Not all dogs are born heroes. But the International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation ensures these dogs become qualified to be part of search and rescue teams worldwide.
Find out who the International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation is and what they do to help disaster victims.
Discover how you can help the organization maintain its operations.
Who is the International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation?
The International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO) is a worldwide umbrella organization for search and rescue dog work and a partner of the United Nations (UN).
They’re based in Salzburg, Austria and they lead a group of over 250,000 people who work with around 2,000 search and rescue dogs.
The goal of the IRO is to train and certify different dog teams so they can help more people in need during emergencies.
These dogs and their handlers are trained to do all sorts of lifesaving work, from rescuing people buried in avalanches to helping find disoriented individuals with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
The IRO’s members are available 24/7, 365 days a year to help people in need. That’s over 120 dedicated members who are always ready to jump into action.
IRO was founded in 1993 and is a non-profit organization. They rely on donations and partnerships to provide search and rescue dog teams and certify dogs for the job.
It’s really amazing to see the hard work they do to help those in need all over the world!
How International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation Started
The organization has been saving lives for 25 years. But it all started when a devastating earthquake in Armenia happened in 1988.
The incident raised the question of international cooperation in search and rescue dog training.
The ISRO was founded to coordinate better between disaster relief workers, search and rescue dog teams, and authorities.
Since then, the organization has created 33,670 deployments worldwide, 2,000 certified search and rescue dogs, and 131 members across 43 countries.
The organization now works with the UN to develop and improve SAR dog work.
What Does the International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation Do?
The International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation believes that dogs are not born heroes. But they can be made through professional training, functional exercises, and examinations.
The training of search and rescue dogs initiates at eight weeks. Their experts organize courses, training, and testing events to prepare the furry friends for disaster.
The organization has different teaching methods for tracking avalanches, area, rubble, and water search operations.
The first test they encounter is the V-test to evaluate the dog for agility, nerve strength, and other factors.
Then they take further tests, called A- and B-tests, and once passed they go into a training period for 2 to 3 years.
Aside from conducting search and rescue operations, the International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation also runs events and training for humans.
Check out International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation’s events to see what is coming up.
How You Can Help International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation
There are many ways to help the International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation keep providing service to humans.
Donations
You can donate any amount on their website and customize the frequency of contributions. They accept payments via PayPal, Klarna, SEPA, and credit cards.
Start a Fundraiser
Another way to get involved is by starting a fundraiser. Whether you have a birthday or are planning to make a bake sale, small contributions from your community can be a massive help to the International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation.
Check out the IRO’s fundraising page for ideas and suggestions on how to do a fundraiser. You can hold a raffle, offer pet-sitting services, organize a creative event, or join a flea market.
Partnerships
The organization also appreciates partnerships because they believe in achieving more together.
Companies can support the organization through corporate donations, product cooperation, employee campaigns, and more.
The International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation is the worldwide organization for different search and rescue dog work programs of the United Nations.
Find out about their partnerships here.
Follow them on Socials
You can also follow them on social media and help spread the word. Here are the links to their social media accounts:
Hopefully, this post has inspired you to make a difference with dogs, for dogs.
Many other organizations are dedicated to making the world better for our furry friends. Check out other organizations you can support from our Charity Series.
