OUR BEGINNINGS

In May of 2006, eight months following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Pets in Disaster Committee was formed by CAAT and has consisted of team members who spent time in New Orleans rescuing and caring for animals. The Committee has been very fortunate to have as its Chairman, Dr. Benjamin Weinberger, and its Co-Chair, Norma Buchan, R.A.H.T.

Development of First Pet Disaster Plan

The Pets in Disaster Committee has been working with the City of Vancouver’s Emergency Social Services Pet Services Group to draft a plan for the inclusion of domestic pets into the city’s emergency plan, including evacuation and sheltering plans

The Pets in Disaster Committee has secured temporary shelters for pets, emergency caches of collapsible kennels, food and water and medical supplies.

In the event of an emergency or a disaster, there will be a need for volunteers consisting of trained veterinary professionals, as well as trained non-professionals. The Pets in Disaster Committee is currently developing its volunteer database and the organizational infrastructure necessary to be able to respond rapidly to future disasters.

If you are interested in becoming a disaster volunteer or would like more information, please contact us at info@caat-canada.org.

The following positions are currently available to be filled:

Recruitment Officers

Public Education Officers

Liaison Officers

Ontario Disaster Plan

The Ontario Chapter Coordinators, Chris Robinson and Annette Pecak, met with the PWGAE (Provincial Working Group for Animals in Emergencies) in early 2009 and formed a collaboration with this group to be sure that interested members of CAAT are on the frontline for disaster preparedness and disaster relief work for Ontario communities.  If you are interested in being involved in this work, email caat.ontario@gmail.com.