Welcome to SARDA
Search and Rescue Dogs Australia Inc.
Saving Lives
SARDA is a volunteer run, not-for-profit organisation, incorporated since 1994. Two SARDA search dog teams were deployed following the 2009 Black Saturday bush fires and were the first dog teams in Australia to receive the National Emergency Medal. SARDA has been deployed by Victoria Police Search and Rescue on 2 occasions in 2019 , Mt. Buffalo for 2 missing people and Marysville for another missing person. SARDA is now training dog teams in “Live Find Landsar” and a dog team in Human Remains Detection.
What SARDA dog teams do
SARDA search dogs locate survivors by air scenting; they do not track. These dogs are trained to search off lead. They scan the area to pick up the scent of human breath, then narrow in on the source. Working off-lead, they are able to cover large areas very efficiently.
USAR (Urban Search and Rescue)
USAR search dogs locate and alert to trapped or missing persons in disasters situations resulting from explosions or natural disasters; earthquakes, floods, landslides, fires, or terrorist activities.