Disaster Animal Response is any professional relief team or effort that works to provide rescue missions or protection for animals at risk of dangerous living conditions. Some of the work includes veterinary consultations, animal relocation, shelter development, and population management. Another large part of the effort is devoted to raising awareness for local animal welfare programs.
Often the animals rescued are either victims of illegal animal cruelty or of natural disasters, such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Less often but still, some animals are hoarded in small homes without up keep, are part of a dog fighting situation, or live in puppy mills. Fires and floods to homes also are instances where a Disaster Animal Response Team may be called. Animal rescue volunteers travel all around the world to look after all variety of animals involved in these dangerous environments.
Disaster Animal Response teams come from a range of backgrounds but all contribute to animal handling, cleaning facilities, and even administrative tasks.
Most Disaster Animal Response Teams are based out of certain county or district, as organized typically through the state government. The idea for DART came to the United States government in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew struck Florida. The Humane Society of the United States realized that there was no effort being carried out to do anything for the animals left behind. Developing trained teams of professionals to work side-by-side with emergency relief responders became the new mission of the Humane Society.
One of the largest obstacles for teams to complete their missions is the amount of equipment required to carry out a successful rescue. Each mission typically requires cages, blankets, towels, medicine, and either a tent or a trailer to set up at or near the location. With limited funding it is difficult to care for every animal in need.
Becoming a DART volunteer requires skills in animal instincts as well as search and rescue skills. DART volunteers make a world of difference in the lives of these animals everyday thanks to their dedication and hard work.
Boone County Disaster Animal Response Team. N.p., 2010. Google. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. <http://bc-dart.webs.com/>.
"Disaster and Cruelty." ASPCA Professional. ASPCA, n.d. Google. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. <http://www.aspcapro.org/resource/disaster-cruelty-disaster-response/disaster-response-training>.
Often the animals rescued are either victims of illegal animal cruelty or of natural disasters, such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Less often but still, some animals are hoarded in small homes without up keep, are part of a dog fighting situation, or live in puppy mills. Fires and floods to homes also are instances where a Disaster Animal Response Team may be called. Animal rescue volunteers travel all around the world to look after all variety of animals involved in these dangerous environments.
Disaster Animal Response teams come from a range of backgrounds but all contribute to animal handling, cleaning facilities, and even administrative tasks.
Most Disaster Animal Response Teams are based out of certain county or district, as organized typically through the state government. The idea for DART came to the United States government in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew struck Florida. The Humane Society of the United States realized that there was no effort being carried out to do anything for the animals left behind. Developing trained teams of professionals to work side-by-side with emergency relief responders became the new mission of the Humane Society.
One of the largest obstacles for teams to complete their missions is the amount of equipment required to carry out a successful rescue. Each mission typically requires cages, blankets, towels, medicine, and either a tent or a trailer to set up at or near the location. With limited funding it is difficult to care for every animal in need.
Becoming a DART volunteer requires skills in animal instincts as well as search and rescue skills. DART volunteers make a world of difference in the lives of these animals everyday thanks to their dedication and hard work.
Boone County Disaster Animal Response Team. N.p., 2010. Google. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. <http://bc-dart.webs.com/>.
"Disaster and Cruelty." ASPCA Professional. ASPCA, n.d. Google. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. <http://www.aspcapro.org/resource/disaster-cruelty-disaster-response/disaster-response-training>.
