An equine charity believes hundreds of horses are in the process of being evacuated from flood-ravaged parts of North Dakota and Minnesota.
The flood has seen thousands of residents evacuated to higher ground, with the Red River, which divides Minnesota and North Dakota, reaching record-breaking levels.
People in the cities of Fargo and Moorhead have been working round the clock to minimise the damage from the swirling and icy waters.
Special Horses spokeswoman Colleen Cheechalk said the Equine Sciences Department at North Dakota State University was at this stage co-ordinating the incoming horses to the university from evacuated areas.
"With hundreds of horses arriving in the next 24-48 hours, hay supplies will immediately become desperately low and hay supplies for 2009 in the flood path will most likely be lost," she said.
"Volunteers, businesses and individuals interested in donating hay, trailering horses or supplies or offering temporary housing are urged to contact Special Horses to be placed on our emergency contact list.
A fund for the equine victims of the flooding has been established in co-operation with the university (details below).
Meanwhile, the Humane Society of the United States says it has deployed staff and equipment to the area.
"We have received an official request from the city of Fargo to offer emergency animal sheltering and field rescue assistance to areas affected by this record-breaking flood," said Scotlund Haisley, senior director of emergency services with the society.
The society, he said, had deployed a core team to begin transporting its specially equipped disaster response vehicles and rescue boats to North Dakota.
It has also placed its National Disaster Animal Response Team on alert.
The Equine Welfare Alliance said, in addition to the fundraising efforts of Special Horses, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) had also established emergency relief.
IFAWs emergency relief manager Dick Green, and Fred O'Regan, estimate there may be more than 3000 animals in need of temporary shelter, food, medical care and clean water.
The group was also helping with dogs and cats that may have been left behind during evacuations or separated from their owners. Donations can be made here.
The alliance said the Fargo-Moorhead Humane Society had established an animal rescue area at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo. The society can be reach by telephone on 701 281 1574.
"They are currently in need of hay and grain and human food for their volunteers. They indicated they are okay on volunteers, cat and dog food, water and bleach but please check as that could change as the numbers of rescues increase," said alliance representatives John Holland and Vicki Tobin.
They anticipate that some facilities will be damaged to the extent that there will be a need for longer term boarding and fostering care of displaced animals and possibly even re-homing of some equines. "If this becomes necessary, we will provide relevant information," they said.
They added that a group of volunteers was making a run to Fargo from Minot on Friday, with a stop in Bismarck to drop off donations for Triple H Miniature Horse Rescue. Supplies currently needed for Fargo are: cat litter, litter boxes, litter scoops, cat food, dog food, jugs of water, horse feed and hay, horse salt blocks, newspapers, blankets and sheets, and cash.
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