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

Non-profit response team helping animals and their owners in times of disaster and emergency. Twitter
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15/08/2025

So what should a rescue team do when something happens to a rescuer who is on a rope system down a cliff?

WASART members spent last Sunday learning about psychological resilience and stress management during deployments while practicing techniques of what to do in case something goes wrong during a mission.

The team ran through a scenario in which an attendant with a loaded litter became “injured” and needed rescuing. Additional attendants were sent down to evaluate and assist their injured teammate. They then brought the rescuer and the subject safely back up. Did we mention this was done while hanging from ropes halfway down a cliff?

Every deployment has unexpected elements. We train for the many ways things can go wrong, giving us the best chance to make them go right.

www.wasart.org

12/08/2025

Hot summer days are here! Know the signs and treatment of heat stroke in dogs, 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 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.

06/08/2025

On July 27, WASART was requested to assist with the rescue of a dog named Donny, who had become trapped on a ledge approximately 130 feet down a cliff in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue Team, OHSTAR, responded some hours before. They handed the operation off to us.

Early coordination revealed critical factors, including unstable canyon walls, a potentially skittish dog, and a suitable rigging area located in the parking lot.

We benefited from a group of canyoneers who were in the area and familiar with it. We were especially happy to see one of the canyoneers, who is a former WASART member. The canyoneers joined the operation.

Initially, Donny was not in visual range. The canyoneers entered the canyon to serve as ground safety for the descending attendant and to monitor for any movement deeper into the canyon. Since no one could see Donny, we set up the rigging using our best guess.

Donny was visually located across the canyon and the team relocated the rigging setup to improve both safety and access.

The WASART responder was lowered close to Donny’s location but not too close so she wouldn’t spook him. He was pressed against a tree growing from the dirt. She coaxed him over with some chicken and secured him. The team raised her and Donny. Donny’s tail started wagging emphatically as soon as he saw his owners.

We extend our sincere thanks to the canyoneering team for their valuable support and to OHSTAR for being a partner to us from Portland.

For more information about volunteering with WASART, please join us at our upcoming Open House on August 9th. For more info, visit www.wasart.org.

01/08/2025

On 7/19/25, WASART’s Technical Rescue Team (TRT) trained for a horse in a ravine scenario. Luckily these calls don’t come in frequently, but they do happen.

The team worked together to rig our manikin horse, Joey, onto the rescue glide using a variety of different techniques. Once Joey was fully secured on the glide and ready for his ascent, the team used a mechanical advantage rope system and leapfrogged slip sheets to raise him to the top. Two attendants rode up with the glide, helping to manage Joey, the slip sheets, and the terrain. A High Directional (High D) was used to keep the ropes, attached to the glide, aligned with the angle of the slope for an easier haul. It was a long day of training, but it was time well spent.

WASART’s Technical Rescue Team trains regularly for a variety of scenarios, so we are always ready when the call comes in.

Sound interesting? Join us at our upcoming Open House on August 9th. Our next Intro to Field Operations, the class needed to deploy with WASART, is on August 16th. For more information, please visit www.wasart.org

21/07/2025

We have a number of volunteers who also share their time and skills with human-focused search and rescue groups such as King County Explorer Search and Rescue (ESAR). We benefit from the incredible skills volunteers learn through ESAR, and they benefit from learning to assist animal situations.

One of these individuals, Jing, was on her way up the trail for an ESAR callout when the team came across a dog in distress. Jing recognized signs of heat injury. With the support of ESAR, Jing split from the group to assist the dog, Rocco, and his owner. Another ESAR volunteer who happened to be carrying a personal dog carrier in his backpack joined Jing to assist. Another WASART responder, Angela, was in the area on a personal hike, and made her way to the newly formed dog-assist team. Jing also asked for assistance from other ESAR members not currently on trail.

Jing treated Rocco. She poured water on him, wiped the areas we’d call armpits on a human with alcohol wipes to help cooling through evaporation. The two fitted the personal dog carrier onto Rocco, met up with Angela, and carried Rocco down the trail about a mile before meeting up with the ESAR auxiliary team. They switched Rocco to a litter to wheel him down.

At the trailhead, the team wished Rocco and his owner well as they headed on their way. The mission was over for us and ESAR’s members.

Our region in northwest Washington is incredibly fortunate to have groups like ESAR. These groups have skillsets that are nationally recognized. We all benefit from the team spirit shared between all of the rescue groups. Sometimes we have skills the other doesn’t have but when one of us wins, we all win, especially the subjects who benefit from our partnership. Thank you, ESAR, and those who volunteer for both of our groups.

One last thing—please remember kindness as you post comments. It’s tempting to make guesses about situations, but it hurts more than helps. For example, our responders read this as well and it’s disheartening to read angry or judgmental comments. Please help us celebrate the team and a successful trip down the trail for everyone!

Are you interested in being part of WASART or ESAR? We have an Introduction to Field Operations training coming up August 16. This is the main training you’d need to respond to call outs though there are some other requirements such as (free and online) FEMA classes you’ll need to get done, too. Learn more here: https://wasart.org/training-events/base-operations-support/

You can learn more about joining ESAR here: https://www.kcesar.org/join-us

19/07/2025

On July 15th, WASART received a call about Arlo, a dog who had fallen off a cliff along the Mt. Pilchuck trail. Our team responded with our equipment truck and hiked two miles up the trail carrying the rescue gear to meet Arlo’s owner.

Due to the steep terrain, Arlo wasn’t visible from the trail. One of our attendants rappelled down to locate Arlo and found him 140 feet below on a narrow ledge and secured him for his safety. Arlo was alert, standing, wagging his tail, with no obvious major injuries, and drinking water. The attendant gave him comfort and reassurance and stayed by his side while the rigging team built the haul system above.

As night fell, we worked by headlamp to rig a haul system to raise them both up. Members of Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue also arrived to assist. Once everything was secured and safety-checked, we carefully hauled both the attendant and Arlo back up to the trail. Arlo was reunited with his owner, enjoyed some water and treats, and was able to walk back down on his own.

After a debrief and packing up, our team returned home in the early morning hours.

We’re grateful for the trust Arlo’s owner placed in us and for the partnership of Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue.

This is who we are. This is why we train. This is what we do.

YOU can be a part of success stories like these. Our next Introduction to Field Operations class, the class needed to deploy with WASART, is coming up on August 16th. We would love to have you join our team!

WASART is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization. There is never a charge for rescues. Learn more or support our work at: www.wasart.org

30/06/2025

Thank you, Steven's Animal Sanctuary, for your ongoing partnership, generosity, and letting us get in our RDA requirements of cow kisses and goat nibbles!

28/06/2025

There is a rhythm to many dog rescues that we do. We get a call, we show up on the scene, we battle terrain, we retrieve the dog, we return the dog to their owner, and then we go home.

The interesting story around Seamus’ rescue are the circumstances surrounding it. This is better told by The ZOEY Group.

Thank you for trusting us to be part of the story. 💚🐾

26/06/2025

A big Thank You to everyone who joined us for the Hiking with Dogs class at REI Issaquah! �We loved sharing tips on how to keep your four-legged hiking companions safe on the trails — and we hope you walked away feeling more confident and prepared for your next adventure together.

Special thanks to REI Issaquah for hosting us and helping us spread awareness about trail safety for pets and their humans.

If you want to learn more about WASART and how we help animals in emergencies, visit www.wasart.org or follow us here for upcoming events and resources!

Happy trails and tail wags!

08/06/2025

With the hot weather the next few days, 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!

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+14256815498

Website

http://wasart.org/

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