No volunteers needed at this time for floods

By Ellen Gilmore, Best Friends staff

Our Rapid Response manager, Rich Crook, is monitoring the situation in North Dakota, but at this time, we don't have anything to report about what organizations might be involved in providing assistance there for any animals affected by the flooding.

In the event that emergency operations agencies in the area contact Best Friends for help, we will work with local authorities to determine what is needed and if and how Best Friends can provide assistance. We do not expect to need any volunteers at this time.

Crook noted that a friend in the area has informed him that area hotels are accepting animals and that the Coast Guard has only received three calls regarding animals.

Please continue to watch our Rapid Response community for additional news. Any updates will be posted there.

Prepare in advance
Meanwhile, here's all the information you need about how you can prepare to help Best Friends in the event of a disaster situation.

To become a member of the Best Friends Rapid Response team, you must have very specific training, and disaster responses are strictly managed by authorities in charge of each situation.

Team members are only deployed at the discretion of our program director and our national coordinator, depending on what’s called for in each case.

The Best Friends Rapid Response team is organized in compliance with the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC), of which Best Friends is a member.

A full explanation of requirements for volunteers and the various qualification levels is available on the Resources tab on this community, located in the folder called "Requirements for Volunteers."

Questions? Please email Ellen at elleng@bestfriends.org.

► Do not ever evacuate without your companion animals. Here is information for pet guardians from FEMA.

Current news stories about the flooding in North Dakota:
• In race against river, communities pull together
• Flood warnings issued; N. Dakota braces for record deluge
• Crews blasting ice jam to clear backed up water

Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff
Photo credit: taken by Jennifer Hayes