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Unique emergency training aimed at pet services
The Regional District of East Kootenay’s (RDEK) Emergency Social Services (ESS) team is hosting a unique training opportunity this weekend aimed at helping pets in an emergency.
“Many people know that ESS looks after people in evacuations or emergency situations, but don’t realize that we also provide basic pet services,” says Central Subregion ESS Coordinator Anita Charest. “We need to increase our training in this area and are hoping to find some new volunteers interested in becoming part of the ESS team.”
The RDEK is working with the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team and is offering two free courses in Cranbrook this Saturday and Sunday.
“The courses are free and will provide people with a basic overview of emergency pet services and sheltering in evacuations or emergencies,” explains Charest.
Introduction to Emergency Pet Services runs Saturday, October 5, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and provides training animal intake/reception centre planning, animal disaster response under the local authority, building enclosures, debriefing and compassion fatigue.
The Emergency Animal Sheltering Workshop runs Sunday, October 6, from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and covers everything from species/breed recognition and feeding/animal care to personal preparedness, animal intake routines and a basic introduction to Emergency Social Services.
Participants will also set up an animal shelter.
“Pets are a part of people’s families and this training will help us be better able to help provide pet services during a disaster. We are hoping that there are some animal lovers out there who are interested in taking part in these courses and joining our ESS team,” adds Charest. “Our long term hope is someone might take an interest in setting up an Animal Response Team for the region and work hand in hand with our ESS team. For now, we are eager to get the training and encourage anyone interested to consider registering.”
For more information or to register, contact Anita Charest at the RDEK at [email protected], 250-489-2791 or toll free 1-888-478-7335.
RDEK
