Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead

Providing evacuation and sheltering of animals in disasters is what we do.   The Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART), a grass-roots, non-profit organization, was created to serve as a unifying network of organizations, businesses, agencies and volunteers that support the preparedness, response, and recovery efforts directed at helping animals affected by emergencies.  Based in Enumclaw, WA, and currently providing services within Western Washington, our organization specializes in the actual physical rescue of animals that are in life threatening situations and in ensuring temporarily abandoned animals have food and water.  Although our focus is primarily the large animal population such as horses, mules, alpacas, etc., we will respond, to the best of our abilities with the resources available, to the evacuation of all animals when WASART is activated in a disaster or emergency through the Emergency Management Division 911 system.

Our organization was inspired by the mobilization of volunteers for animal rescues during Hurricane Katrina and by the difficulties encountered by large animals in the flooding in King County during November and December, 2006.   We are establishing joint working relationships with governmental, non-governmental and private agencies and organizations and the public to promote the safety and well-being of livestock, and other animals, affected by a governmentally-declared disaster.

Once animals have been evacuated  either by our teams or their owners, they will be placed in temporary emergency shelters or confinement areas where they will be cared for by shelter volunteers, provided with emergency veterinary care, and the process of identification will begin with the ultimate goal of reuniting the animals with their owners.   All volunteers will have completed disaster preparedness training provided by WASART and other organizations, or will be acting under the direction of an appropriately credentialed supervisor with such training.

Emergency planning and disaster preparedness are important components of the training curriculum currently being developed including specialized training workshops and seminars such as Technical Large Animal Rescue.    Because working with animals can be inherently dangerous, those volunteers who have the desire and ability will be trained as technical field response units.  WASART will also offer training opportunities in temporary shelter planning and operations, animal care, documentation/identification procedures, radio operations, hazardous material awareness, disaster psychology, and disease and biosecurity awareness.  Various skill levels will be established and attained  depending on the interests of the volunteer.   Training and cross-training will  continue with other agencies and organizations as part of our training curriculum so that we can become familiar with their operating protocols and  our members can stay abreast of the latest rescue techniques.   We leave nothing to chance and no member will go out on an evacuation alone or without first having the proper training and confidence to handle the situation.

Our public outreach program will promote awareness of animal needs in a disaster, and will educate the public and agencies about the importance of preparedness and self-sufficiency.

However you wish to participate, we welcome your enthusiasm and talents.  If you have any questions regarding WASART, please contact us by e-mail at animalresponseteam@gmail.com.

WASART Board of Directors & Supporting Members