ASPCA Names Dr. Dick Green Director of Disaster Response

NEW YORK--The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced the appointment of Dr. Dick Green as director of Disaster Response for the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team. Dr. Green will be responsible for leading the efforts of the Disaster Response department, which covers natural and man-made disasters as well as large and small animal rescue operations. He will also oversee the ASPCA's internal disaster readiness program and develop partnerships with national and local agencies to enhance the organization's disaster response capabilities.

"Dick Green's commitment to animal welfare and exceptional leadership in the field will enable the ASPCA to further strengthen its disaster response bandwidth and save countless more animals nationwide," said Matt Bershadker, senior vice president of the ASPCA's Anti-Cruelty Group. "His dedication to rescuing animals displaced by natural and man-made disasters resonates with the ASPCA's mission, and we're delighted to have him join our organization."

"Dick is a well-known expert who has successfully led numerous animal rescue operations on both domestic and international levels," added Tim Rickey, senior director of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. "His extensive background in the industry will be a valuable asset in helping our organization develop new partnerships, and I'm thrilled to have him on board to advance and expand our disaster response work."

Dr. Green joins the ASPCA from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), where he served as emergency response manager of disasters and recently led large-scale response operations in India, Japan and Pakistan. In 2011, Dr. Green managed the animal rescue and relief efforts of 24 domestic and international responses, including the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan and severe flooding that affected communities in upstate New York following Hurricane Irene. Additionally, he organized and facilitated a two-day meeting of world experts on the effects of radiation on animals following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, and submitted recommendations which were accepted by the Government of Japan.

It was also at IFAW where Dr. Green established and chaired the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC) in early 2006 following Hurricane Katrina. NARSC is comprised of 13 animal welfare groups, including the ASPCA, and it is the first coalition in the nation that is dedicated to working with all levels of government and non-government agencies in finding collaborative solutions to major human-animal emergency issues. Dr. Green will once again assume the Chair position in January and continues to participate as a key player during domestic and international disasters as well as animal cruelty cases.

Dr. Green has successfully led field operations for various animal rescues across the country, including recovery efforts during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita with the American Humane Association, and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike during his time at IFAW. Additionally, Dr. Green has made frequent trips to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to improve animal welfare conditions since the January 2010 earthquake there and spearheaded a study which identified effective efforts for vaccination and spay/neuter initiatives to provide animal welfare groups with essential information to design and target areas of Port-au-Prince with the greatest need for future intervention activities. Dr. Green has made monumental contributions to the field of animal rescue and relief efforts worldwide by applying scientific background and research to response efforts.

"The ASPCA is a recognized leader in the U.S. for working collaboratively with other agencies in addressing animals in crisis, and I'm excited to be joining the organization," said Dr. Green. "With disaster incidents increasing and our country experiencing severe weather conditions, I hope to expand our response capacity and continue to help animals in critical need."

Dr. Green is a frequent speaker on such topics as best practices in animal evacuations, relief and recovery efforts. He is also certified in numerous animal rescue operations, including swift water and rope rescue, technical animal rescue, and has completed the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA coursework. Dr. Green has a doctorate in education from Brigham Young University, and was Assistant Professor at Gonzaga University and the University of Puget Sound.

The ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team frequently responds to natural disasters, including major events like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008, and is commonly called upon by state and municipal governments and other animal welfare partners to lend expertise during large-scale animal rescue operations. This year alone, the ASPCA has assisted more than 20,000 animals throughout the country that were affected by natural disasters, including the tornado response in Joplin, Mo. and severe flooding in Memphis, Tenn., Caruthersville, Mo., and several communities in upstate New York following Hurricane Irene.