Why rescue aquatic pets? (Why rescue fish?)
After over 30 years of disaster planning, teaching preparedness, responding to natural and man-made disasters, assisting with recovery, and helping with the behavioral health impact of the disaster, it was time to retire from going to the disaster site, but we wanted to continue to help in some capacity that filled an unmet need. After talking with our animal response colleagues, we decided to put our hobby and love of raising Koi to the service of our fellow fish enthusiasts by expanding our hobby into a fully operational aquatic fish rescue.
Why did the High Alert Institute Aquatic Animal Rescue perform no rescues in 2020 and 2021?
Three Reasons:
1) We received no requests for aquatic animal rescue in our service area in 2020 and 2021.
2) After spending the first two decades after 9/11 working with our Federal Partner Agencies to
improve disaster readiness across the disaster lifecycle for hospitals, frontline healthcare
professionals, and first responders, in December 2019 we were asked to assist with the COVID-
19 pandemic response.
3) For reasons of social distancing and the overriding need for the pandemic response, the
Institute was forced to suspend rescue and rehoming operations. Meanwhile, the fish in our
care spawned and our shelter is now near capacity. The Institute returned to normal operations
in June 2022, including our aquatic pet rescue and shelter, just in time for hurricane season.
Why did the High Alert Institute Aquatic Animal Shelter not rehome any animals in 2020 or 2021?
Two Reasons:
1) We received no requests to adopt an animal in 2020 or 2021.
2) For reasons of social distancing and the overriding need for the pandemic response, the
Institute was forced to suspend rescue and rehoming operations. Meanwhile, the fish in our
care spawned and our shelter is now near capacity. The Institute returned to normal operations
in June 2022, including our aquatic pet rescue and shelter, just in time for hurricane season.
Why has the High Alert Institute NOT recruited donors or sponsors before 2022?
Why has the High Alert Institute NOT recruited donors or sponsors before 2022
Since it was founded in 2011, the High Alert Institute has been blessed with the ability to pay for its operations and programs with a combination of funds earned by providing Disaster Readiness education and the financial resources of its founders. Our founders own the 5-acre campus that houses the Institute, installing three 1000+ gallon shelter tanks and 60,000 gallons of filtration capacity for the Institute. Our founders provide grid power, solar power, a wind turbine, and a propane generator to ensure that on-site power generation capacity will run the aquaponic pumps and filtration without external financial support. The founders also designed for the Institute’s future, planning an additional 64,000 gallons of long-term shelter tanks/ponds for additional animals. However, even as these plans were taking shape, our founders were forced to retire due to one founder’s progressive disability. Our founders still want to make an impact and leave a legacy but can no longer be the sole financial support for the Institute. Our founders remain financial supporters and are active in the organization’s leadership, using their extensive experience and networks to advance the mission and programs of the High Alert Institute.
Why are IS-100.c, IS-200.c, IS-700.b and IS-800.d mandatory training for disaster readiness and continuity plan education?
All federal, state, territorial, local, tribal, private sector, and non-governmental personnel at the entry-level, first line supervisor level, middle management level, and command and general staff level of emergency management operations must complete ICS-100 level training.
All federal, state, territorial, local, tribal, private sector, and non-governmental personnel at the first line supervisor level, middle management level, and command and general staff level of emergency management operations must complete ICS-200 level training.
All federal, state, territorial, local, tribal, private sector, and non-governmental personnel at the first line supervisor level, middle management level, and command and general staff level of emergency management operations must complete NIMS (ICS-700) and NRF (ICS-800) level training.
Why is rescuing an aquatic pet as important as rescuing a dog or cat?
Because someone loves that aquatic pet and does not want to add the loss of that pet to all the other losses following a disaster. When you own a dog or cat, you can take that animal with you when you evacuate. Most shelters are now “pet friendly” giving the dog and cat owner the power to save their beloved fur baby. But if you own 10 Koi that are 12 to 18 inches long each, you need a 200-gallon transport tank and no shelter will let you wheel in a 200-gallon barrel of fish. The aquatic pet owner is powerless to save their beloved scale babies. The goal of all rescues, human or pet, is to reduce loss and suffering. Aquatic pets are no different.
Why are you limited to “freshwater non-native exotic and ornamental” fish?
State laws specify that all saltwater aquatic animals are rescued by licensed pet brokers (fish wholesales or retailers) or the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. All native freshwater species are similarly restricted to rescue by the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. State law does NOT designate a rescue agency for “freshwater non-native exotic and ornamental” fish, making these pets and their owners an underserved community which falls in the charter of the High Alert Institute, Inc.
Your Title Goes Here
State laws specify that all saltwater aquatic animals are rescued by licensed pet brokers (fish wholesales or retailers) or the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. All native freshwater species are similarly restricted to rescue by the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. State law does NOT designate a rescue agency for “freshwater non-native exotic and ornamental” fish, making these pets and their owners an underserved community which falls in the charter of the High Alert Institute, Inc.
How long do you keep the rescued fish?
There are several overlapping time lines that determine the final home for rescued fish. For biosecurity reasons, all rescued fish are placed in isolation tanks with the pond-mates they arrived with for six weeks. After the six weeks, these fish are cleared to enter the community ponds. We also recognize that power outages and home pond repairs take time, therefore we hold rescued fish in their private tank until the Federal Disaster Declaration is ended. This is typically 8 weeks. Finally, if a pet owner makes arrangements with us for longer sheltering, we attempt to accommodate reasonable requests. Once a pet enters the community pond, it is considered surrendered and is rehomed to a public botanical or aquatic garden. If a pet owner arrives to claim a pet in the community pools, we make every effort to catch it for them. If we cannot catch it, we let them pick another surrendered fish that is slated for rehoming.
Isn’t it cheaper to replace a dead fish than rescue a fish?
No. Our planned 100 rescue tanks can support 2,000 rescued fish per disaster. Given our projected annual budget, the average cost to rescue a fish is $474.75. The value of a fully grown, adult freshwater non-native exotic and ornamental fish is $350 to $1,500. If the fish are a spawning pair, the value per fish is $750 to $2000. Competition fish and fish imported from Japan can cost $20,000 to $35,000. The record for a championship fish at auction is $2.2 million.
Isn’t it cheaper to rescue dogs and cats?
No. The average cost per rescue and rehome of a dog is $3,842 while cats cost $2,561. Fish are a bargain for donors at $474.75. Each dollar saves 8 times the number of pets when donated to the High Alert Institute, Inc.
Is Freshwater Non-native Exotic and Ornamental Aquatic Pet (pond fish) dumping REALLY a problem?
YES. Non-native fish released into public ponds, lakes and rivers become invasive species that have had a documented negative impact on native fish species in the Mississippi River and many of its connected waterways, particularly in the middle and lower parts of the river. While there is no system-wide research illustrating the overall impact of these non-native fish, research in Missouri over the course of two decades of monitoring showed that as populations increased, populations of bigmouth buffalo and gizzard shad decreased. Non-native fish out-competed native (and threatened) paddlefish for food resources in experimental pond studies, possibly due to dietary overlap. These fish consume large amounts of food each day, primarily plankton, and their overall impact on species that share their food sources is unknown. Each year the US Fish and Wildlife Service invasive species removal programs capture over 113,000 pounds of Freshwater Non-Native Ornamental and Exotic Fish from public lakes, ponds, rivers creeks, and waterways. And it isn’t just the mighty Mississippi river that suffers from released, the Great Lakes and even Everglades National Park have suffered from the impact of released non-native fish.
Is Freshwater Non-native Exotic and Ornamental Aquatic Pet (pond fish) dumping dangerous?
YES. Many non-native fish have unique qualities such as aggressive behavior, biting people, and even propelling themselves out of the water when startled by light and sound (breeching). These behaviors are often not seen (or reported) by fish pond owners because the fish breach and die at 1 lb. to 3 lbs., bite a human and are dumped quietly, or kill all their pond-mates, and the pond is abandoned. Seldom do “problem” fish reach 20 lbs. to 30 lbs., like many dumped fish in American waterways. US Wildlife and Wildlife officials fear someone may be killed by breaching fish sooner rather than later, as boaters have been knocked out of crafts unconscious during encounters with large breeching non-native fish
Does Freshwater Non-native Exotic and Ornamental Aquatic Pet (pond fish) dumping harm the Commercial Fishing Industry?
YES. Commercial fishermen earn money based on the value of the fish they catch. When compared to other native species in the Mississippi River basin, like catfish, invasive species have little monetary value. Some parts of the country, including the Great Lakes and the upper Mississippi River, are working to prevent the movement of invasive species further upstream to protect their commercial fisheries and native species. Of particular concern is the Great Lakes, where commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries are collectively valued at more than $7 billion annually and support more than 75,000 jobs. An electric fence barrier has been installed in the Chicago Sanitation and Shipping Canal, which connects to the Mississippi, to keep non-native fish from entering Lake Michigan.
Does Freshwater Non-native Exotic and Ornamental Aquatic Pet (pond fish) dumping harm the Environment?
YES. Not only do invasive fish outcompete native fish for food and hatchery resources, but aggressive invasive fish also injure and kill native species. Because these invasive species are not ideally suited to the wild environment they invade, they are often only capable of digesting around half of the grass that they consume each day, with the remaining material being expelled into the water, enriching it and promoting algal blooms, which can reduce water clarity and decrease oxygen levels. One analysis of the ecological effects of invasive fish found an overall negative impact on macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as an alteration of water quality in stocked areas.
EMails4Good FAQ
I am an individual. Can I email all my contacts as part of the Emails4Good program?
YES. For individuals, the Emails4Good program uses our Peer2Peer fundraising tool. This provides an individual with the same email marketing opportunity as corporations that have an email marketing department. Simply click Peer2Peer here or from our website menu and follow the online instructions. If you have questions or need help, Message Us.
Do you give presentations to our head office?
YES. We offer in-office presentations to our $100K Platinum-level partners. For other partnership levels, certain arrangements may be possible. Speaking engagements, such as conferences or panels, can be arranged separately for a fee. Please use our Message Us form if you are interested in more information
Our company is not located in the United States. Can we still be a corporate partner?
YES. We are happy to partner with companies outside of the US.
Can I donate a social media campaign rather than an email campaign?
YES. Please sign-up for the Email4Good program and include that you prefer social media. If you have questions or need help, simply Message Us.
What impact is my donation making?
A BIG ONE. While we do not quantify donations in an “X dollars does this” model, rest assured that your donation is allowing us to implement all of the programs and projects of the High Alert Institute.
When we participate in the Emails4Good program, do we share our contact list with the High Alert Institute?
NO! We keep it simple and secure:
- Our email marketing team works with your team to develop a mutually acceptable co-branded email
- You maintain ownership and control of your list
- Your list is not shared with the Institute
- You send the endorsement emails in the same way you already send email marketing for your organization
- We provide you with a tax receipt for the fair market value (FMV) for each co-branded email that you send.
How do you know the number delivered for tax purposes if I/we send the emails?
You provide us the overall Sent and Delivered rates from your email distribution software for the donated email campaign. We give you a receipt for the fair market value (FMV) based on the number of emails delivered.
What is the fair market value (FMV) for a donated email campaign?
The FMV for tax purposes is based on the number of emails delivered and is not dependent upon the response to your email endorsement. In 2022, the FMV of a charitable email campaign is between $667 to $1,000 per 1,000 delivered emails.
If we conduct a social media campaign, how do you know the number delivered for tax purposes?
You provide us the overall Sent and Engagement rates from your social media distribution software for all social media accounts included in the campaign. We give you a receipt for the fair market value (FMV) based on the number of followers to whom you sent the post and the engagement rate.
What is the fair market value (FMV) for a donated social media campaign?
The FMV for tax purposes is based on the number of followers to whom the post was sent, adjusted for the rate of engagement, and is not dependent upon the response to your social media endorsement. In 2022, the FMV of a charitable social media campaign is between $667 to $1,000 per 15,625 followers, assuming an industry-standard 0.064% engagement rate.
Experts4Good FAQ
Q: Can we use our company's Nondisclosure Agreement rather than the one the Institute provides?
A: The High Alert Institute is willing to review your company’s Nondisclosure Agreement for compliance with the restrictions on agreements for 501c3 public charities. We are very willing to use your NDA if approved by our legal team.
Q: Can we use our company's consultant agreement rather than the the Institute's MOUSE?
A: The High Alert Institute is willing to review your company’s Consultant Agreement for compliance with the restrictions on agreements for 501c3 public charities. We are very willing to use your agreement if approved by our legal team.
Q: Can we use our company's Partnership Agreement rather than the the Institute's MOUSE?
A: As a 501c3 Not-for-Profit public charity, the High Alert Institute barred from entering into financial partnership or revenue sharing agreement with for profit entities. The Institute is willing to review your company’s proposed agreement for compliance with these restrictions. We are very willing to use your agreement if approved by our legal team.
IP4Good FAQ
Q: Is an IP donation a type of in-kind donation?
A: YES. IP donations are considered non-cash, or in-kind donations by most tax agencies.
Q: What is “Fair Market Value” and who determines the fair market value?
A: Fair Market Value (FMV) is the price that the intellectual property would sell for on the open market in its current stage of commercialization. It is the price that would be agreed on between a willing buyer and a willing seller, with neither being required to act, and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts. FMV can be assigned by the recipient of the IP donation, but the most common way to determine the FMV is to have a technology transfer company or an IP commercialization company provide the FMV.
Q: What happened if the Fair Market Value is low when I donate my IP, but is high when the IP is commercialized?
A: Under current IRS guidance, if the FMV at the time of sale/licensing of the IP is greater than the FMV at the time of donation, the donor may be eligible for additional tax deductions based on the new FMV.
Q: Our company is not located in the United States. Can we still donate IP?
YES. We are happy to partner with companies outside of the US for IP donations.
Q: Can I participate in the development and commercialization of my IP after donation?
YES. Once IP is accepted for donation, the IP becomes a Project4Good. As a Partner4Good, you are eligible to participate in a Project4Good as a volunteer subject matter expert or as a Project4Good sponsor. Please use our Message Us form if interested in more information.
Q: What impact is my donation making?
A: A BIG ONE. While we do not quantify donations in an “X dollars does this” model, rest assured that your donation is allowing us to implement all of the programs and projects of the High Alert Institute.
Partners4Good FAQ
Can I give an in-kind donation to supplement my partnership level?
Yes! We are open to accepting a ‘blended’ form of giving – cash and in-kind – to make up the full sponsorship amount. Though we prefer cash, in-kind donations are able to supplement your support level and we can use them in a variety of ways to advance our mission.
Do you give presentations to our head office?
Yes, we will give presentations to your office at the $100K partnership level. We can make some exceptions for introductory partners but it is on a case by case basis. Speaking engagements such as conferences or panels can be arranged separately for a fee. Please use our Message Us form if interested in more information.
I am a foreign (outside of the US) company, can we still partner?
Yes, we are happy to partner with companies outside the US.
Can I sponsor an event or activity rather than give a cash donation?
Yes, we have several events or aspects of events that are available for sponsorship. Please use our Message Us form if you are interested in more information.
What impact is my donation making?
A big one! While we do not quantify donations in a ‘$1 does XXX’ model, rest assured, your donation is allowing us to collect data to inform policy change, educate and encourage our Partners4Good to continue living the High Alert Institute mission. In 2020 and beyond, our focus will be on educating future generations about Readiness, Stewardship and Innovation and we would be thrilled to have you by our side.
Can I designate how my donation will be used?
YES. Our team will work with you to maximize the impact of your donation(s) towards the project or program that speaks to you.
What else can I get for my donation if I donate more than the minimum levels?
There are lots of opportunities for corporate engagement, many of them customizable to fit your needs. Please Message Us if interested in more information.
Planning4Good FAQ
Q: Why are IS-100.c, IS-200.c, IS-700.b and IS-800.d mandatory training for disaster readiness and continuity plan education?
An understanding of the overall emergency management system, disaster response, and the agencies and planning documents that define local, state and national disaster response is essential for anyone performing a risk assessment, planning for disaster/business continuity, or involved in disaster exercises. The ICS training defined by Homeland Presidential Directives provide that basic information and training.
All federal, state, territorial, local, tribal, private sector, and non-governmental personnel at the entry-level, first-line supervisor level, middle management level, and command and general staff level of emergency management operations must complete ICS-100 level training.
All federal, state, territorial, local, tribal, private sector, and non-governmental personnel at the first line supervisor level, middle management level, and command and general staff level of emergency management operations must complete ICS-200 level training.
All federal, state, territorial, local, tribal, private sector, and non-governmental personnel at the first line supervisor level, middle management level, and command and general staff level of emergency management operations must complete NIMS (ICS-700) and NRF (ICS-800) level training.
Q: I am responsible for planning and executing our facility disaster exercise. Do I need to be HSEEP certified?
The Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Certification is designed for those training, exercise, and emergency management professionals responsible for designing, planning, conducting, evaluating, and reviewing disaster exercises for critical infrastructure industries, critical services industries, governments, interagency cooperatives, and communities. The training is comprehensive and invaluable, however, most businesses do not require an HSEEP-certified exercise professional to design an effective disaster exercise program. Most businesses benefit more from repeated exercises throughout the year that result in incremental improvement than a large-scale complex exercise. If your business wants to be part of a Disaster Exercise performed by HSEEP-certified professionals, contact your local office of emergency management and volunteer to participate in your community’s disaster exercises.
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