spcaLA’s DART TEAM CONTINUES ANIMAL RESCUE EFFORTS
spcaLA Providing Support to Pasadena HS
Los Angeles – Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles’ (spcaLA) Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) continues its animal rescue efforts today. DART has been responding to distress calls as a result of the La Canada fire since Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, DART removed cattle from a private ranch in Sylmar relocating horses and goats to Pierce College where livestock is being sheltered. Later that afternoon, the DART team responded to Martine Colette’s Wildlife Waystation, a sanctuary for wild and exotic animals, which had received evacuation orders. DART loaded 4 llamas, 5 goats, 2 sheep and one pot-bellied pig named Oreo. The animals were relocated to Pierce College.
One of the spcaLA vehicles was damaged late Sunday afternoon. No one was injured and the team pressed on.
spcaLA provided staff and supplies to the Pasadena Humane Society on Sunday where many evacuees are sheltering pets. spcaLA is on standby and will provide additional support as needed.
DART receives evacuation calls at their command center at Hansen Dam. The DART team is comprised of spcaLA humane officers and shelter staff under the command of spcaLA Captain David Havard who has forty years experience as a humane officer and disaster response.
spcaLA’s DART contains a full communications system capable of monitoring and dispatching emergency services. This unit can serve as an information resource to residents and the media; provide temporary housing, food and medical care to animals; and function as a support system to aid and assist local, state, and national animal control agencies. DART is entirely funded by the generous support of spcaLA donors without whom disaster response would not be possible.
spcaLA strongly recommends pet owners prepare for an emergency by following simple guidelines to ensure their pet’s safety in the event of an urgent situation or natural disaster:
· Make sure there is a supply of canned/dry pet food and bottled water with other emergency provisions including pet prescriptions and medicines. If you have a dog, include a muzzle some state/federal rescue operations require them if you use their services to evacuate.
· If roads are blocked due to a natural disaster, professional help may not be possible immediately so familiarize yourself and other family members with pet CPR, resuscitation and general first aid procedures. Your quick action could save your pet’s life.
· Try not to display stress and anxiety when dealing with pets. Most animals are very aware of their owner’s emotions and can read your stress. This can cause otherwise calm pets to display aggressive behavior.
· Continuously check pet structures and favorite hiding places for hazardous debris.
· Dogs and cats should wear I.D. tags with current address and/or phone number at all times, in addition to being micro-chipped. This will make it easier for you and your pet to be reunited if separated.
· Keep up-to-date on your pet's vaccinations. Pets may become disoriented and stray, or housed in shelters with other animals, thereby potentially becoming exposed to infectious diseases.
· Alert local shelters immediately upon discovering that your pet is missing.
· Visit your local spcaLA Pet Adoption Center or ask your local fire department, animal shelter or veterinarian for a "Pet Alert" sign for doors and windows or make your own by listing your pets on 3x5 cards and display it prominently. Purchase the "Animal Evacuated" sign through spcaLA to alert authorities that all pets have been removed to ensure the emergency teams respond where they are needed.
