What Is SARDOM and What Does the Organization Do?

Updated

SARDOM is Search and Rescue Dogs of Maryland, an all-volunteer, non-profit search and rescue organization that uses air-scenting dogs. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to law enforcement, fire/rescue, or any official agency charged with locating and rescuing or recovering missing persons. If you are an official agency needing canine search support, SARDOM is the kind of resource you would call; if you are a member of the public, your role is generally to support or volunteer rather than to request deployment directly.

What SARDOM actually does

SARDOM provides search and rescue (and recovery) support for missing persons. Its teams are built around air-scenting dogs, which are trained to detect and follow human scent in the air rather than tracking a specific ground trail.

The organization describes itself as:

  • All-volunteer — its K9 teams, support staff, officers, and directors are all volunteers.
  • Non-profit — it is supported wholly by public generosity.
  • No paid employees — donations go toward operations and training rather than salaries.

Who can request SARDOM's services

SARDOM's 24-hour emergency line is intended for official agency use, not for general public requests. The stated eligible requesters are:

  • Law enforcement
  • Fire/rescue
  • Any official agency charged with the location and rescue or recovery of missing persons

The 24-Hour Toll Free Emergency Contact is 1-866-930-4680.

Information that helps when requesting a search

SARDOM notes it is helpful if the requesting agency can provide:

  • Contact information for point-of-contact persons at agency HQ and on scene
  • Location of the search — an actual street address lets SARDOM determine the route to the site
  • A brief description of the subject(s) and situation
  • Size of the primary search area
  • Number of days the search has been in progress

How SARDOM is funded and how to help

SARDOM is supported entirely by public donations. Because it has no paid employees, donations are directed toward operations and training. The site offers a Donate Now option and a Start Volunteering Today! section for those who want to get involved.

Quick reference

Question Answer
Full name Search and Rescue Dogs of Maryland
Type All-volunteer, non-profit
Method Air-scenting dogs
Availability 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Who can request service Law enforcement, fire/rescue, official agencies
Emergency contact 1-866-930-4680
Funding Public donations; no paid employees

If you are an official agency, call the emergency line and have the search details ready. If you are a member of the public, the practical paths are donating or volunteering through the organization's website.