Support K9 SAR Inc
Who is K9 SAR Inc
An autistic child leaves the house unseen, a hunter or hiker goes missing, an Alzheimer's patient wanders away, a person suspected of suicide can't be found, investigators get a new tip on a cold case. Established in 2015 as a charity organisation, K9 SAR Inc is a canine search and rescue unit operating in both Tasmania and Victoria. We provide specially trained dog/handler teams to assist public safety agencies in lost person searches - such as those described above. Our services are free of charge to requesting law enforcement agencies and are available 24/7/365. We primarily serve the states of Tasmania and Victoria, but can also work in other states and overseas.
How Are Teams Used?
Teams are trained to work in three main areas:
Trailing/Tracking - The dog follows the scent of a living person on the ground. The K9 works on-long line and harness towing the handler behind;
Air Scent - Dogs use air currents to follow scent in to the missing person. Typically, these dogs work off-leash and quarter an area much like a hunting dog; and
Human Remains Detection (Cadaver Dogs) - These K9s are trained to locate and alert to the scent of human remains.
About the Dogs
Dogs can be pure breeds or mixed. They must be able to withstand the weather extremes we experience here in Tasmania and Victoria. They must have good body confirmation and be mentally sound. We most often start with puppies or young dogs since it takes about 1 1/2 to 2 years to get them trained and ready to attempt certification. Typical retirement age is 8-10 years due to the physically demanding nature of this job. Dogs must be friendly toward people of all ages, cultures, and physical disposition. They must not be aggressive toward other dogs. They must be confident and comfortable working in wilderness or urban settings. Dogs must learn scent work, advanced obedience skills, appropriate behaviour in public and must be happy to look for a complete stranger. They must LOVE the search game. When they are not working, our dogs are beloved members of our families.
The Handlers
The dogs aren't the only ones who need to be knowledgeable. Handlers must learn scent theory and dog training skills, navigation with map and compass, human and canine first aid, radio communication skills, lost person behaviour, crime scene preservation and search strategy. We train all year round in all types of weather and terrain since we never know where or when someone will get lost. Like the dogs, handlers must be able to withstand weather extremes. This includes leeches and rain in the spring, mosquitoes and heat in the summer, slush and mud in autumn, and ice and freezing temperatures in the winter. We get dirty, stinky and wet. Our team members must be physically able to hike long distances over a variety of terrain. We put lots of km's on our boots! This is not a job for everyone! Especially since we are all unpaid volunteers.
Where You Come In
Though we are a small unit, expenses do add up. As unpaid volunteers, each handler is financially responsible for all aspects of training, certifying and working actual searches. Dogs and handlers spend hundreds of hours training together each year. We train as a unit most weekends year round. Most members attend national or local seminars to hone their skills and learn new things. Field eligible teams must re-certify with an outside evaluator from the Australian Search Dog Federation annually. Handlers must be first aid/CPR and search certified. Dogs must pass lots of tests. Responding to a callout may require that we take time away from our paid jobs. All of these things cost money. Other expenses include: petrol for training and searches, wear and tear on vehicles, equipment (such as gps units, radios, appropriate all weather clothing, and various K9 gear. It's amazing how many toys our dogs go through in a year's time since they are rewarded with their favourite item when they make a find!), and veterinary care for the dogs to make sure they stay in top physical condition. We spend our time, money and efforts on all of these things because we believe that well trained dog/handler teams can be a valuable asset in a search for a missing loved one.
If you believe that too, please consider supporting K9 SAR Inc with a donation in any amount.
An autistic child leaves the house unseen, a hunter or hiker goes missing, an Alzheimer's patient wanders away, a person suspected of suicide can't be found, investigators get a new tip on a cold case. Established in 2015 as a charity organisation, K9 SAR Inc is a canine search and rescue unit operating in both Tasmania and Victoria. We provide specially trained dog/handler teams to assist public safety agencies in lost person searches - such as those described above. Our services are free of charge to requesting law enforcement agencies and are available 24/7/365. We primarily serve the states of Tasmania and Victoria, but can also work in other states and overseas.
How Are Teams Used?
Teams are trained to work in three main areas:
Trailing/Tracking - The dog follows the scent of a living person on the ground. The K9 works on-long line and harness towing the handler behind;
Air Scent - Dogs use air currents to follow scent in to the missing person. Typically, these dogs work off-leash and quarter an area much like a hunting dog; and
Human Remains Detection (Cadaver Dogs) - These K9s are trained to locate and alert to the scent of human remains.
About the Dogs
Dogs can be pure breeds or mixed. They must be able to withstand the weather extremes we experience here in Tasmania and Victoria. They must have good body confirmation and be mentally sound. We most often start with puppies or young dogs since it takes about 1 1/2 to 2 years to get them trained and ready to attempt certification. Typical retirement age is 8-10 years due to the physically demanding nature of this job. Dogs must be friendly toward people of all ages, cultures, and physical disposition. They must not be aggressive toward other dogs. They must be confident and comfortable working in wilderness or urban settings. Dogs must learn scent work, advanced obedience skills, appropriate behaviour in public and must be happy to look for a complete stranger. They must LOVE the search game. When they are not working, our dogs are beloved members of our families.
The Handlers
The dogs aren't the only ones who need to be knowledgeable. Handlers must learn scent theory and dog training skills, navigation with map and compass, human and canine first aid, radio communication skills, lost person behaviour, crime scene preservation and search strategy. We train all year round in all types of weather and terrain since we never know where or when someone will get lost. Like the dogs, handlers must be able to withstand weather extremes. This includes leeches and rain in the spring, mosquitoes and heat in the summer, slush and mud in autumn, and ice and freezing temperatures in the winter. We get dirty, stinky and wet. Our team members must be physically able to hike long distances over a variety of terrain. We put lots of km's on our boots! This is not a job for everyone! Especially since we are all unpaid volunteers.
Where You Come In
Though we are a small unit, expenses do add up. As unpaid volunteers, each handler is financially responsible for all aspects of training, certifying and working actual searches. Dogs and handlers spend hundreds of hours training together each year. We train as a unit most weekends year round. Most members attend national or local seminars to hone their skills and learn new things. Field eligible teams must re-certify with an outside evaluator from the Australian Search Dog Federation annually. Handlers must be first aid/CPR and search certified. Dogs must pass lots of tests. Responding to a callout may require that we take time away from our paid jobs. All of these things cost money. Other expenses include: petrol for training and searches, wear and tear on vehicles, equipment (such as gps units, radios, appropriate all weather clothing, and various K9 gear. It's amazing how many toys our dogs go through in a year's time since they are rewarded with their favourite item when they make a find!), and veterinary care for the dogs to make sure they stay in top physical condition. We spend our time, money and efforts on all of these things because we believe that well trained dog/handler teams can be a valuable asset in a search for a missing loved one.
If you believe that too, please consider supporting K9 SAR Inc with a donation in any amount.