AHA and Animal Planet Rescue Return from Staten Island

American Humane Association
Wednesday, 3 October 2001

The American Humane Association (AHA) and Animal Planet Rescue have left Staten Island after recovery efforts by search and rescue dogs were called off Saturday, September 29.

AHA and Animal Planet Rescue were helping to care for the search and rescue dogs that were searching through the rubble from the World Trade Center to locate evidence. However, after tests by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that levels of asbestos on the ground might be harmful to the dogs, the decision was made to call off their efforts.

According to Ben Drotar, AHA's on-site commander at Staten Island, the EPA is constantly monitoring the air and ground at the Staten Island landfill to make sure it is safe for the rescue workers. After one of the tests, it was discovered that the area dogs were working in had higher than normal levels of asbestos.

Drotar continued by pointing out, "Most of the rubble being brought to the landfill is from the area surrounding the World Trade Center towers. Until all of it is removed, rescue workers will not be able to begin the long process of searching through the actual towers. Because the dogs pick up every minute particle on the ground, they were actually holding up the recovery process," remarked Drotar. "Right now, it is crucial for recovery teams to be able to get inside what remains of the towers, and the sooner that happens, the better."

The Animal Planet Rescue rig, an 82-foot long semi trailer complete with a veterinary clinic, kennels, rescue equipment, sleeping accommodations, and a communications center, provided shelter, decontamination services, and treatment for rescue dogs and their handlers working on Staten Island. A full Veterinary Medical Assistance Team (VMAT) worked onboard Animal Planet Rescue to provide 24-hour veterinary assistance to the dogs.

AHA's activities in New York were not funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. We rely on the public to support our emergency animal relief efforts in New York and across the country.

For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org