SIR - As a new year begins, the world is united in its shock and sadness at the terrible human tragedy following the Asian tsunami disaster.

In the face of such overwhelming human adversity, it is all too easy to forget the animal victims of the crisis - be they valued family companion animals, farm and working animals that communities often depend on for their livelihood, or local wildlife.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals is coordinating animal welfare organisations around the world in an international relief effort to help the animal victims of this disaster.

The tsunami crisis has left many dogs, cats, and farm animals diseased and without food and water. Working with our member societies on the ground, the society has already sent initial aid to provide food and veterinary supplies for starving and sick animals. The first of our trained disaster relief experts has been despatched to Sri Lanka, whilst our experienced veterinarians are poised to travel to other affected areas.

The society is particular concerned that an onslaught of disease may follow the initial crisis. We are therefore carefully monitoring the need for animal vaccination programmes, in liaison with the World Organisation for Animal Health, including actions to help deal with disease outbreaks should they arise.

In the countries badly hit by this disaster, livestock and working animals can be vital to the lives of rural communities. Supplies of vital veterinary medicines, food and water, can make the difference between life and death for animals in the aftermath of the disaster. Our relief team will be paying particular attention to providing this support.

Helping animals has a real impact on the long-term process of people rebuilding their shattered lives, particularly in farming communities. I would like to invite readers to visit our website, www.wspa-international.org, where the latest information and opportunities to help our urgent relief work can be found.

Major-General Peter Davies Director General World Society for the Protection of Animals 14th Floor 89 Albert Embankment London