Eagle County Animal Response Team training set for Oct. 29

Eagle County's Emergency Management and Animal Services departments, as well as the CSU Extension Office, are seeking to expand the Eagle County Animal Response Team (ECART).

To that end, the Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation's Animal Emergency Management Program will offer animal response team training from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Eagle County Maintenance Service Center, located at 3289 Cooley Mesa Road in Gypsum.

The Eagle County Animal Response Team (ECART) is comprised of government agencies, non-governmental organizations, businesses and concerned citizens that work with local emergency management personnel to address animal issues during community emergencies.

According to Eagle County Emergency Management Director Barry Smith, recent incidents both locally and nationally highlight the need for trained responders who can assist with animal issues.

“In September, we had a horse trailer full of Shetland ponies overturn while exiting I-70 in Eagle-Vail. The incident required the assistance of local veterinarians to evaluate and treat the animals, as well as the mobilization of horse trailers for transport and use of the county fairgrounds as a shelter,” said Smith. “This type of response is made all the easier with advance training and coordination,” he said.

Next week's training will include an overview and introduction to animal and agriculture emergency issues and response, an overview of the National Incident Management System and a review of state and local animal emergency plans, among other topics.

“ECART is not focused just on companion animals, or just on livestock, or just on wildlife,” said Smith. “We want to be prepared to assist any animal, during any disaster, anywhere in our community,” he said.

All interested community members are encouraged to attend the training. To register, contact Susannah Mitchell at (303) 318-0447 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (303) 318-0447      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.