Animal rescue team to be sent to Nepal

Humane Society International will send an animal rescue team to Nepal on Thursday to offer emergency animal welfare aid following the devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake there, said HSI Asia director Rahul Segal on Wednesday.

"We have prepared emergency veterinary medicines, vaccines, surgical equipment and other supplies, so that the team of veterinary and disaster relief experts can assist local animal welfare groups on the ground," he said.

He said that thousands of animals were badly affected by the earthquake. Pets, street dogs and livestock are likely to have been killed, injured or lost.

"We will focus on providing veterinary assistance and supplies, sheltering and caring for lost and abandoned animals, and vaccinating dogs and livestock to prevent disease outbreak," Segal said.