Once on site, equipment is made available to volunteers that will protect them while they are doing their job. Communication equipment is used so that volunteers are always in contact with the base of operation should an emergency arise. Disaster work is challenging, both physically and emotionally. Therefore, not everyone is cut out for this type of volunteer work. At the conclusion of an EARS Disaster Preparedness Workshop, individuals should have a good idea as to whether they are ready to help animals in this manner or not.
Most volunteers determine they are.
If EARS is working with an already existing animal agency, then it is that agency s decision as to what happens to the animals. Often though, these agencies were already over crowded before the disaster struck, so they are happy to have our help in finding homes for the unclaimed animals. Once an animal has gone through an extended holding period, which may be anywhere from one week to a month, depending on the magnitude of a disaster, then they are put up for adoption. The person adopting the animal must agree to return the animal to the original owner though, if that person should show up within 30 days of the date that the animal was placed in its new home. After the 30 days, the adoption is final.