FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2025
GAM SIGNS EASAPP™ MOU WITH DARTCC
DARTCC and Guardian Angel Ministries Partner to Strengthen Disaster Animal Sheltering Across Vermont
Waterbury, VT & Enosburg Falls, VT – Disaster Animal Response Command Central (DARTCC) and Guardian Angel Ministries (GAM) are pleased to announce the signing of a new Mutual Assistance Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), effective May 10, 2025. This partnership establishes a collaborative framework to enhance the care and protection of companion animals during disasters throughout Vermont.
GAM, a Vermont-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has a long-standing mission of coordinating disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts with a focus on vulnerable animals and communities. With the signing of this agreement, GAM will begin utilizing DARTCC’s Emergency Animal Shelter App (EASApp™), a digital platform built for tracking, managing, and supporting animal sheltering operations during emergency deployments.
“This partnership allows Guardian Angel Ministries to better serve both animals and the communities that depend on them during times of crisis,” said Timothy Stetson, Chair of GAM. “With EASApp™, we’re empowered to respond more efficiently, document more thoroughly, and train more effectively.”
Key features of the partnership include:
- Complimentary access to EASApp™ during declared disasters and major training events.
- Instructional videos made available to registered teams beginning summer 2025.
- Live training opportunities, which may be offered on a case-by-case basis for a fee.
- 90-day data retention window for deployment records, with full download access granted to GAM.
- Clear independence and voluntary participation, ensuring both organizations maintain full operational autonomy.
EASApp™, developed by DARTCC, is designed to simplify emergency shelter documentation, volunteer coordination, and animal care tracking. As both GAM and DARTCC operate as all-volunteer organizations, this partnership represents a grassroots effort to build community resilience and safeguard animals during natural and man-made disasters.
“Our mission is grounded in empowering responders with the tools and training they need,” said Deb Shelby, Executive Director of DARTCC. “Guardian Angel Ministries has been a compassionate force in Vermont, and we’re proud to collaborate with them as they expand their capacity to care for animals during emergencies.”
The MOU is non-binding and does not create legal or financial obligations between parties. It is based on mutual goodwill, respect, and a shared commitment to serving animals in crisis. Either party may terminate the agreement with 30 days’ written notice or through mutual agreement.
Contact Information:
Guardian Angel Ministries (GAM):
Timothy Stetson, Chair
46 Birch Lane
Enosburg Falls, VT 05450
Phone: (802) 933-2513
Email:
Disaster Animal Response Command Central (DARTCC):
Deb Shelby, Executive Director
P.O. Box 72
Waterbury, VT 05465
Phone: (512) 765-5406
Email:
Visit dartcc.org to learn more and make a tax-deductible donation.
About Guardian Angel Ministries: Guardian Angel Ministries (GAM) is a Vermont-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing coordinated disaster response and recovery services, with a focus on protecting companion animals and supporting humane, community-focused solutions during times of crisis.
About DARTCC: Disasters are far too common. And volunteer-run emergency pet shelters need support. With DARTCC, data management lives in one place, allowing volunteers to focus on pet care, not paperwork. DARTCC: an easy-to-learn web/mobile operations platform that anyone can use, anywhere disaster strikes.
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