SARDA Isle of Man (Search and Rescue Dog Association Isle of Man) was founded in 2004 by Matt Creer, who was soon joined by Jim MacGregor, who remains an active member to this day. Together, they established SARDA IOM with the goal of providing vital search and rescue dog support to the Isle of Man community, helping locate missing and vulnerable people in challenging conditions.

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As part of the National Search and Rescue Dog Association (NSARDA), we are proud to be part of a wider national network, and we are required to meet their rigorous assessment standards. This ensures that every dog and handler in our team is fully qualified to respond to emergencies at the highest level, giving the Isle of Man access to search and rescue resources trained to a national standard. NSARDA’s assessments are demanding, and we are committed to maintaining the high level of competence needed to ensure our service remains a reliable asset to local emergency services.

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During our formative years, SARDA IOM benefited from invaluable support on-Island, particularly from Isle of Man Civil Defence, who assisted with training and callouts. Up until 2018, SARDA IOM operated under Civil Defence callouts, receiving requests for assistance through their structure. As the team grew in resources, knowledge, and experience, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Isle of Man Constabulary, allowing us to handle callouts independently. Civil Defence remains an essential partner today, as we continue to train alongside them regularly to ensure our handlers and dogs are ready for any situation.

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In addition to this local support, SARDA Wales played a pivotal role in helping train our handlers and dogs. Their ongoing collaboration has been instrumental to our success, and we continue to maintain a close working relationship with them to this day. Through shared training exercises and support, we ensure our team stays at the forefront of search and rescue capabilities.

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SARDA IOM now operates fully as a self-sufficient charity, relying entirely on the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of donations to fund our activities. We work closely with key Isle of Man emergency services such as the Coastguard, Isle of Man Fire and Rescue, Isle of Man Constabulary, and Civil Defence, and we are also proud to be affiliate members of Mountain Rescue. Our volunteer handlers and their dogs regularly train in diverse and challenging terrains to ensure we are ready to assist in real-life emergencies.

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For more information about NSARDA and how SARDA IOM fits into the national network, click the button below.