When disaster strikes, animals rely on trained professionals who are ready to respond with skill, coordination, and compassion. This June, Joybound People & Pets, in partnership with Animal Search and Rescue (ASAR), convened more than 80 animal emergency response professionals for a two-day Animal Disaster Preparedness Workshop focused on strengthening readiness, collaboration, and life-saving field response.
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More than 80 animal emergency response professionals gather for a collaborative training session hosted by Joybound People & Pets, in partnership with Animal Search and Rescue (ASAR), during a two-day workshop focused on strengthening real-world disaster preparedness, coordination, and life-saving response efforts for animals.
Held at Joybound’s Walnut Creek campus, the training brought together a diverse group of professionals including animal control officers, veterinary teams, shelter staff, emergency planners, CART and DART members, and first responders, united by a shared commitment to protecting animals during natural disasters and emergency situations.
“Disasters don’t wait and neither can we,” said Miguel Abi-hassan, Chief of Programs at Joybound People & Pets. “This training reflects the power of collaboration and preparedness in action. By bringing together professionals from across disciplines and regions, we’re strengthening the collective ability to respond quickly, safely, and effectively when animals and people are at their most vulnerable.”
The workshop, presented in partnership with ASAR and supported by ASPCA, American Humane Society, CVET, Bay Alarm, and Halter Project, offered a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience designed to mirror real-world conditions.
Day one focused on immersive field training led by ASAR instructors, where participants learned about wide-area search techniques for companion animals, navigated collapsed structure scenarios, and built critical technical skills based on nationally recognized rescue protocols.
On day two, participants engaged in scenario-based collaboration exercises, working through complex disaster response and recovery situations. These sessions emphasized regional coordination, evolving risks in California’s disaster landscape, and actionable strategies for both immediate response and long-term recovery efforts.
Joybound People & Pets has long been committed to protecting animals in times of crisis and today continues to expand its impact by supporting the professionals who serve on the front lines of emergency response.
About Joybound People & Pets:
Joybound People & Pets is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the human-animal bond through rescue and adoption programs, pet-focused vocational training, and community services that benefit animals and the people who care for them. Since 1991, Joybound has facilitated more than 54,000 pet adoptions and offers accessible veterinary services, animal training, education, and workforce development. In recent years, Joybound’s community impact has expanded significantly, reaching more than 172,000 individuals and their pets.
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