Born on the battlefield of WWI as depicted in Spielberg\'s new movie War Horse was American Humane Association\'s Red Star program. Rescuing animals since WWI, Red Star has saved over 64,000 animals in just 4 years in times of disaster and crisis.

2. Red Star
History • Invited during World War I by the Secretary of War to serve
and wounded animals on the battlefields of Europe as depicted in
Spielberg’s new movie War Horse
Legacy – • Since then, helping animal victims of natural and manmade
since 1916 disasters, including floods, chemical spills, hurricanes, earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions, in US and globally
• Collaborates closely with the American Red Cross as primary
partner for animal-related disaster relief
• The national leader in ensuring animal emergency preparedness
by providing trainings to a network of volunteers and first
responders nationwide, rescuing over 64,000 animals in the past 4
years
• American Humane Association’s Red Star was named the
“American Red Cross for Animal Rescue” in 1916

3. Red Star Animal Emergency Services History & Legacy – since 1916

4. Disaster
Response
History

5. and it is our duty to care for them
in times of critical need
Animals play
a critical role
in our lives… • 62% of U.S. households include at least one pet
• 46 million households with dogs -- over 77.5 million dogs
• 38 million households with cats -- over 93.6 million cats
• 4 million households with horses -- over 13.3 million horses
• 5.3 million households with small animals – over 15.9 million
small animals
Sources: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association
American Veterinary Medical Association

6. Natural Disasters
Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, blizzards,
tornadoes, earthquakes - all require training
in basic response on par with human first
responders. The animal component requires
specialized training that human first
responders do not have.
Always Hoarding, Mass Neglect,
and Puppy Mills
There. Our responders are trained not only in the
handling of sick, diseased, traumatized and
Everywhere. highly aggressive animals but also in proper
evidence collection and preservation,
evidence chain of custody and potential
courtroom testimony.
Emergencies
Train derailments and accidents resulting
in a hazardous materials release and
evacuation; terrorist attacks and mass
casualty incidents and evacuations, etc.

7. • Providing for animals in disasters ensures public safety and
improved mental health
• People risk their own lives as well as the lives of emergency
responders for the sake of animal family members
It’s not just
about
protecting
animals…
Hurricane Gustav 2008,
it’s about Shreveport, LA was a success
story for animal response after
protecting implementing the lessons learned
from Hurricane Katrina
people

8. Our • Our Volunteers must
Responders have basic training and
often, advanced training
are on par with human
responders
Highly • Our staff have advanced
Trained training in diverse areas
of emergency planning
Emergency Operations Center Staffing
Professionals Disaster Assessment & response
Emergency Sheltering (Short & Long Term) • Staff have FEMA
Animal Search and Rescue certifications for disaster
Grants and Aid assessment and
advanced training
in animal search
and rescue
• We have trained over
2,000 disaster
responders since 2006

9. Red Star
Response
Resources
Red Star’s 82-foot specialized Rescue Rig includes:
• Volunteer living accommodations - self-sustaining for 12 responders,
stocked with more than a week's supply of ready-to-eat meals
• Mobile Command Center with electrical generator, a VHF base radio
and handhelds, satellite dish uplink and downlink capability, computer
and planning support capabilities
• Basic veterinary surgery capability
• Heavy gear storage
• Urban search, rescue and assistance equipment
• Flood search, rescue and assistance equipment
• Technical rescue equipment -- rope and high-angle rescue systems,
swift-water rescue systems
• Fleet of 4WD support vehicles and SUV’s

10. Red Star Rescue Rig and Response Resources

11. Supports local shelters
The Rescue Rig supports fundraising
efforts of local animal shelters by
appearing at local events
Beyond
Response:
Building
Strength Increases local capacity
The Rescue Rig supports local capacity of
shelters and community emergency response
through educational tours, and bringing
speakers & materials to local communities
Provides Training Support
The Rescue Rig supports training efforts for
local communities as well as Red Star
Volunteers with hands-on experience with
emergency tools and operations

12. Honoring 100 Years of Red Star: National Expansion Campaign
As Red Star Animal Emergency Services turns 100,
our vision is to ensure that, no matter what happens...
All American communities and families have a real emergency plan that
includes the safety of family pets and animals in need, as well as an
immediately available, rapid response team of experts, equipment and
resources to ensure that plan is effective and lives are saved.

13. Building
Regional
Capacity To achieve this, we must expand Red Star and equip
each FEMA region with:
• Rescue Rig
• Supporting 4-wheel drive vehicle fleet with horse & utility
trailers
• Rescue gear & equipment
• Operations & Maintenance Support
• Volunteer Training and Preparedness Programs

14. The needs are great, and we are currently unable to meet the
national demand for animal emergency response services:
In the past 30 days alone, needs across our nation have included:
• 6 animal hoarding seizures in 6 states affecting over 535 animals
• 7 puppy mill seizures in 6 states affecting over 400 dogs
• 3 major animal cruelty seizures in 2 states affecting over 710 animals
Increased Internationally, an earthquake in Christchurch, NZ killed over 100 people
and leveled homes, and an unprecedented earthquake and tsunami
Capacity… ravaged Japan with thousands dead – this could happen anytime in San
Francisco, Los Angeles, Memphis or St. Louis.
Some years, such as 2008, we experienced a string of simultaneous and
Increased back-to-back rescues.
Impact Increased capacity in each FEMA region would
ensure that we can always be there.
Everywhere.

15. Robin Ganzert, Ph.D.
President & CEO
RobinG@AmericanHumane.org
Katrina Briddell
Director, Foundation Relations
KatrinaB@AmericanHumane.org
(202) 677-4213