Banfield Pet Hospital, ThunderShirt and the American Humane Association have joined a growing list of companies and organizations racing to help animals affected by deadly tornadoes Monday in Oklahoma. Portland, Ore.-based Banfield reported today that 14 of its hospitals will provide free office visits for pets in need. The offer is good through June 4. The locations are: • Broken Arrow, 1410 East Hillside Drive • Edmond, 1921 S. Broadway • Midwest City, 7177 SE 29th St. • Norman, 660 Ed Noble Parkway • Oklahoma City North, 2932 NW 63rd St. • Oklahoma City Northwest, 8357 N. Rockwell Ave. • Oklahoma City West, 6327 SW 3rd St. • South Oklahoma City, 1417 W. I-240 Service Road • Owasso, 9002 N. 121st East Ave., Suite 1200 • Quail Springs, 2140 W. Memorial Road • Tulsa (41st), 5418 E. 41st St. • Tulsa Hills, 7322 S. Olympia Ave. • Tulsa (71st), 10117 E. 71st St. • Yukon, 1648 Garth Brooks Blvd. Banfield is working with Mars Inc. on other relief efforts as needs are identified, a spokeswoman said. Also assisting animals are: • ThunderWorks of Durham, N.C., the maker of ThunderShirt anti-anxiety pet wraps. The company donated nearly 100 ThunderShirts to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society and other shelters. "We are committed to supporting recovery efforts however we can,” said Phil Blizzard, founder of ThunderShirt. • The Washington, D.C.-based American Humane Association. The organization reported that its Red Star Animal Emergency Services team and a convoy of vehicles, including the 82-foot-long Red Star Rescue Rig, are en route to Oklahoma. • The Dallas-based American Dog Rescue Foundation, which launched a social media campaign with celebrities Melissa Rivers and Taryn Manning. Group founder and philanthropist Arthur E. Benjamin will match a portion of money collected at AnimalTornadoRelief.com for donation to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society. "While immediate efforts are being made on the ground to rescue animals in danger, recover lost animals, reunite families with their pets and rebuild the community, I can't help but take action on what needs to be done,” Benjamin said. • The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which dispatched a disaster response team to assist with shelter operations at the Central Oklahoma Humane Society. ASPCA and OK Humane also are coordinating the distribution of pet food to impacted areas. "Our goal is to help make sure things run smoothly and to see that the animals are comfortable and find their way back to their families as soon as possible,” said Dick Green, director of disaster response for ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response Team. • The International Fund for Animal Welfare, based in Yarmouth Port, Mass. "In the face of overwhelming loss, IFAW is proud to be there for families separated from their beloved pets during the tornado,” said Shannon Walajtys, manager for disaster response. "We are assigning teams to help care for animals at the shelter and assist with reunifications.” • The nonprofit group Code 3 Associates of Longmont, Colo., which is providing care and logistical support to animals at the OK Humane shelter. • RedRover of Sacramento, Calif., which works to strengthen the bond between people and animals through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. "We will be assisting with the process to reunite people with their pets,” said Beth Gammie, RedRover’s emergency services manager. • Hill’s Pet Nutrition of Topeka, Kan., which activated its recently announced Disaster Relief Network. Within two hours of the disaster, Hill’s began working with animal clinics and shelters to ship thousands of pounds of dog and cat food. The company is planning a convoy of food and other pet supplies to support families in the coming weeks. <HOME>
