15 May 2000

Dutch Animal Protection in Firework Rescue Efforts

Enschede, Monday Ever since the start of the disaster [the exploding fireworks warehouse in Enschede, the Netherlands] animal-ambulances have been working non-stop. Personnel are taking care of animals who just like their owners lost their home or who were so frightened that they became strays. "It is very busy. We haven't had any rest at all", says Theo Bakker of The Dutch Animal Protection region Enschede. Until now already 150 animals have been taken to animal shelters. The two animal-ambulances in Enschede were assisted on Saturday by sixteen animal-ambulances from elsewhere in the country. Of animals that are found in homes that were not damaged a lot will remain there. Personnel of the animal-ambulances will bring them food and fresh water. "It is much better to leave these animals in their own homes." Animals in damaged houses will be taken to one of the three animal shelters for dogs and cats, birds and rodents or for reptiles. Most of the animals are not stressed. Bakker is very surprized by this: "One would expect that these animals would be all nerves. But they are doing very well. They are very quiet." He finds it rather remarkable that many stray dogs and cats have formed a pack. "They stay together. Perhaps it gives them a bit of support." Nolly Lusink.