Animal rights activists help

“The floods washed horses and cows into cities”

Chickens left behind were caught with landing nets(Bild: Tierhilfe Gusental)

The terrible flood disaster in Spain claimed over 200 lives. Countless animals were also injured or killed. Volunteers from Gusental Animal Aid in Gallneukirchen have traveled to the crisis area to help.

"Everything has been destroyed, there is still up to half a meter of mud on the roads. The military and fire department are cleaning up with heavy equipment. There are piles of rubble on the roadsides next to the carcasses of dead animals," says Gregor Finster from Tierhilfe Gusental in Gallneukirchen.

Danger of epidemics
The 27-year-old and his colleague Clarissa Grabmair (23) have been in Valencia, Spain, a region particularly affected by the devastating flood disaster with over 200 deaths, since Friday. "We help injured animals, but also recover dead ones to prevent epidemics," says Finster.

Farm animals surprised by the flood
"Today we found a pig that was wandering around somewhere. Recently, we were able to rescue an injured horse from a riverbed that had been washed out over 30 meters deep by the flood," says the animal rescuer. Countless horses and cows in rural areas were caught by surprise by the masses of water and washed into the cities.

The flood left a trail of devastation in its wake(Bild: APA/Associated Press)

Touching reunions
However, 20 chickens that had to be left behind by animal shelter operators had a stroke of luck. "As they can fly, they survived the flood on beams a few meters above the ground." Injured animals are cared for by volunteers and then returned to their owners. "In Spain, ALL animals have to be chipped. Just the other day we were able to hand a pony back to its owner, many of them with tears in their eyes."

Severe weather warning again
The roads in the region have been deserted since Wednesday, as the highest storm warning level is once again in force. "That's a bad feeling. The civil defense is driving around and making announcements asking people to stay at home. Schools remain closed," says Finster. The volunteers want to stay in the disaster region until Saturday...