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EnglishHow a Search with New England K9 Search and Rescue Gets Started
Updated
New England K9 Search and Rescue (NEK9) does not take search requests directly from the public. A search begins only when the Agency Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for that search activates the team — in practice, a law enforcement agency in Vermont or New Hampshire. If you are a family member or member of the public, the way to start the process is to contact the law enforcement agency responsible for the area where the person was last seen and ask them to request K9 search resources.
Who Can Request NEK9
| Who | Can they request NEK9 directly? | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Law enforcement agency with jurisdiction (VT or NH) | Yes — this is the only activation path described | Contact NEK9 to coordinate deployment |
| Family of a lost or missing person | No | Call the law enforcement agency handling the case and ask that NEK9 be requested |
| General public / bystanders | No | Report the situation to local law enforcement |
NEK9's stated mission is to provide trained search and rescue personnel and K9s to law enforcement agencies in Vermont and New Hampshire to help locate lost and missing persons. The site is explicit that NEK9 "must be activated for searches by the Agency Having Jurisdiction for a search."
What Happens When NEK9 Is Activated
NEK9 is an air scent K9 team with more than 40 years of search experience (established in 1981). At most search calls, the team fields 5–10 K9 teams, supported by field assistants and medical support from the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team (UVWRT).
The team searches for both live and deceased subjects, and its certification testing is designed to simulate an actual search — so the dogs and handlers arriving on a call have been evaluated under realistic conditions.
Cost to the Requesting Agency and Family
All NEK9 services provided to requesting agencies and to the family of the lost person are free of charge. Members cover their own costs, including gas, vehicles, training, equipment, and dog expenses. NEK9 is a nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status and accepts donations to help offset those member costs.
What to Expect If You Are the Requesting Agency
- Confirm jurisdiction. NEK9 serves Vermont and New Hampshire agencies; the requesting agency must be the AHJ for the search.
- Contact the team to activate. The site's "Contact" entry point is how agencies reach NEK9; deployment is coordinated from there.
- Plan for a multi-team response. Expect roughly 5–10 K9 teams plus field assistants and medical support at most searches, not a single handler.
- Brief on the subject. Because the team searches for both living and deceased subjects, provide what is known about the person's last known location and timeline so search areas can be assigned.
Beyond Searches: Public Education
NEK9 also offers educational programs, including an entertaining presentation and live demonstration of airscent search dogs for general audiences — charitable or business organizations, senior centers, and similar groups. Presenters tailor the material to children and adults at all levels of experience. These presentations are a separate offering from search activation and do not substitute for requesting help through law enforcement.
Key Takeaway
The single condition that starts a NEK9 search is activation by the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the search area in Vermont or New Hampshire. Families and the public should route requests through that agency; once activated, NEK9 provides K9 teams and support at no cost to the agency or the family.