In addition to helping individual caregivers prepare, EARS tries to work closely with animal shelters because a shelter’s mission during disasters differs from their normal, day-to-day operations. EARS has developed a 165-page guide to help shelters create their own disaster plan. The Shelter Disaster Plan Handbook can be ordered directly from the United Animal Nations for $30.

After reading Crisp’s first book, Michele Graham was inspired to attend an EARS workshop. She then decided to become an EARS volunteer. Her equestrian expertise made her an ideal candidate for coordinator. Having recently moved from Lake in the Hills, IL to the Los Angeles-area, she shares her home with a horse, three cats, and most recently, a Samoyed mix that remained homeless after the southern California wildfires of early January.

Having been involved in 10 other rescues to date, Graham said the most rewarding aspect is reuniting animals with their caregivers. The heartbreakers are finding animals who didn’t survive and then having to tell their caregivers. Consoling people who’ve lost their animals is part of what they do.

During the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd, in order to reach a mobile home park in Greenville, NC, Graham and her rescue team walked about 1-1/2 miles in water because some sections were too shallow for a boat. As they approached, a Collie/Newfoundland mix attached himself to the group and followed them throughout their search. With daylight waning, the dog relentlessly followed them back to the shelter, at times swimming in order to remain by their side.

“He was not about to let human companionship leave,” Graham recalled.

Reunited

Back at the shelter, she checked the requests for rescues and found one that matched this persistent dog’s description.

She modestly credited the dog’s perseverance with being able to contact its caregiver and share the good news.

Whenever possible, this animal lover spreads the word about the importance of disaster plans that include animals.

“We have domesticated these animals and now have a responsibility to take care of them,” Graham said. “They are part of our family and should be treated as such. Don’t leave home without them.”

For additional information, log onto www.uan.org and click on Emergency Animal Rescue Service; e-mail: info@uan.org; telephone: 916-429-2457 or
1-800-440-EARS; address: United Animal Nations, 5892A South Land Park Drive, P.O. Box 188890, Sacramento, CA 95818.



Copyright © 2001 by Susan Bard Hall. All rights reserved.

This article first ran in the March 2001 issue of Pet Times™.

Copyright © 2008 by petsetcetera.com
All rights reserved.