Animals in Disasters Working Group

California Department of Food and Agriculture and Cal OES co-lead a workgroup of identified stakeholders to address ongoing issues regarding animal evacuation, care, and shelter in disasters. The working group is multi-disciplinary and meets regularly to develop new or enhance existing resources related to large animals and livestock. such as policies, guidance, people, and equipment. 

Goals of the Animals in Disasters Working Group:

• Identify, resolve, and provide statewide guidance on animal disaster issues for local governments.
• Continually reassess and identify critical issues that are animal-related for resolution.

California Animal Response Emergency Support (CARES)

The CARES Unit resides within the Emergency Preparedness and Response Section of the Animal Health Branch in the Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division of CDFA. The CARES Unit provides assistance to the California Emergency Support Function 11 Food and Agriculture. To meet animal disaster related responsibilities, CDFA leverages the CARES Unit to coordinate State agency response in support of local government and with the assistance of volunteer organizations. CARES is structured in accordance with the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)opens in a new window and National Incident Management System (NIMS)opens in a new window.

For more information visit the CARES Website at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/eprs/cares/opens in a new window

• CARES Disaster Preparedness Site
• CARES Plans, Documents & Publications
• CARES Legislation
• California Government Code – Section 8608-CARES

California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET)

Legislation, passed in 2021, established the California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET)opens in a new window through the University of California, Davis (UCD) Veterinary Medical School. This legislation creates a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CDFA, Cal OES, and UCD to coordinate the CVET program’s activities with disaster response practices and deployment of CVET resources. Components of the MOU include the development of:

• Veterinary-specific operational scope.
• A veterinary resource management system for coordination, training, ordering, and deployment.
• A database for vetted and appropriately trained evacuation and care personnel.
• Training and certification programs for government and private sector stakeholders, and volunteer organizations for the evacuation, care, shelter, and reunification of animals.

Cal OES, CDFA, and the UCD CVET are proactive and responsive to the mandates of the MOU. All three partners are committed to addressing identified gaps, improving established procedures, and creating a unified approach to animal response in disasters throughout California.

Resources