ON-CALL WITH THE OREGON HUMANE SOCIETY TECHNICAL ANIMAL RESCUE TEAM
Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue group. Photo by OHSTAR.
By Melissa Holmes and the OHSTAR team
H
iking, backpacking, boating, and adventuring with our pets is a way of life in the PNW. As outdoor enthusiasts we are all well versed in the 10 essentials for ourselves, but what about our loyal companions? What do you do and who do you call if your pet is injured or falls while you are out hiking?
Formed in 2000 by Oregon Humane Society Lead Investigator Randy Covey, the Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue (OHSTAR) team seeks to bridge the gap between law enforcement, emergency services, and animal control in assisting pets and animals that have fallen, become trapped, stranded, or otherwise found themselves in precarious situations. Our rescue calls range from injured dogs on the tops of mountains, cats stranded in treetops, injured beavers or tangled waterfowl, horses trapped in snow, and dogs that have slipped or fallen down cliff
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sides. There are few challenges that our team will not meet if we can safely assist in saving the life of an animal in need. Our all-volunteer team of almost 30 members is the largest we have had and is made up of a diverse group of people with different backgrounds and skills. Having a large group of volunteers has ensured that we almost always have someone who can respond promptly to calls for help. Our commitment to the community and the ability to make a difference for even one pet and family is why we do what we do.
