Emergency Animal Rescuers' Mission to Joplin is Canceled

The Ramona people who had planned to head to Joplin, MO, to help rescue animals in the aftermath of the tornado have had their trip canceled.

Animal rescue technicians Doug Lake, Jan Pickton and Erika Judson were due to head out on Friday night representing Emergency Animal Rescue, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization.

However, Lake, the executive director, told Ramona Patch Wednesday night that the trip has been canceled.

"The people who are there now have only been finding dead animals and they didn't think bringing another group could be justified," he told Patch by email.

Emergency Animal Rescue assisted with animal evacuations during the 2003 and 2007 Cedar and Witch Creek fires. The group has been based in Ramona since 1993.  

"We are dedicated to rescuing any animal from a life-threatening situation," Lake told Ramona Patch.

The group will remain on standby for other areas damaged by a streak of tornadoes this week.

Readers can follow the group's efforts on Facebook, where members will add any pictures, videos and updates.  

Donations to help Emergency Animal Rescue can be made through its website via the PayPal link.