Dear frankie,

Just after 6 p.m. last night, I crossed the border into Haiti — despite a flat tire, an overheated engine, and two aftershocks — and am seeing firsthand the total devastation left behind in the wake of last week's earthquake. Tent cities everywhere are teeming with tens of thousands of people now homeless. Mountains of rubble are all that remain of homes and buildings. And everyone is terrified of being crushed during the tremors that still rock the country.

And amid all this human suffering, there's something else: Animals are suffering, too. Will you please support our efforts to help with a special gift right now?

The entire nation is overwhelmed by a lack of basic necessities — adequate food, water, shelter, and medicine. Thankfully, it appears humanitarian aid is reaching the people affected by this disaster.

But the conditions for animals are still deteriorating. In our short time here, I've seen cattle wandering through fields and stray dogs by the roads. With food and water in short supply, it is only a matter of time before these animals — especially the injured — come under threat of dehydration, starvation, and disease.

Our team of responders from Humane Society International and Veterinary Care & Human Services, Caribbean Project (VCHS) is now in Port-au-Prince, providing emergency care and treatment to the animal survivors and assessing conditions to help stabilize the situation for them.

We need your help so we can remain on the ground to care for animals. Can you make an emergency donation today?

We are working around the clock to mobilize more teams of responders, to obtain and ship food and supplies, and to coordinate with authorities and other organizations in Haiti. We are doing everything we can to provide immediate support to the animals who survived this disaster as well as develop ongoing institutional support for Haiti's animals and their human care-givers in the future.

But we can't do this work without your support. Will you stand by us today — and during future disasters around the world? We hope you will help by making a special gift now.

Sincerely,

Dr. Rebecca Berg, DVM
HSI Volunteer Disaster Responder