Animal Disaster Response

Hello, Animal Friends:

This summer is a great time for those of you who plan to respond to animal disasters in the future to take ICS 100, 200, and 700 online at the FEMA website. The animal-specific courses that are also important to complete are IS 10, 11, and 111. All courses are free.

Those of you wishing to apply to become a Michigan SART responder should submit your FEMA course completion transcript along with any other pertinent training and experience on the Michigan SART website. There is an application on the “Contact” page to submit as well. The Training, Planning, and Logistics sections of MichSART are actively working at this time. MichSART is still seeking candidates to head the Operations section. If you know someone with experience and training in animal rescue and/or sheltering in disaster settings who wishes to apply, please direct them to the website to contact MichSART.

Michigan Humane Society recently joined the newly-reinvigorated Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) group for Southeast Michigan. We are encouraging other humane societies in the Detroit area to consider joining this group to network and share resources among its members.

The Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers conference in Lansing has a large animal handling course planned for this fall, to be taught by MSU Extension. This would be an excellent course for animal responders to take. MAACO’s website will have the details and registration information as the event nears.

Are your own companion animals wearing visible (collar/tag) and permanent (microchip) identification? Make a resolution to ensure their safety in this way by summer’s end!