would not allow people to keep their pets with them. It is a heartbreaking tragedy all round, but we will not abandon the animals when they need us most.
Australia 
2020: Australian bush fires. We were among the very first international organizations to provide on-the-ground help when devastating bushfires in Australia killed a billion animals. We focused on flying foxes because they birth once a year and extreme heat and the following fires killed countless thousands, putting an entire generation at risk. We provided funding for specialized food and care for flying-fox cubs and will continue to help until they are returned to the wild.
Philippines 
2020: On January 20, the Taal volcano erupted in the Philippines. Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated, animals were left to fend for themselves. Our team fought their way through the flood of refugees to provide food and care for animals in the danger area.
2014 Volcano Mayon: In October 2014, this Philippine volcano reached eruption alert level 3, meaning hazardous eruption was possible within weeks. As an evacuation zone for 5 miles was declared, our Emergency Response team stepped in to provide animal assistance. As well as distributing food to dogs and other animals in an existing shelter, we have helped relocate larger animals out of the potential eruption area, and coordinated with city government and local officials.
South Africa 
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and Have A Heart Equine Sanctuary (HAHES)
In January 2022, heavy flooding along the Orange River in Namaqualand, South Africa, left 32 horses and three foals stranded on tiny islands surrounded by rising waters. The animals faced imminent death by drowning. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) of South Africa and Namibia put out urgent pleas for help, and we were the only organization to respond. Network for Animals rushed to the scene to provide emergency assistance and managed to help save all 32 horses and the three foals. Together with our partner, the Have A Heart Equine Sanctuary (HAHES), we also support the current rehabilitation effort for the horses.
USA 
2018: When Hurricane Florence swept through the Carolinas, we donated more than $45,000.00 to rescue, care and reunite animals with their families.
We also made a significant donation to help rescue and care for animals caught up in California fires.
2017: When Hurricane Harvey struck Texas, we asked our supporters for help, rescuing stranded animals. We raised $60,472.00, every single cent of which we gave to the Houston SPCA. Thanks to our supporters, some 600 animals, mostly dogs, were rescued.
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