IFAW helps animals in need following Italy’s deadly floods

Aid provided to over 1,100 animals in wake of Italy’s floods

After floods in Italy displaced thousands of people and animals from their homes, IFAW provided financial aid to local partners LAV and OIPA to purchase essential veterinary medication and animal food. Combined, LAV and OIPA have now helped provide these necessities to over 1,100 animals.  

The LAV Emergency Unit was active on the ground in Emilia Romagna for over two weeks, evacuating animals from houses and gardens and rescuing those that fell victim to the floods. In agreement with local authorities, LAV set up a temporary shelter in Casola Valsenio, one of the municipalities heavily impacted by the floods with tens of kilometers of landslides.  

The temporary shelter was built and run entirely by volunteers and housed dogs and cats of people unable to keep their animals because they had lost their homes. There were daily feeding routines, play and enrichment activities, and also regular veterinary visits for all animals. The animals were housed in the shelter for almost two months.  

LAV also organized a group of foster families to take in animals from displaced people, after health checks by experienced volunteers. Once the animals were placed in their new temporary homes, the foster families were put in touch with the owners, so they could still visit their animals and get updates on how they were doing. 

There were several shelters that suffered damage to their facilities and needed support, while others took in additional animals. LAV also used IFAW funds to support these shelters in purchasing food, medicines, and other necessary supplies to approximately 160 dogs, 100 cats, and 200 rabbits. They administered hundreds of doses of antiparasitics and vaccines and fed the animals over 2,600 meals.  

Many rabbits in Forli did not survive the flooding, but the approximately 200 hundred who were rescued were taken in for health checks and medical treatment.  

Two small dogs were rescued from the town of Russi. LAV’s team heard their barks and found them sitting scared and hungry on a pile of rubble. They were fed on the spot and taken to safety. 

In addition, one of the LAV teams rescued a rooster named Moses, who had been isolated on a floating plank for four days. 

OIPA’s team of volunteers helped more than 650 animals, including dogs, cats, horses, geese, parakeets, and donkeys. They organised an emergency response team of OIPA animal control officers and volunteers that carried out 285 aid and rescue operations. In La Gaiana, for example, they found 40 cats that had been without food for over two weeks. In La Motta, the OIPA team rescued five cats from an evacuated home that was still under water. In some cases, they were aided by local firefighters with an inflatable boat and other tools to reach inaccessible locations. 

We are glad that we could support our local partners in Italy and help countless animals in need. We would not have been able to do this without the help of our amazing supporters. 

we remain in contact with our local partners

June 12, 2023

In the aftermath of the severe flooding in northern Italy in May, many local organizations worked hard to help displaced and injured animals. IFAW remains in close contact with LAV, OIPA, and other local partners for any future support requests.