Red Star

History

and

Legacy –

since 1916

• Invited during World War I by the Secretary of War to serve

wounded animals on the battlefields of Europe as depicted in

Spielberg’s new movie War Horse

• Since then, helping animal victims of natural and manmade

disasters, including floods, chemical spills, hurricanes, earthquakes

and volcanic eruptions, in US and globally

• Collaborates closely with the American Red Cross as primary

partner for animal-related disaster relief

• The national leader in ensuring animal emergency preparedness

by providing trainings to a network of volunteers and first

responders nationwide, rescuing over 64,000 animals in the past 4

years

• American Humane Association’s Red Star was named the

“American Red Cross for Animal Rescue” in 1916

Red Star Animal Emergency Services History & Legacy – since 1916

Disaster

Response

History

• 62% of U.S. households include at least one pet

• 46 million households with dogs -- over 77.5 million dogs

• 38 million households with cats -- over 93.6 million cats

• 4 million households with horses -- over 13.3 million horses

• 5.3 million households with small animals – over 15.9 million

small animals

Sources: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

American Veterinary Medical Association

Animals play

a critical role

in our lives…

and it is our duty to care for them

in times of critical need

Always

There.

Everywhere.

Hoarding, Mass Neglect,

and Puppy Mills

Our responders are trained not only in the

handling of sick, diseased, traumatized and

highly aggressive animals but also in proper

evidence collection and preservation,

evidence chain of custody and potential

courtroom testimony.

Emergencies

Train derailments and accidents resulting

in a hazardous materials release and

evacuation; terrorist attacks and mass

casualty incidents and evacuations, etc.

Natural Disasters Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, blizzards,

tornadoes, earthquakes - all require training

in basic response on par with human first

responders. The animal component requires

specialized training that human first

responders do not have.

It’s not just

about

protecting

animals…

it’s about

protecting

people

• Providing for animals in disasters ensures public safety and

improved mental health

• People risk their own lives as well as the lives of emergency

responders for the sake of animal family members

Hurricane Gustav 2008,

Shreveport, LA was a success

story for animal response after

implementing the lessons learned

from Hurricane Katrina

Our

Responders

are

Highly

Trained

Professionals

• Our Volunteers must

have basic training and

often, advanced training

on par with human

responders

• Our staff have advanced

training in diverse areas

of emergency planning

& response

• Staff have FEMA

certifications for disaster

assessment and

advanced training

in animal search

and rescue

• We have trained over

2,000 disaster

responders since 2006

Emergency Operations Center Staffing

Disaster Assessment

Emergency Sheltering (Short & Long Term)

Animal Search and Rescue

Grants and Aid

Red Star

Response

Resources

Red Star’s 82-foot specialized Rescue Rig includes: • Volunteer living accommodations - self-sustaining for 12 responders,

stocked with more than a week's supply of ready-to-eat meals

• Mobile Command Center with electrical generator, a VHF base radio

and handhelds, satellite dish uplink and downlink capability, computer

and planning support capabilities

• Basic veterinary surgery capability

• Heavy gear storage

• Urban search, rescue and assistance equipment

• Flood search, rescue and assistance equipment

• Technical rescue equipment -- rope and high-angle rescue systems,

swift-water rescue systems

• Fleet of 4WD support vehicles and SUV’s

Red Star Rescue Rig and Response Resources

Beyond

Response:

Building

Strength Increases local capacity

The Rescue Rig supports local capacity of

shelters and community emergency response

through educational tours, and bringing

speakers & materials to local communities

Provides Training Support The Rescue Rig supports training efforts for

local communities as well as Red Star

Volunteers with hands-on experience with

emergency tools and operations

Supports local shelters

The Rescue Rig supports fundraising

efforts of local animal shelters by

appearing at local events

Honoring 100 Years of Red Star: National Expansion Campaign

As Red Star Animal Emergency Services turns 100,

our vision is to ensure that, no matter what happens...

All American communities and families have a real emergency plan that

includes the safety of family pets and animals in need, as well as an

immediately available, rapid response team of experts, equipment and

resources to ensure that plan is effective and lives are saved.

Building

Regional

Capacity

To achieve this, we must expand Red Star and equip

each FEMA region with:

• Rescue Rig

• Supporting 4-wheel drive vehicle fleet with horse & utility

trailers

• Rescue gear & equipment

• Operations & Maintenance Support

• Volunteer Training and Preparedness Programs

Increased

Capacity…

Increased

Impact

The needs are great, and we are currently unable to meet the

national demand for animal emergency response services:

In the past 30 days alone, needs across our nation have included:

• 6 animal hoarding seizures in 6 states affecting over 535 animals

• 7 puppy mill seizures in 6 states affecting over 400 dogs

• 3 major animal cruelty seizures in 2 states affecting over 710 animals

Internationally, an earthquake in Christchurch, NZ killed over 100 people

and leveled homes, and an unprecedented earthquake and tsunami

ravaged Japan with thousands dead – this could happen anytime in San

Francisco, Los Angeles, Memphis or St. Louis.

Some years, such as 2008, we experienced a string of simultaneous and

back-to-back rescues.

Increased capacity in each FEMA region would

ensure that we can always be there.

Everywhere.

Katrina Briddell Director, Foundation Relations

KatrinaB@AmericanHumane.org

(202) 677-4213

Robin Ganzert, Ph.D. President & CEO

RobinG@AmericanHumane.org