SCLAR trains for large tasks

"We really couldn't operate unless we carried out these exercises and did training," Page said. "The animal care and handling are probably most critical, but this one gave the new members a hands-on opportunity to work through intake forms and our SCLAR processes, and how we interact with county Animal Services." 

SCLAR has 25 volunteers ready when needed to evacuate, care and shelter large animals, including horses, cows, sheep, llamas and more. Under the direction of El Dorado County Animal Services and OES, these volunteers know how to get animals to safety and care for them during a crisis. The nonprofit steps in when alerted by the county to help evacuate rural residents' large animals. 

SCLAR volunteers helped care for about 500 large animals during the 2021 Caldor Fire and about 100 during the 2022 Mosquito Fire.

"Typically under something like a Mosquito or Caldor (fire) we'll have a staging area set up and the evacuation teams will go and meet up with Animal Services, print out the the requests for assistance, and (SCLAR is) deployed that way," Page said. "If the county is setting up a large animal shelter, then they will contact us and they will direct us to one of the county shelter sites."

SCLAR volunteers also learned how OES and Cal Fire plays a part in evacuations and how Animal Services decides to activate SCLAR for animal evacuation and shelter set up. 

SCLAR staffs such shelter locations 24/7 and it is common for volunteers to be assigned long hours to ensure coverage. SCLAR volunteers manage the intake of animals, ensure each animal is properly identified, observe each animal's health and contact owners and veterinarians if a concern rises, in addition to feeding, watering and cage or pen cleaning. 

Some volunteers don't handle animals. Some operate HAM radios as a means of communication to team members for maximum coordination in remote areas where cell service is not available.

To become a volunteer visit SCLAR.org for more information. Volunteers are sworn in as registered disaster service workers through the county's OES. 

Do not call SCLAR directly for services during emergency situations, Page urged. SCLAR does not self-deploy and must be directed by Animal Services.

"There are many counties within California that have what they loosely call community 'animal response teams,' and some of them are just your run-of-the-mill people who want to do good and want to help out, but many of them are organized under their county, so if somebody needs assistance during an evacuation, they have to call animal services," Page said. 

EDC Animal Services can be reached at (530) 621-5795 on the West Slope or (530) 573-7925 in the south Tahoe area. SCLAR will be deployed if deemed necessary.