“The pain and suffering may besanctioned in popular conception of theinfernal regions but have no proper placehere on earth. Conditions are not yet perfect.Much remains to be done. Society has purgeditself of a great deal of dross. It is nowgrasping at better conditions.”

In 1923, William O. Stillman, president ofthe American Humane Association from 1905 to1924, wrote these words. Today, in 2002,society has indeed become more humane, but,just as in 1923, conditions are still not perfectand much remains to be accomplished. Thisstatement holds true for all of AmericanHumane’s initiatives, and Red Star EmergencyServices is no exception.

The Beginning of Red Star

American Red Star Animal Relief beganbecause President Stillman and other dignitariesof the humane movement in the early 20thcentury understood that the suffering of animalson the battlefield was no more tolerable thanthat of a soldier.

In 1914, a Geneva treaty called theInternational Red Star Alliance was instated. Thepurpose of the alliance was to bring aboutinternational cooperation on behalf of sick orwounded war animals, while securing theneutralization of those engaged in such work.

On June 9, 1915, the Swiss minister sent aletter to President Stillman asking the American

Humane Association toform an internationalorganization to protectanimals used in thewar. Then, on May 22,1916, U.S. Secretary ofWar, Newton D. Baker,officially requestedAmerican Humane“undertake the workof doing for armyanimals what theAmerican Red Cross isdoing for soldiers.”

And so beganAmerican Red Star Animal Relief. As a result ofthese two requests, President Stillman helpedorganize 125 branches of the Red Star acrossthe United States and raised money for suppliesand ambulances for U.S. Army horses. Soonafter, at its 1917 annual conference, the RedStar was asked to broaden its efforts. MajorGriffen of the U.S. Army Veterinarian Corps hadonly one veterinarian and 16 assistants for morethan 400 horses. He asked American Humaneand the Red Star to help recruit moreveterinarians and to purchase supplies for themto treat the horses.

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Disaster Strikes:Look to the Red Star

This symbol marked the

beginning of American

Humane’s animal relief efforts.

War takes its toll on all creatures. Here, a horse, Red Star

dog, and soldier are wounded in combat.

An advertisement in the 1917 NationalHumane Review called for Red Star workerswho were willing to “do their bit” on behalf ofArmy animal relief, without salary and, as faras possible, assuming their own expenses.Humanitarians nationwide volunteered to helpthe effort, despite the meager offerings.President Stillman reported in another 1917issue of the National Humane Review that theAmerican Red Star Animal Relief propagandawas making constant headway. He wrote, “Ifpersons believe in the Red Cross work forsoldiers, they cannot consistently refuse tobelieve in Red Star work for Army horses.”

Before the end of 1917, Red Star had wonthe support of a motion picture celebrity. MaryPickford found “time and inspiration” to beassociated with the work of the Red Star. In anarticle in the National Humane Review,Pickford declared, “I am proud to be associatedwith this wonderful humanitarian enterprise,”thus bringing national attention to the plight ofRed Star to save military dogs and horses.

Issues After the War

After the war, the Red Star focused mainlyon domestic issues, such as starvation amonglivestock, and humane education, distributingmaterials to school children. The Red Star alsobegan to help animal victims of disastersthroughout the country.

During the thin years of the 1930s, the RedStar greatly diminished in size and prominence.But then the massive flood of 1937 occurred,and American Humane launched an effort torevive the Red Star. It again bolstered the visionof President Stillman that “the Red Star be largeenough to cope with any disaster, calling for afund large enough for that purpose.”

The Red Star has evolved throughout themore than 80 years of its existence, andAmerican Humane has never lost theunderstanding of its spirit. Even withstanding theprogram’s name change to the Emergency AnimalRelief (EAR) program, American Humane hasstayed active in helping animals in disasters. Yetneither Red Star nor EAR has reached the level ofDr. Stillman’s intent.

Rebirth of Red Star

In this year of American Humane’s 125thanniversary, the organization has once againrevived the name “Red Star.” This revival showsthe renewed and continued commitmentAmerican Humane has to helping animals and

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An early American Red Star ambulance.

An

advertisement

in the

National

Humane

Review calls

for volunteers

for Red Star.

their families affected by disasters. Each year,disasters prove the continued need for ourservice, as well as the ongoing need for dollarsand manpower. American Humane remainscommitted to making President Stillman’s visiona reality, but we have a long way to go.

National Responders. This year, the RedStar has begun the long road to building aregional plan. The program has created anetwork of National Responders – trainedindividuals throughout the country who areready to go at a moment’s notice. TheseResponders are animal control officers, humanewelfare professionals, firefighters, andemergency medical technicians who havereceived specialized training to rescue animalswithout posing further risk to the animals orthemselves. Their training involves hands-onanimal rescues in common disaster scenarios,such as swift water, high- to low-angle, andequine rescues. More advanced training dealswith helicopter and night operation rescues.

Through the efforts of the NationalResponders, American Humane has helped atthe scene of numerous disasters over the years,including hurricanes Hugo, Andrew, Fran, and

Floyd; earthquakes in San Francisco and LosAngeles; major floods in the Northwest, theMidwest, Georgia, Texas, Kentucky, and NorthDakota; tornadoes in numerous states; summerwildfires; winter blizzards; and even theaftermath of September 11. As the Respondersbecome numerous and better trained, thesevolunteers will become the backbone andpotential directors that will build the Respondernetwork within their regions.

Special fund. Another accomplishment thisyear is the establishment of the Red StarEmergency Fund – a steppingstone to PresidentStillman’s vision of being able to respond to adisaster of any size. This specific fund willsupport National Responder teams or providedirect relief to affected humane organizationsand disaster victims.

Modern times, modern needs. For the RedStar to effectively respond to the needs ofanimals and humane organizations, National

Responders need appropriate tools andequipment. In 1917, the Red Star purchased$60,000 of equipment for General Pershing’sArmy in France. In 2002, the Red Star spendsseveral thousands of dollars annually for

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National Responders save a horse caught in a violent current.

Mary Pickford brings national attention to Red Star’s efforts.

personal safety equipment and machines to beused during disasters.

The flagship of this effort is AmericanHumane’s Animal Planet Rescue truck, amassive rescue rig that features all theresources needed for animal rescue work,including a mobile veterinary clinic; specializedanimal rescue equipment; rescue boats; animalfeed; and cages, kennels, and corrals to houseand rescue animals.

When not responding to a disaster, the truckis a touring educational center that informscommunities about how to prepare for andhandle animals during disasters. At each stop onthe truck’s educational tour, the public iswelcomed into Animal Planet Expo, a 15,000-square-foot interactive experience in which

people can tour the one-of-a-kind 82-foot rig,learn about the services of local animal groups,and participate in animal trivia games for prizes.

Essential training. Equipment andpersonnel do not get the job done withouttraining. During Hurricane Andrew in 1992, itwas evident that people responding to animalneeds did not have enough training to handleanimals or perform technical rescue. AmericanHumane began providing this training, which iscontinuously enhanced with new curricula andnecessary revisions. The Red Star NationalResponders are able to participate in numeroustracks of technical trainings offered severaltimes a year throughout the country.

Ready for Tomorrow’s Disasters

Every year new disasters challengecommunities throughout the United States andaround the world. The government and localofficials are again beginning to recognize theneed for organized and well-trained operationsfor animals. Based on our continuedcommitment to animal welfare, the Red Starwill again be asked to provide this muchneeded support and be a guiding light in themost dire times.

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National Responders rescue one of the many displaced pets

after the tragedy in New York City on September 11.

When disaster strikes, American Humane comes to the

scene in the Animal Planet Rescue Truck.

Reviving the past – American Humane returns

in 2002 to the original Red Star name.