U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency

Resource: Animal Protection: Large Animal Sheltering Team
Category: Animals and Agriculture Issues
Kind: Team
Minimum Capabilities (Component) Minimum Capabilities
(Metric)
Type I Type II Type III Type IV Other
Personnel Number of People Per Response

22-person response team to set up and run a small animal shelter, consisting of:
• 1 supervisor
• 3 team leaders
• 18 members for 3 shifts
• 1 veterinarian/veterinarian
   technician

Can deploy for a minimum of
7 days

5-person response team to advise and support local efforts to set up a small animal shelter with the goal for the locals to operate the shelter consisting of:
• 1 supervisor: organize and
  plan
• 1 shelter manager: oversee
  shelter set up
• 3 team members
• 1 admin/finance team
  member, tracking animals
  coming in and logging out
• 1 shelter operations
  member reporting to shelter
  manager

1 logistics team: get equipment and supplies for shelter member

All team members work with and train local resources

Shelter manager will assign tasks to local shelter workers

Can deploy for a minimum of 5 days

2-person advisory team to support local efforts to set up a small animal shelter

Can deploy for a minimum
5 days

   
Equipment  

Radio/walkie-talkie system; Cell phones; Pagers; Laptops; Base station; Fresh batteries; Administration/management kit with forms; Documents; Plans; SOPs; Manuals; Office supplies tabmd.com

Basic large animal handling equipment and supplies; Equine and livestock handling equipment (ropes, halters, leads)

Basic veterinary and medical supply kit, refer to American Red Cross/HSUS list

Portable pens and corrals for livestock

Radio/walkie-talkie system; Cell phones; Pagers; Laptops; Base station; Fresh batteries; Administration/
management kit with forms; Documents; Plans; SOPs; Manuals; Office supplies

Basic large animal handling equipment and supplies (ropes, halters, leads)

Basic communication (cell phones) equipment; Laptop; Forms; SOPs

 

 
Vehicle  

1 1-ton, 4x4 pickup with goose neck and other hitches

1 box trailer (10,000 lbs GVW)

1 SUV for personnel

Plus other four-wheel-drive vehicles

2 large vehicles with
four-wheel-drive for supplies

1 vehicle for transport

 

 
Training and Experience  

FEMA EMI/IS classes in Emergency Preparedness; Basic ICS; Animals in Disaster; Module A & B; Livestock in Disasters

First Aid/CPR course for large animals (taught by veterinarians, equestrian centers, American Red Cross, HSUS)

Full-day emergency animal shelter course

Minimum of 2 years of large animal handling and operations experience

Crisis animal behavior training as a separate course or as a part of other training course

FEMA EMI/IS classes in Emergency Preparedness; Basic ICS; Animals in Disaster; Module A & B; Livestock in Disasters

First Aid/CPR course for large animals (taught by veterinarians, equestrian centers, American Red Cross, HSUS)

Full-day emergency animal shelter course

Minimum of 2 years of large animal handling and operations experience

Crisis animal behavior training as a separate course or as a part of other training course

FEMA EMI/IS classes in Emergency Preparedness; Basic ICS; Animals in Disaster; Module A & B; Livestock in Disasters

First Aid/CPR course for large animals (taught by veterinarians, equestrian centers, American Red Cross, HSUS)

Full-day emergency animal shelter course

Minimum of 2 years of large animal handling and operations experience

Crisis animal behavior training as a separate course or as a part of other training course

 

 
Personnel Lead Time to Deploy

Minimum 72 hours

Minimum 24 hours

Maximum 24 hours

 

 

Comments:

Large animal refers to horses and livestock. Local volunteers can support all types for shelter teams. No sheltering for exotic animals.


National Mutual Aid & Resource Management Initiative
Animal Health