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Helping Animals In Disasters

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Disaster Response: Temporary Sheltering

Dr. Katribe’s presentation, Disaster Response: Temporary Sheltering

Veterinary professionals are vital partners in our work to provide services to pets during and after an emergency. VDART was thrilled to partner with the VVMA to provide a virtual training webinar to Vermont’s veterinary community featuring a presentation from Dr. Erin Katribe, medical director for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. The webinar (Disaster Response: Temporary Sheltering) highlighted the vital role that medical care and veterinary professionals play in any emergency response, using a distemper outbreak after Hurricane Harvey as an example. VDART also shared some important lessons that we learned in terms of working with veterinarians and providing for the medical needs of animals after the July flooding here in Vermont. And we also used this as an opportunity to recruit more partners in the veterinary profession to join one of our regional teams across the state. You can view the recording here:

 vvma.memberclicks.net/assets/images/Dr Katribe presentation.mp4

Disaster Animal Response Team Answers the Call for Help

Disaster Animal Response Team Answers the Call for Help

As many of our supporters know, the Central Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team (CVDART) was activated by the state to provide emergency pet sheltering services to pets evacuated with their families in Barre and Montpelier following the devastating July floods. CVDART is one of 5 regional response teams chartered with the statewide Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team (VDART). The CVDART leadership team took on the responsibility of setting up and operating the pet shelter next door to the American Red Cross shelter for people impacted by the flood, with the assistance of volunteers from across the state and beyond. Owners had the comfort of knowing that their pets were safe and nearby, and they were able to regularly visit them during their stay while they got back on their feet.

This unprecedented response brought together animal lovers, animal welfare agencies, local businesses, foundations and emergency responders to ensure that pets could remain with their families both during and after the storm.

47 volunteers spent more than 1,700 hours caring for animals 24/7 over the course of 26 days. We sheltered 47 cats, 20 dogs, 2 guinea pigs and 1 rabbit for 38 families and currently have 5 animals in foster care for families who weren’t able to make pet-friendly housing arrangements before the shelter was closed.

CVDART and VDART are beyond grateful to the many people, businesses and donors who sprang into action to help us not only provide shelter for these animals, but also vital medical services, enrichment, and in some cases, foster care. But no one is more grateful than the pet owners who didn’t have to give up their animals because of the services we were able to provide, like Kristin Hall.

Kristin Hall was at Boy Scout camp with her kids in Eden when the river overtook her house. Her dad was able to rescue her dogs, but she didn’t know how she was going to be able to take care of them. Hall said losing your home is an incredibly disjointing experience.

But in the parking lot outside the ice rink, with Princess on one leash and Buttercup on the other, she was smiling — through tears sometimes, but smiling. She said she can’t really imagine what it’d be like if se didn’t have her dogs to get her through this experience. “And to know that I didn’t have to give them up. First of all that we didn’t lose them, but to know that I didn’t have to give them up, because they’re safe,” she said . . . it’s just tremendous. I don’t even know how to say thank you for the people that have just stepped up around here.” – Vermont Public Radio, Peter Hirschfield, July 24, 2023 

VDART would like to thank our volunteers, our individual donors, as well as our partners on the ground who made this life-saving response possible.

Volunteers help care for the pets of Vermonters displaced by flooding

Volunteers help care for the pets of Vermonters displaced by flooding

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BARRE, Vt. (WCAX) – As people displaced by flooding work to figure out what’s next in terms of finding new housing or rebuilding, volunteers at the Barre Ice Rink are taking care of their beloved pets, making sure their furry friends are ready to rejoin their families when their owners are ready.

“I ain’t going anywhere without those guys. I’ve had Sammy for eight years and he’s my pride and joy, and like I said, Catalina is only 11 weeks,” said Kimberly Carminati of Montpelier.

Carminati was told it will be between two weeks and two months before she can go home. She is staying at the Barre shelter with her cats Sammy and Catalina in the ice rink next door.

“They take care of Sammy and they feed him and do everything, and it’s awesome. I praise them very much because if they weren’t here, I’d be screwed. I’d have to leave my cats back at my place,” Carminati said.

Watch video and read the rest of the story on WCAX

2023 Vermont Flood DART Response FAQ

What is VDART doing to help animals impacted by the floods?

VDART’s Central Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team (CVDART) was mobilized by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) on Monday, July 10 th in order to provide pet sheltering services to a co-located American Red Cross shelter in Barre, VT. Volunteers from CVDART and other regional response teams across the state have been providing 24/7 support to the community ever since, assisting dozens of families and pets from the flood zone with their animal needs.

Thanks to our partners on the ground in Vermont, like Pet Food Warehouse, the Onion River Animal Hospital, the Mitzvah Fund, the North Country Animal League and the VT Companion Animal Neutering clinic, VDART is also coordinating the donation of pet food and supplies to impacted community members, as well as other resources like free sterilization and other medical services to animal flood victims.

VDART is also using brand new technology to improve efficiency in our emergency pet shelter operations. DART Command Central is a non-profit that has been working closely with VDART to develop a simple-to-use interface that works on laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Our volunteers have been able to incorporate a totally paperless process for sheltering pets using the group’s Shelter Module software, which helps to coordinate animal care, collect necessary
data and costs, and manage our volunteers more efficiently – all toward our shared goal of keeping people and animals together during crisis.

Do You Need Volunteers?

VDART recruits and trains volunteers year-round to be ready for emergency situations just like this. Thankfully we’ve been able to operate the pet shelter in Barre with volunteers from the CVDART, with support from other regional teams in Chittenden County, the Upper Valley, and Windham County. But as the response to this catastrophic event continues we may need to recruit local volunteers to help us maintain operations. If you’re willing and able to complete an on-line volunteer application and complete a short web-based training, please email info@vermontdart.org for more information about volunteering for this flooding response.
Even if we’re not able to utilize your volunteer services for this event, our regional teams across the state are always looking for more volunteers! Please go to our website to complete an on-line Volunteer Application as your first step. Your completed application will be shared with the team leader for your closest regional team regarding next steps. You must be at least 18 years old to volunteer and there are some mandatory training courses that our responders are
required to complete.

I would like to donate pet food and supplies. Where can I drop them off?

The pet shelter at the Barre Outdoor Rink (next to the auditorium) is set up to receive donations of dry and canned cat and dog food, along with other necessary supplies like cat litter, pet enrichment toys, pee pads, paper towels, etc. Items can be dropped off between 7 am and 8 pm while the shelter is in operation. Any supplies we don’t use in our pet shelter will be made available to flood victims with pets. VDART is also grateful to Chewy for donating 26 pallets of food to the Vermont Food Bank so that local human food banks across the state can also access pet food and supplies for their clients.

How is VDART funded?

VDART receives no state or federal funding and relies solely on private donations and grants in order to operate our life-saving services for pets impacted by disaster. If you would like to make a donation to support our work, visit

http://VermontDART.org/donate.

Live Beta Testing During Vermont Flooding Disaster 2023

DART Command Central Announces
Live Beta Testing During Vermont Flooding Disaster 2023 

New Technology Used to Help Manage CVDART Emergency Pet Shelter

Flooding in Vermont on July 10, 2023 required the Central Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team (CVDART) to open an Emergency Pet Shelter. Over 55 pets have been cared for by CVDART volunteers since opening the Shelter in Barre. CVDART has been using the beta version of DART Command Central’s Shelter Module software to document the care they are providing to the pets. This data management software helps volunteers efficiently manage the feeding, exercising, and medication administered to pets to ensure their health and safety.

“VDART is using the DARTCC Shelter Module for the first time in a real-life disaster situation and it hasn’t disappointed. It’s allowed our volunteers to efficiently gather information and monitor the care of the animals in our charge, and provided owners with a full accounting of the care their pets have received in the emergency pet shelter,” said VDART Board Chair, Joanne Bourbeau.

DARTCC Shelter Module is still in development as it requires reporting functionality and other essential features before its official launch. DARTCC is pleased that it has been an asset to CVDART volunteers during the current disaster. We look forward to improving and finalizing the Shelter Module mobile application with additional funding. We anticipate a Fall 2023 national launch of our free web-based software for use by other disaster teams. 

For more information about DARTCC or the Shelter Module Contact:

Deb Shelby, Executive Director
512.765.5406
deb@dartcc.org
dartcc.org

Response Teams Provide Shelter for Pets of Evacuated Vermonters

Cathy Plas CVDART VolunteerStoney stood in his crate and complained loudly, his high-pitched whines echoing in the near-empty B.O.R. Ice Arena in Barre. But the brindle mutt immediately quieted down once Cathy Plas, a volunteer with the Central Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team, or CVDART, leashed him for a quick walk outside.

“He’s been very vocal this whole time,” Plas said about the mouthy, 18-month-old pup that gnawed playfully on her fingers.

Read full story in Seven Days

Chittenden County DART to Host Mandatory EAS Training

Chittenden County DART to Host Mandatory EAS Training

VDART requires all of its volunteers to take an Emergency Animal Sheltering (EAS) workshop before responding, which we provide free of charge in various parts of the state. On Sunday, May 21 st , the CCDART will be hosting an EAS at the South Burlington Police Department. More details will follow and you can also check our Facebook page and website for updates.

CCDART is also looking for new leadership for the board of directors, so if you live in the area and have an interest in taking on a greater role with this regional team, contact VDART Board Chair Joanne Bourbeau at info@vermontdart.org.

VDART Shelters Animal Storm Victims

VDART Shelters Animal Storm Victims

 

VDART has been quite busy since we last communicate as Spring stubbornly refuses to arrive in our state! Nor’easters, power outages and road closures have all had a hand in disrupting Vermonters lives and routines these past few months, and in response regional VDART teams have been activated twice since December to provide pet-sheltering services to our partners with the American Red Cross.

Our Central Vermont DART deployed its team on Christmas eve to provide supportive pet services to an emergency shelter in Barre. Team members quickly mobilized to move their response trailer to the site and set up several cages for potential animal residents. Although our services weren’t ultimately used, pet families had the peace of mind knowing that they had somewhere to go with their animals if needed.

In mid-March our Windham DART was deployed to a shelter at the Brattleboro Union High School after a Nor’easter dropped more than 3 feet of snow, creating extensive power outages. Similarly, the team brought supplies to the shelter and was on standby when our first (and only) overnight guest arrived—with her dog! “This is what our teams train for year-round,” said VDART board chair Joanne Bourbeau. “I’m thankful for our skilled and dedicated volunteers who were able to help their communities with this critical need.”

Pets Sheltering With Their Humans by Dr. Renee Poirrier

Pets Sheltering With Their Humans by Dr. Renee Poirrier

UVDART hosted an online presentation by Dr. Renee Poirrier.  Many VDART members joined via Zoom.  Dr. Renee Poirrier is a veterinarian and owner of Acadiana Veterinary Clinic in Alexandria, LA.

Play Video

About the presenter:

Dr. Renee Poirrier is a veterinarian and owner of Acadiana Veterinary Clinic in Alexandria, LA. She practices both traditional veterinary medicine, as well as holistic medicine, veterinary acupuncture, and water therapy. She graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1988, and has spanned a career as a veterinarian across three states. A lifelong animal owner and advocate, Dr. Renee puts into practice the belief that healing pets is a collaboration between veterinary practice and pets’ owners.

Throughout Dr. Renee’s career, she has been grateful for the opportunity to practice veterinary medicine, and she has always shared her skills in charitable work. After traveling overseas for veterinary mission and disaster relief work, Dr. Renee focused her efforts on disaster relief work closer to home. In 2003, she began volunteering with the Louisiana State Animal Response Team. In 2004, she became the director of the Louisiana State Animal Response Team; and she has coordinated many pet shelters and animal response efforts. Dr. Renee’s work made a difference during several hurricanes including Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Laura, Delta, and Ida; as well as in the wildlife response to the BP oil spill and the Haitian earthquake.

Each year, Dr. Renee volunteers to teach workshops and trainings on pet evacuation and sheltering, with animal responders as her audience. She wants to ensure that people will be able to evacuate with their pets during disasters. Dr Renee’s work was recognized in 2019 when she was honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for long term commitment and excellence in Emergency Preparedness from the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association (LEPA).

In 2011 she was named Outstanding Woman Veterinarian of the Year by the Association for Women Veterinarians Foundation. Dr Renee was also named the 2008 Louisiana Veterinarian of the Year. In 2006 she received the Everett Besch Distinguished Service Award for her community service work from the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association. 

Dr. Renee has also come full circle in her educational career, as she serves as an adjunct assistant professor at Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Renee is part of a team of instructors, teaching the next generation of veterinary students about animal emergency response.

Vermont Emergency Management Conference

VDART Speaks at Vermont Emergency Management Conference


VDART and DART Command Central teamed up to speak and table at the annual Vermont Emergency Management Agency conference held in Killington in September. It was a wonderful opportunity to speak to local and state emergency managers and our partners in first response across the state on VDART’s mission and capabilities, along with the new app being developed by DART CC to streamline sheltering protocols and data management.

Our virtual presentation, Using technology to improve emergency pet sheltering during disasters, can be viewed on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=479iEGtggaM&list=PLkV2VZBHkd08eF1tz56yQyNt0sGDleJ67&index=9

Mission

The Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team (VDART) was established in 2007 in order to strengthen and support the state’s capacity to respond to animal needs in the event of a disaster. We provide vital resources and advice to pet owners, animal-related businesses and non-profits, local communities, and state agencies in this area. Read More

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