Humane Society of Missouri Deploys Disaster Response Team to Joplin, Missouri

Will conduct animal rescue and set up animal emergency shelters in tornado-ravaged areas

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May 23, 2011, 03:36 ET

ST. LOUIS, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- At the request of the State Emergency Management Agency, today the Humane Society of Missouri is sending a fifteen-member Disaster Response Team to Joplin, Mo. to rescue and shelter pets affected by last night's devastating tornado. The team consists of professionals trained in emergency animal rescue and shelter operations and includes a veterinarian to care for sick and injured animals.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110523/CG07258LOGO)

The HSMO Field Assessment Team will canvass the area searching for and rescuing injured and displaced pets.
In conjunction with Joplin Animal Control, the HSMO Sheltering Team will assist in the operation of an animal shelter on the campus of Missouri Southern State University (MSSU). Persons being housed at the shelter at MSSU will be able to place their pets at this animal shelter.
The HSMO Sheltering Team also will set up and operate a separate emergency shelter with the capacity to care for several hundred pets of persons who are not being sheltered at MSSU.

Persons displaced by the tornado who need shelter for their pets should contact the Jasper County Emergency Management Agency at their emergency location in the Recreation Center on the campus of Missouri Southern State University.

Donations –

At this time, monetary donations are encouraged. Persons wishing to make donations to assist animal rescue efforts can do so at www.hsmo.org.

Background –

The Humane Society of Missouri has been named by the State Emergency Management Agency as the lead animal welfare agency in response to disasters and other emergencies in Missouri. In April and May, the HSMO Disaster Response Team spent two weeks in the flooded areas of Southeast Missouri rescuing and sheltering more than 200 animals.

SOURCE Humane Society of Missouri