The ASPCA Continues To Provide "Aftermath" Services Related To The World Trade Center Disaster

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Monday, 15 October 2001

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has entered Phase 3 of their pet rescue mission, which is meant to provide "aftermath" services as it relates to the needs of pets and their owners. To date, the ASPCA has assisted in the rescue of approximately 200 pets from homes that were evacuated following the World Trade Center disaster and over 300 have received medical care from ASPCA veterinarians.

Phase 3 activities are as follows:

• Foster Care. The ASPCA is helping to arrange foster care for pet-owners who have their pets with them but are no longer able to keep them in their temporary housing. We are matching pet-owners up with pre-screened foster candidates who have volunteered their services.
• Volunteer Foster Programs. The ASPCA will continue to screen applicants for foster opportunities. Applicants will be asked to fill out the standard Foster Application Form and will be called back if their services are needed. Preference will be given to residents of Manhattan.
• Receiving Animals For Adoption. The ASPCA has been receiving calls from pet-owners, who in the wake of the disaster have been forced to relinquish their pets, and families of pet-owners who died in the disaster and are unable to care for their pets. The ASPCA is placing these animals in pre-screened homes or putting them up for adoption at the ASPCA shelter.
• Pet Transportation Assistance. The ASPCA is assisting pet-owners who are now able to retrieve their pets and return to their homes, but require assistance transporting the pets through Pedestrian-Only Zones (parts of Districts 1 & 2).
• Bereavement Counseling. The ASPCA is offering counseling services for the few tragic cases in which pets were found dead or are suspected to have died.
• Pet Behavioral Counseling. The ASPCA is providing assistance to pet-owners who are reporting post-traumatic behavior problems concerning animals that were stranded during the WTC disaster, e.g. pets' separation anxiety, distress at being left home alone, etc.
• Pet Therapy. The ASPCA is continuing to have staff at the Family Relief Center downtown. In addition to the other services being provided, the ASPCA is coordinating Pet Therapy teams to work with grieving/stressed families and provide some stress reduction for the rescue and relief workers.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org