Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART)

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Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART)

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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YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/WASARTresponse

06/03/2025

If you had to transport an animal safely across a stream, how would you do it? One of our recent trainings focused on highlines. We use a highline rigging system in rope rescue to safely move an attendant and animal horizontally across difficult terrain such as canyons, rivers, or other large gaps.

Great trainings lead to great outcomes.

28/02/2025

WASART received a call for assistance with a horse named Mattie that was down in a barn’s central aisle and unable to get up. Our Technical Rescue Team and equipment truck deployed to help.

Upon arriving on scene, we assessed the situation and made a plan to get Mattie back to her feet. We placed a head protector on her for her safety and covered her with a blanket to prevent additional heat loss, as the outside temperatures were in the 30 degree range.

Our plan was to position Mattie on the glide sheet, haul her outside the barn until she was underneath the tripod, and then use a rope system to raise her to a standing position. The safety concerns were primarily the cold weather, slippery compact snow in the working area outside the barn, and general barn safety and horse work safety issues.

We assembled the tripod a short distance from the barn door and set up our haul lines. Because of the frozen snow and ice, we placed wood shavings on the ground beneath the tripod to provide better traction for Mattie to stand and walk. Once the equipment was set and the team was ready, the veterinarian sedated Mattie for the move and raise.

We carefully moved Mattie onto the glide and attached the Becker sling to her so we could go directly to the lift once outside. Using a haul team, we moved her from the barn to under the nearby tripod. We then attached the Becker bar to the Becker sling on Mattie and removed the glide. When everything was ready and safety checked, our haul team raised her to a standing position. When Mattie was able to fully support her own weight, we released the Becker bar and Mattie was walked back to the barn. She continued to improve both her mobility and alertness, began vocalizing quite a bit, and moved around her stall well, looking very bright and alert.

Our team packed up gear, debriefed, and then we headed home for the evening.

We are glad to have been able to help Mattie and her owner on this day.

WASART is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping animals and their owners in times of emergencies. We respond 24/7 and there is never a charge for our rescues.

To learn more about WASART or to make a donation, please visit www.wasart.org

11/02/2025

WASART was contacted about a mule that was trapped in a knee deep mud hole in the middle of a field and was unable to self rescue. WASART’s Technical Rescue Team and equipment truck deployed to the scene.

On arrival, we assessed the situation. There were muddy conditions in the pasture, including thick mud and clay, creating footing issues and multiple sinkholes. We were especially concerned about the suction of the mud we'd be dealing with, and responder safety when operating around the animal in the deep mud. We placed strips of plywood around the mule to provide a walking and working platform. The veterinarian and other non-team members were offered helmets. We made a plan for the extrication and got to work.

We divided into teams with assigned tasks. One team set up a haul system on the dorsal side of the mule with a tractor being an anchor point. A second team set up the tripod in a nearby area on stable ground. A third team, tasked with mule rigging, created a strategy to extract the mule from the thick mud and clay using two rescue straps and performing a sideways drag.

In order to move the mule while avoiding injury, and effectively utilizing the compressed air lance (a tool used to loosen the mud surrounding a trapped animal or person during a mud rescue), the thick clay mud needed to be turned to a waterier consistency. We removed clumps of thick mud to make the area surrounding the mule more workable. We then used a Nicopolous Needle (a circular metal tube used to pass a line of webbing or rope under an animal stuck in the mud), to guide the rescue straps under the mule’s abdomen. Next, we added warm water to the legs and tail area to make a waterier consistency which allowed the mud lances to aerate the mud, breaking the suction around the legs while the haul team completed a sideways drag to remove the mule.

Once the mule was out, it made several unsuccessful attempts to stand. We used a forward assist to move the mule from the hole and onto more solid ground. After several more unsuccessful attempts to stand, it was decided to sedate the mule. After sedation, the mule was placed onto the rescue glide and moved to the location of the tripod for raising. A tractor was initially used to pull the mule and rescue glide away from the muddy area and then WASART members dragged the glide the rest of the way to the tripod. At this point, the mule was able to shakily stand up under its own power, without needing the tripod, and was carefully walked to promote circulation and warmth. We used blankets and towels to clean and dry the mule as much as possible. While standing, the mule ate and drank, which were good signs. After about 30 minutes of walking, cleaning, drying, eating, and drinking the mule was steady on its feet and placed into a nearby stall.

The team cleaned and packed up gear, debriefed, and headed home in the early morning hours.

Thanks to all of our members who responded to the call and to the mule owner for reaching out for help.

WASART is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization. There is never a charge for our services. To learn more about WASART or to make a donation, please visit www.wasart.org

02/02/2025

We want to extend a big thank you to WASART member Angela C. for her service last week assisting the ASPCA at the Pasadena Animal Shelter. WASART members were asked to assist with the Pasadena Humane Society’s wildfire recovery efforts.

In her words: “I am proud to have had the opportunity to volunteer with them and ASPCA for these efforts. I did 100,000+ steps for the week, the ASPCA team I was with, was responsible for 50+/- dogs at any given time. We were responsible for 3 walks a day for the 5 days that I deployed = 750 dog walks + cleaning + sanitizing+ giving enrichment to the dogs+ feeding + playing + petting.. countless slobbery doggie kisses and doggie hugs.”

Angela C. was in Los Angeles when the request went out and was able to begin work right away. Three more WASART volunteers are scheduled to deploy tomorrow.

28/01/2025

On December 29th, we received a call about a horse named Gus with a previous leg injury that was stuck laying down in the mud and unable to stand. Our Technical Rescue Team responded along with our equipment truck.

Upon arriving on scene, we assessed the situation. Gus was lying in the mud and was on a slope. The mud plus the slope worked against his attempts to stand. Additionally, he had a reported injury on his hind leg. Our plan was to move Gus to flatter and drier ground and give him a chance at self-rescue. If that failed, we would have the tripod ready to hoist him to his feet.

We got to work setting up the tripod and rigging Gus for his move and potential lift. During this time, the veterinarian, Dr. Butler of Tahoma Equine, arrived on scene as well.

Once the team and Gus were ready, the veterinarian administered some sedation just before the start of the haul. We hauled Gus by hands on a rope onto the large animal glide using rescue straps. We then pulled him up the small muddy slope and out of the pasture. From here, we attached the haul rope to a tractor and the tractor moved the glide with Gus under the tripod. We attached Gus to the Becker bar for the raise and our haul team haul team raised Gus. He was able to stand on his own quickly, maintain his position, and walk a bit. We waited under he seemed steady and certain to stay on his feet before we deconstructed the tripod.

After Gus was standing on his own power, we packed up all gear, debriefed, and headed home for the evening.

We are glad to have been able to give Gus a lift to his feet. Thanks to all of our volunteer members who helped.

WASART is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization. There is never a charge for our rescues. For more information about us or to make a donation, please visit www.wasart.org

Interested in learning more about WASART and what we do? We would love to meet you! Please join us at our upcoming Open House in Renton on February 15th from 1-3 pm. Click here for more details https://wasart.org/training-events/wasart-open-house/

27/01/2025

Rescue work is teamwork. We are thankful to have played a part, along with many other volunteers and community members, in the rescue of 5 puppies who were trapped in an underground network of pipes.

We were only a small part of this one. Chrissy with Hope 4 Huskies was there on location, for days in the cold, broadcasting appeals for help with a very difficult situation. This is hard, emotional work. Rescues like Hope 4 Huskies are small and often overlooked. If you feel inclined to donate, you can thank Hope 4 Huskies at www.hope4huskies.org

For more details of the rescue and updates on the puppies now being cared for by Hope 4 Huskies, visit the Hope 4 Huskies page.

www.wasart.org

25/01/2025

Small update tonight with one in the next day or two coming as we get more info from the team members who are still driving home. We've been working with Hope 4 Huskies rescue some puppies from holes and pipes near Yakima, WA. Seven puppies were located underground. We went out first on Monday, Jan 20. Four were retrieved the first day. We did what we could with Chrissy from Hope 4 Huskies and at least one other individual on site. We needed to stay within our scope of training -- we aren't trained for confined spaces, for example, and the puppies were definitely in that. We have some tools and some determined volunteers. Yet, some of the huskies were beyond our reach. Night came, our volunteers needed to make the long trip back home. While we needed to return to the King County area, some of our people stayed in touch with Chrissy what was going on in Yakima and talking through ideas. The next few days, we brainstormed and tinkered to reach small animals that were beyond the reach of what we currently had access to. Today we were able to return. We were able to help effect the rescue of a last small dog. Check out the posts on Hope 4 Huskies for more details. It is more their story to tell than ours, and they are making sure to get the names of the extra people helping and a good timeline.

14/01/2025

If you, like us, wish you could help in California, here’s a list of animal-related organizations that we trust are doing the best work for animals in the fires. It’s short, but we also aren’t there to know much more than the rest of you. Money is the easiest way to get organizations what they need. Don’t send stuff unless you see on the organization’s actual official page a current request.

Pasadena Humane https://pasadenahumane.org/ They have a page up for current needs and information for residents needing food and supplies for their pets. They are definitely an organization doing the hard work. This would be our #1 recommendation.

Best Friends https://bestfriends.org/emergency-response/los-angeles-wildfires

ASPCA is also on the ground. https://www.aspca.org/investigations-rescue/aspca-disaster-relief-efforts

What else can you do? We have our own share of fires and other disasters. Take this as a good opportunity to make sure your own emergency bags are packed, including items and plans for your animals, large and small.

16/12/2024

🎄✨ A HUGE thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth at this year's Battle of the Badges Holiday Lights in Renton! Over 30 public agencies were on display for a friendly holiday light competition along with food trucks, Santa, music and more.

Kids queued up to play the WASART inspired bean bag toss game and then got to be on a haul team and help save a dog. A cow and puppy pitched in to help too!

Your incredible support made this event truly special, and we couldn't have done it without the amazing community spirit and festive energy that you all brought.

A special shoutout to the City of Renton and the Renton Police Department for organizing this event.

03/12/2024

A big thanks for your support over the years! We're all donation supported, so if we are one of your organizations of choice to support (and we hope we are!), you can donate through our Facebook fundraiser or through our webpage (link below).
We have big plans for our future, including using drones and advanced trainings. We look forward to sharing exciting animal rescues made possible because of those plans with you!

www.wasart.org/donate
Venmo: -donations

02/12/2024

“Why we love, appreciate, am grateful for, and support WASART. This group of volunteers go WAY above the call of duty and are Crazy amazing. Dakota, our Search and Rescue Horse who has served to help rescue many people over the years, suddenly fell through a bridge and her life was in immediate danger. These folks pulled an incredible group of people together and with unbelievable skill, lifted and brought this horse to safety out of the wilderness. Today, thanks to WASART, she is able to live her life in happy, complete retirement. Thank You WASART! You're Incredible.” - DJ and Dawn, Dakota’s owners

Today is the day to get ready for the next Dakota who needs help. We are grateful for your support and donations over these years. We can’t do what we do without you!

www.wasart.org/donate

01/12/2024

WASART is a 100% volunteer organization. We're lucky to have members from many different backgrounds giving their time, energy, and skills to help animals in need. Today we'd like to introduce you to...

Jing - WASART Technical Rescue Team member.

“At WASART, I am surrounded by compassionate individuals and devoted animal lovers who continually inspire me to grow and become my better self. The comprehensive trainings, such as rigging and animal transportation, have provided me with invaluable skills to serve the community more effectively. WASART has profoundly enriched my life, and I am committed to giving back through my volunteering.” Jing, WASART Volunteer

We hope you're inspired to volunteer, donate, or just spread the word about your favorite nonprofit, and we hope we're on your list! Volunteering makes all our communities stronger.

www.wasart.org

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http://wasart.org/

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#GivingTuesday A big thanks for your support over the years! We're all donation supported, so if we are one of your organizations of choice to support (and we hope we are!), you can donate through our Facebook fundraiser or through our webpage (link below). We have big plans for our future, including using drones and advanced trainings. We look forward to sharing exciting animal rescues made possible because of those plans with you! www.wasart.org/donate Venmo: @wasart-donations #washingtonstateanimalresponseteam #volunteers

WASART TRT Training

Solid work by WASART’s Technical Rescue Team at last Sunday’s training. The team practiced using a guiding line with the twin tension lowering and raising system. This type of setup is used to keep the attendant and subject off the surface, often to avoid obstacles, or in difficult terrain such as slippery or loose rock. Great trainings lead to great outcomes in the field. #washingtonstateanimalresponseteam

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.

It’s Day 2 of GiveBIG. As an all-volunteer nonprofit, these rescues are made possible because of YOU!

It’s Day 2 of GiveBIG! As an all-volunteer nonprofit, these rescues are made possible because of YOU! We have no paid staff. Your donations help us buy technical rescue and emergency sheltering equipment, replace old and worn out equipment, keep our vehicles running safely, as well as our day to day operations. We are incredibly grateful for your donations and support. Just click on our GiveBIG fundraiser link to make a donation today www.wasart.org/givebig #washingtonstateanimalresponseteam #wasartresponse #wasart #GiveBIG

We were excited for the opportunity to help an alpaca get safely reunited with her owner this past week. We used safety fencing to corral the alpaca and then put a harness on her to bring her back to her home. (Sound removed from video) #washingtonstateanimalresponseteam #wasart #wasartresponse #technicalrescueteam

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