Sacramento, CA (March 27, 2006) – United Animal Nations (UAN) is pleased to welcome three new volunteer leaders to its Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) program, which shelters and rescues animals displaced during disasters across the United States and Canada.
Colleen Bailey of Cranbrook, British Columbia is the EARS Canadian Regional Director, overseeing all provinces. She has volunteered with local veterinarians, Cranbrook Search and Rescue and her local SPCA, and worked professionally as a pet sitter, dog groomer and certified pet first aid instructor. Bailey has more than 14 years of experience in graphic design, communications, project management and public relations. She spent a week at the EARS emergency shelter in Monroe, Louisiana during UAN’s Hurricane Katrina relief effort in 2005.
Pattie Hageman of San Marcos, California is the EARS Southwest Regional Director, overseeing Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah. She is the general manager of San Diego-based Holiday Pet Hotel, Inc., two boarding facilities that accommodate as many as 400 animals. During UAN’s Hurricane Katrina relief effort, Hageman spent four weeks at the EARS emergency shelter in Monroe, Louisiana, caring for many of the most difficult and aggressive dogs and managing volunteers under very challenging circumstances.
Maureen Peterson of Estes Park, Colorado is the EARS South Central Regional Director, overseeing Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Peterson joined EARS in April 2005. She was instrumental in UAN’s Hurricane Katrina relief effort, serving as volunteer coordinator at the EARS emergency shelter in Monroe, Louisiana. Peterson is a licensed practicing nurse who is licensed in CPR, first aid and pet first aid and is studying to become a veterinary technician.
“With the addition of these three talented women, the Emergency Animal Rescue Service is now equipped to offer complete disaster preparedness and relief services to communities across North America,” said EARS National Director Kay Mayfield. “They bring expertise in animal handling, veterinary and medical care, disaster response and volunteer management to our strong and growing program.”
As EARS Regional Directors, Bailey, Hageman and Peterson will work within their regions to monitor disasters, network with animal welfare and emergency management agencies, assist agencies with disaster planning, train new EARS volunteers, and assist with educational events. They will also set up and manage temporary animal shelters during disasters.
UAN has more than 2,600 EARS volunteers in the United States and Canada, including nine regional directors. 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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