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Mushers Mark & Debra Su Stephens helped launch a  group that rescues pets in times of danger.

—Animal Evacuation Volunteers—

Heroes for our pets

The fear of fire has resonated throughout our mountain communities this past decade, starting with the Hi Meadow Fire that broke out near Bailey in June 2000. Two short years later, the summer of 2002 was an inferno of flames with the Snaking Fire blazing across Bailey in April, Evergreen’s Black Mountain Fire in May and the Hayman Fire in June.

Residents received calls to evacuate their homes as slurry planes flew overhead. As flames intensified, those trying to make their way home found roads barricaded that no emotion could break through to salvage treasured pets and livestock. 

Park County residents Mark and Debra Su Stephens know the passion pets bring to our lives. “We’re sled dog mushers,” Mark said. He and Debra Su are members of Colorado Mountain Mushers and Rocky Mountain Sleddog Club.

Mark and Debra Su, along with Dick Nichols, organized fellow mushers into a nonprofit entity known as Animal EVAC Volunteers, which works closely with Jefferson County and Park County Sheriff departments. 

“As dog sledders,” Mark explained, “we have big trucks that carry our dogs and equipment, which is perfect as rescue vehicles.” Debra Su added, “When owners can’t get to their homes due to fire or other emergency, we enter their homes with permission and have rescued everything from cats to chickens and ferrets and dogs.”

Local shelters provide safe harbors for pets, and local schools and Park and Jefferson County fairgrounds have participated as sites where pet owners can be reunited with their rescued fur or feathered family members.

“We are very well-organized when it comes to identifying the pets we rescue,” Debra Su said. “They are collared and numbered, photos are taken, and we record exactly where they come from. All of the animals we have rescued have been reunited with their owners.”

As time has passed and the economy worsened, recreational dog sledding has taken a hit and membership has declined. However, Jefferson and Park counties have raised the importance of having Animal EVAC as part of their rescue teams. Training and seminars are available to residents.  Fire simulation, radio training and animal handling are but a few of the sessions that keep this group on the cutting edge when disaster strikes. Some of the current volunteers are wildland fire fighters, vet techs, humane society volunteers and former animal control officers.

Animal EVAC volunteers have forms you can complete and post on your door that will provide vital information.

The group’s wish list includes trailers, personal protective equipment for wildland fires, leashes, collars, dog and cat treats, office supplies, and large and small critter crates. Also needed are official truck signs and t-shirts that will give instant recognition that this group is on the scene during a disaster.  Flashing yellow lights for the top of trucks and cars are needed. Currently volunteers flash headlights, which isn’t often recognized to give them passage as an emergency rescue vehicle.

Visit www.animalevac.org to become a volunteer or donor.

Margo Hamilton is the volunteer beneficiary coordinator for the Mountain Connection. She has an extensive background in working with nonprofit agencies and writes to help people better understand each other.