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<br /> <br /> <br />Contact: <br />Donna Whitaker, Executive Director <br />Exec.dir@hihs.org, (808) 329-8002 <br /> <br />PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT <br /> <br />ANIMAL RESCUE PLANNING TASK FORCE FORMED <br /> <br />KEAAU, HAWAII (06.14.18) – A community meeting was convened this past Saturday by the <br />American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Hawaii Island Humane <br />Society (HIHS) to discuss initiating an independent assessment of the areas affected by the <br />eruption and ways to improve communication among the various parties including residents, <br />rescue organizations and government entities. <br /> <br />Representatives from various government agencies and animal organizations participated in a <br />planning session with the intent to create an assessment plan, define infrastructure in place <br />and enhance communications. <br /> <br />“We’ve made great progress. Mahalo to everyone providing valuable situational awareness and <br />offering to help with plans and initiatives moving forward,” said community meeting organizers, <br />ASPCA Senior Director for Disaster Response Dr. Dick Green and HIHS Executive Director Donna <br />Whitaker. <br /> <br />A fly over assessment of the eruption areas was conducted on June 11 while two teams <br />completed a ground assessment of the Leilani Estates subdivision. Given the results from the <br />assessment, a response plan is being developed. <br /> <br />Gaining permission and safe access to areas affected by the eruption remains a high priority for <br />the task force. Firm plans and communication are now in place with the various agencies to <br />seek permission to gain safe access to rescue animals and pets. <br /> <br />