We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry companions, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger. To prevent your pet from overheating, take these simple precautions provided by ASPCA experts: Visit the vet for a spring or early-summer checkup. Make sure your pets get tested for heartworm…
In two upcoming webinars, ASPCA disaster response experts Dr. Dick Green and Lacie Davis will discuss the need for all-hazard disaster planning and review critical components of response, including: • Preparedness locally, regionally and statewide • Equipment • Training for responders • Response team composition • Hazards and team safety • Assessment • National and…
S.M.A.R.T. helps celebrate the passage of Senate Bill 1172, an Act to ensure the safety of people with Pets in Disasters at the state house on June 4,2014. S.1172 requires municipalities to include pets in their disaster planning, thereby protecting both pets and people. A sincere Thank you goes Senator Karen Spilka, the sponsor of…
the American Red Cross has a new app that every pet owner needs The Pet First Aid App puts expert veterinary advice in the palm of your hand. Get the app and be prepared to act when called upon. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know Pet First…
During the sign up with SMART all members agree to get a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check done. This is standard procedure for most volunteer organizations. Until recently SMART has not been able to fund the CORI checks. Now thanks to assistance from the statewide MA Responds program we are able to have the…
As Hurricane Season Starts, Households in Coastal States Urged to Include Pets in Disaster Plans With predictions for an active hurricane season this year, community leaders and residents in East Coast and Gulf Coast states should keep pets in mind when planning for natural disasters. People can take some simple – but critical – steps…
During the week of April 8, 2013, the Tufts Shelter Medicine Program at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine provided a week long course covering Emergency Response and Disaster Medicine. Instructors included representatives from the State of Massachusetts Animal Response Team (SMART), International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), MSPCA, ASPCA, MVMA and Tufts faculty. The…
The ASPCA has a great source of information titled “What would happen to your pet in an emergency?” Preparation and planning is an important aspect in keeping you and your family safe in the event of an emergency. Your Pets are your family too and including them in your preparedness plan is a must. Check…
Last Friday, State Senator Karen Spilka filed a bill called An Act ensuring the safety of people with pets in disasters, currently Senate Docket 1101. State senators and state representatives have until next Friday to co-sponsor this bill. Please contact your legislators to ask them to co-sponsor SD 1101. If you do not know who…
At least, that’s what it feels like!! No matter how significant the event or how much of a need we anticipate, SMART can actually only deploy when it is asked to do so, either by the state, local emergency management officials or by other organizations. In a situation like Sandy, we started preparing days ahead…