Animal Extraction at Warrant Service- Animal Investigation and Response

This class is ONLY for AIR responders who have taken orientation, Law Enforcement and ACO/ACI. It will be free of charge as the first class offered under the Paige Anderson Education Fund

Class Description: A large-scale event is defined by any intake that exceeds the capacity and resource of your agency. You have all your evidence and will attain a warrant, but what else? Do you have the resources for a safe extraction? How will the animals be humanely housed and cared for using a custody hold? What can you do from day one to help assure positive outcomes for the animals?

This class will outline the steps, guidelines and considerations for best practices of a successful extraction of all animals, the preparation for animal sheltering during any custody hold, including daily care to provide maximum placement options for all animals once custody is awarded.

● Assessing agency resources for different species and numbers of animals. Knowing what equipment is available in house, with MOU/MAA partners, VOADs and community partners.

● Defining the needs and requirements for your specific case to coordinate resources.

● The planning for safely extracting animals as part of the warrant service for humans and animals. Including personnel and equipment for human and animal health and safety at the extraction site and safe confinement of animals for transport. Best practices for estimating the number, species and condition of animals to be seized.

● Extraction logistics to assure proper evidence logging, documentation and chain of custody to set yourself up with a successful Emergency Temporary Shelter (ETS) and responsible placement.

● There are a lot of considerations beyond the legal requirements of getting a warrant for a successful positive outcome for your agency and the animals in your custody. (This class will not cover the legal requirements of obtaining a warrant.) Topics to be covered include: Veterinary triage and documentation at extraction site of sick, injured animals, as well as how to set up for forensic exams, necropsy and basic intake treatments at your ETS. (Vaccines, dewormer etc as allowed by the court)

● Safe and appropriate transport of animals from the extraction site to your Emergency Temporary Shelter (ETS) Do you need livestock trailers? Will you use ACO trucks? Does the extraction site safe access for trailers? How many trips will you have to make using your trucks? How far is your ETS from the extraction site?

● How, where will animals be housed for custody? Planning and setting up your Emergency Temporary Shelter specific to species and needs of animals. Setting up to provide daily care such as cleaning, feeding, watering, and what enrichment you can easily provide to promote positive placement once you are awarded custody.

● At your ETS what additional evidence will need to be documented for your case? Additional veterinary needs? Creating and maintaining your Animal Census for evidence management and placement. What will you share when with placement partners? Setting your chain of command, confidentiality policies and security during your holds.

● Approving placement partners. Does your agency have a list of approved placement partners? How do you find additional responsible placement partners? Finding, approving and logistics of out of state placements.

● Media Plan: How will you deal with any media that may show at extraction site? Appointing a Public Information person.

● Demobilization: cleaning, sanitizing, inventorying and storing supplies for future use. Debriefing and lessons learned of your team.