TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Got What It Takes To Be A Hero?

ADVERTISEMENT

By KRISTEN LEVINE Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 14, 2008

Disasters include more than hurricanes and wildfires. Even puppy mill rescues may call for rushing trained professionals to the aid of animal victims.

Such responders are in demand nationwide, says Melanie Froemke, Humane Society University training manager.

In recent months, Disaster Animal Response Teams (DART) have rescued Iowa flood victims and responded to a massive puppy mill raid in Tennessee. They were on stand-by alert for deployment in the aftermath of Hurricane Dolly.

After Hurricane Katrina, animal rescue workers from around the country traveled to sites in Louisiana and Mississippi to help care for lost and injured pets. McLane Evans of Tampa remembers it well.

"There were over a thousand animals there at any given time," she says of the temporary shelter where she worked in Hattiesburg, Miss. "We worked long days - up to 20 hours, and slept in tents.

"The goal was to reunite these animals with their displaced owners. When an owner came in, you held your breath just hoping you could witness the reunion. It still brings tears to my eyes."

According to The Humane Society of the United States, such shelters assisted 10,000 to 15,000 dogs and cats after Katrina.

To help ensure enough trained people are available to help in the next emergency, the Humane Society University is offering DART training for volunteers.

The three-day courses involve classroom instruction and role-playing exercises. Topics include animal rescue and transport, incident command systems, legal and safety issues, damage assessment and team response, and procedures.

The course will be offered Sept. 12 to 14 in Gainesville at Santa Fe Community College, 401 N.W. 6th St. Participants should register by Aug. 29; the fee is $125.

The Humane Society University recommends volunteers prepare by taking free online courses it offers. To sign up for the training, go to www.humanesociety.org/university, Keyword: DART to locate the course. You will also find information on the prerequisite courses.

For late registrations or group registrations, e-mail Frances Gaeta at register@hsus.org or call (301) 548-7731.

Write to pet-lifestyle expert Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; e-mail kristen@fetching communications.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT