MIDDLEBURY — Anyone interested in joining an Addison County Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) is invited to take part in an organizational meeting later this month. The meeting will be held at Homeward Bound, 236 Boardman St., Middlebury on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Come learn how you can become involved with the development of an Affiliated Regional DART for Addison County. Meeting participants will discuss leadership for the group, as well as future plans to officially charter with the statewide Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team (VDART).
This group is aimed at people who have the desire to help animals in disasters, and it welcomes people from all backgrounds and skill levels. Team members so far include veterinarians, animal control officers, animal shelter personnel, veterinary technicians, business owners and animal lovers.
Regional DART team members perform many services for their local communities:
•  Work with their local emergency management directors to ensure that animal response plans are intertwined with human response plans before disaster strikes.
•  Organize and help run emergency pet shelters to provide animal care and treatment during the disaster and its recovery period.
•  Spread the word about the importance of household disaster planning for animals by tabling and speaking at local events.
RSVP to Maria Farnsworth at [email protected] or call 802-922-3664.