In war zones and when disaster strikes it's easy to forget the animals. The face of war is undoubtedly human suffering, but behind the scenes thousands of animals are killed, injured, starving or abandoned.

Responding to disasters around the world

In 1975 there were around 50 natural disasters globally, by 2008 the tally reached 450 and every year this figure grows.

From devastating Tsunamis to the clean up from the oil spills, Humane Society International has stepped in to provide crucial, lifesaving services, helping thousands of animals through direct animal care and leadership on the ground. Moreover HSI has built lasting relationships with local partners, turning the tragedies of disaster into the triumphs of recovery and reconstruction. From its contributions to the repair and rebuilding of essential infrastructure, to its animal clinics and humane education, HSI's legacy of response has also been a legacy of long range benefit to animals in areas overwhelmed by disaster.

World Trade Centre 9/11 Terrorist Attack

With the world reeling from the news of the attack on the twin towers, a shocked nation coming to terms with the enormous loss of life was finding it hard enough to cope with the human tragedies that unfolded. Although many of the HSI staff suffered personal loss on that fateful day they knew they had to take action quickly and had no time to mourn. Many of the people who lost their lives that day had pets at home waiting for them to return. HSI took on the task of locating those animals and moving them to safe havens while they found their owners or secured new homes.

First in, Fully Engaged: The Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004:

A high point in HSI's history of international relief activities came with its response to the massive tsunami that pushed a colossal wall of water across the Indian Ocean, causing devastation in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India in December 2004, after a 9.0 earthquake struck the ocean floor. The first international animal welfare organization on the ground after the tsunami, HSI immediately launched efforts to stabilize the welfare of animals in the affected areas, and to arrange for other emergency assistance. In the months following the tsunami, HSI teams worked with local institutions and other animal protection groups to provide assessment, relief, and veterinary care for the countless animal victims in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

The Silent Victims of War

HSI has joined with the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) to help them improve the lives of animals in war ravaged Afghanistan. SPANA have the opportunity to bring relief to the thousands of animals working through the UK Royal Army Veterinary Corp, with the support of the Afghan authorities, and more importantly the support of the Afghan people, SPANA will start treating, feeding and vaccinating animals and introduce an on the ground veterinary presence.

SPANA's CEO, Jeremy Hulme says "No-one is pretending it's going to be easy -the security problems make things complicated- but everyone is hugely enthusiastic. I think it's really exciting, and I know the animals of Afghanistan will be the winners. I truly hope HSI will be able to fund this vital work'.

We will not let them down.