Sartec K-9 Unit, Inc.

08/26/2026

What do we do on our off days??? Train of course. Yes we search for missing people, but canine manners matter. A few of us around town practicing in different surroundings with different distractions.

08/26/2026

These dogs give everything, even in the heat. Proud, tired but never done and here when you need us!

08/25/2026

🐾 Volunteers Wanted! 🔎
SARTEC K9 Unit is looking for volunteers to join us at our upcoming Tuesday and Saturday trainings!

Now that school is back in session, this is a great opportunity for teens looking to earn service hours for school.

Imagine a giant game of hide-and-seek… in the woods… with search dogs! 🌲🐕 And yes, there may also be plenty of opportunities to play with, love on, and cheer on some pretty awesome K9s. ❤️

Sounds fun, right? Come check us out and see what SARTEC K9 is all about!

📋 Ready to volunteer? Sign up here:

SignUp.com makes it easy to coordinate school events & classroom activities, fundraisers, snack schedules, potlucks & more!

08/10/2026

We train as hard as we search! 🐾

A huge thank you to Blackwater SAR for joining us and bringing the same passion, dedication, and hard work to SAR that we strive for every day. We’re grateful for the opportunity to train alongside a team just as committed to bringing lost souls home.

We’re looking forward to many more opportunities to work together—both in training and out on search!

07/19/2026

Despite the summer heat, our K-9 teams put in another great day of training! Every track, hide, and reward helps strengthen the bond between handler and dog while sharpening the skills they’ll rely on when someone needs to be found. Search and rescue doesn’t take a summer break, and neither do we. Huge thanks to our volunteers, hiders, and hardworking K-9s for showing up, working hard, and making the most of another fun day in the field!

07/13/2026

Ticks have been TERRIBLE this year! If you’re going out into the wild or even your back yard, please take a look at how ticks may affect you, your family and your furry companions!

It’s been a gnarly year for ticks already in the U.S., but the ticks you’re seeing will vary depending on where you live.

07/12/2026

Last night’s classes focused on two critical tools that help make search operations safer and more effective: Radio Communications and CalTopo Mapping.

From proper radio procedures to building and navigating operational maps, these skills allow our teams to communicate clearly, maintain situational awareness, and coordinate resources efficiently during missions. While these topics may not be as exciting as watching our K-9s work, they are just as essential to a successful search.

Search and Rescue is about far more than what happens in the field. It takes continual education, planning, and teamwork to be mission ready when the call comes.

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to attend, ask questions, and continue investing in their training. Every class strengthens our team and helps us better serve our community.

🐾 Train today. Ready tomorrow.

07/02/2026

This explains Search and Rescue well.

"I've always wanted to do Search and Rescue." Those are words we hear almost on a daily basis. Most of these people mean well, and they have a generous heart. But they have no idea what that sentence really means. They don't realize the commitment. The hours upon hours you'll spend. The thousands of dollars that come out of your own pocket. Being tired, worn down, and feeling like you can't go another step, then another call comes in.
I've always wanted to do Search and Rescue, until you realize every spare minute of your life will be dedicated to SAR. That family vacation you planned? It's now replaced with a seminar. Late nights writing training logs. Extra money spent on more gear. The miles you put on your vehicle. The late nights and early mornings in the woods, searching for any clues. The heartbreak of talking with a family desperately searching for answers about where their loved one is. The heartache of working a 20-year-old cold case, hoping today is the day you can finally bring someone home. The wet socks. Mud in places it shouldn't be. Worn out boots. Dead flashlight batteries. No cell service to load your map. A radio that won't reach base. And the voice in the back of your head asking, "Did I do enough?" So if you're thinking about joining Search and Rescue, ask yourself one question... Is this about me... or is it about them?

07/02/2026

📅 July Volunteer Sign-Up is Live!

Our July volunteer calendar has been updated, and we’re looking for volunteer “hiders” to help train our search dogs!

No experience is required—we’ll explain everything you need to know. Hiding for our K-9 teams is one of the most valuable ways you can support our mission, and you’ll get a front-row seat to watch these incredible dogs do what they love.

If you’ve ever wanted to help your local search and rescue team, this is a great place to start!

📍 Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/RfSUPsX

Thank you to everyone who continues to donate their time to help keep our teams mission-ready. We couldn’t do it without you!

SignUp.com makes it easy to coordinate school events & classroom activities, fundraisers, snack schedules, potlucks & more!

07/01/2026

A huge thank you to the Trash Pandas organization for the last-minute invitation to join the fun at last night’s game!

We always appreciate opportunities to connect with our community, share what we do, and talk with people about the important role search and rescue K-9 teams play across North Alabama. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, asked questions, and showed support for our volunteers.

A special thank you to Jessie for the pic and representing SARTEC K-9 so well! 🐾

We are grateful for community partnerships like these and look forward to the next opportunity to serve.