The K9 Search and Rescue Association of the Western Cape (K9SARA) was at the 4×4 Outdoor and Adventure Expo, held at the Elgin-Grabouw Sports Club grounds from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 November, to demonstrate the dogs’ prowess, but also to make the public aware that they can and should become involved – a bit like the NSRI.
The training of the special skills of each dog was demonstrated and explained. Some dogs sniff out cadavers, others specific living people and others living people in general. The dogs sniffing for living people will ignore the dead and the other way round.
This training takes a lot of dedication of the dog handlers, who are all volunteers. The process literally takes years.
They also need people who will come and help them train the dogs. Not dog trainers, but people who would love to spend some time sitting under a tree (reading a book) and who would love to play with the dog as soon as the dog has found them.
If you would like to join as a dog handler you don’t need to have a dog to start off with. Sometimes it is better to start without a dog and by the time you are ready they will help you find the right dog for you.
You can volunteer to become a dog handler, sponsor or donate to the cause on www.k9sara.co.za. Donations can involve dog food or other needed items as well as cash. When they go to a disaster, like the George building collapse for example, they need money for fuel, accommodation and food for the dogs and themselves.
K9SARA are available for searching for missing, lost and disaster searches around-the-clock, nationally. The units can only be deployed by Metro EMS, the police, the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre and Wilderness Search And Rescue.
When joining K9SARA, it is important to note it is not about training your dog – it is about being available around-the-clock for any kind of rescue. The dog will get it quite quickly, because for them it is one big game, but for the handlers, it is about being dedicated. A call-out will never come at a convenient time. All costs not sponsored are borne by the volunteers themselves.
