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Animals and Disasters: Helpful Links

Animal Welfare/Emergency Rescue | Service Animals | Pet Loss

Animal Welfare/Emergency Rescue

American Humane Association
The mission of the American Humane Association is to create a more humane and compassionate world by ending abuse and neglect of children and animals. The association has several web pages available that provide information on disaster and emergency situations as they relate to animals.
http://www.americanhumane.org  External Web Site Policy.

American Red Cross
The American Red Cross offers disaster preparedness and response publications as well as tips and resources on how to prepare a home and family for disaster or emergency situations. It provides information regarding responding to an emergency situation involving a family pet as well as tips on what to include in a pet disaster kit.
http://www.redcross.org  External Web Site Policy.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
The ASPCA’s mission is to “provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” The ASPCA works to rescue animals from abuse, pass humane laws, and share resources with shelters nationwide.
http://www.aspca.org  External Web Site Policy.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)—Disaster Preparedness
The HSUS is the nation's largest animal protection organization. It is a leading disaster relief agency for animals that provides direct care for thousands of animals at its sanctuaries and rescue facilities, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and mobile veterinary clinics. The HSUS’s Disaster Preparedness web page includes resources on disaster preparedness for farm animals and horses as well as disaster planning for families and pets. Also included is information regarding keeping pets safe in tornadoes.
http://www.humanesociety.org/about/departments/disaster_preparedness.html  External Web Site Policy.

National Alliance of State Animal and Agricultural Emergency Programs (NASAAEP)
At this site, visitors can access the NASAAEP’s Best Practices Library, which includes documents and reference materials that NASAAEP working groups have reviewed.
http://www.learn.cfsph.iastate.edu/dr  External Web Site Policy.

The National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC)
NARSC works to improve the welfare of animals throughout the United States by identifying, prioritizing, and finding collaborative solutions to major human-animal emergency issues.
http://www.narsc.net  External Web Site Policy.

Noah’s Wish
According to its website, “Noah's Wish is a unique animal welfare organization dedicated exclusively to rescuing and sheltering animals in disasters, throughout the United States.” The organization runs educational outreach programs to mitigate the impact of disasters on animals.
http://www.noahswish.org  External Web Site Policy.

Petswelcome.com
This website helps pet owners locate pet-friendly lodging and other pet-related travel services and information.
http://www.petswelcome.com  External Web Site Policy.

RedRover
RedRover focuses on strengthening the bond between people and animals through a variety of programs, including emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance, and education.
http://www.uan.org  External Web Site Policy.

U.S. Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management. It includes resources from various entities regarding animal welfare in disaster or emergency situations and provides preparedness and rescue tips for companion and farm animals.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome

Animal Welfare
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/aid/index.shtml

Animal Welfare Information Center (click on Animal Emergency and Disaster Planning Information in the Spotlights section of this website)
http://awic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=3&tax_level=1

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Service Animals

Assistance Dogs International, Inc. (ADI)
The objectives of ADI are to establish and promote standards of excellence in all areas of assistance dog acquisition, training, and partnership; facilitate communication and learning among member organizations; and educate the public about the benefits of assistance dogs and ADI.
http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org  External Web Site Policy.

HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR)
According to its website, “HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response is a national all-volunteer, non-profit, crisis response organization with specially trained and certified handler/canine teams. Agencies call upon HOPE AACR teams to provide comfort and support to people affected by disasters, usually in the recovery phase.”
http://www.hopeaacr.org  External Web Site Policy.

National Animal Assisted Crisis Response (NAACR)
According to its website, the mission of the NAACR is “to harness the power of the human-animal bond to provide support and inspire hope in civilians and responders impacted by trauma, crisis, and disaster.” It is a nonprofit organization that consists of a network of specially trained and entirely volunteer dog and handler teams. These teams are extensively trained and certified to provide animal-assisted emotional support when partnering with disaster mental health and emergency response agencies that provide emotional rescue, recovery, and ongoing support to individuals who have been affected by crisis and disaster.
http://animalassistedcrisis.ipage.com  External Web Site Policy.

Therapy Dogs International
Therapy Dogs International is a volunteer organization dedicated to regulation, testing, and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions, and wherever else therapy dogs are needed.
http://www.tdi-dog.org  External Web Site Policy.

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Pet Loss

The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement is a nonprofit organization staffed by volunteers trained in pet bereavement counseling. This organization is dedicated to helping people through the grieving process.
http://aplb.org/index.html  External Web Site Policy.

Dog Fence DIY—The Pet Loss Resource Guide
This web page provides a variety of resources on the topic of pet loss. It provides links to pet loss support groups and memorials and books about pet loss.
http://www.dogfencediy.com/library/pet-loss-resource-guide  External Web Site Policy.

Pet Loss Support Page
This website provides information, fact sheets, brochures, materials, and resources that can be helpful when dealing with the death of a pet.
http://www.pet-loss.net/index.shtml  External Web Site Policy.

Pet Partners: Pet Loss Directory—Counselors and Support Groups
This part of the Pet Partners website provides information about pet bereavement support groups by State. It includes articles and research as well as providing websites and information on memorials and cemeteries.
https://www.petpartners.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=610  External Web Site Policy.

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Find Help

Disaster Distress Lifeline 1-800-985-5990 text TalkWithUs to 66746 Click here for the Suicide Hotline

Connect with SAMHSA
Get connected with SAMHSA by following us through these services:
Featured Resources

Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event

Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event
A Guide for Parents, Teachers and Care-Givers.


Screenshot of Drought Disaster Response page

Immediate Disaster Response: Hurricane Sandy-Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series (DBHIS)
This installment of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series (DBHIS) focuses on first responders and, currently, Hurricane Sandy.