IRO

🐶🦺🌍 Int. Search & Rescue Dog Organisation // Int. It unites 130 member organisations with about 4,000 certified search and rescue dogs.

Rettungshunde Organisation
🐾 3,000 search dogs in training
⛑️ Saving lives with the help of dogs
📍 Salzburg, Austria The International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO) is the worldwide umbrella organisation for search and rescue dog work and partner of the UN organisation INSARAG. The headquarters are in Salzburg. The task of the IRO is to train and certify highly qualified search and resc

ue dog teams and to provide them as supporting units in case of emergency. Thanks to their fine noses, dogs often become lifesavers after an avalanche accident, an earthquake or in the search for missing children and disoriented people suffering from Alzheimer's or Dementia. Our teams are on 24-hour standby, 365 days a year to help people in need. The IRO was founded in 1993 and is a registered non-profit organisation. As such, it relies upon donations to provide search and rescue dog teams with the certification, training and education necessary to find lost and missing people.

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Die Internationale Rettungshunde Organisation (IRO) ist der weltweite Dachverband für die Rettungshundearbeit und Partner der UN-Organisation INSARAG. Sie vereint weltweit 130 Mitgliedsorganisationen mit rund 4.000 geprüften Rettungshunden. Der Sitz befindet sich in Salzburg. Die Aufgabe der IRO besteht darin, hochqualifizierte Rettungshundeteams auszubilden, zu zertifizieren und als unterstützende Einheiten im Notfall zur Verfügung zu stellen. Nicht selten werden Hunde dank ihrer feinen Nase zu Lebensrettern nach einem Lawinenunglück, einem Erdbeben oder bei der Suche nach Abgängigen – meist älteren Personen, verunglückten Wanderern oder verirrten Kindern. Unsere Teams sind 365 Tage im Jahr rund um die Uhr einsatzbereit. Als gemeinnütziger Verein organisiert, finanziert die IRO seit 1993 mit Hilfe von Spendengeldern die professionelle Ausbildung von Rettungshunden.

18/06/2026

Recap of our IRO MRT Rubble Preparation 🪨🐕💪

Over the past days, international search and rescue dog teams took part in the IRO Mission Readiness Test Preparation in Rubble Search at Tritolwerk (AT) as preparation for the Mission Readiness Test in November. Designed to closely reflect the conditions, pressure and physical demands of an actual MRT.

These preparation tests are essential: they help teams assess their readiness, identify areas for improvement and build confidence in a realistic environment.

Thank you to all participating teams for their commitment, courage and teamwork. Every step brings us closer to mission readiness. Every opportunity to learn and improve helps teams to be better prepared when lives depend on it. 🐶🦺🌍

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IRO Search and Rescue Dogs save lives worldwide. In partnership with search and rescue organisations around the globe, we deliver training, assessment and certification programmes to ensure that teams meet internationally recognised standards and are fully prepared to respond when people go missing or find themselves in life-threatening situations.

15/06/2026

Following a human scent trail requires focus, teamwork and trust. 🐕‍🦺 🤝 Join us in Bad Wörishofen this July for three days of intensive mantrailing, training tailored to your experience level.

The course is suitable for beginner and advanced handler–dog teams alike.

For beginners, the course will cover the fundamentals of mantrailing, including trail starts, short trails, turns, and simple intersections. Training scenarios for advanced teams will be adapted to their current level to support continued progress.

Theory sessions will be integrated into the programme where appropriate, complementing the practical training and deepening your understanding of mantrailing principles.

Led by experienced instructors, the course is designed to support the individual development of every team.

📍 Bad Wörishofen, Germany
📆 17–19 July 2026
🔗 Registration link
❗Registration closes on 19 June

14/06/2026

Last chance to join our beginner's Rubble Search training course! 🐕🦺

A few places are still available on this introductory course in Kranj, Slovenia.

Over three days, participants will learn the fundamentals of rubble search, including search tactics, search patterns, alert behaviour, and scent work. Guided by experienced instructors, teams will build a solid foundation and gain valuable practical experience in various search scenarios.

📍 Kranj, Slovenia
📆 5–7 July 2026

Missed the registration deadline? Late registrations may still be accepted, subject to availability.
📧 Contact us at [email protected] for further information.

We look forward to welcoming the next generation of search and rescue dog teams! 🐾

12/06/2026

With the Dr Wolfgang Zörner Memorial Tournament currently underway, search and rescue dog teams have come together to honour a man whose vision, humanity and dedication helped to shape the field of international search and rescue dog work. ✨🐕‍🦺

Those who knew Dr Zörner remember his remarkable achievements as well as his kindness, his appreciation of the unique bond between handler and dog, and his joy in bringing people together.

After a few words of remembrance from IRO President Alois Balog at the IRO Training Ground, the first teams began searching the rubble – a fitting tribute to a man whose life was devoted to search and rescue dogs and their handlers.

His legacy continues to inspire generations of search and rescue teams and volunteers around the world. 🐾

11/06/2026

Preparing for search and rescue missions requires more than just technical skills. 🐕💪💯

Being mission ready requires experience, sound decision-making skills, the ability to work well in a team and a commitment to continuous learning. ➡️ Last weekend, handlers and their dogs gathered in Treviso, Italy, for the IRO MRT Mission Training. Working both individually and in teams, participants focused on alert work, motivation, and achieving optimal performance in realistic conditions.

Supported by feedback from IRO Classifiers, the teams were able to develop their skills and approach to search operations further. 📋🐕

One participant described the training as a valuable learning experience that broadened their understanding of managing search operations with search and rescue dogs, offering new perspectives for future missions.

Every opportunity to learn and improve helps teams to be better prepared when lives depend on it. 🐶🦺🌍

🐾🐾🐾

IRO Search and Rescue Dogs save lives worldwide. In partnership with search and rescue organisations around the globe, we deliver training, assessment and certification programmes to ensure that teams meet internationally recognised standards and are fully prepared to respond when people go missing or find themselves in life-threatening situations.

09/06/2026

Meet the Slovenian Search and Rescue Dog Unit (Enota reševalnih psov Slovenije – ) 🇸🇮🐕‍🦺

Around 197 handlers across Slovenia hold the official qualification of certified search and rescue dog handler. Over the past year, ERPS teams have participated in around 60 search missions nationwide. The team specialises in search and rescue operations in natural environments, such as forests, as well as in urban areas and disaster sites. Training takes place year-round, regardless of the weather or conditions, to ensure constant operational readiness. 💪🐕

Search and rescue dogs have a long tradition in Slovenia, dating back to 1950. Today, ERPS represents a well-established and highly organised community of handlers and dogs working together as professional volunteer responders. ➡️ What truly defines their teams is the bond between handlers and their dogs. Forged through years of training, trust, and shared experiences, this connection can be the deciding factor in real search situations.

For ERPS, IRO is more than a network: „Being part of the International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO) allows us to exchange experience, improve our knowledge and training standards, and contribute to international search and rescue efforts. For us, IRO stands for cooperation, professionalism, and a shared mission to save lives.“

As part of the IRO network, ERPS follows internationally recognised IRO standards for the training, testing and evaluation of search and rescue dog teams. This shared framework helps to ensure consistent quality and supports effective international cooperation in times of need. Thank you for your dedication to saving lives. 🙏

IRO Search and Rescue Dogs stand for quality, reliability and global collaboration. 🐕🌍 We are proud to work with dedicated member organisations in Slovenia and around the world.

07/06/2026

Official judges of the IRO WCH 2026 | 🌾 Tracking & Water Rescue 🌊🐕

Main Judge Tracking & Co-Judge Water Rescue – Margot Luukas 🇪🇪
Margot Luukas has been involved in search and rescue dog work since 2008. As an operational dog handler, she has participated in numerous national search missions, gaining many years of practical experience in training and assessing search and rescue dog teams. Since becoming an international judge in 2018, she has contributed her expertise to evaluating teams at national and international levels. In 2023, she joined the IRO Judges' international community.

Main Judge Water Rescue & Co-Judge Tracking – Pavel Šabacký 🇨🇿
Pavel Šabacký has been involved in search and rescue dog work for four decades. From 1986 onwards, he served as an operational dog handler, taking part in national and international search and rescue missions. He has been an international IRO Judge since 2000 and combines extensive operational experience with over 25 years' judging expertise.

From 11–16 October 2026, Associazione Culturale Cinofila K9T (ACCK9T) and Nucleo Cinofilo da Soccorso di Fidenza (NCS Fidenza) will host the IRO WCH 2026 in Codogno, Italy.

IRO Search and Rescue Dogs save lives worldwide. 🐕🌍 Through comprehensive training and internationally recognised standards, our teams are ready to respond anytime, anywhere.

03/06/2026

Our four-legged heroes require years of dedication, training and expert guidance. ❤️🌍🐶 Sponsor a young super snooper and help save lives worldwide!

By becoming a sponsor, you support search and rescue dogs at every stage of their development. Your sponsorship helps to provide the necessary training, care and equipment for dogs and handlers as they progress towards operational search and rescue work.

Training often begins in puppyhood and typically takes two to three years. From their first training exercises as puppies to experienced teams continuing to prepare for missions, search and rescue dogs require ongoing support throughout their journey. 🐾

Support our rising stars as they grow into future search and rescue dogs. Become a sponsor and be part of their story. ❤️ https://www.iro-dogs.org/en/sponsor

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IRO Search and Rescue Dogs save lives worldwide. Together with our member organisations, we uphold internationally recognised standards for the training, assessment and certification of search and rescue dog teams. This helps ensure that they are prepared to help when people go missing or find themselves in life-threatening situations.

01/06/2026

Meet our IRO Heroes: NICOLA & LUCA! 🐾🦺 Guided by purpose and driven by dedication, they are growing stronger as a team every day – that’s true rescue spirit! 💪

Nicola is currently training with her dog Luca to become a certified search and rescue dog team. The thought of one day responding to missions with Luca, and of working with her unit colleagues to help save lives, is what motivates her most.

Her commitment to search and rescue extends far beyond training. As the IRO Spokesperson for Marketing & PR, she is passionate about sharing the stories behind the work of search and rescue dog teams. Drawing on her many years of experience in sales and marketing, she sheds light on the dedication, teamwork and determination that make life-saving missions possible. 🐶❤️

Thank you, Nicola and Luca, for being part of the IRO family and for your unwavering commitment to saving lives! 🌍💙

31/05/2026

International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO). 🐶 Setting standards. 💯 Saving lives. 💙 Since 1993. 💪

The IRO is a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing search and rescue dog work worldwide through internationally recognised quality standards.

Today, the IRO unites 140 member organisations across four continents, ranging from local volunteer associations to government-led organisations. Together with our members and partners, including INSARAG (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group), we strengthen international search and rescue capabilities and help build a global network of highly trained search and rescue dog teams.

When people go missing or become trapped in life-threatening situations, every second counts. Through training, assessment and certification programmes, we help ensure that search and rescue dog teams are ready to respond when they are needed most. 🌍🐾

Help us save lives. Donate now. 🤝 https://www.iro-dogs.org/en/donate

Adresse

Moosstrasse 32
Salzburg
5020

Telefon

+4366282652610

Webseite

https://www.iro-dogs.org/, https://www.iro-dogs.org/en/donate

Benachrichtigungen

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