Out of Harm's Way: The Extraordinary True Story of One Woman's Lifelong Devotion to Animal Rescue

by Terri Crisp, Samantha Glen

The director of the United Animal Nations' Emergency Animal Rescue Service shares stories of intervention and rescue that occurred during such national disasters as the Exxon-Valdez oil spill and Hurricane Andrew. Tour.

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Dogs, Memoir, Biography, Biography Memoir

394 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the one book that got me involved in animal rescue back in 1998 when I first read it. Written after the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in south Florida, it highlights the hard work and total frustration that animal rescue workers endure to try to save even one terrified animal left behind in the aftermath of natural disasters. More recently there are efforts to PREVENT this from happening at alll so not as many need rescuing. People need to be allowed to TAKE THEIR PETS when they evacuate, no exceptions. This is the only thing that works. More people are saved, and fewer animals need to be rescued. Terri Crisp is an amazing woman who helped start the legion of disaster related animal rescue groups out there today. They are first on the scene even before the fire is out or the wind stops blowing. Heroes to the animals...my kind of people.

[Nina Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it was first released, and now (2012), the stories and images still are fresh in my mind. I reread it every few years. I currently volunteer in animal rescue (dog rescue), and this book gives an important view into that world. I know it primarily focuses on emergency rescue situations, but so much of the emotional toils and relief are what everyday rescuers experience. I still cry when I read it, I still look at the pictures in amazement. Terri Crisp helped start a movement in Emergency Animal Rescue that was desperately needed, and the response from teams at hurricane katrina and hurricane sandy would not have been there without her setting the foundation.

It was printed in 1997, so the procedures and information for emergency rescue may be out of date for current times. However, the story still resonates. The way animals are treated by people, good and bad, doesn't change over a decade. People will still move everything out of their house (including the carpet), but shoot their dog in the head because they don't want to take it (this is the story of Lazarus, from this book). And people will still show up at a rescue even if its only once, to help walk and feed dogs. These things are eternal, and universal.

There is an emergency preparedness section in the back that has some good tips, but is somewhat out of date for current times. It does not include information on things like microchipping, animal cpr training, and changes to red cross policies concerning animals.

The organization she started EARS, was a jumping off point for many emergency animal rescue groups, and has now evolved into the group Red Rover. They still provide disaster team training, and you can visit their website for where to sign up at locations near you.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this book. It is the story of a woman who became involved in animal rescue in California. Terri helped rescue birds and otters after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Hurricane Andrew, and many other disasters and local rescues. If you love animals, this is the book to read.

It is late, I am sleepy, just can't put this book down. Annie and Barkley are supervising my reading this book. I might rush out and adopt another dog. You never know.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crisp tells how she got into animal rescues and how the activity came to define her. She seems to have a natural ability to organize activities, to see what needs to be done, and to find ways to get it done. Early on she was introduced to a small nonprofit named United Animal Nations. Her activities on its behalf helped it to grow and to reach out in many disasters, always helping the animals.

I found the stories of some of the disasters and rescue efforts fascinating and educational. Crisp is right that a lot more needs to be done to consider animals in danger when disaster strikes. Hurricane Katrina (which happened after this book was written) showed all of us how bad we are at considering our animals. We clearly need national and international plans that take animals into account. We should remember that these are animals that we brought into our lives for whatever reason - either as pets or as a means to make money - and they cannot easily escape by themselves.

I was disappointed to learn that Crisp does not care about all animals. She revealed her dislike for some and she has no problem eating them. I realize that many animal welfare people are similar, and I value what they do for animals. But it always strikes me as strange that they are blind to the pain and suffering of animals in confined settings every day.

Worth reading for the stories and the advice. Much good advice at the end.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the stories of heroic efforts to save animals during natural and man-made disasters. Some are heart-warming, while others are heart-wrenching. The sories detail efforts during hurricanes, such as Hugo, wildfires, floods and the Exxon Valdez oil spill. This is animal rescue in its infancy in the '80s and '90s. Even as late as Hurricane Katrina, I remember, many humans lost their lives because shelters refused to accept their animals. I believe much has changed in the last 10 years, but we have a long way to go.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been involved in animal rescue, and being involved AFTER Terri's efforts have paid off to pave the way for animals being included in part of a communities emergency planning process, this story really touched my heart. It is amazing to see that it took so many years for animals of all sizes, shapes, and variety to be included in the emergency planning process. Now it is just as essential as planning food, shelter, and support for humans. We've come a long way.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book about the bravery and leadership of a woman who's truly passionate about protecting animals. This was a very real look into what happens to domesticated pets when disasters strike. Instead of glossing over the tragedies, this book does a phenomenal job of highlighting both the success stories and the sad endings. It gives a very real look into animal rescue and offers advice to prepare for a disaster at the end. I'd highly recommend for animal lovers.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on animal rescue during times of disaster, both the heart-warming and heart-wrenching. I was hoping for more detailed animals stories, but as the chapters progressed it was more of the author's organization efforts and less concentration on the individual animals; however, there are a good number of animal rescue tales. The United Animal Nations EARS program is now called Red Rover.

[Mark Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terri Crisp does an excellent job of describing her experiences in animal rescues. All-too-often, pet owners leave their animals to fend for themselves in disasters ... a wrong choice that could have deadly consequences. Terri encourages the end of that kind of practice in her excellent, simple and repetitive narrative method. This book is difficult to put down.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

1996 - Non-Fiction - 636.6 - HB - Have It Keep It

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating is actually more like 4 1/2 stars..... it was a great read. Wow, where do I begin?! I learned so much about animal disaster rescue, which is what I think the author really wanted the reader to come away with: knowledge of all that has been lacking in disaster relief, in regards to animal rescue, and how far we've come with establishing new tactics and rules for saving the lives of animals in peril. "Out of Harm's Way" tells the true life stories of Ms. Crisp's experiences with just about every natural disaster (floods, hurricanes) and man-made disaster (Valdez oil spill). From her first time rescuing animals during a flood, she realized so much more needed to be done to effectively save the lives of the animals affected during these kinds of events and, over time, helped establish guidelines that today enable vastly more animals lives to be saved. In fact, the last portion of the book (the Appendix) is really a manual of how to prepare for and react to disasters in relation to animal rescue. Two things I truly appreciated about this book: First, Terri Crisp not once came across as a self-proclaimed hero or one-man-show. She made sure the reader knew it took/takes a village to do animal rescue. The people she worked with, mostly volunteers, were her partners in each rescue and without them, no rescue would be successful. Her stories were largely based on the experiences with and of the volunteers who worked alongside her. Second, it was the first book in a very long time that made me stop and re-evaluate what I want to do, and could be capable of doing, to help animals. There's that line that some of us, as animal lovers, are unable to cross. Crossing this line means getting in the trenches with animal rescue and witnessing often times horrific things, the images of which will manage to engrave themselves in your mind for a lifetime. Most of us will not cross that line... we will do everything for animals BUT cross that line, because we are too scared of seeing, and sometimes not being able to help, animals who are hurt, abused, and/or in distress. "Out of Harm's Way" has made me sit back and think.... can I do this? Can I get in the trenches? Maybe I can.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you pick up this book, with it's obviously fuzzy/inspirational/animal-loving content, than you will like it. If you're even mildly interested, Terri quickly sweeps you along with a professional account of some of her more significant experiences. I found fire, flood, even bigger flood, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill to be fascinating in their own ways.

She intersperses specific stories of certain animals throughout. Just enough to keep your heartstrings taut, but never pulled too tight.

I actually liked the writing style a lot. Terri confides some very personal experiences (divorced, marriage, child birth, job changes) with a slightly detached view and then calmly moves on. And since you come to admire this woman, and her life is very relevant to her work, you actually care about these sidetracks. It gives a more comprehensive view.

Terri tries to be fair to all the people she's met throughout, even those that are hard not to condemn, and lavishes praises those who have helped.

This book really does inspire you to get off your butt and start doing something. Like she says, even an afternoon is well appreciated. And it can be as simple as calling up or driving to your local humane society.

Terri has obviously pulled an unusual balancing act on her life, putting work as a 3rd priority, and setting up family so it can be set as a 2nd priority when disasters strike. Not many could do it, and it's interesting to see how this one woman did. The various hardships and sacrifices she describes give the experiences some realistic ground.

Great lines:
"Sally and I couldn't help staring. Neither of us had seen anyone this clean in days."

"What did he do?"
"He shot the dog. Just...shot him."

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that made me cry, a lot in some fo the most heart wrenching stories after natural disasters and the poor planning of governement and pet owners alike. It's great what this one woman was able to do but by the time I finished it I felt a teensy bit tired of her heroism, her unfailing "do-goodedness". While I applaud her for the thousands of animals she has saved and countless more that will because of her and her natural disaster rescue plans and training- I guess, I feel like something was lacking. Still can't put my finger on it but maybe it's that I don't believe someone can do good all of the time like the book made her seem not quite balanced as a human. But still, the animals have a contender fighting for them and I am glad to know it.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me reading - I really enjoyed Terri's stories and didn't feel that she was bragging in any way. Her book opened my eyes up to what happens to our animals and pets in the event of a disaster. Honestly I had put very little thought into the matter until I read her book (in my defense I read her book when I was nineteen so I was still a tad naive). It spurred me one to volunteer for our local Humane Society, though I will still will not donate money to them - food, time, and pet supplies - yes - money, no. I just want to see my help go towards animals not politics. Shed a couple of tears while reading...highly recommend it to anyone who owns a pet.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely liked the majority of the book but towards the end I don't like how all the rescues were thrown in giving short little descriptions of each. It should be a read for anyone who has animals though as it has an appendix in the back that helps in what you should do with your pets in case of a disaster…before it happens.
I have to say the cruelty that some people showed towards their pets is appalling and if I were to evacuate for a disaster my pets would be coming with me as they are part of the family and are dependent on us. As Terri says in the book if it isn't safe to leave a child then it isn't safe to leave a pet.

[Nevar23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I noticed that someone had created a bookshelf for the sole purpose of bad mouthing Terri. Terri Crisp was out there doing disaster work before anyone. She has accomplished so much and laid the groundwork for the animal disaster relief movement. [return][return]I find it incredibly sad that people take joy in tearing down good people. This is a great example of all that is wrong in the animal welfare community. What a waste of energy. You could be, I don't know, helping animals maybe?

[Kelly Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a MUST READ for anyone that has ever done animal rescue or wanting to become involved with animal rescue. Terri takes the reader on the behind scenes that occur; outlining processes and areas of opportunity to improve rescue work. As if the book itself wasn't incredible, she provides a robust appendix with bountiful information that is excellent to have as a resource. I highly recommend this book for any animal rescuer or animal lover.

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book - even though I cried the whole way through it. It's about how Terri Crisp became involved in Emergency Animal Rescue Services (EARS) and really got the program up and running. There were many happy stories of rescues but many horrors about the way people treat their animals during a time of crisis - thinking that saving their TV is more important than saving their pet.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was too young to be aware of the events described in this book, but am dismayed to know that even years later we were still not equipped to deal with Hurricane Katrina! We need to learn from the events that have happened and be able to help when disaster happens!

[Callieobrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get out your tissues!!

[Krazykat · Rating 4 out of 5]

so far so good--like the author's writing style & very insightful into the down & dirty of animal rescue...

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried everytime when I read the book. I was happy when seeing a dog/cat found a good home. I was also angry about how certain people treat animals cruely. I just want to hug my dogs.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is such an inspiring book. the world needs more people like her.

[Mwalsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to all animal lovers!

[Daphne Melillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful readable book about the reality of animal rescue. Couldn't put it down.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I also read this when I was very young. Excellent book.

[Kelly]

only on page 30, but very inspiring so far!

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books. Terri Crisp is truely a hero for every animal lover out there

[Susan]

Found on the Free shelf at work

[S]

its too interst..