The Spencer Disaster Animal Response Team (Spencer DART) is an extension of SEMA (Spencer Emergency Management). It was started to help the residents of the town of Spencer and their animals  in case of a disaster. Some members of Spencer  DART are also trained to respond to statewide emergencies if called to action by the State of Massachusetts Animal Response Team (SMART) and nationally if called out by the Humane Society of the US (HSUS) or FEMA.

Our role is to help members of our community and their pets before, during and after an emergency event. To accomplish these objectives, we have produced an animal annex to form part of Spencer's Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan.

Our group trains regularly, using table-top exercises to simulate a local emergency involving animals, as well through attendance at a variety of training events run by SMART and other animal groups. Spencer DART also participates frequently in public outreach events to provide information about emergency preparedness for pets.

Spencer DART meetings take place on the last Tuesday of every month, at 7pm at the Rescue Squad building on Bixby Rd in Spencer. The last meeting of 2008 will be October 28th and in 2009 we will be meeting quarterly instead of monthly.