ASPCA Provides More Than $30,000 in Grants to Aid Organizations for Disaster Preparedness and Response

<em>Equamore Foundation in Ashland, Ore. one of seven groups receiving funds </em>
November 3, 2011

NEW YORK--The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced it will provide seven organizations, including the Equamore Foundation in Ashland, Ore., with more than $30,000 in grant funding dedicated to providing aid for groups affected by recent severe weather incidents or helping improve disaster preparedness measures in the community.

The Equamore Foundation received a $4,000 grant to provide large animal rescue and disaster response training for law enforcement officers, emergency first responders, search and rescue personnel, and animal rescue groups throughout the state.

"This grant demonstrates the ASPCA's commitment in responding to disasters that involve domestic animals and we are grateful for their support of our foundation's Large Animal Rescue Clinics," said Linda Davis, executive director of the Equamore Foundation. "The specialized training Equamore Foundation provides at these clinics is essential for the safety of animals, their owners, and those who must deal with disasters that may involve frightened and injured dogs, goats, pigs, horses, cattle, and even an occasional elephant."

"The ASPCA assisted in numerous disaster response operations from April through September this year, and we wanted to continue to offer assistance with funding to help communities that have been affected by disasters, or are taking necessary steps to prepare for a disaster," said Allison Cardona, program development and grants officer for the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team. "We are especially supportive of groups such as the Equamore Foundation who are committed to the welfare of animals. We hope that our grant will enable them to care for and protect countless more animals in its community."

Additionally, the following grant recipients received funds related to disaster preparedness and response:

  • Little Fork Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, Inc. in Rixeyville, Va. received $8,000 to purchase a large animal rescue trailer that allows the fire department to enhance its large animal and equine rescue capabilities;

  • Montgomery County Animal Rescue in Red Oak, Iowa received $7,000 to provide kennels for stray and abandoned animals displaced by the recent Missouri River flooding;

  • Florida State Animal Response Coalition in Bushnell, Fla. received $5,000 to train volunteers and instructors to enhance statewide disaster and response;

  • Austin Humane Society in Austin, Texas received $5,000 to purchase food, medical supplies, and other resources to provide care and treatment for animals affected by the wildfires in nearby Bastrop;

  • Florida English Bulldog Rescue in Odessa, Fla. received $1,200 to purchase a generator to serve as a back-up and power its facility in an event of a disaster; and

  • Animal Evac Volunteers in Pine, Colo. received $1,000 to purchase an emergency animal transport trailer to relocate a large number of animals to safety.

The ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team frequently responds to natural disasters, including major events like this year's tornado in Joplin, Mo., as well as Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008 and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. The ASPCA is commonly called upon by state and municipal governments and other animal welfare agencies to lend expertise during large-scale animal rescue operations. This year alone, the ASPCA has assisted more than 20,000 animals in communities throughout the U.S. that were severely affected by tornadoes, flooding and storms.

For information on disaster preparedness and safety tips from the ASPCA, please click here.

About the Equamore Foundation
Equamore's mission is to provide a safety net for unwanted, abused, abandoned, neglected, and aged horses who are without alternatives for their care, while fostering compassion and responsibility for horses through education, outreach, and intervention. One way the Foundation achieves its mission is though the Equamore Academy, training law enforcement, search and rescue organizations, and the general public in body scoring, large animal rescue, and general horse care. Equamore also supports Oregon horse owners through the Oregon Hay Bank and cares for thirty-three aged or neglected horses at the Equamore Sanctuary at Eden Farm outside Ashland, Oregon. More information is available at www.equamore.org.