The Rhode Island Disaster Animal Response Team (RIDART) is a public/private/volunteer partnership to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies affecting animals in Rhode Island.

Description:
The Rhode Island Disaster Animal Response Team (RIDART) is a public/private/volunteer partnership to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies affecting animals in Rhode Island. Those animals include large and small domestic animals as well as wildlife. The emergencies they could face range from storms or floods to fires and oil spills.
The team is composed of volunteers who work under the direction of the RI State Veterinarian. Training – free to team members – emphasizes safe handling of animals, pet first aid, effective rescuing, sheltering, and reuniting pets with their owners. The team helps assure that Rhode Islanders are as ready as possible to make the best of bad situations.

Applications are welcome from everyone. No matter what your level of experience or expertise, RIDART can help you make a difference.

History:
A group of volunteers dedicated to animal protection began meeting in 1996-97. They began by organizing training, expanding membership, and forming partnerships with other organizations. RIDART supporters now include every major state and national humane society and veterinary medical professional association as well as animal control and sheltering officials throughout the state.

Contact person: Richard Horwitz, Program Coordinator, (401) 222-4700 , ext. 2411, (email)
Office fax number: (401) 222-6047

Address:

RIDEM Division Of Agriculture, 235 Promenade Street Providence, RI 02908 (See a map)

Directions:

We are hosted by the DEM Division of Agriculture, which is on the third floor of the Foundry Building, behind Providence Place, in the center of the capitol city.

Miscellaneous Information

Handicap accessible?
	Yes
Interests Served:
	Helping People in Crisis
Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers?
	No
What type of organization
	Other