INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County will be hosting a Disaster Animal Response Team workshop at its Adoption and Education Center June 11-13.
Taught by The Humane Society of the United States, DART training covers helping pets, farm animals and wildlife during a disaster. Individuals with limited animal handling experience as well as animal welfare professionals may attend.
“This introductory course is meant for anyone who wants to help animals. Attendees will receive the basic knowledge they’ll need to assist with animal disaster response,” said HSVB & IRC Director of Education Janet Winikoff.
The workshop provides both classroom and hands-on instruction. Topics include animal care and handling, animal rescue and transport, team animal disaster response, field safety, community animal needs, damage assessment, setting up emergency shelters and coordinating with governmental agencies.
Although Indian River County residents are most familiar with hurricanes, the course shows students how they can assist animals endangered by other events such as tornados, floods, fires, earthquakes and hazardous material spills.
The training comes just as Indian River County announced the opening of its first pet friendly shelter this year, which may need the help of volunteers with either hands-on animal experience or other skills.
“There are many roles responders can play that don’t necessarily require intensive animal handling,” said Ilka Daniel, HSVB & IRC Director of Animal Protection Services.
The cost for the DART workshop is $80 and includes instruction, materials and lunch. Students who complete the class will receive a certificate of DART Training Completion. For more information or to register please call Janet Winikoff at (772) 388-3331 ext. 18.