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Fairplay Temporary Animal Evacuation Center Project, 6-12 to 6-14,
2002
On Wednesday, June 12, 2002, IMHS was participating in a meeting of animal welfare agencies concerning disaster response as related to animals in Jefferson and Park Counties during the fires this year. Dr. Kevin Dennison and Mary Dennison were representing IMHS and acting as liaison to Park County Animal Control (who were unable to attend due to the Hayman Fire circumstances in Lake George). Previously, IMHS, Park County Animal Control, the Park County Fairgrounds and various volunteers had discussed the possible use of the Park County Fairgrounds as an evacuation center should circumstances warrant this. Only minimal preparation work had been done so far in the short time between the last fire. The meeting was also attended by Table Mountain Animal Center, several member organizations of the Colorado Federation of Animal Welfare Agencies (CFAWA-the state association of shelters, animal control agencies and many animal related organizations), Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. John Maulsby, and the American Humane Association.
Toward the close of the meeting, the Park County Sheriff Department Contacted Dr. Dennison to request assistance with a crisis situation in the Lake George. Park County Animal Control had numerous animals to evacuate from the Lake George/Florissant area, including a large group of sled dogs from a single kennel. They requested help in setting up a temporary evacuation center in Fairplay at the Fairgrounds as per our earlier discussions. In a most fortunate turn of Events, the American Humane Association's Animal Planet Rescue Truck, an enormous semi-trailer rig custom fitted for animal rescue in disaster situations was standing by in Castlerock to see if it would be needed anywhere. Within a few minutes of the call, the plan was established. IMHS would be the lead local agency and the CFAWA response would be supplemented by the American Humane Association and the Animal Planet Rescue Truck.
The call for assistance came in at 4pm and IMHS Staff members Dr. Kevin Dennison, and veterinary technician Cyndi Fultz, assisted by Board Member Mary Dennison gathered all appropriate IMHS equipment (most of which was packed and ready to go) and headed for Fairplay. In Fairplay, we were assisted by Fairgrounds and CSU Extension staff as well as local volunteers. By 10pm, the Animal Planet Truck had arrived and we were receiving animals. The speed of the response proved that CFAWA ability to respond to local agency needs in an emergency was genuine and immediate.
During the course of 48 hours of operation, we provided care for 34 animals, including 7 horses, 1 goat, 2 sheep, 1 pig, 1 rabbit, 4 chickens, 6 cats & kittens and 12 dogs & puppies. The large group of sled dogs ironically did not come to the center, even though their need prompted the establishment of the center. The owner of the dogs inexplicably refused to move and remained in Florissant. Eventually, the dogs were moved, but to another location on private property. Even though tainted by the sled dog fiasco, the Temporary Emergency Evacuation Center was extremely successful in many other ways.
 | CFAWA was able to demonstrate a rapid and decisive response to a local request for aid |
| The Park County Fairgrounds was proven to be more than adequate for the purpose |
| IMHS and Fairgrounds personnel learned a great deal about the running of a temporary shelter facility and learned what improvements are needed to make the facility even better. |
| The Town of Fairplay and the Park County Sheriff Department demonstrated their total support for the effort, helping as volunteers, bringing food for staff and volunteers and generally showing as much hospitality and compassion as any community possibly could! |
At the closure of the evacuation effort on Friday, the cats were returned to their owners and the dogs were transferred to either Intermountain Humane Society or to the Summit County Animal Shelter. The livestock remaining at the Fairgrounds were cared for by the Fairgrounds staff and local volunteers until they could be returned to their owners.
