Heart-wrenching photos depict animal rescue efforts after Nepal's earthquake

The Animal Welfare Network of Nepal and Humane Society International have been spearheading the relief work

Published May 5, 2015 8:20PM (EDT)

KATHMANDU, NEPAL-- May 1, 2015--Team  from Humane Society International doing assessments and rescue work in the Lalipur District outside Kathmandu where many houses collapsed and animals died during last week's earthquake.     (Jodi Hilton)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL-- May 1, 2015--Team from Humane Society International doing assessments and rescue work in the Lalipur District outside Kathmandu where many houses collapsed and animals died during last week's earthquake. (Jodi Hilton)

The magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25 killed over 7,000 and injured over 14,000 more. It destroyed towns and left many who survived impoverished, homeless or trapped.

Now that a week has passed and emergency human-focused rescue missions are concluding, veterinarians and animal welfare organizations are working to save cows, goats and other animals affected by the devastating quake.

The Animal Welfare Network of Nepal has been coordinating with the Humane Society International to bring aid workers to the affected regions, where they provide food, vaccinations and veterinary care. They also are attempting to deal with animal carcasses and sanitation, which could contribute to spreading disease if left unaddressed.

Rahul Segal, the Asia director of the Humane Society, emphasized in an interview with the L.A. Times that animals are not the exclusive focus of these efforts: "We don't want to be in a situation where we arrive somewhere trying to help animals and there's a human dying. Every team that goes out to help animals will also help humans."

The slideshow below depicts some of these efforts. Take a look:

[slide_show id=13956835]


By Joanna Rothkopf

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