Beth Stuever, MSU, (517) 432-1555, ext. 177

October 26, 2007

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) received statewide and national recognition for the development of the Spartan County Animal Emergency Response Plan template. The Michigan Emergency Management Association presented the cooperative plan with its Community Award, which recognizes efforts to improve preparedness and emergency response in Michigan’s communities.

“This prestigious honor highlights Michigan’s proactive approach to collaboration and emergency response,” said Don Koivisto, MDA director. “Helping Michigan families be better prepared for animal issues in disasters improves the state’s overall emergency preparedness."

Tom Coon, MSUE director, said the plan is a clear demonstration of how MSUE and MDA play a critical and credible role in emergency management.

"Building partnerships across multiple disciplines to create useful tools is part of the mission of Michigan State University Extension," he said. "This effort brought together university, government, the livestock industry, pet sheltering and rescue organizations, veterinarians, animal control, and emergency management professionals to create a model planning template."

The plan template, spearheaded by Dr. Nancy Barr (MDA) and Dr. Mark Hansen (MSUE), is currently being used across Michigan to develop local emergency plans that include animal issues; it is also used as a resource in other states. The plan is in demand, particularly after enactment of a federal law requiring state and local governments to plan for animals in disasters, put in place after Hurricane Katrina.

For more information on animal emergencies and preparedness, visit one of the following Web sites: web1.msue.msu.edu/emergency/ or www.michigan.gov/mda