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About the State of Maine Animal Response Team

The State of Maine Animal Response Team (SMART) is a collaborative partnership of nine federal, state and private organizations with animal interests. Launched in June 2004, SMART’s mission is to support a unifying network that protects human and animal health through preparation, response and recovery for animal emergencies in Maine.  

SMART has three programs of activity:

  • Public education aimed at building personal preparedness among animal owners.
  • Integrating animal disaster planning into Emergency Management systems, critical to protecting public health and safety and safeguarding animal lives
  • Facilitating the formation of local Animal Response Teams building a network of local animal emergency responders 

SMART follows the structure and principles of the Incident Command System (ICS), and operates under the auspices of state and county Emergency Management. SMART adheres to a model that has been endorsed by the United States Department of Agriculture, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, and the Humane Society of the United States.

For more information about SMART, send an e-mail to SMART@maine.gov.