San Mateo County Large Animal Evacuation Group

The SMC LAEG is an all-volunteer non-profit organization, that works with the County Department of Emergency Management to provide evacuation services and shelter for large/farm animals in the event of disaster, such as wildfire or flood. Our focus is to educate and prepare animal owners ahead of the emergency. 

Community outreach includes:
Barn safety inspections
Preparedness workshops
Community Event participation/presence

Year-round core member training includes:
Animal handling and loading
Trailer maneuvering and safety testing
HAM training
CPR
Interagency cross training
Activation Drills

A prepared animal owner prepares early, evacuates early, and recovers early. 

Testimonials

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
RESOLUTION HONORING AND COMMENDING

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
San Mateo County Large Animal Evacuation Group
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WHEREAS, on Sunday, August 16, 2020, fierce and unusual lightning strikes in Northern California sparked more than 585 wildfires, with 24 becoming major incidents, including 300 local lightning strikes in San Mateo County and Santa Cruz County; and

WHEREAS, the lightning strikes coincided with a week of 100-degree heat, ongoing drought conditions and no coastal fog; and

WHEREAS, the next day, Monday, August 17, five large fires had grown in the inaccessible hilly areas of the Santa Cruz Mountains posing increasing threat due to limited resources; and

WHEREAS, on August 19, the CZU Lightning Complex had quickly expanded to more than 45,000 acres, ultimately increasing to 86,509 acres including 22,755 acres in San Mateo County by September 8; and

WHEREAS, on August 20, much of southern San Mateo County including Pescadero , San Gregorio and La Honda, along with more than 70,000 people in Santa Cruz County, were within mandatory evacuation areas; and

WHEREAS, many of these people did not have the time or resources to facilitate the evacuation of their animals; and

WHEREAS, the San Mateo Large Animal Evacuation Group was asked to come and assist with the evacuation of people's animals; and

WHEREAS, they facilitated the safe evacuation of 1,541 animals, with only 2 animal deaths; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County hereby recognizes, commends, and is grateful to San Mateo County Large Animal Evacuation Group for their heroic effort to rescue large animals needing evacuation during the CZU Lightning Complex of August 2020.

Dated: November 17, 2020 SUPERVISORS:

WARREN SLOCUM, PRESIDENT

DAVE PINE

CAROLE GROOM

DON HORSLEY

DAVID J. CANEPA
Attest: __________________________________
Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors