09.26.05
While SART cannot dictate what any individual does or does not do, it
is important to reiterate the SART position and process during times of disaster:
a. SART responds to requests made to it through official channels for
assistance. It does not support or sanction "freelance" activities by
individuals.
b. Individuals who take upon themselves the initiative to become
involved without being part of an official SART deployment or action do
so without the benefit of liability protection from SART, and are not
authorized to represent SART in communications or other ways.
While these may seem to be restrictive, we have found that it is an
essential set of simple guidelines.
For example, we have been told on good authority that individuals may
in fact be prevented from removing animals from the gulf area, making a
private trip to the area not only futile but potentially disruptive to
efforts underway to assist individuals already there.
We encourage and support CART members as appropriate to assist
individuals who are relocated here from the gulf area and who bring
animals with them in finding whatever needs they have for those animals.
Thank you for your dedicated help and assistance, and your patience as
we sort out the maze of often conflicting information that is being
received.
