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This past weekend, members of the CVET management team had the privilege of participating in a large-scale, multi-regional disaster simulation exercise hosted by Sonoma County. The scenario - a simulated earthquake followed by a fire - provided a realistic and challenging backdrop for emergency teams to test their capabilities, coordination, and communication.

The California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET) recently participated in the California Emergency Services Association (CESA) Annual Conference, marking our third year in a row exhibiting to conference attendees. This event provides an invaluable platform for CVET to engage with emergency managers, local jurisdiction representatives, and key stakeholders dedicated to safeguarding both human and animal lives during emergencies.

The California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET) recently wrapped up an inspiring and productive multi-county trip through Southern California, where we had the privilege of collaborating with an incredible group of partners committed to advancing animal disaster response. From San Bernardino County to Pomona to Ventura County, this journey was all about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and expanding the region’s capacity to care for animals in times of crisis.

We are proud to support Humboldt Community Animal Response Team (HumCART) through our local assistance start-up grants program! Through funding from CVET, HumCART was able to purchase a trailer, which will allow them to set up a small animal shelter in the event of an emergency.

Featured on Redwood News

Mobile veterinary care capacity is a key element of our program and as such we have focused much of our energy these past few years acquiring various resources to meet any incidents veterinary needs. One specific asset (which came to us via donation from the HALTER Project) is our 24’ TPD Vorteck Trailer. This wonderful response resource was recently further enhanced including the addition of insulation, interior panels, 2 electric roof vents, sink workstation, larger water tanks, workstation with shelves, refrigerator, and toolbox, wall cabinets and spare tire mount.

Our partners at CalCARTs and CARES have compiled lists of animal shelter locations for communities impacted by Line Fire, Bridge Fire, and Airport Fire.

CalCARTs   CARES

CVET has been deployed in response to the Park Fire since Thursday July 25. From the origin of the fire and through the weekend, Butte County and animal volunteers have cared for 164 animals in designated disaster animal shelters, 100 small animal and 64 large animal. CVET has provided veterinary services at both the small and large animal shelters and operationally has run over 50 veterinary requests.

CVET has been working to develop new and update current trainings for all members! The CVET Basics course has been updated to an online interactive model. We have also been in development of an animal responder specific mental health awareness training in partnership with Growing Resiliency for Aquarium and Zoo Employees (GRAZE) and are near the finish line! Both of these courses will soon be available through Better Impact!

In case you missed it, Ken Wayne with KRON 4 News covered the disaster exercise we participated in last weekend! The exercise scenario included a 6.7 magnitude earthquake along the Chianti fault line just east of Cloverdale, causing multiple injuries, vehicle crashes, small fires, and structure damage. Local first responders were notified and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) was activated by the City of Cloverdale, with members of CERT working closely with local CARTs (Community Animal Response Teams).

What a wonderful way to spend a Friday! Thank you to the 15 counties and 18 organizations who sent representatives to participate in our first Train-the-Trainer Equine Handling Workshop last Friday. This workshop covered basic equine handling techniques and basic first aid procedures, as well as provided an awareness level of knowledge of equine behavior and herd dynamics. The goal of the course was to empower attendees to train these techniques to fellow animal disaster responders from their respective organizations.

On the latest episode of Beyond the Barn Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr chat with CVET Large Animal Veterinarian Dr. Briana Hamamoto about how to best prepare horses and other livestock for an emergency disaster.

Full Interview Here

CVET is hosting an Equine Handling Lab for community animal response teams (CART)s, animal sheltering and evacuation teams, and animal services and control representatives on May 17th, 2024 on campus at UC Davis. Participation in this lab will be considered on an application basis. This lab will provide basic equine handling training in addition to basic triage, first aid, and the foundations of emergency management in relation to animal response operations during a disaster.

The CVET team has been actively building a response fleet of vehicles, trailers, and veterinary equipment in order to be ready for mobilization to any size incident in California.  One key addition this year is our 25’ custom mobile veterinary clinic, equipped with a surgical suite, secondary wet exam table, dual zone AC/heater roof mounted units, sink with hot and cold water, storage cabinets, refrigerator, and mounted wall cages. This unique resource will enable our team to provide exceptional care upon arrival, enhancing veterinary capacity at any shelter location.  

In the fall of 2023, CVET staff supported the UC Davis Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) in their response effort to an avian botulism outbreak in Kern County, California. Botulism is a neurotoxin produced by bacteria that naturally occurs in the waters of Tulare Lake, but was more present this year due to the large amount of rainfall that accumulated last winter and other additional factors such as warm weather and stagnant water flow.

Under the direction of the Associate Director of Operations of the California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET), this position provides leadership and support in the development and implementation of animal care standards, conducting hands-on training of disaster responders, recommending necessary animal care equipment/supplies, and participating in key stakeholder engagement during and between disasters (primarily wildfires) involving domestic animals and livestock in the state of California.