ANIMAL WELFARE CHARITIES UNITE TO HELP CREATURE CASUALTIES OF HUNGARY'S TOXIC SPILL
20 October 2010
Several UK animal welfare charities have joined forces this week to help domestic animals and livestock affected by the devastating toxic spill in Hungary.
WSPA, Dogs Trust, RSPCA International and the Worldwide Veterinary Service are sending vital veterinary equipment to help a Hungarian animal welfare charity, Rex Animal Island, in its desperate bid to rescue the hundreds of poisoned and injured dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife.
Animals were the unsuspecting victims of Hungary’s toxic sludge deluge that burst through reservoir walls on 4th October 2010. A staggering 184 million gallons of toxic aluminium waste streamed through villages into the river Danube claiming hundreds of casualties both human and animal. Working conditions for rescuers are very difficult and dedicated carers are driving daily 200mile round trips to transport animals to safety.
David Newall, International Director of Dogs Trust explains:
“Rex Animal Island have unexpectedly found themselves in a state of crisis and they simply do not have the resources to care for the huge number of sick and wounded animals. The sludge from the spill is highly toxic and veterinary staff urgently need more supplies to treat animals’ burns.
By providing vital aid and emergency veterinary equipment we hope that as many animals as possible can be saved from this terrible disaster.”
The charities are now working together to develop a sustainable international aid plan that can be used in the future.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Further images, spokespeople and quotes from all charities involved are available upon request.
• Dogs Trust is an international organisation with 17 Rehoming Centres in the UK and one in the Republic of Ireland. Dogs Trust also works in Malta and Romania. The charity runs the annual International Companion Animal Welfare Conference, as well as training projects on a variety of related subjects.
• Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) provides aid and assistance to animal charities and non-profit organisations around the world. WVS helps more than 380 associated charities from five continents and visits around 30 different countries each year. In 2009 WVS treated more than 14,500 animals, an average of 40 animals a day, in places where there is normally no ready access to veterinary services. For further details on Worldwide Veterinary Service please visit www.wvs.org.uk
• WSPA is the world’s largest alliance of animal welfare societies, with over 1,000 member societies in over than 150 countries. We are the only animal welfare organization with consultative status at the UN. Please visit www.wspa.org.uk
• RSPCA International has worked actively in more than 30 countries during the last 10 years through delivery of training, provision of advice to central and local government and NGOs and financial support. The charity has collaborated closely with Hungarian central government and local NGOs to improve the enforcement of animal welfare legislation. RSPCA International responds to emergency situations around the world including oil spills and flooding to support local organisations in their animal rescue and rehabilitation work. www.rspca.org.uk/international
• For further information on Rex Animal Island visit www.rex.hu
For more information please contact Dogs Trust Press Office
Krystyna McGrath 0207 833 7616
Krystyna.mcgrath@dogstrust.org.uk 07768 616280
Hannah Macey 0207 833 7608
Hannah.macey@dogtrust.org.uk 07768 616280