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DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Pager 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: January 9, 2018
DHSS-01-2018

DELAWARE ANIMAL RESPONSE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO HELP ANIMALS DURING DISASTERS; VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS SET FOR JANUARY

DOVER (Jan. 9, 2018) -The Delaware Animal Response (DAR) program is seeking volunteers interested in assisting animals during disasters. The program is recruiting community members for the Delaware State Animal Response Team (DE SART) and its specialized unit, the Delaware Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (DE VMRC), by hosting volunteer orientation sessions in January. Those interested in volunteering with DAR must RSVP for the orientation sessions by contacting DAR Coordinator Karen Clark at 302-242-3594 or Dar@delaware.gov .

One-hour orientations will be held on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., DHSS Training Center, Edgehill Shopping Center, 43 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sussex County Emergency Operations Center, 21911 Rudder Lane, Georgetown, DE 19947
Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Office of Animal Welfare, Carvel Building, Lower Level, 1901 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720

Managed by the Division of Public Health's (DPH) Office of Animal Welfare (OAW), DAR is looking for volunteers with various experiences and skills. Experience with animals is preferred but not necessary. Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary assistants are also sought to join the Veterinary Medical Response Corp (VMRC).

"Volunteer orientations offer a unique opportunity for Delawareans to learn how they can support state and county efforts to keep animals, small and large, safe and protected during emergencies and disasters," said Karen Clark, DAR Coordinator.

DAR volunteers provide crucial support to pet owners who must stay at a shelter during a disaster situation. The DAR program establishes co-located pet shelters so companion animals can be safe and close to their owners. The program was established in response to lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, when many would not leave home without their pets and many pets had to be left behind by those who did evacuate.

The DAR program provides the following services:

Animal evacuation and transportation
Animal search and rescue
Animal emergency sheltering
Veterinary medical support services
Public information and preparedness education

For more information about the Delaware Animal Response program, visit: http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/oaw/dar.html.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person's spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

DELAWARE ANIMAL RESPONSE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO HELP ANIMALS DURING DISASTERS; VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS SET FOR JANUARY

Delaware's Government