NARSC http://www.narsc.net The National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:04:11 +0000 en hourly 1 MS and Tornado Response http://www.narsc.net/news/posts/ms-and-tornado-response/ http://www.narsc.net/news/posts/ms-and-tornado-response/#comments Thu, 19 May 2011 20:55:24 +0000 NARSC http://www.narsc.net/?p=218 The National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC) are actively responding to disaster in several states due to tornadoes and the historic flooding of the Mississippi River.  Member agencies began to deploy rescue teams on April 28, 2011 and continue to respond to formal requests from officials in four states.  NARSC members have collectively responded to multi-state requests for water and land animal rescue.  Experts from this coalition are also assisting communities to provide safe haven for pets in temporary animal disaster shelters thus enabling the safe evacuation of both people and animals at this critical time.  Countless hours have been spent getting resources to temporary animal shelters, as well as existing community shelters stricken with these disasters.  Animal care professionals and trained volunteers are maintaining operations and care of owned, lost and displaced pets. .  Working with members throughout the country, the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC) will continue to work with local agencies to transport and place un-owned adoptable animals into a network of trusted shelters who will oversee their safe adoptions.  While NARSC continues to monitor ongoing concerns of communities who are beginning to recover from devastation, other areas are still in great danger due to disaster.  The complexity of the Mississippi River flood continues to require our collective expertise for rescue and relief in this ongoing large-scale animal rescue operation. 
The mission of NARSC is to work collaboratively and cooperatively to assist communities and their animals in the planning, preparations and response to incidents that place animals in crisis.

Current members of NARSC are:
American Humane Association
American Red Cross
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
American Veterinary Medical Association
Best Friends Animal Society
Code 3 Associates
International Fund for Animal Welfare
National Alliance of State Animal and Agricultural Emergency Programs
National Animal Control Association
PetFinder.com Foundation
Society of Animal Welfare Administrators
United Animal Nations
If you are interested in supporting the relief efforts for states affected by tornadoes and floods, please visit the websites of individual NARSC members to learn more.

]]> http://www.narsc.net/news/posts/ms-and-tornado-response/feed/ 0 The tragedy in Japan has touched the hearts of people around the world http://www.narsc.net/news/posts/the-tragedy-in-japan-has-touched-the-hearts-of-people-around-the-world/ http://www.narsc.net/news/posts/the-tragedy-in-japan-has-touched-the-hearts-of-people-around-the-world/#comments Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:39:32 +0000 NARSC http://www.narsc.net/?p=215 The tragedy in Japan has touched the hearts of people around the world and prompted many to ask how they might support the people and animals affected. In situations like this, financial assistance, expertise and resources are desperately needed, and it is crucial that relief efforts are properly organized and carried out effectively by trusted groups experienced in disaster response.

Due to the safety risks and the complexity of the disaster response effort, the Japanese government has not yet requested international organizations for large-scale animal rescue operations. It is the policy of The National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC)* members and other reputable animal welfare organizations to not deploy to a disaster zone without a formal invitation from the government or agency that has jurisdiction. In addition, NARSC feels strongly that animals should not be exported from Japan to ensure the greatest likelihood of being reunited with their families and to prevent radiological cross-contamination for animals and responders.

However, the members of NARSC have taken strong collective action. Financial and other aid, including animal supplies and sheltering equipment, have been provided. In addition, one of NARSC’s members is currently represented in Japan, and has been for many years.  Their representatives flew to Japan and visited with government and non-government officials shortly after the disaster to determine the best way to assist in response efforts.
Relief for animals in Japan is an extraordinarily complex effort. In addition to the challenges and risks presented by the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, the radiation dangers from the stricken nuclear power plant have made the situation even more challenging. 

NARSC is prepared to assist in the immediate development and implementation of plans to address animals left behind in the evacuation zones.  We recognize that this will not be an easy task. It will require a great deal of coordination and collaboration between government and non-government agencies alike to ensure animal and human safety.
Japan has received an outpouring of support from around the world. The Japanese groups involved in sheltering of animals are planning for the continuation of sheltering operations for up to two years based on their experience following the Kobe earthquake.  NARSC stands ready to assist in this effort.

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The National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC) was established in 2006 as an outgrowth of the unprecedented disaster U.S. season of 2005, which included Hurricane Katrina. In the aftermath of that season, the major national animal protection organizations in the U.S. developed a working coalition to facilitate responses to large-scale incidents and address ongoing concerns. This coalition represents more than 15 million animal care and control professionals, volunteers and pet owners.

Participants in NARSC include the most experienced, qualified animal rescue and sheltering management professionals in the country. Member agencies have cooperatively responded nationally and internationally to wildfires, floods, ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters; as well as man-made animal disasters, including puppy mills and hoarding situations.
Current members of NARSC are:

American Humane Association
American Red Cross
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
American Veterinary Medical Association
Best Friends Animal Society
Code 3 Associates
International Fund for Animal Welfare
National Alliance of State Animal and Agricultural Emergency Programs
National Animal Control Association
PetFinder.com Foundation
Society of Animal Welfare Administrators
United Animal Nations

If you are interested in learning more about the relief efforts in Japan, please visit the Web sites of individual NARSC members.

]]> http://www.narsc.net/news/posts/the-tragedy-in-japan-has-touched-the-hearts-of-people-around-the-world/feed/ 0 What is NARSC Doing Now? http://www.narsc.net/news/posts/what-is-narsc-doing-now/ http://www.narsc.net/news/posts/what-is-narsc-doing-now/#comments Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:59:06 +0000 NARSC http://www.narsc.net/?p=210 The tragedy in Japan has touched the hearts of people around the world and prompted many to ask how they might support the people and animals affected. In situations like this, help, expertise and resources are desperately needed, and it is crucial that relief efforts are properly organized and carried out effectively by trusted groups experienced in disaster response.

The National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC) was established in 2006 as an outgrowth of the unprecedented disaster U.S. season of 2005, which included Hurricane Katrina. In the aftermath of that season, the major national animal protection organizations in the U.S. developed a working coalition to facilitate responses to large-scale incidents and address ongoing concerns. This coalition represents more than 15 million animal care and control professionals, volunteers and pet owners.

Participants in NARSC include the most experienced, qualified animal rescue and sheltering management professionals in the country. Member agencies have cooperatively responded nationally and internationally to wildfires, floods, ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters; as well as man-made animal disasters, including puppy mills and hoarding situations.

Current members of NARSC are:

Due to the safety risks and the complexity of the disaster response effort, the Japanese government has not yet requested international organizations for large-scale animal rescue operations. However, discussions are currently underway to obtain invitations for NARSC members to deploy to the stricken areas with animal response teams. It is the policy of NARSC members and other legitimate animal welfare organizations to not deploy without a formal invitation from the responsible government/agency. This policy is for the safety of both the victims and the responders.

Relief and rescue on the ground in Japan is an extraordinarily complex effort. In addition to the challenges and risks presented by the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, the radiation dangers from the stricken nuclear power plant have made the situation even more challenging.

In the meantime, we are pooling our collective expertise and resources so we are prepared to assist well-qualified local groups on the ground in Japan when needed. Financial and other aid has been sent, including vitally needed animal care and we are looking at ways we can support local organizationsí recovery efforts that will help animals well into the future.

If you are interested in supporting the relief efforts in Japan, please visit the Web sites of individual NARSC members to learn about donation opportunities.

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