Wisconsin
Animal Response Corps
The Wisconsin Animal Response
Corps, or WARC, is a group of trained volunteers who can respond to emergencies
involving animals anywhere in the State of Wisconsin. WARC is a unit of the National Medical
Reserve Corps and partners with local, state and federal agencies including the following:
• Wisconsin Department of
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
• Wisconsin Department of Health
Services
• Wisconsin Emergency Management
• United States Department of
Agriculture
• Local/County Public Health and
Emergency Management Officials
Our volunteers include
veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, veterinary
students, animal caregivers, animal handlers, livestock and poultry producers,
anyone skilled in handling any kind of animal (large, small, domestic or exotic),
and anyone who is interested in helping animals during times of need. If this sounds like you, please consider
volunteering.
What
do WARC volunteers do?
WARC volunteers may be called into
action to help when disease or disaster affects the animals in Wisconsin. In an animal disease response operation, volunteers could support DATCP staff by locating infected animals, conducting
animal surveillance, testing animals, treating animals, and assisting with
animal vaccination. When supporting
local or county governments during a natural or human-caused disaster, volunteers
could be called to help with animal rescue, foster care, animal shelter
operations, feeding and general animal care, veterinary care, milking in
evacuated areas, reunification, and many other tasks. WARC volunteers may be asked to participate
in animal disease or disaster training events at the state, county, or local
level. Continuing education credits may
be available for attending training events.
How
to Volunteer
Volunteering for WARC is done
online through the Wisconsin Emergency Assistance Volunteer Registry, also
known as WEAVR. Visit https://weavrwi.org to
apply or for further information. Please
note that you will be asked to create an account to register. Registration assistance is available on the
WEAVR site, but feel free to contact the WARC Unit Coordinator at DATCPWARC@Wisconsin.gov if you have
problems or questions with the registration process.
How
are WARC Volunteers notified for a potential deployment?
When it is determined that WARC volunteers are need to support an operation, the WARC Unit Coordinator will
send a request for volunteers via email, phone, or text messages from the WEAVR
system. All deployments are
voluntary. Prior to accepting a
deployment, you should check with your family and your employer to ensure that
the deployment would not negatively impact you.
Volunteer
Training
Requirements
All volunteers are required to
complete the Incident Command System (ICS) online courses listed below. Both are free and completed virtually. You will need to upload course completion certificates as part of your volunteer application.
•IS-100.C:
Introduction to Incident Command System
•IS-700.B:
An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
Veterinarians and veterinary technicians who volunteer must have current credentialing and be in good
standing.
Recommended
Training
•IS-10.A:
Animals in Disasters – Awareness and Preparedness
•IS-11.A:
Animals in Disasters – Community Planning
•IS-111.A:
Livestock in Disasters
•FL-017 Pet-Friendly Sheltering
Online Training