What is MAYDAY?
West Virginia's emergency pet rescue platform connecting people in crisis with trained volunteers
Our Mission
MAYDAY exists to ensure that no animal in West Virginia suffers alone. We provide rapid-response emergency assistance by connecting people who find animals in distress with a network of trained volunteers who can provide immediate help—whether that's emergency transport, temporary foster care, or veterinary coordination.
How MAYDAY Works
Emergency Request
Someone finds an animal in distress—injured, abandoned, or in danger. They visit petmayday.org and submit an emergency assistance request with details about the animal's location, condition, and immediate needs.
Moderator Triage
Our trained moderators review the request within minutes. They assess the urgency level, determine what type of assistance is needed, and identify the best volunteers to respond based on location, capabilities, and availability.
Volunteer Dispatch
The moderator assigns the case to a qualified volunteer who receives an instant notification. The volunteer can accept or decline based on their current availability. If declined, the system automatically finds the next best match.
Rescue & Follow-Up
The volunteer responds to the scene, provides immediate assistance, and coordinates next steps (veterinary care, shelter placement, or foster). They update the system with photos and status reports throughout the process.
Types of Assistance We Provide
Emergency Transport
Rapid transport to veterinary clinics, shelters, or foster homes. Our volunteers have vehicles equipped with crates, carriers, and safety equipment.
Foster Care
Temporary housing for animals awaiting shelter placement or medical treatment. Foster volunteers provide safe, loving environments during transition periods.
Emergency Assist
On-scene assessment and immediate response for animals in crisis situations. Trained volunteers secure the animal safely and coordinate with emergency veterinary services.
Volunteer Roles in the Network
Community Volunteers
Our frontline responders who provide hands-on assistance. They complete basic training in animal safety, handling, and emergency protocols.
Moderators
Experienced volunteers who coordinate dispatch operations. They triage incoming requests, match volunteers with cases, and monitor response times to ensure rapid assistance.
System Administrators
Platform administrators who manage volunteer accounts, monitor system health, review compliance, and ensure the network operates smoothly across all counties.
Our Response Time Commitment
Life-threatening emergencies
Urgent medical needs
Standard assistance
Non-urgent support
Statewide Coverage
All 55 West Virginia Counties
MAYDAY operates across the entire state with volunteers strategically positioned in every county. Our network ensures that help is never more than a few miles away, even in rural areas.
Technology That Saves Lives
Real-Time Dispatch
Instant notifications ensure volunteers receive assignments immediately. GPS tracking helps moderators monitor response times and coordinate multi-volunteer operations.
Smart Matching
Our algorithm matches cases with the best-suited volunteers based on location, capabilities, equipment availability, and past performance ratings.
Integrated Communications
Built-in messaging keeps everyone connected. Volunteers, moderators, and requesters can communicate directly through the platform with automatic status updates.
24/7 Availability
The platform operates around the clock. Emergency requests can be submitted anytime, and our volunteer network ensures coverage during all hours.
Join the MAYDAY Guardian Network
Whether you want to volunteer in the field or help coordinate operations, there's a place for you in our network.