spcaLA Assists LA County to Help Animals Affected by the Woolsey Fire

Los Angeles, CA— Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles’ (spcaLA) Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) deployed on Saturday, November 10th to assist animals affected by the Woolsey Fire. DART’s presence was at the request of Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, with whom they have a mutual aid agreement.


DART Responds to Woolsey Fire

A team of rotating spcaLA staff, consisting of Humane Officers and animal caregivers, assisted the county in providing safe sheltering for 800 animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, llamas, and donkeys at Pierce College. In addition, spcaLA personnel responded to calls for animal rescue, medical care, animal welfare checks including providing food and water to animals in evacuation areas, and reunification.

DART leader and Director of spcaLA Animal Cruelty Investigations, Captain Cesar Perea said, “spcaLA is here to help, and we’ll take on any task that LA County requests. Our team members have a wide-range of experience and training, and we understand how much support an operation like this requires.” DART recently deployed to Hurricane Harvey in Houston and has responded to previous fires in Southern California.

spcaLA and Los Angeles County have partnered during disasters for decades, an arrangement made formal when Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a Mutual Assistance Agreement between spcaLA and Los Angeles County and the role of each in the event of natural or man-made disasters in 2011.

spcaLA is a non-profit agency that relies on donations for its programs and services, including disaster response. To donate, please visit spcaLA.com or call 323-730-5300 x3233.