Out of Harm's Way [Paperback]

Terry Crisp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1997

Chronicles the career of a woman who has dedicated her life to animal rescue, describing her participation in rescue efforts at the scene of such disaster as the Exxon-Valdez oil spill, and outlines ways to prepare pets for disaster situations. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Poignant memories from an animal savior (with co-author Glen, an animal-rights activist). Since 1983, Crisp has devoted herself to saving animals during natural and man-made disasters. From her early volunteer work with the Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley, helping stranded pets during local San Francisco Bay area floods and fires, to her recent full-time job as director of Emergency Animal Rescue Services (a nationwide Red Crosstype program for animals), Crisp's dedication and determination are undaunted. During her first rescue mission, Crisp learned first-hand how to aid animals during a flood. Among the 100 animals she helped save were a drowning puppy she clutched from the floodwater, a stranded 300-pound hog, and a cat locked inside a washing machine in a house with the water waist-high. The experience changed her life forever, and she vowed not only to make herself available to help whenever needed but to create something she discovered was sorely lacking--a nationwide animal rescue plan that could be followed during any catastrophe. Over the years, Crisp's work has expanded from local emergencies to national ones. She spent six months organizing clean-up efforts for seabirds and otters after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska, helped place innumerable homeless animals after Florida's Hurricane Andrew, and set up animal relief services during the devastating St. Charles flood in Missouri. An appendix lists invaluable tips for safeguarding your own dogs, cats, birds, and horses during a disaster. Crisp's highly personalized accounts of daring rescues, incredible volunteer efforts, and the bonds of tenderness that form between humans and animals are quite touching--though at times she can go on about the wonder of it all. (16 b&w photos, not seen) (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books; Reprint edition (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671522787
• ISBN-13: 978-0671522780
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,242,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of its genre, May 24, 2000

By 

Gromer "Gromer" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out of Harm's Way (Paperback)

I'm a journalist reviewing about 5 books of this genre for an article and I do think this is the best one simply because of the strength of the authors' storytelling and the power of the actual facts she sets forth. Lots of personal insights, intimate detail, and remarkable rescues. This isn't a book that someone just wrote overnight and sold with a pretty cover and large font -- this is really a long, well thought-out, dramatically paced and engaging read. I couldn't put it down. If you have pets of your own, you'll find yourself getting all misty eyed when you read of Crisp's determination to run into forest fires just to rescue rabbits or kittens. The history she tells of her emergency rescue crew is also a remarkable one. What an amazing group of people. This book really shows you the best and worst that animals bring out in humans, on both the individual and communal level. Best of all, she doesn't get preachy or political about animal rights; she just wants you to take care of them as well as you can. She even includes a self-help/first aid guide at the back of the book for pet owners in case of a natural disaster.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of Harm's Way, March 8, 2000

By 

Brad J. Lykken "Jennie" (Murfreesboro, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Out of Harm's Way (Paperback)

If you care about companion animals, please please read. The content made me more aware of Animal needs during a disaster, and has inspired me to take a UAN/EARS training course that certifies a volunteer to help in the rescue effort of animals when disaster strikes (tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, etc.). This book reads like fiction and I could not put it down. I am buying several to give as gifts, as this book moved me beyond belief. I hope Ms. Crisp writes more books on Animal Rescue in natural disasters, her personal experiences, and how crucial volunteers are. Ms. Crisp focuses on the positive side of Emergency Animal Rescue for the animals that were left behind to fend for themselves. Great reading and extremely uplifting.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring book of dedication and courage, September 22, 1999

By 

dogsleder (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out of Harm's Way (Paperback)

I had the privilege of working as a volunteer with Terri Crisp during flooding in our area in 1997, getting to see first-hand her compassion and ability to inspire others. This book will inspire you, too. She has been instrumental in setting up a nationwide volunteer organization that has branches all over the country, whom she often personally trains through workshops. Whenever a new disaster strikes, be it hurricane, fire, flood or earthquake, I am comforted in knowing that the Emergency Animal Rescue Service is there helping stranded and abandoned animals and reuniting many of them with their owners. You will read some truly amazing accounts in her book and will take away from it the knowledge that there are quiet heroes loving and caring for animals on a daily basis and working constantly to make a safer and better place for animals in the midst of disasters. Each chapter is heart-wrenching, triumphant, filled with miracles. Whenever and wherever Mother Nature strikes, Terri Crisp and her volunteers are there to meet the challenge. Read about them and think about what you, too, can do.