Animal victims of the recent floods in central and Eastern Europe are being helped by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and its member societies in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Croatia.

Many dogs, cats and wild animals have suffered because of the floods. In Budapest, where water levels reached several metres high, the Rex Foundation’s main dog shelter was flooded and over fifty dogs were in desperate need of emergency relief. With WSPA’s funding the local organisation was able to set up a temporary shelter for the dogs.

A forest reserve close to the Hungarian town of Pecs suffered its worst floods since 1956, with water rising up to seven metres above its usual level. Many wild animals including deer, wild boar and birds of prey were affected with many close to exhaustion. A donation from WSPA enabled the Misina SPA to treat and care for sick and injured animals that will then be released back into the wild when it is safe.

In the Czech Republic, work carried out by the local group Spolecnost Pro Zvírata (SPZ) concentrated on helping beloved pets. Over five tonnes of cat and dog food has been distributed to animals in the southern outskirts of Prague and in the northern town of Litomerice. This has enabled over 700 households to feed their animals for at least two weeks. With WSPA’s help approximately ten tonnes of emergency pet food supplies will provide for over 1500 households in the most severely affected areas of the country. This comes as a welcome relief for people who have been sharing their own rations of bread with their animals.

In Croatia, a WSPA donation to member society Zivot has helped to feed over 850 deer and wild hogs that local farmers were threatening to shoot after the animals were found to be feeding on crops when flooding prevented them from reaching their natural grazing areas.

Dave Eastham, WSPA’s Project Officer for Direct Action said; "As a result of the floods, buildings were uninhabitable and fields of crops were devastated by mud and debris. Despite all this, the people were still very concerned for the welfare of their animals and were grateful when we arrived with emergency food supplies. These supplies will ensure that the worst affected communities will be able to care for their pets properly while they get on with the difficult job of re-building their lives."

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), an international charity recognised by the United Nations, represents more than 420 member societies in 90 countries. WSPA works worldwide to campaign against cruelty by exposing animal abuse and enforcing stronger laws; to save abandoned animals or those stricken by disasters; and promote humane education and practical workshops to encourage respect for animals and improve standards of animal care.