IFAW animal rescue underway in quake-ravaged Italy

“One of the immediate challenges faced at this time is with displaced pets that need food in the tent cities,” said IFAW veterinarian Anand Ramanathan. “Another urgent problem is locating livestock in the mountains, especially cattle which need to be milked periodically. If we don’t reach these animals in time, the result could be mastitis or other dangerous infections.”

Immediately after the quake hit, a 24-hour Veterinary Emergency Hotline was set up and IZS began treating injured animals. The hotline has received more than 240 rescue calls to reunite lost pets with owners, provide emergency veterinary care or dispose of animal carcasses. The hotline has proved a vital link to reunite owners and pets, adopt lost animals to new homes and distribute pet food and livestock fodder to affected animals across the region.