I have two comments about the Phoenix segments. First, the EAMTs rescue sick animals, many of whom need urgent care. The producers of the show need to let the EAMTs spend less time talking to the cameramen about what they are doing and more time providing the care the animals need.
Secondly, EAMTs units are needed in every community in this country. How can I help start such a unit in my area?
I live in Phoenix and I am married to one the EAMTs and I just wanted to share with all of you how much they all love what they do and how they all give 120% all the time! they never clock out! If an animal needs help at 2:00am then they go! They are the only "pet paramedics" in the country. They are a private, nonprofit,organization, they are funded by donations and do not receive any government funding. ( I think if my husband didn't have us to come home to he would live at the shelter! lol.) I did ask my husband if having the camera crew around made it harder to work and his reply was that they make him feel so comfortable that he hardly knows that they are there! I know that for me at least it made me feel better knowing the animal comes first whether they get the shot or not! Christene
I think what the EAMTs go through every day is amazing. I have had a chance to ride along with at least one of the EAMTs and for her it is a non-stop job. In fact it is a hard job that these people can't shut off. As for Animal Planet being in the way of their jobs it is simply not true. The EAMTs are so used to having them and other members of the media around so they have no problems doing their jobs.
Cat Galaxy is doing a series of stories on them now and you can definately see how tough the job is. Often times the outcome is not so pleasent and other times they are absolutely wonderful. Just like the police and firefighters it is not something they can just shut off like a light switch. Often times they are on the job even when they are at home. A lot of the EAMTs have also adopted a few of the animals they have rescued and have fostered others.
I recommend people read the series Cat Galaxy is doing on them. There is a lot of emotion in the stories being written. How the EAMTs manage to get through the day is pretty incredible considering the amount of cases they have to deal with.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: catprotector,
Umm i was wondering about a question that wasn't answered from the original message. Is there something we can do to get a EAMT system in other communities. Because im sure Phenix isn't the only place that needs them....
For those with the question regarding EAMTs in other communities here is the answer.
Contact the Animal Planet Heroes Hotline at 602.997.7585, Ext. 2222. You can request info by leaving a message with contact info and the Public Information office from the AHS will call you back. I would also leave your email address on the message as well.
I've been through the EAMT Academy and am certified through the AHS. I can tell you that if you were to become a certified Vet Tech and also work in an Emergency Animal Hospital, you'd then BE an EAMT without the certificate. But let me say this, it's a job like any other, there's plenty of down time when it's slow, there's plenty of politics within and you'd do better to work in an animal hospital where you do more than set I.V.'s and wrap wounds before handing the animals over to the hospital where the real work takes place. The EAMT's do a great job at what they do, but they are limited and often simply need to get the animal to the Vet a.s.a.p. The EAMT Investigators have the tough job as far as I'm concerned. It's a repeat offender business and they have to walk a fine line with people to do what is best for the animal. Don't forget, this is t.v. you are watching, not every call they go on is exciting.
Congrats on that dolphin. I'm not sure the EAMT's are prepared to see a dolphin cry though. Seriously though, I think being a vet tech and working at a clinic is a much more detailed environment and can be fast paced at times. Then again it also depends on how the clinic is run. I've seen some where I wouldn't even considering putting my cats in their care. Good thing I found a vet that is not only good at what they do but also cares about their patients.
Politics happen in any business you are in. From the standpoint of the EAMTs you not only have to follow a command structure but also the law. In many situations they have to have police assistance when seizing an animal. When it comes to seizing an animal they need either need to have the person's permission via signature or if resistance is shown, a court order.
It's interesting you mentioned that not every call they go on is exciting but when it comes to the media they always want that exciting story. Sure they sometimes want that feel good human interest story but overall a story that has action or some kind of excitement is in the majority.
Working for a radio station I can definately tell you we work on stories that are both exciting and some that might be considered boring but we know also has substance and an important message behind it. If you reach one listener, reader or viewer then you have done your job and politics won't matter.
Just one point to correct on animal seizures, Cat. ANY time an animal is seized the police are involved. That is because the seizure notice must be signed by a police officer. The police are the ones technically seizing the animal, but based on the investigation done by the AHS. This is a relationship that has taken time to develop, but the police trust the judgement of the EAMTs when it comes to animals. Any hearings on the seizure are then attended by the EAMTs, who must justify the seizure. (As of yet they have not had one seizure deemed invalid by a court.)
There is no seizure when the owner gives permission for the animal to be removed - that is an owner surrender.
A court order is not necessary to seize an animal.
First off Starr and everyone else, this might get a little lengthy so please forgive me on this one. I'm going to approach this on two different angles because the cases we hear most about are animal cruelty and animal hoarding.
From what has been read in both scenarios, unless a person signs over the animal (ie owner surrender) to the AHS, they (the EAMTs) can't just enter a person's home to seize an animal. Even the police can't enter a person's home and seize property without getting a warrant from the court. Most of the time the AHS does obtain permission by the owner of the home or property but the law still has to be followed. In the case of a possible hoarding situation there are a lot of what-ifs but even in that situation if the animals are being well cared for, the AHS can't just say "we're taking them."
The situation which some neighbor reports as having too many cats for example could be a foster home for one of the other rescues. Sure, the AHS will probably go out and investigate but then again they might not if they know which rescue group is fostering the animals. Believe it or not many rescue groups rely on having foster homes instead of a typical shelter scenario like the AHS. Many times you will see these groups at adoption events at your local Petsmart.
But in the case of suspected animal cruelty, if the home owner refuses to give permission to the EAMTs to enter a home then they call the police. If they deny entry to the police, then a court order or warrant has to be obtained and issued unless of course the person has a warrant for their arrest or other justifyable cause for entering. I'm sure your husband could tell you that they probably have gone on calls where one person reports another person has abused an animal and it turns out to be false because of a neighbor dispute. Yes, animal cruelty happens every day but even some can be falsely submitted.
What people need to understand is that the cruelty unit of the AHS is not a law enforecement agency. Yes, they can enter a person's property in order to save an animal in distress but they can't arrest a person or prosecute them. That's up to the police and the County Attorney to do and the court's to decide that person's fate. But if the proper paperwork is not filed or the correct procedures followed then the AHS's case could fall apart.
Of course presently our animal cruelty laws are weak so even if they make an arrest, the person is able to plea it down to a lesser charge. There are plenty cases where the AHS didn't get the victory of the person going to jail for animal cruelty because either the defendent got a plea deal or their was lack of evidence. It's unfortunate that this always seems to happen because the real victim, the animal is the one that suffers most.
It would be great if other rescue groups in the Phoenix metro area had animal cruelty units. The AAWL had one but it's gone. The thing is many groups don't have the funding for such a venture.
On a totally unrelated subject which I direct towards Starr herself. Perhaps you missed it, so I'll ask again. Does your company have soaps or candles in the shape of cats? It'd be nice to have those types of items around here. Plain old soaps are fine but it'd be nice to have something fun to put in the bathroom which fits the feline state of mind. Thanks.
Im not crazy Just Excited~~Its FINIALLY HERE!! AN ALL NEW SEASON OF Animal Planiet Heroes Phoenix Season(2)WORLD PREMIER TONIGHT~ 3/19/07 @10:00PM!! SS&C
I'm sorry Cat~Man, (been busy) Yes I do! I can pretty much anything you want! Candles,Soaps,even makeup! I just didn't want to make this about me! ~You know~ Send me an email and I will hook you up! SS&C
No worries. I've been busy myself. The candles and soaps are fine. I don't need makeup unless I get some big acting job. Thanks for the response though. After we move I'll send you an email regarding the cat candles and soap. It'd be a nice to have them around the new place.
BTW, cat and kitten season has begun and no doubt all of us in the cat community will be busy.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: catprotector,
and I just wanted to share with all of you how much they all love what they do and how they all give 120% all the time! they never clock out! If an animal needs help at 2:00am then they go! They are the only "pet paramedics" in the country. They are a private, nonprofit,organization, they are funded by donations and do not receive any government funding. ( I think if my husband didn't have us to come home to he would live at the shelter! lol.) I did ask my husband if having the camera crew around made it harder to work and his reply was that they make him feel so comfortable that he hardly knows that they are there! I know that for me at least it made me feel better knowing the animal comes first whether they get the shot or not! 
Just Excited~~Its FINIALLY HERE!! AN ALL NEW SEASON OF Animal Planiet Heroes Phoenix Season(2)WORLD PREMIER TONIGHT~ 3/19/07 @10:00PM!! SS&C
