Do you accept donations?

We do accept and greatly appreciate donations. We accept donations in the form of financial support and equipment. You will find a donate button on the home page of this website or under the donate tab. For anything else please feel free to email us. We truly appreciate all the support we receive. 

What do you do with the donations?

All donations we receive directly support the canines of this program. Financial support will be applied towards vet bills, equipment needs, training aids, etc. If you would like to support something specific, that can be arranged as well.  

What is Urban Search and Rescue?

Urban search and rescue (abbreviated as USAR or US&R) is a type of technical rescue operation that involves the location, extrication, and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in an urban area, namely structural collapse due to natural disasters, war, terrorism or accidents, mines and collapsed trenches.

How do your dogs deploy? How do we request you for a search?

Our canines deploy as part of a search team. At a minimum a search team will include a search team manager, and two search specialists teams. A search specialist team includes one K-9, one handler and typically a search manager. Other positions of the technical rescue team will be filled as needed, based on mission specific needs. The K-9 division is able to deploy as a single resource, or as part of the entire technical rescue team. 

To Request Idaho Disaster Dogs for a search, the authority having jurisdiction (Often the lead law enforcement agency) will need to formally make the request to the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and/or Central Dispatch in Kootenai County. We cannot deploy a search team without a formal request. 

Why do dogs like to search?

The canines are utilizing their natural hunt drive to search for people. At the end of a successful search exercise, they are rewarded. To overly simplify it, they are basically playing hide and seek, with a paycheck after successfully completing the search.  

Where do the dogs live?

Each dog resides with their handler, which assures their constant high level of care, training and relationship. 

How much does a search dog cost?

It is unknown exactly how much we spend on each dog through their entire trainings course, but best estimates are close to $15,000.

Rescue vs Recovery?

There are two modes of search and rescue in reference to disaster work. Rescue which is where we are actively searching for live victims, and recovery, where we are searching for victims who did not survive the event. Our canines are not cross trained in both rescue and recovery, but we have canines trained specifically in each category. 

How long does it take to train a dog?

Typically it takes around two years to train a dog for technical/disaster search and rescue. Once they pass their certification tests with their handler, they are then a formal asset for incidents. They will then spend the rest of their career being exposed to new and more challenging search problems. The experience they gain in their lifetime can prove invaluable during an incident. 

How do I get involved in search and rescue?

Search and rescue is a much broader mission that many people realize. There are many specialized facets within the realm of S.A.R. We recommend starting with some research on the subject and then contacting your local search team. This is a great starting point to see what fits with your abilities and goals. Often times a sheriff’s office is a good place to start when trying to locate the agency who coordinates your local team. 

Do your dogs only search in disaster situations?

Although disaster search is our primary mission, our canines are able to perform other searches. We love working with our other regional partners, in any way we can be of benefit. Our canines have worked well in various disciplines including technical USAR, wilderness, avalanche and other various situations. If the authority having jurisdiction needs more information, we would be happy to advise if we feel we can be of benefit.