The San Diego Humane Society's Animal Rescue Reserve (ARR) is a team of highly trained volunteers dedicated to assisting people during disasters, by safely evacuating horses, livestock and household pets. ARR is a program of the Investigations Department and also works throughout San Diego County to rescue domestic animals or livestock that are trapped and cannot free themselves. ARR provides these services free of charge.

ARR has been called on to assist animals in many different ways. Our rescues have included removing animals from fires or flooded areas, rescuing large animals that have fallen into wells, mud bogs, swimming pools, ravines, etc., rounding-up and caring for cattle involved in trailer transport accidents, and providing help for wildlife and small domestic animals. Reserves also assist our Humane Officers with criminal cases during impounds of large groups of abused or neglected animals.

Animal Rescue Reserve provides monthly training for all its members. This training is designed to create awareness of safety procedures and the proper use of equipment.

 Some examples of training are:

• The California Department of Forestry and Fires teaches about the importance of safety practices and the nature of wild land fires.
  
• Local veterinarians teach first aid for animals as well as the transportation techniques and handling of wild animals.
  
• Other experts train about unusual animals that are raised in San Diego County (llamas, buffalo, ostrich, etc.).
  
• Various law enforcement personnel discuss their roles in emergencies and how we work with their agencies.
  
• Classes are provided on how to identify, handle, load, and unload horses from trailers and how to transport animals properly.

Be Prepared in a Natural Disaster in an Emergency

In case of an emergency (flood, fire or other disaster situation) the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA's Animal Rescue Reserve is trained, equipped and ready to help transport horses, livestock or even household pets to safety. There are several precautions responsible animal owners can take to assist Animal Rescue Reserve in an emergency:

• Keep a list of all animals on your property and their locations, to help our teams find and evacuate them quickly.
• Have carriers for each of your small animals, and halters and lead ropes for larger animals - all with your identification information.
• Keep halters and lead ropes next to each horse's stall at all times. All of these things will make your animals easily accessible if they need to be moved quickly.
• Train your horse to wear a halter and load it into a trailer so it can be done quickly.
• Make sure that at least a few days' supply of food is available, stored off the ground in a clean, dry place.
• Store at least a few days' supply of safe drinking water in an easily accessible place. During an emergency, clean, fresh water may be difficult to find.
• Clear dry shrub and debris at least 20 feet from the corrals, barns, or other buildings.

What to do when disaster is imminent:

• As the threat of disaster gets closer, keep stall barn doors and gates unlocked, in case animals have to be moved quickly by emergency personnel.
• Make arrangements, in advance, for a place to safely take your animals in an emergency. If threatened, move your animals to a safe location before it's too late.
• Have clear photographs of all your animals available, to identify them at a receiving site during an emergency.
• Hook up any available trailer and face them towards exits so that they can be loaded and the animals evacuated.
• Have any pertinent information regarding the animal, such as medications needed, etc., on the barn or stall door so rescue crews can see it easily.
  

For assistance with an emergency pet rescue call our 24 hour hotline at:
(619) 299-0871