Shawnee Capital Area Animal Response Team

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Disaster Response

Every year tornadoes, floods, fires and other disasters threaten the animals who are so important to our lives. The CAART Animal Rescue Team is a coordinated effort between volunteers from several governmental, corporate and private entities. We are dedicated to planning and preparing for, responding to, and recovering from animal emergencies in Shawnee County, Kansas.

Services. Based on the background, experience and education of each team member, CAART can provide the following services to communities affected by natural or manmade disasters.

Set-up of temporary animal relief shelters
Evacuation of animals
Rescue of abandon animals
Implementation of record keeping and identification systems
Transportation of animals

Coordination of initial veterinary care
Coordination of animal supplies and food
Documentation of lost animals
Reunification of animals with owners

Here is one volunteer's account of her experience during a recent disaster deployment.

Training and preparation. Our goal is to develop and implement procedures to facilitate a safe, environmentally sound response to animal emergencies at the local and county level. Part of that process is ongoing training. For example, in 2011 CAART volunteers again took part in the annual three-day Shawnee County Emergency Responder Encampment (see photos below).

The Mobile Unit arrived at Noon on Friday, October 14, and volunteers got busy setting up shelter for animals and volunteers. Several people camped out all night and tended to over 12 "volunteer" dogs of all sizes and temperaments, while participating in informational meetings and classes. On Saturday, CAART volunteers and other Shawnee County responders participated in a general disaster exercise. Several volunteers received credit for taking a sheltering class, and earned their "Emergency Animal Responder" status.


A few of the canine victims of disasters. The Disaster Response Team has helped dozens of such animals lost or abandoned by owners as a result of natural disasters.