ICS 300 Level Training Class 7/11/09

ICS 300 Training is the pre-requisite class for the ICS 400 class that takes place August 1 & 2. Both ICS training classes are for first responders only: fire, police, disaster animal response volunteers, emergency management personnel. Click here to register now!

NIMS ICS 400 Level Training 8/1/09

ICS 400 Training is for first responders only: fire, police, disaster animal response volunteers, emergency management personnel. Registrants are required to complete ICS 300 before attending and should bring a copy of their certificate with them. Students must review their ICS 300 before attending this class. Click here to register now!

Drilling is not just for the Dogs!

Bay Area DART members gathered Sunday at the Southeastern Guide Dogs campus for a mock drill with the University of Florida Veterinarian Emergency Team and the Vet Corps. The drill simulated what would happen following a Category 3 hurricane with extensive flooding and damage. To make the exercise more effective, 25 dogs from Southeastern’s puppy program were used in the drill. Click here to view media coverage from Fox News.

Click here to view our photo album for this event.

Say "Cheese"

With our busy schedules, it's difficult to get the entire team together at once. However, we made an impressive showing at the April meeting when DART certified members posed for this group photo taken by Ingrid Brustad.

Bay Area DART'S First Official Fundraiser!

We're excited to announce that Bay Area DART has officially kicked off its fundraising program! Bay Area DART has teamed up with a web site called 2ClickFundraising.com,  who works with affiliate on-line shopping programs to save you money and to help give back money to charities like ours. They have over 100 popular vendors, like Amazon, itunes and more!

How it works: It's simple, go to www.2ClickFundraising.com and pick Bay Area D.A.R.T. (in the left hand column) and begin supporting our cause as you start shopping thru the 2Click stores that are available on their web site. Currently there are over 100 vendors. On average Bay Area DART will get back between 4% and 10% of your total sale This varies due to agreements with the stores. Please explore the 2clickfundraising web site to see many of the great DEALS that can benefit Bay Area DART today! Click here to see the flyer.

Veterinary Technician Continuing Education

Sunday, June 28: Confronting Infectious Disease Challenges

The University of Florida is offering a 6-hour CE credit course for Veterinary Technicians at SPCA Tampa Bay. DART volunteers are also welcome to attend. Click here for More Information and to Register!

Check out our new photo albums on the Scrapbook page.

Volunteer Roster & In-kind Donation Form

To volunteer your time or to donate goods and services, please click here to complete the online form.

To make a monetary donation to the DART fund, click on the puppy below.

Tina is a Hurricane Ike survivor. Many pets like her are counting on us to be there in their time of need.

Cash donations will be used to purchase disaster equipment and to further the training and outreach efforts of Bay Area DART. If you prefer to mail a check it should be made out to SPCA Tampa Bay DART and sent to SPCA Tampa Bay, 9099 130th Ave. N., Largo, FL 33773

Largo Petland sold sickly dogs, woman contends

Carol Monkhouse, 61, bought Brutus from Petland in Largo. She soon found he has a genetic condition that prevents him from walking long distances. Click here to read the full story.

Pet Friendly Shelters

In Pinellas County, three shelters are designated pet friendly. DART volunteers are committed to open, staff and close each one in the event evacuations are ordered. Pinellas County Animal Services and Law Enforcement will also be on hand.

• Thurgood Marshall Elementary, St. Petersburg
• Oakgrove Middle, Clearwater
• Dunedin Highland Middle School, Dunedin
  

Other pet friendly shelters in the Bay Area:

• Hillsborough County
  • Sickles High School
  • Burnett Middle school
• Sarasota County
  • North Port High School
  • Heron Creek Middle
  • Brookside Middle
• Pineview  Elementary
• Desoto County
• The hotels in Arcadia are all pet friendly.
• Pasco County
• Pineview  Middle school in Land o’ Lakes
• Pets are at Pineview High School and across the street is where the owners shelter.
• Marion County
• Forest High School
• They will open additional if needed.
• Manatee County
  • They can open two shelters. Two additional shelters can be opened if needed

Animal Services Calls for Volunteers to Help with Pet Pick-ups from Special Needs Citizens During Evacuations

Volunteers will serve as auxiliary Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) members to help transport pets of special needs citizens to safe, predetermined locations. Those interested in volunteering should call Greg Andrews, operations manager at Pinellas County Animal Services, at (727) 582-2623. Helpers will need to fill out Pinellas County volunteer applications and must complete training facilitated by the Bay Area DART Team. This service will help special needs citizens who might otherwise decide not to evacuate because of their pets.

This service can help them feel more comfortable about leaving their homes, knowing their animals are safe. Of course, service animals may go to shelters with special needs citizens, but other pets need to be cared for by making prior arrangements, such as signing up to go to a local animal shelter, or host home. If special needs citizens are already registered with their local fire department and have a pet that they need help evacuating, they should call Pinellas County Animal Services at (727) 582-2600 to register pets for pick-up.

The Pinellas County Special Needs/Evacuation Assistance Program is for residents requiring minimal medical assistance and/or who need transportation to a shelter, and pre registration is strongly recommended to ensure that resources are available to transport the pets. Registration forms are available through the mail or online. To learn more about the program for special needs citizens, and/or pet-friendly shelters, call Pinellas County Emergency Management at (727) 464-3800 or visit www.pinellascounty.org/emergency. Citizens may also contact their nearest fire department or home health care provider.

Pinellas County Animal Services is located at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. To learn more about taking care of pets during an evacuation, visit www.pinellascounty.org/animalservices.