General Information

 

Organization:  The Team was founded in September 2000 as a nonprofit Texas corporation.  In November of 2000 the Team received its 501 (c)(3) ruling from the Internal Revenue Service.  The official name of the organization is K-9 Search and Rescue of Texas (“K-9 SAR TX”).  The mailing address is P.O. Box 667396, Houston, Texas 77266-7396.  For additional information please contact the general information number at (713) 415-6648.  In the case of an emergency call 713-817-2282 or 281-932-7351.

 

Employees:  All members of K-9 SAR TX are volunteers.  There are no paid employees.

 

Active Members:  K-9 SAR TX has two types of Active Members: K-9 Handlers and Support Personnel (Field Support and Operations Support).  A prospective member (“Candidate”) must complete a probationary period of six (6) months and meet certain basic requirements before becoming an Active Member.  Active Members are required to be at least 18 years of age, pass a FBI fingerprint background check, pay annual dues of $75.00, pass a certification and re-certification as deemed necessary by the Team Administrator ("Administrator") and/or Training Coordinator ("TC")..

 

Candidates:  Individuals interested in becoming members are allowed a maximum of six visits before they must commit to candidacy.  After the sixth visit a Membership Application and the Membership Application fee of $50.00 must be submitted.  Prior to acceptance of a Membership Application two or more Active Members will interview the prospective Candidate. In addition, the Candidate must pass a FBI fingerprint background check. The Candidate shall be informed if their application will be accepted.  Becoming and maintaining an active membership in K-9 SAR TX requires a substantial commitment of time and money.  Please give careful consideration to your personal resources before submitting your application. The six-month probationary period begins upon acceptance of the Membership Application by the Team. Canine candidates are subject to an evaluation prior to acceptance in the canine program.

 

Supporting Members: K-9 SAR TX needs your help in fielding a mission ready team.  Individuals who, due to time and other commitments, can participate on only a limited basis are welcome to participate in certain activities.  The Team needs help in public relations, fundraising, as well as volunteers to be subjects for training exercises.  Supporting Members must pay a background check fee of $5 and pass the background check. Depending on the nature of their support they may also be required to complete additional training and pass a FBI fingerprint background check.  If you would like to help in this capacity please contact the Administrator.

 

Visitors: Visitors attending a K-9 SAR TX function must have a liability waiver on file and be sponsored by an attending Member.  Minors, defined as anyone under 18 years of age, are not currently accepted as members. Therefore, any minors attending any K-9 SAR TX training or event must have on file a liability waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian and must be sponsored by a Member present at the event or training at which they are present.  Visitors may not bring canines to K-9 SAR TX events or functions unless the Administrator or TC gives approval.  Visitors are observers and are not allowed to participate in K-9 SAR TX training or functions unless they are requested to do so by the Administrator or TC.  The Administrator shall be the visitor contact for the Team.

 

K-9 Partners:  K-9 Partners are those that choose to support the Team through a monetary contribution or a donation of equipment, services or supplies.  For more information see the How You Can Help page of this site.

 

Training: K-9 SAR TX conducts semiweekly training sessions.  Additional training will be necessary in order to become and remain mission ready.  Most training takes place outdoors – day and night in all types of weather.  Training is physically demanding work.  Members must maintain adequate physical and mental conditioning in order to participate in Search and Rescue activities.

 

Business Meetings: The Board of Directors of K-9 SAR TX conducts  business meetings, as needed. Meetings are open to Members, Candidates and K-9 Partners unless closed by the Board.

 

Transportation: Travel to and from training, searches and other functions are by private vehicle.  All Members and Candidates must provide proof of auto liability coverage in order to participate in K-9 SAR TX functions.  K-9 SAR TX does not own any vehicles.

 

Equipment: All members must have a cell phone or pager.  Each Member is responsible for supplying and maintaining their personal search gear and equipment.  A list of required equipment can be found in the Standards.

 

Callouts: K-9 SAR TX will only respond to requests by Law Enforcement or other responsible agencies. With approval from the responsible agency K-9 SAR TX will assist other search organizations.  K-9 SAR TX will not respond to searches for criminals or suspected criminals without express approval by the Board of Directors. Generally, only Active Members will respond to callouts.  However, from time to time when the situation warrants certain Candidates and/or qualified Supporting Members may be called upon to fill field or operations support functions.

 

Standards of Conduct: The Standards of Conduct of K-9 SAR TX are to be observed by all current and prospective members.

 

Confidentiality:  All participants will keep confidential all information obtained as a result of K-9 SAR TX search activities.

 

Termination of Membership: When, for whatever reason, a member or other participant is no longer affiliated with the Team, K-9 SAR TX shall have the right to repurchase all materials, equipment, supplies, shirts, etc. purchased from K-9 SAR TX or its suppliers.  Any of the foregoing that were procured by K-9 SAR TX on the departing individual’s behalf shall be returned, without compensation, to the Administrator.  No copies of any team materials shall be made and/or retained by the departing individual.

 

 

IF YOU ARE JOINING THIS ORGANIZATION TO SEE YOUR NAME IN THE NEWS MEDIA, DO NOT JOIN.  ANY UNAUTHORIZED CONTACT WITH THE NEWS MEDIA WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXPULSION.

 

 

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