Aug 19, 2014 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – During the snowstorm of 2010, it was the Greene County Animal Response Team that was called to set up a shelter at the county fairgrounds to care for the animals of people who had been displaced from their homes.

The response team set up its animal shelter next to the American Red Cross emergency shelter for people forced from their homes by electrical outages and the lack of heat.

The animal response team took in 27 dogs, most of which were owned by people who came to the Red Cross shelter and who had refused to leave home without their pets.

The county’s animal response team was formed about five years ago to address the needs of animals during natural and man-made disasters, and it has had a hard time finding volunteers to help it with its work, said Derek Forman, the county coordinator and currently the only volunteer.

Forman said he’s tried to recruit volunteers in the past, setting up a booth at the county fair, but to no avail. “I can’t get any interest generated for some reason,” he said.

Forman is trying again and has scheduled an orientation for anyone interested in volunteering with the team. The orientation will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Greene County Emergency Management Agency office, 55 W. Greene St., Waynesburg.

Joel Hersh, executive director of the state Animal Response Team, will attend the session.

The county team could use not only people willing to assist in animal rescues, but also those who can help with administrative duties, public relations or even recruiting other volunteers, Forman said.

The state adopted the concept of animal response teams following Hurricane Floyd in 1999. The storm claimed the lives of millions of animals in North Carolina and left many more animals separated from their owners. It is believed animals could have been saved by a coordinated response plan.

The State Animal Response Team was created through a private-public partnership to serve as a unifying network of organizations, businesses, government agencies and individuals that supports preparedness, response and recovery for emergencies affecting animals.

Because disaster response must occur at a local level, the state team helps builds county teams across the state.

Though the teams are primarily formed to plan for and respond during disasters, such as the winter storm or a cattle truck overturning on the highway, the scope of the Greene County teams has often been stretched because of the lack of other agencies that deal with animal issues.

Greene County has no animal control officer who can respond to issues involving animals other than abuse, Forman said. Usually, as a last resort, Forman said, he is called.

Forman helped rescue a horse in western Greene County that was never claimed and put up for adoption, responded to a downed horse at the Waynesburg Livestock Auction, assisted police with a dangerous dog in Rices Landing and, about two weeks ago, rescued a kitten from a storm drain at the state welcome center.

Forman, a former humane agent with the humane society, said he has tried to keep up with the work and “fill the need” but with two jobs, it’s difficult. “It’s necessary and somebody needs to do it,” he said. But he could use some help.

People who want to attend the orientation can register at www.pasart.us. Anyone seeking additional information can call Forman at 724-966-8687.