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The North Carolina State Animal Response Team (SART) is an interagency, coordinated effort dedicated to preparing, planning, responding and recovering during animal emergencies in North Carolina. The team’s mission is to develop and implement procedures and train participants to facilitate a safe, environmentally sound and efficient response to animal emergencies on the local, county, state and federal level. The team is organized and operates under the auspices of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) utilizing the principles of the Incident Command System. The SART Mission Statement is to provide “prevention, response and recovery for animal emergencies.” Click here for more information about SART.
The North Carolina State Animal Response Team was founded after Hurricane Floyd, during which more than 3 million domestic and farm animals were lost. Many could have been saved by a coordinated emergency response plan. SART is based on the principles of the Incident Command System developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and involves a coordinated effort of more than 30 government and animal organizations. Click for calender of meetings.
Counties
The SART structure is organized on the grassroots level with County Animal Response Teams (CARTs). CARTs are under the jurisdiction of the county Emergency Management Coordinator and include local professionals including Animal Control Officers, Cooperative Extension, Sheriff's Personnel, Veterinarians, Forestry Officers, Animal Industry leaders and concerned citizens. To find out more about the CART in your area, go to County Links.
Farmers
These days it is usually possible to receive advance notice of a pending natural disaster, especially if it is weather related. Television and radio stations do a great job of warning people that a storm or tornado may be on the way. No one knows what will happen during the storm, but everyone can be prepared for the after affects. Farmers should be prepared for downed trees, electricity outages, flooding, shelter damage, or contaminated water sources. Click here for more information regarding Farmers Resources.
Pets
Animal emergencies create danger for animals and their owners. Lack of preparation leads to unnecessary tragedy, human injury and economic loss. In fact, the number one reason people do not evacuate their homes in an emergency is because a pet is in the home. Pets are also the number one reason people return to their homes before local authorities have declared it safe to do so, risking lives in the effort to save beloved pets. North Carolina is home to millions of agricultural and domestic animals. Actually, 60 percent of households are said to have pets. According to a 1998 pet owner survey by the American Animal Hospital Association, an astounding 80 percent of pet owners indicate they will risk their lives for their pets! Hurricane Floyd proved that people will do almost anything to be reunited with their pets. SART encourages all pet owners to evacuate with their animals to prevent endangering human and animal lives.
Click here for more information about protecting pets.
State Animal Response Team
P.O. Box 33038
Raleigh, NC 27636-5212
Email: Amanda Mullen
(Executive Director)
1-888-989-SART
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