8 State Hurricane Kate

Disaster Preparedness Resources for You and Your Family:

Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS, of United Animal Nations)  

www.UAN.org

At the website, select “Our Programs” then select “Emergency Animal Rescue Service.” There you will find information on Volunteer Training Workshops, Disaster Preparedness, and Related Legislation. I completed the EARS one-day training workshop in Minnesota in 2007. This is a relatively inexpensive, yet complete course.

MuttShack Animal Rescue Foundation

www.MuttShack.org 

Visit the website to learn more about MuttShack, see a video about the Katrina Promise, learn about Animal Rescue Certification (basic certification is now required for all disaster responders), and fill out the MuttShack Volunteer Application.

www.MuttShack.org/Animal_Rescue_Certification_Prospectus.htm

This prospectus provides a list and link to free online Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and independent study courses that are required for MuttShack First Responder Basic Rescue Technician Certification and for volunteering with LSART—the Louisiana State Animal Response Team. When you complete this training you will be issued a certificate from FEMA. MuttShack also offers online training at the Intermediate and Advanced Rescue Technician (Professional Development Series) levels.

Noah’s Wish

www.NoahsWish.org

At the website, select “Disaster Preparedness” or “Disaster Planning and Emergency Management.”

Noah’s Wish was founded for the purpose of caring for animals in disasters. I highly recommend the Noah’s Wish Volunteer In-Field Training Program that is given in different areas of the country throughout the year. I took their training course in 2006 because I was impressed with how they operated after Hurricane Katrina. They also offer a training course on how to provide administrative support during disaster response. Organizational skills are in great demand during and following disasters.

Book: Out of Harm’s Way: The Extraordinary True Story of One Woman’s Lifelong Devotion to Animal Rescue

by Terri Crisp and Samantha GlenIncludes a very thorough appendix entitled “Basic Tips for Safeguarding Your Dog and Cat During Disasters.” Terri Crisp was a founder of EARS and Noah’s Wish.  

Petfinder Animal Emergency Response Network

http://disaster.petfinder.com/emergency/

Internet location for nationwide lost and found pet listings during and following disasters.