Want to train to be a disaster response volunteer for animals? Here's how

2. As required by HSUS, take the following self-study courses available on the FEMA Web site:
• Incident Command System
• Incident Command System for Single Resources/Initial Action Incidents
• National Incident Management System, an Introduction
• Animals in Disaster, Module A: Awareness and Preparedness
• Animals in Disaster, Module B: Community Planning
• Livestock in Disasters


3. Next, get trained in human and pet first aid and CPR. To find courses, consult your local chapter of the American Red Cross.


4. Read Animals & Society Institute's Animals in Disasters: Responsibility and Action.


5. Submit an NDART volunteer application and sign up for a three-day NDART training course near you. Find one here.


6. Do a Google search for a "disaster animal response team" in your area (like this one for New Hampshire residents or this one in Massachusetts) or call your local animal care and control and ask if there's one nearby. Let them know that you have completed the HSUS NDART training and are interested in volunteering locally.

Federal regulations require all states to include pets and other animals in their disaster plans -- so it's a good bet that there's a local DART or CART (Community Animal Response Team) taskforce in your area. These taskforces are set up locally in coordination with your nearby rescue organizations and are sometimes lead by your city's animal care and control. We recommend the HSUS disaster training as one of the most comprehensive courses for prospective disaster volunteers out there, whether you end up being an NDART volunteer or not.

Of course, the first part of helping others is making sure that you yourself are covered. So make sure your family has a disaster kit tailored to your whole family's needs -- including your pets'. This way, you can focus your efforts on helping others should disaster strike. For more information, check out our disaster-preparedness tips and disaster kit shopping lists for dogs, cats, birds and horses.

Are you a disaster response volunteer? Tell us about your experiences below!

Additional resources (thank you to our commenters for suggesting we include these):

United Animal Nations' Emergency Animal Rescue Service Volunteer Training

Noah's Wish Volunteer In-Field Training

American Humane Basic Emergency Services Training