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Emergency management and Extension propose community animal response team; request $5,000 foundation grant to buy basic gear
Summary
Montezuma County emergency management and Extension staff proposed forming a volunteer Community Animal Response Team (CART) to assist with large‑animal sheltering and evacuations. Staff requested board support and acceptance of a Lohr Foundation grant (up to $5,000) to acquire harnesses, go‑bags and vests.
Emergency management staff described a proposal to form a Community Animal Response Team (CART), a volunteer corps for large‑animal evacuation and sheltering. Staff said the CART model mirrors national community emergency response team approaches but focuses on agricultural animal handling, trailers and equipment rather than human search and rescue. The proposed program would coordinate volunteers who already own trailers and equipment, provide light training and maintain a small cache of shared gear and identification vests so first responders can call on vetted volunteers during livestock rollovers or wildfire evacuations.
Staff said the Lohr Foundation has offered up to $5,000 to purchase go‑bags, harnesses, gloves, vests and other small equipment; emergency management and Extension said the program would not require a recurring county budget if volunteers supply trailers and much of the equipment and if the grant covers the start‑up gear. Staff noted volunteers would be covered by county volunteer insurance and sign waivers. Dolores County has discussed a parallel effort and staff said they will coordinate regionally.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to prepare a brief formal request for acceptance of the Lohr Foundation grant and to return with training schedules and any required formal volunteer agreements for consideration at the next meeting.
