K9 Alert Search and Rescue Dogs, Inc.

10/17/2026

Big congrats to team Piper for passing the VDEM shoreline certification. K9 Piper was not going to be hindered by the winds and cold rains today. Well done team Piper!

10/03/2026

Big congrats to team Talus for passing their Human Remains Detection recertification test today. Well done!

Also a belated congrats to team Argo for passing their Shoreline recertification two weeks ago.

Great job all!

09/09/2026

It is with a sad heart we bring news of a retired K9 passing

From her partner

Sad to say Ena has left us. My big, goofy girl. Full of energy and love for everyone. A teammate aptly nicknamed her the fun gr***de. And she was. Even when the explosions became softer. She could also be hard headed and stubborn. Sometimes she viewed recalls as optional. Until I cussed at her. I love that girl and miss her terribly. ❤️💔

Ena came to us from Dinwiddie Animal Control through Pit Road Rescue. Abandoned, skinny, mange, sinus infection, and staph infection at 3-4 months old. As she healed and came out of her shell it was clear she needed a job! I had already planned on joining SAR and getting a GSD puppy. Instead the universe gave me a goofy GSD mix. 🤪

She loved her SAR job. Live, HRD, shoreline. It didn’t matter to her if it was woods or swamps. She searched with a literal smile on her face. Countless tasks and miles on the road and she still smiled.

There were no bad people or animals in her world. Just some who “played” too rough. She never chased a squirrel, rabbit, or anything else. Mama ducks would walk their babies by her knowing they were safe. Her world was rainbows and unicorns. She was also my protector, and Piper’s. She always put herself between us and a stranger. Just in case someone needed to be vocally reminded that rough play was not allowed.

Life will not be the same without her in it. But her memory will never fade.

09/02/2026

It is with great sadness we make this post. K9 Jasta will be greatly missed.

First Day and Last Day.

K9 Jasta passed away from Liver Cancer on September 1st, 2026. He was 9 years, 4 months, old and served the Commonwealth of Virginia Search and Rescue community as a Wilderness Live-Find dog. During his tenure with K9 Alert, he responded 42 times and had two direct finds.

Jasta was an active guy who enjoyed IPO, Agility, and certified as an Arson dog. He frequently hiked the trails of Virginia State Parks, from the mountains to the beaches. He delighted in meeting people wherever he went and was loved by his family and teammates.

A special thank you to Dr Dan Slovis and his superb staff at Lake Anna Veterinary Hospital for providing Jasta extraordinary care.

Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Virginia Search and Rescue Council

08/14/2026

If you are looking for something to do with your kids or without, come to the Virginia Science Museum and see how SAR dogs do the amazing work they do.

A live demo exploring how dogs support emergencies in VA and beyond with K-9 Alert.

08/07/2026

Come on out to the Science Museum Of Virginia and see K9 Jasta and K9 Talus on how they work to find lost and missing persons. Virginia Search and Rescue Conference

06/29/2026

We hope everyone has week as great as K9 Rocky enjoyed training yesterday.

06/21/2026

Agility training and state BOA (behavior, obedience and agility) testing weekend. Congrats to teams Talus, Max, and Argo. Well done.

05/21/2026

Search and Rescue Awareness week. Do you have a SAR team near you? If so, go help those that help others. Virginia Search and Rescue Council Virginia Department of Emergency Management

05/18/2026

Big congratulations to Team Carson for passing their final test to become an Operational VDEM Human Remains Detection team. Well done Team Carson! Virginia Department of Emergency Management Virginia Search and Rescue Council