The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) announced today that the organization’s New York State Disaster Response Services will host the first-ever Large Animal Rescue Summit at Cornell University on May 16, 2005 as part of its continued effort to support planning and preparedness for emergencies affecting animals. ASPCA Disaster Response Services is working with New York’s Department of Agriculture and Markets to develop a program that will provide services for animals affected by disasters and other emergencies. One of the ASPCA’s roles is to provide training to first responders and volunteers. Technical Large Animal Rescue training is just one of many courses hosted by the ASPCA. The large Animal Rescue course is an intensive hands-on class that teaches first responders proper technique in large animal rescue for trailer roller-overs, low angle rope rescues, vertical lifts, mud and water rescues.

The one-of-a-kind Large Animal Rescue Summit will mark the first time the nation’s leaders in Technical Large Animal Rescue Training and Response will come together to share their expertise and discuss national standards in personnel, training, equipment, technique and response. Among the special guests participating in the Summit will be members of England’s Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service and Massachusetts SPCA.

“We are incredibly excited to be the lead organization facilitating this summit,” said Kelly Harrington, Director of New York State Disaster Response Services for the ASPCA. “United States has the largest beef cattle industry, third largest cattle population, and the second largest swine industry in the world. We also have a thriving equine industry. Large numbers of these animals are transported across our highways for agriculture, sport and entertainment each day. Inevitably, some will be involved in accidents and disasters. Time and technique can make the difference in the life and death of an animal. This summit will facilitate the continued effort to develop national standards in training and response.”

Typically, there are over 2,000 large animal rescues per year, with an average of 50 reported cases per year, per state