UP-based K9 rescue corps opens free dog training batch for disaster volunteers

The UPMV-K9 Search and Rescue Corps has opened applications for its 14th training batch, a free volunteer program that teaches dog owners and their pets search-and-rescue and disaster preparedness skills, according to Mindanao Times. The program is open to residents of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, with registration running until November 28, 2026.

The group said the training covers obedience, agility, search and rescue, and emergency readiness. Volunteers move through progressive levels of canine handling and basic search techniques. Advanced courses cover first aid, basic life support and personal survival. The Corps also promotes responsible pet ownership and urges families to include their animals in household evacuation plans.

A main focus of the program is preparing Metro Manila residents for a possible magnitude 7.2 earthquake along the West Valley Fault, often called "The Big One." Citing the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the report said the fault has historically produced major quakes about every 400 to 600 years. Its last major movement was in 1658.

PHIVOLCS has warned that the next major quake could happen within the present generation or the next, although its exact timing cannot be predicted. A 2004 government impact study estimated that such a quake could cause about 34,000 deaths and 114,000 injuries in Metro Manila. Fires and other secondary hazards could add to the toll.

The Corps was established in September 2017 and is based at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, with support from UP Vanguard, Inc. It registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2021. It also works with the UP Vanguard Makati Chapter on outreach, including the chapter's Luntian at Pula initiative.

The group will mark its 10th anniversary in 2027. Applicants register online and are advised to check their email afterward for instructions on next steps.