In the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake, Humane Society International’s Animal Rescue Team has expressed its readiness to deploy if local agencies or animal welfare groups call on them.

HSI’s disaster response team will work with Animal Welfare Network Nepal to rescue and provide temporary shelter for animals in need, rent and outfit animal sheltering facilities and rescue vehicles, including trucks, help reunite lost animals with their families, aid local shelters and other animal protection facilities in disaster-affected regions, a note from HIS said.

Reports coming out of Nepal indicate that more than 100 people have been killed in the earthquake that had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale, and whose after shocks were felt across States in India.

"Our entire animal rescue team has been put on standby to deploy at a moment's notice if our assistance is needed," Rahul Sehgal, Director Asia at Humane Society International, said in the statement.

“We will also help coordinate donations of supplies to animal shelters that are taking in animals because of the earthquake,” the note added.

jyothi.datta@thehindu.co.in