SACRAMENTO, CA (November 27, 2006) – United Animal Nations (UAN) is pleased to welcome Bonnie Morrison of Batavia as the new Ohio State Coordinator for its Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS).
As EARS OhioState Coordinator, a volunteer position, Morrison will monitor disasters that may affect animals within the state. She will assist agencies with their animal disaster planning, work with local authorities to set up temporary animal shelters and coordinate necessary animal relief efforts. She will also educate the public about the need to include animals in disaster plans and network with law enforcement, emergency management and animal control agencies in Ohio.
Morrison has extensive experience in animal care and disaster response. She joined UAN’s Emergency Animal Rescue Service in 2004 and was instrumental in UAN’s Hurricane Katrina relief effort in 2005, assisting with the operation of a temporary shelter for animals evacuated from New Orleans. She is a member of the Clermont County Citizen Corps Council and the Ohio Department of Homeland Security Animal Health Emergency Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and a volunteer with the Clermont County Humane Society and Save our Strays.
“My experience during Katrina only reinforced my belief that we must include animals in our disaster planning – both to protect them and the people who care for them,” Morrison said. “I am looking forward to promoting animal disaster preparedness in Ohio and surrounding states as a member of UAN’s volunteer team.”
A retired manager for General Electric, Morrison has also completed disaster training with the American Red Cross and is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Earlier this year, she co-founded the Tri-State County Animal Response Team, a group of trained citizens working together to provide disaster planning and relief in 16 counties in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
“Bonnie’s background and experience in animal handling and disaster response, along with her excellent leadership skills, will make our animal disaster response team, which is already the best in the nation, even stronger,” said EARS National Director Kay Mayfield.
UAN has more than 3,000 EARS volunteers in the United States and Canada. In the fall of 2005, 435 EARS volunteers from 40 states and Canada participated in UAN’s Hurricane Katrina relief effort, caring for more than 2,100 animals at six locations in three states.
Now celebrating its 20th year, United Animal Nations is North America ’s leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services and a key advocate for the critical needs of animals.
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