Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART)

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Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART) WASART rescues pets and livestock in emergency situations: such as dogs over cliffs, horses in wells
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Non-profit response team helping animals and their owners in times of disaster and emergency. Twitter
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YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/WASARTresponse

October was a great month for WASART Training. Our Technical Rescue Team held two heavy systems (large animal) trainings...
07/11/2024

October was a great month for WASART Training. Our Technical Rescue Team held two heavy systems (large animal) trainings including horse behavior and handling as well as a mock horse rescue scenario using our horse manikin, Joey. You will see Joey in many of the heavy systems trainings that we do throughout the year. This life-size horse manikin allows us to practice horse rigging and rescue in a wide variety of settings.

Our Annual Exercise focused on small animal emergency sheltering. Participants got hands-on experience setting up and running a mock emergency animal shelter.

A big Thanks to all of our volunteers for your dedication to learning and perfecting skills needed to help animals and their owners.

WASART is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization. For more information about us or to make a donation, visit www.wasart.org.

On October 9th, WASART received a call about a dog named Pogo who was on a steep slope above the Puyallup river. A few d...
19/10/2024

On October 9th, WASART received a call about a dog named Pogo who was on a steep slope above the Puyallup river. A few days earlier, Pogo had managed to run off from his home. The owner contacted James Branson, of Three Retrievers Lost Pet Rescue, who located and reached Pogo after extensively searching. However, due to the hazardous terrain at Pogo’s location, it was determined that technical rescue would be needed to bring the dog up to safety. WASART’s Technical Rescue Team responded to help.

WASART arrived on scene and assessed the situation. James and Pogo’s owner had reached Pogo on the steep hillside and secured him with a leash. There were located about 100 feet down a slope, with a cliff below them. The terrain was steep, dense, with loose footing and unsafe to travel back up without technical assistance. A WASART team member was able to traverse to their location and stayed with Pogo, James, and the owner while the rest of the Technical Rescue Team got to work. We determined that the best plan of action would be to set up a steep angle rigging system and lower an attendant with rescue litter down to James and Pogo. Steep angle rigging is the term used in rope rescue when the slope is between 30 to 50 degrees.

We set up a twin tension rope system. The attendant was lowered down the steep hillside to Pogo who appeared alert. After placing a muzzle and harness on Pogo, he was secured in the rescue litter for the ride up. The rope system was changed from a lowering system to a pulley system to haul them both back up to the top. Once at the top of the hillside, the team hand carried the litter over a chain link fence to reach our base location. We unpacked Pogo from the rescue litter and placed him into the owner’s car for the ride home.

The team packed up the ropes and gear, debriefed, and headed home late in the evening.

We are glad to have been able to help Pogo reach safety and back to his owner.

A huge thanks to James Branson with Three Retrievers Lost Pet Rescue for his efforts and experience in locating Pogo, securing him, and making sure he made it back to safety. To learn more about Three Retrievers Lost Pet Rescue and the valuable service they provide, visit their website at www.3retrievers.com

WASART is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization. For more information about what we do to help animals and their owners, please visit www.wasart.org

Member dog Ruthie takes her role of Base Support very seriously. She is making sure no one takes inventory without signi...
08/10/2024

Member dog Ruthie takes her role of Base Support very seriously. She is making sure no one takes inventory without signing it out. 🐾

Congratulations to our newest Base and Operations Support class graduates! Last weekend, volunteer members learned about...
04/10/2024

Congratulations to our newest Base and Operations Support class graduates! Last weekend, volunteer members learned about responder safety, small and large animal behavior and handling, working with the tripod and rescue litter, and water rescue practice. A huge Thank You to Foothills Veterinary Hospital for hosting us at their facility!

Thank you, Save a Forgotten Equine, for having us out!
17/09/2024

Thank you, Save a Forgotten Equine, for having us out!

We had a great time last weekend at the Hiking with Dogs class. Thanks to everyone who attended and/or stopped by to say...
13/08/2024

We had a great time last weekend at the Hiking with Dogs class. Thanks to everyone who attended and/or stopped by to say hi, and to REI Issaquah for the partnership. We wish you and your dogs many happy and safe trails!

Join us at REI Issaquah on Sunday, August 11th, for the Hiking with Dogs class. Learn what to put in a dog trail first a...
04/08/2024

Join us at REI Issaquah on Sunday, August 11th, for the Hiking with Dogs class. Learn what to put in a dog trail first aid kit, the 10 dog hiking essentials, common dog trail injuries and how to avoid them, learn how to bandage an injured paw, and see what technical rescue equipment is used to carry an injured dog out of the backcountry.

This class is FREE but registration is limited. Sign up on the REI website here: https://www.rei.com/events/101767/hiking-with-dogs-with-wasart-wa-state-animal-response-team/335941

We look forward to seeing you!

22/07/2024

Late Saturday afternoon, we received a call about a Great Dane, named Luna, who was on the Lake Serene trail and unable to make it back down.

Our team arrived at the trailhead along with our equipment truck. We packed up our gear, including rescue litter and wheel, and hiked 2 miles up the trail to Luna and her owner.

On arrival, Luna appeared calm and bright and stood up to greet the team. However, she was trembling in her hind
legs and was sensitive placing all limbs. It was quickly determined that she was unable to walk down on her own and needed to be carried in the litter back to the trailhead.

We assembled the rescue litter, secured her in it, and then headed down the trail. Luna was calm and settled quickly into the litter for her ride. The first half of the trail was the most difficult with steps, fallen logs, rocky terrain, and stream crossings. The second half of the trail was easier terrain which allowed more efficient movement downhill. We offered her water on occasion during the ride down.

On arrival back at the trailhead, we helped her into her owner’s SUV and they headed on their way. We debriefed, packed up our gear, and headed home in the late evening hours.

We are thankful to have been able to help Luna and her owner get back to safety. We are always a phone call away when assistance is needed.

Watch the full video to see Luna's rescue in action.

WASART is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization. To learn more about us and what we do, please visit www.wasart.org.

If you missed us at the last class, don’t worry! We will be back at REI Issaquah on August 11th for another Hiking with ...
17/07/2024

If you missed us at the last class, don’t worry! We will be back at REI Issaquah on August 11th for another Hiking with Dogs class. Learn how to safely recreate in the backcountry with your best fur buddy including the 10 dog hiking essentials, what to have in a dog trail first aid kit, common dog trail injuries and how to avoid them, as well as how to bandage a damaged paw.

Registration is now online through the REI website. Just click the link to register!

Learn the basics of hiking with dogs with WASART.

This past weekend our Technical Rescue Team was out honing the skills needed for rescuing a dog over a cliff. Our dedica...
16/07/2024

This past weekend our Technical Rescue Team was out honing the skills needed for rescuing a dog over a cliff. Our dedicated members donate their time, knowledge, and experience at trainings so we are ready when the call for help comes.

Join us at our upcoming Open House on August 20th to learn more about volunteering with us!

Hot summer days are here! This time of year we get callouts for dogs experiencing signs of heat stroke on the trail. Kno...
08/07/2024

Hot summer days are here! This time of year we get callouts for dogs experiencing signs of heat stroke on the trail. Know the signs and treatment of heat stroke, as well as how to prevent it in the first place, to keep your furry friend safe.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that happens when the body is overheated and unable to effectively dissipate the heat. It can also happen very quickly. Knowing how to recognize the signs of heat stroke in your dog as well as how to prevent it are key for your dog’s safety.

Heat Stroke Predisposing Factors:
* High outside temperature - can occur at temperatures as low as 70°
* High humidity
* Limited shade/water
* Lack of ventilation (think cars)
* Dehydration
* Obesity
* Long coats
* Age factors
* Poor conditioning/overexertion
* Certain breeds are more susceptible (brachycephalic “flat-nosed” breeds such as pug, boxer, pekingese; and winter dog breeds)

Heat Stroke Signs:
* Excessive panting
* Excessive drooling
* Reddened gums/tongue
* Vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Staggering, tremors, collapse, seizures
* Dull mentation
* Respiratory distress
* Core body temperature over 105°
* Rapid heart rate

Heat Stroke Treatment:
* Early recognition is important.
* If your dog looks like it may be getting overheated, stop, find shade, and offer water.
* Wet down with cool or room temperature water (NOT COLD-this can cause peripheral vessels to constrict) to hairless areas such as the belly, groin, armpits, and bottom of paw pads.
* If available, alcohol wipes can be applied to these areas for a cooling effect.
* Fan with wet towels or clothing
* Stop cooling when body temperature hits 103° to prevent rebound hypothermia
* Take your dog to the vet immediately for monitoring and testing for any signs of organ damage.

Heat Stroke Prevention:
* Do not leave dogs in vehicles on hot days. Just don’t!
* Be careful of overexertion
* Beware taking brachycephalic (pug, boxer, pekinese) or winter dog breeds hiking, especially in warm weather or in warmer periods of the day
* Provide water frequently to maintain hydration
* Restrict activity on warm days
* Lots of rest time in shaded areas
* Monitor temperature closely

Heat Stroke Prognosis:
Unfortunately, the prognosis for heat stroke is guarded with a survival rate as low as 50%. One episode of heat stroke may also predispose a dog to others due to damage to the temperature regulation center of the brain.

Prevent! Prevent! Prevent!

Consider leaving your dog home on warm days. We know it's hard to say no to their eager fuzzy faces, but do it to keep them safe.

Always monitor your dog’s condition on the trail. This is important in all weather seasons.

WASART is an all volunteer organization. We are available at no cost for animals when they need help. For more information about us or to make a donation, visit www.wasart.org.

With the hot weather this week, it’s a good time for a friendly reminder. The asphalt will be too hot for unprotected pa...
06/07/2024

With the hot weather this week, it’s a good time for a friendly reminder. The asphalt will be too hot for unprotected paws as will the rocks on hiking trails.

If you aren't sure, hold the back of your hand for 5 seconds to the ground your dog will be standing on. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for them.

Stay safe out there!

Our Outreach Team was on hand at last night’s Seattle Mariners Bark at the Park. It was great fun to meet so many dogs a...
11/06/2024

Our Outreach Team was on hand at last night’s Seattle Mariners Bark at the Park. It was great fun to meet so many dogs and their owners and share about WASART. Thanks to all who stopped by our booth!

Thanks to all who attended yesterday’s Hiking with Dogs class at REI Issaquah. It was wonderful to see so many new faces...
09/06/2024

Thanks to all who attended yesterday’s Hiking with Dogs class at REI Issaquah. It was wonderful to see so many new faces and share some info on how to safely recreate on trails with the pups. Big thanks to REI for having us!

Wishing you all great hikes ahead!

Last week, a Miniature Australian Shepherd named Franko found himself trapped in a bog about 50 feet from the embankment...
05/06/2024

Last week, a Miniature Australian Shepherd named Franko found himself trapped in a bog about 50 feet from the embankment. The day prior, a vehicle had crashed into his owner’s house. During the rescue effort to help the driver of the vehicle, Franko accidentally got out and ran off. The next day, he could be heard barking and whimpering from the area of the bog but his owners were unable to reach him due to the terrain. WASART was called and deployed to the scene.

After donning hip length boots, we used backboards and a machete to work our way through the heavy brush, water, and mud. We located Franko sitting on a large fallen log, trapped in place by sticker vines wrapped around his hind end and his legs. We removed the sticker vines to free him. After securing Franko, we were able to carry him out of the bog and back to his owner where he was happily reunited.

Big thanks to Lost Dogs of Snohomish County for referring the owner to us for help and their assistance on scene.

WASART is partnering with REI for the Hiking with Dogs class on June 8th at REI Issaquah. Learn how to recreate safely o...
29/05/2024

WASART is partnering with REI for the Hiking with Dogs class on June 8th at REI Issaquah. Learn how to recreate safely on the trails with your canine companion. Topics will include the 10 dog hiking essentials, what to have in a dog trail first aid kit, common dog trail injuries and how to avoid them, as well as learn how to bandage an injured paw.

This class is FREE but registration is limited. Sign up on the REI website here: https://www.rei.com/events/101546/hiking-with-dogs-with-wasart-wa-state-animal-response-team/334723

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us at REI Issaquah on Saturday, June 8th, for the Hiking with Dogs class. Learn what to put in a dog trail first ai...
17/05/2024

Join us at REI Issaquah on Saturday, June 8th, for the Hiking with Dogs class. Learn what to put in a dog trail first aid kit, the 10 dog hiking essentials, common dog trail injuries and how to avoid them, learn how to wrap a hurt paw, and see what technical rescue equipment is used to carry an injured dog out of the backcounty. We hope to see you there!

This class is FREE. Sign up on the REI website here to attend:

Learn about the basics of hiking with dogs Presented by WASART

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