IFAW Rushes Animal Rescue Teams to Taiwan Following Typhoon Morakot

YARMOUTH PORT, Mass., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rescuers from the
International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW - www.ifaw.org) have mobilized to
Taiwan to assist in animal rescue efforts following the devastating Typhoon
that slammed into the island last week.

IFAW is responding to a cry for help by local groups currently working to save
animals affected by the storm. Reports indicate that at least 10 animal
shelters were damaged, leaving more than 1,000 dogs trapped by floods and more
than 100 dogs drowned or missing.

"We need to move quickly," said IFAW's Dick Green. "Our fear is that more dogs
will die if the shelters do not quickly receive relief supplies and help
rebuild the shelters."

Typhoon Morakot dumped a record 120 inches (3 meters) of rain on southern
Taiwan over the weekend. Entire villages were submerged in water and mud and
there are no clear estimates on the number of fatalities. Officials are
describing Typhoon Morakot as the worst flooding in half a century.

Incredible human and animal survival stories have been reported. Local
villager Huan Chin-bao interviewed this week by newswire AFP talked about
witnessing a mountain crumbling in seconds burying half of his neighborhood.
Huang said he and another 40 people were guided by his two dogs to higher
ground. "The dogs are our saviors," he said.

IFAW expects to find animal shelters need medical supplies, drinking water,
dog food, and assistance rebuilding the dogs' homes.

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)
As the world's leading animal welfare organization, IFAW works from its global
headquarters in the United States and 16 country offices to improve the
welfare of wild and domestic animals by reducing the commercial exploitation
of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in distress.
With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW works both on the ground and in
the halls of government to safeguard wild and domestic animals and seeks to
motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to promote animal
welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of both animals
and people. To learn how you can help, please visit www.ifaw.org.

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SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare

Chris Cutter, +1-508-744-2076, ccutter@ifaw.org, or Michael Booth,
+1-508-648-3346; mbooth@ifaw.org, both of IFAW- U.S