How to Become a Volunteer Responder
Deploy with Our Rescue Team to Assist Animals in Times of Disaster or Crisis
American Humane Society’s Certified Animal Rescue Responders (CARRs) support animal rescue and care during disasters, emergencies and large-scale cruelty cases. These trained volunteers assist professional response teams by helping protect animals impacted by crisis through sheltering, animal handling, field rescue support and logistical coordination.
Certified Animal Rescue Responders are located throughout the United States and may be called upon to deploy when animals are affected by natural or human-made disasters.
Learn more about American Humane Society’s broader disaster response work
What Volunteer Responders Do
Certified Animal Rescue Responders help communities care for animals by supporting a wide range of disaster response functions, including:
- Animal control and field rescue
- Temporary animal shelters
- Daily care, exercise, and enrichment of animals
- Resource distribution
- Safety and equipment support
- Operations and logistics
- Administration and finance
Volunteer roles vary by incident and are assigned based on training, experience and operational needs.
How Deployment Works
American Humane Society’s rescue team responds to emergencies only after receiving a written invitation from the appropriate authority at the scene of a disaster or incident. Volunteer responders do not self-deploy.
Once a deployment is authorized, American Humane Society sends an email to its roster of volunteers who have completed all required training and documentation and are eligible to deploy. This message includes:
- The number of volunteers needed
- Expected length of deployment
- Travel timeframe (for example, one week on site plus travel days)
Volunteers should be prepared to travel to a disaster site once contacted.
If you are available, respond to the deployment email as instructed. If you are not available, you should still reply as directed. Volunteers remain on the call-up roster even if they decline a deployment and continue to receive future notifications, updates and training information.
New volunteer responders typically begin in shelter-based roles and may advance to field teams as they gain experience and demonstrate required skills.
Qualifications and Requirements
To be eligible to deploy as a Certified Animal Rescue Responder with American Humane Society, individuals must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Complete the Basic Animal Emergency Services training
- Submit a completed volunteer application and required agreements
- Provide a current headshot photograph
- Maintain a current tetanus vaccination
- Complete required FEMA online courses:
Expenses and Reimbursement
American Humane Society provides uniform shirts and all technical equipment required for rescue operations. Travel expenses incurred during an approved deployment are reimbursed.
Volunteer responders are responsible for:
- Their own training costs
- Some uniform and personal safety equipment
- Health and auto insurance
American Humane Society does not reimburse volunteers for time away from work during deployments.
Recommended Continuing Education
American Humane Society encourages volunteer responders to pursue ongoing education and experience in animal care and disaster preparedness, including:
- Disaster Sheltering for Companion Animals training
- Hands-on animal care experience through shelters, farms, or equestrian centers
- Participation in local or state animal response teams (CART or SART)
Additional recommended FEMA courses include:
Vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and rabies pre-exposure are also recommended.
Ready to Learn More?
- Learn more about disaster response
- Contact us with questions about eligibility or training