About Nevada County Animal Evacuation

The Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team (NCVDRT), also known as Nevada County Animal Evacuation, got started during the 49er Fire in 1988 and helped evacuate animals to a safe place. Animals who are evacuated by NCVDRT are housed, fed and receive medical attention if needed. Our next big event was in 1997 during the floods and later in the year, another fire.

We all know that the threat of fire or another disaster is a possibility. Being prepared is key to making sure everyone, including your animals, is safe. NCVDRT works closely with Office of Emergency Services (OES). Contact NCVDRT for more information.

NCVDRT is a volunteer organization. NCVDRT does not charge any fee for its services during an evacuation event.

Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team Mission:

* To assist in the safe and prompt evacuation of domestic and farm animals in a disaster area.

* To allow human refugees a comfortable stay at an evacuation center by providing a safe shelter for their pets.

* To provide a clean shelter, proper feed and routine care to as many affected animals as possible.

* To provide reasonable identification of each animal at the time of entry to our facility.

* To provide basic emergency medical care to injured animals in a disaster.

* To provide medication to displaced animals with chronic health conditions and to isolate animals suspected of having a communicable disease.

* To allow owners to visit their own animals during an incident without compromising the security of the facility.

* To coordinate with other agencies.

* To return each and every animal(s) to the rightful owner at the conclusion of the evacuation.

* To locate potential sources of feed, medications and other supplies that are needed.

* To have leadership, chain of command and trained crews to respond to the incident.

* To develop the communications network that will function among our own units and interface with other agencies.

* To plan appropriate interaction with other agencies from outside our county when their support becomes available to us.

* To have MOU's with other local disaster response agencies, including OES, CDF, Sheriff, Animal Control, Agriculture Commissioner, Red Cross, Salvation Army, County Medical officer, Fair Grounds Management, Radio Stations, Board of Supervisors, hospitals and private facility managers.

* To insure the agency can function without outside assistance for the first 48 hours of an incident.

* To prevent the theft of all animals. To reduce the stress of animals in our care.

* We will exclude the general public from our animal holding areas to ensure the safety of all.

Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team In The News:

Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team Receives 2018 Blue Ribbon Award
The Nevada County Fair Board of Directors has given the 2018 Blue Ribbon Award to the Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team. The award was created by Western Fairs Association (WFA), a nonprofit trade association serving the Fair industry, to recognize those who support and contribute to the quality of their local Fair.

Donor Recognizes Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team
Pat from the Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team was on the grounds last week receiving an anonymous donation from a member of the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors. Pat and her team of volunteers […]
By Nevada County Fairgrounds, October 30, 2017

Ruth Brown: Animal evacuation volunteers deserve our thanks
While Nevada County is so grateful to all the responders to our fires, and few sights can match that magnificent 747 flying so low the ground shook, I would like to thank one individual whose hard work for the past few years has helped prepare […]
By Ruth Brown, October 27, 2017

High wind advisories prompt Nevada County residents to leave animals at fairgrounds
More than 350 animals were at the Nevada County Fairgrounds Tuesday night, including horses, llamas, dogs, cats, birds and reptiles. Some residents, whose houses were spared from the flames of multiple fires burning in Nevada County, brought their livestock and pets home Wednesday. But due […]
By Matthew Pera, October 11, 2017

Nevada County fire evacuees scramble to keep animals safe
Toni Taylor woke up around 2 a.m. Monday when her neighbor called, looking for a trailer to help evacuate seven horses from her Rough and Ready home. Taylor could smell smoke immediately, she said, as her neighbor informed her of a fire spreading rapidly through […]
By Matthew Pera, ​October 9, 2017

Up in smoke: Have an evacuation plan ready in case of fire
In the dry summer months, wildfires become a paramount concern for locals. With fire season in full swing and with the nearby Trailhead Fire charring more than 5,000 acres (see page A3 for more), it's important to have a plan in case of emergency. Many […]
By Spencer Kellar, July 6, 2016

Evacuated animals housed at Nevada County fairgrounds; donations, volunteers needed
A couple dozen pets of those affected by the Lowell Fire are calling the Nevada County Fairgrounds their temporary home. The effort to house and care for evacuated animals is being led by the Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team. Pat Ehlers, a member of […]
By Emily Lavin, July 29, 2015

Pet preparedness
As many in Nevada County have experienced in recent weeks, fires can put people in a grab-and-go situation. While our pets may be at the top of our "essentials" list, where they go from there may cause a glitch. Dogs, cats, livestock, birds, and even […]
BY Katrina Paz, September 19, 2014