Emergency Hurricane Relief
for Working Equines in the Caribbean
Photo by NBC News.
Hurricane Melissa has devastated communities — and the animals they rely on. You can help.
Across the Caribbean — especially in Jamaica — working horses, donkeys, and mules are lifelines for families. They carry clean water, food, and building materials; transport people where vehicles cannot go; and help generate income to pay for school fees, healthcare, and daily necessities.
When disasters strike, these animals are left incredibly vulnerable.
Hurricane Melissa hit communities hard — destroying shelter, contaminating water sources, and cutting off access to feed and veterinary care. Families are struggling, and so are the working equines who support them.
Your gift today supports the Caribbean Equine Relief Fund, providing urgent aid, including:
Emergency feed and clean water
Veterinary care and medical supplies
Safe shelter and equipment to protect animals from the elements
Support for long-term recovery and rebuilding
Houses and barns have been demolished by Hurricane Melissa, and many roads are still impassable. The owners of this house have the horses 2 miles up the road and have no access to reach them. With your help we can provide the funds needed to reach the equines.
Brooke USA Helps Equines & Owners After Hurricane Melissa
A Brief Interview with Tracy Turner, DVM
Jamaica and communities across the western Caribbean are reeling from Hurricane Melissa. The Caribbean Equine Relief Fund (CERF), supported by Brooke USA Foundation, is already in action and offering help to equines and their families on the affected islands, including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. CERF closely monitors disasters across the Caribbean and their impacts, coordinating with on-the-ground response partners and supporting long-term recovery needs.
Immediately following the disastrous path of Hurricane Melissa, Emily Dulin, CEO of Brooke USA Foundation, had a chance to catch up with Tracy Turner DVM, Director of the Caribbean Equine Relief Fund and President of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. They spoke about what to expect over the next few days as relief efforts are deployed to the affected islands, and Dr. Turner provided some preliminary observations:
1. What do you expect to see upon arriving on one of the affected islands, Jamaica especially — what kinds of injuries or trauma are these horses and donkeys facing in the wake of Hurricane Melissa?
“We’ll certainly see everything from deep lacerations and dehydration to stress-related colic. Many of these animals will have been standing in floodwater for days — they will be exhausted and terrified, but remarkably resilient. Our top priorities are managing wounds, dehydration, and gastrointestinal issues caused by stress, standing flood water and poor feed access. Our support on the ground, will triage based on immediate survival needs, then move toward stabilization and preventive care.”
2. What will be the toughest challenges in keeping these animals fed, hydrated, and safe while communities recover?
“Feed and clean water are our biggest battles. Roads are washed out, and supplies will be coming in slowly. Every bale of hay, every bucket of water, takes effort — but, as we know, communities come together during a crisis and local teams will do incredible work with what little they have. As I said, limited access to clean water, transport disruptions, and a shortage of medical supplies are the main constraints. We will need to coordinate with local vets and NGOs who are on the ground already. All this involves resources – time, treasure and talent. We will need a lot of help and we thank Brooke USA for immediately launching a campaign to raise money to assist the Caribbean Equine Relief Fund.”
3. How are local owners and volunteers stepping up to help, and what kind of ongoing support will make the biggest difference for these animals’ recovery?
“Following a disaster, compassion and kindness abound. Owners who lost everything still show up to care for their animals. What they need most is long-term help — feed, vet supplies, and training to rebuild stronger for the future. As immediate interventions end, we will need to focus on capacity-building — training local practitioners in emergency management, distributing first-aid kits, and developing feed and water security plans. The goal is to strengthen local resilience long after this emergency is over.”
Brooke USA has partnered with CERF and is raising money to assist horses, donkeys, and mules as their owners struggle after the impact of Hurricane Melissa. The organization will provide essential support - feed, veterinary supplies, stable materials, and fencing - allowing equine owners to focus on their recovery without the added burden of caring for their animals.
Voices from the Field
“The devastation left by Hurricane Melissa has hit both people and animals hard, and this support is a lifeline for horses, donkeys and mules that are vital to so many Caribbean communities.”
— Tracy Turner, DVM, Director, Caribbean Equine Relief Fund & President, American Association of Equine Practitioners
“Brooke USA’s rapid response is making an immediate difference — providing essential veterinary care, supplies, and relief to animals that are central to local livelihoods.”
— Julia Wilson, DVM, Vice Chair, Brooke USA & Founder, The Equitarian Initiative
Every dollar you give goes directly to helping working equines and the families who depend on them.
How Your Support Makes a Difference
With your help, we’re partnering with veterinarians, equine specialists, and local communities to deliver:
Emergency veterinary treatment and preventative care
Feed, clean water supplies, and nutritional support
Safe shelter and improved equipment
Training and education to strengthen long-term welfare
Advocacy to ensure working equines are recognized and supported in disaster response
Together, we can ensure these essential animals — and the families who rely on them — recover and rebuild stronger.
Those who were in the direct path of Melissa, which includes two breeding operations, as well as a riding tour operator and polo barn, have about 600 horses between them. Their barns are badly damaged, their staff housing has been leveled, and downed trees are everywhere, blocking the roads. They face a long road to recovery. Photo by Equine Caribbean Relief Fund.
Those who were in the direct path of Melissa, which includes two breeding operations, as well as a riding tour operator and polo barn, have about 600 horses between them. Their barns are badly damaged, their staff housing has been leveled, and downed trees are everywhere, blocking the roads. They face a long road to recovery. Photo by Equine Caribbean Relief Fund.
You Can Be the Lifeline They Need
This is a critical moment. Working equines are suffering — and families who depend on them cannot recover without your support.