A West Coast Training for Animal Emergency Management
When disaster strikes, animals need advocates — trained, coordinated, and ready. Joybound People & Pets and Animal Search and Rescue (ASAR) are bringing together the West Coast’s animal emergency management community for a two-day convening built on real-world training, peer collaboration, and strategic planning.
Whether you’re an animal control officer, veterinary professional, shelter team member, CART coordinator, emergency planner, or first responder — this event is designed for you.
Please note: This Animal Disaster Preparedness Workshop is not intended for members of the general public who do not work in animal wellness, rescue, government, etc. If you would like to start to get involved with a community animal response team, please contact Cal CARTs, Contra Costa CART, Napa CART, Solano CART, or search for similar organizations near you.
WHEN DISASTER STRIKES — ARE YOU READY TO RESPOND FOR ANIMALS?
All ticket proceeds support Joybound People & Pets’ life-changing programs for pets and the people who love them.
Workshop Details
Date
Day One: Wednesday, June 3 from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Day Two: Thursday, June 4 from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Location
Registration
Registration to Joybound’s Animal Disaster Preparedness Workshop will be opening shortly!
- Full 2-Day Training (June 3 & 4) – $150
- Day 2 Workshop Only (June 4) – $75
This workshop is open to animal control officers, veterinary professionals, shelter teams, Community Animal Response Teams (CART), Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART), emergency planners, first responders, and anyone who professionally responds when animals need help.
Workshop Speakers
Eric Thompson,
ASAR, Owner and Lead Instructor
Greg Merrell,
ASAR, Instructor and Task Force Lead
Workshop Curriculum
Day One – SAR Field Training
Step into the field with ASAR for a hands-on training day that builds real-world rescue capability. This intensive course covers:
- Wide Area Search (WAS) for Companion Animals — including QuickCapture app training
- Collapsed Structure Hazards Awareness in animal rescue contexts
- Confined Space & Entrapment Hazard Recognition
Built on ASAR’s nationally recognized rescue curriculum, Day One emphasizes field safety, situational awareness, interoperability, and operational discipline.
Day Two – Workshop & Scenario Labs
Collaborate with peers through scenario-based learning:
- The Animal Disaster Landscape in California — what exists today
- Scenario Lab Part 1: The First 24–72 Hours
- Scenario Lab Part 2: Long-Term Response & Recovery
- Hotwash, lessons learned, and next steps
Day Two focuses on execution, as you work through realistic disaster scenarios with peers, stress-test your protocols, and leave with actionable plans for your team and jurisdiction.
TRAIN THE WAY YOU RESPOND
Workshop Partnerships
This Animal Disaster Preparedness Workshop is presented in partnership by Joybound People & Pets and Animal Search and Rescue (ASAR), with support from passionate partners and generous sponsors.
Joybound People & Pets
Joybound People & Pets is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the human-animal bond by providing compassionate rescue and adoption programs, pet-focused vocational training, and community services that benefit both animals and their human companions. Since 1991, Joybound has facilitated more than 54,000 pet adoptions, while offering accessible veterinary services, animal training, human education, and more, resulting in a 145% increase in essential services to the community from 2023… (Learn more)
Animal Search and Rescue (ASAR)
ASAR Training and Response is a nationally recognized technical rescue team specializing in both FEMA Resource-Typed and NFPA-based training for practical field and disaster animal rescue applications. Instructors provide comprehensive and life-safety-enhancing planning, response, and functional training in cooperation with local, State, and Federal agencies… (Learn more)
American Humane Society
As the first national humane organization, American Humane Society rescues, cares for and protects animals, and champions the healing power of the human-animal bond. They have been a champion of animals for 150 years — driven by a legacy of compassion, kindness and hope… (Learn more)
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been at the forefront of animal rescue and protection since their founding as the first animal welfare organization in North America in 1866. For 160 years, they have been the leading voice in animal welfare, bringing the critical protection of animals to the forefront of society… (Learn more)
California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET)
CVET, administered by the UC Davis One Health Institute (OHI) within the School of Veterinary Medicine, supports and trains a network of government agencies, individuals, and organizations to aid household and domestic animals and livestock during emergencies. Their mission is to lead collaborative veterinary response efforts to provide exceptional and compassionate care to animals and their families during disasters… (Learn more)
BUILT FOR PROFESSIONALS ON THE FRONT LINES OF ANIMAL DISASTER REPONSE
Contact Us
Need to contact Joybound’s event team? Please email us at [email protected].
