Mission Statement

To assist local authorities with animal rescue and sheltering during times of disaster with trained volunteers, and to proide information to the public regarding pet preparedness.

What is DART?

Every year, hurricanes, tornadoes, hazardous-materials incidents, floods, earthquakes and other disasters threaten the animals who are so important to our lives. Members of the Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) learn how to prepare their families, help their community be better prepared, and rescue and shelter animals when a disaster or crisis happens in their community.

Based in Independence, Missouri, DART recruits and trains members from the entire Kansas City Metropoliation area who are interested in ensuring that anmials are taken into account in future disaster planning as mandated by the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act).

Are you prepared?

Have a disaster plan:

• Designate a family member to be in charge of each animal. Have them practice.
• Formulate a buddy system with a neightbor or friend who can check on and care for your animals, if you are out of the area and cannot return. Give them written permission forms to treat your animal.
• Make sure all collars fit your animals. Consider breakaway collars for cats.

What Should I do to have my pets ready in case of a Disaster?

• Secure a carrier for each of your animals and familiarize them with it.
• Take quality photographs of your animals and keep them with you.
• Microchip your animals.
• Keep a copy of your animals' medical records with you.
• Contact out-of-area clinics, boarding kennels and motels to check on rules and accommodations.
• Prepare a disaster kit for our animals.

What should I have in my pet disaster kit?

• Dry food and water for 7 days
• Food and water bowls
• Leashes and ID collars
• Pet First Aid Kit
• Medications
• Medical records
• Photos of your pets
• Pooper scooper, baggies and cat litter
• Familiar blanket/pad
• Muzzle
• Cleaning supplies for accidents
• Emergency release form

What is required to be a DART member?

• Willingness to help in a disaster
• Attend quarterly meetings
• Completion of training
• Attendance at drills

DART meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm at the Independence Health Dept, 515 S Liberty. For more information, contact Carol Leibold at (816) 325-7206 or by e-mail. Complete an application and code of conduct agreement and bring them with you to the meeting. If you would like to get started on the training, below are the links to the classes that must be completed online.

Required Classes - LEVEL 1

• IS -10.a Animals in Disaster: Awareness and Preparedness
• IS-11.a Animals in Disaster: Community Planning
• IS-100.b Introduction to Incident Command
• IS - 700.a National Incident Management System
• IS-800.b National Plan
• Animal 1st Aid

Required Classes - Level II

• IS -111.a Livestock in Disasters
• IS-5.a Introduction to Hazard Material
• Cert Training
• Human Red Cross First Aid
• Emergency Animal Sheltering - Albany University
• Personal Safety and Health for Emergency Responders - Albany University

Recommended Vaccinations

• Hepatitis A and B
• Tetanis
• Rabies Pre-Exposure

DART Team in Action

• Watch DART team helping to move Kansas City Animal Shelter animals
• View DART photo album