In today’s world, we all worry about the threat of a natural or man-made disaster. Animals are especially vulnerable when a disaster strikes because they must rely on us for help. In 1999, Hurricane Floyd claimed the lives of millions of animals in North Carolina, and thousands more were separated from their owners. Many of these animals could have been saved by a coordinated response plan. From this tragedy, the State Animal Response Team (SART) concept was born. In 2006, Virginia adopted this concept to address its animal-related disaster response needs.

About Virginia SART

The Virginia State Animal Response Team (VASART) was created through a private-public partnership to serve as a unifying network of organizations, businesses, federal and state government agencies, and individuals that supports the prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery for emergencies affecting animals. Because disaster response needs to happen at a local level, VASART will build County Animal Response Teams (CARTs) across the state. County coordinators will be selected to lead the development of county teams consisting of volunteers who will respond to emergencies at the local level. Join your county’s state animal response team or if one is not created yet, help us get a CART started in your county.

Virginia SART Vision Statement

Provide support to the Commonwealth of Virginia in disaster preparedness, response and recovery for the benefit of animal and public health and safety

Virginia SART Mission Statements

To facilitate a prompt, coordinated and effective response to a natural or man-made disaster affecting animals

To identify state and county resources that could be utilized during an emergency or disaster and to establish a network of trained animal emergency responders at the local and state level

To provide educational resources for the citizens and businesses of the Commonwealth of Virginia to assist with planning for their animals during disasters in order to minimize the economic and environmental impacts of animal emergencies

To assist the Commonwealth of Virginia in developing effective preparations in regard to natural and man-made disasters affecting animals and humans

To assist in the development, integration and maintenance of an animal disaster plan into the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan

To seek funding resources for sustenance and capacity building

Training Opportunities

Animal Agrosecurity and Emergency Management – Free On-line Course: From the EDEN Website, which has materials on other topics as well:

“Threats to livestock production include natural disasters, disease outbreaks, agroterrorism, and other emergencies. Proper animal agrosecurity and emergency management reduces the effects of these incidents.

The EDEN Animal Agrosecurity and Emergency Management Course is a vital educational resource to help all people involved protect animals and ensure a safe food and fiber supply. Available online, the course is designed for Extension professionals, emergency managers, health officials, and others who recognize the need for improved animal agrosecurity and emergency management education in their communities.

Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN). Animal Agrosecurity and Emergency Management (On-line course). 2007.