When a disaster or emergency happens, preparedness makes all the difference for animals and their families. Across California, Community Animal Response Teams (CARTs) enhance disaster response efforts by providing coordinated support for animal care, evacuation and sheltering. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on the Amador County Animal Response Team (ACART) - a dedicated group of volunteers who have been committed to animal welfare and disaster response since 2009.
A History of Service
ACART has been actively responding to disasters for over 15 years, assisting in major incidents such as the Butte Fire in 2015, the Caldor Fire in 2021, and the Electra Fire in 2022. During the Butte and Caldor Fires, ACART collaborated with neighboring county CARTs due to the fires crossing county lines and involving multiple agencies. In each of these emergencies, ACART successfully housed hundreds of animals over multiple weeks, providing 24-hour care. Most recently, in the summer of 2024, ACART provided services at cooling centers during heat waves, ensuring the safety and well-being of animals affected by extreme temperatures.
Commitment to Training and Readiness
ACART conducts monthly training sessions on a variety of topics relevant to disaster response, including animal care, crisis intervention, biohazard security, and more. Members are currently training on the use of Shelterly, a specialized tool for intake, housing, and animal care management. All ACART members are certified Disaster Service Workers (DSWs) and participate in ongoing FEMA training prior to deployment, ensuring they are fully prepared to respond effectively during emergencies.
Proactive Community Engagement
Beyond disaster response, ACART actively works to support seniors and residents in outlying rural areas of Amador County by distributing Senior Go Bags for cats and dogs. These ACART-sponsored Go Bags contain essential animal supplies to help pet owners quickly and safely evacuate with their animals.
Additionally, ACART engages each year with CalFire, the Amador Fire Protection District, and the Amador County Office of Emergency Services in Firewise Outreach efforts throughout Amador County, helping educate the community on wildfire preparedness and evacuation planning.
Looking Ahead
As ACART continues its essential work, they are grateful for the ongoing support and training offered by Cal CARTs and the California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET). They look forward to participating in the 2025 Cal CARTs Summit, where they will continue learning and developing new skill sets.
Why CARTs Matter
ACART is one of twenty-four active CARTs in California. CARTs are essential in closing the gap in disaster response time, improving positive outcomes for animals, and enhancing community resilience.
Cal CARTs, established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2023, works alongside state agencies and animal welfare stakeholders to standardize training, improve interoperability, while supporting local teams like ACART in their lifesaving efforts.
Get Involved
Supporting CARTs like ACART is crucial to ensuring that animals are cared for in times of crisis. Whether through volunteering, donations, or community education, your involvement makes a difference.
To learn more about ACART, visit Amador County Animal Response Team.
To support the broader mission of Cal CARTs, visit www.calcarts.org.
Together, we can create a more prepared and resilient future for California’s animals and their communities.