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LASER outlines large‑animal sheltering operations after 2017 wildfire lessons
Summary
LASER, a 501(c)(3) volunteer organization, told the Prescott Valley council it has been activated 12 times since 2019 and operates a county MOU shelter in Prescott Valley with 190 covered stalls; staff described volunteer roles, intake procedures and contingency plans for owners who cannot retrieve animals.
Kathy, representing LASER (Large Animal Shelter Emergency Readiness), told the Prescott Valley Town Council on Nov. 6 that the volunteer nonprofit formed after the 2017 Goodwin Fire and has since been activated 12 times for wildfires and placed on standby 12 additional times.
LASER operates a county‑provided shelter site in Prescott Valley — “just off of Highway 89A, right by WheelHouse Sports” — that the presenter said includes 190 covered stalls and a fully stocked on‑site shed funded through donations and grants, notably the Arizona Community Foundation. Kathy said LASER also maintains a backup shelter at the Chino Valley Equestrian Park under an agreement with Chino Valley and a local equestrian association.
The organization described a layered volunteer structure: a quick response team that readies the site (water buckets, hoses, stall checks), greeters who begin intake paperwork, intake teams who accompany vehicles to stalls, feeding/cleaning crews, and a shelter manager who oversees operations and briefs shifts. Volunteers undergo county background checks and an annual recertification process. “We can be ready in 1 hour,” Kathy said, describing the activation workflow tied to county emergency management notifications.
Kathy said LASER shelters household barn animals (horses, goats, chickens) but not exotics or large cattle herds; in limited cases they may accommodate one or two backyard 4‑H steers. Animal owners transport their animals or may use partner nonprofits (Bridle E/Emergency Equine Evacuation) or friends. There is no public charge for sheltering during activations, she said.
On veterinary contingency planning, Kathy said LASER first contacts the owner, then the owner’s veterinarian if the owner is unreachable; if neither can be found they call Prescott Animal Hospital, which LASER said is on call. When asked what happens if an owner is incapacitated and cannot retrieve animals within the 24‑hour pickup window, Kathy said LASER collects a backup contact at intake and will attempt alternate arrangements, including temporary housing with the Yavapai Humane Society’s equine division if needed.
Council members praised the volunteer turnout and professional setup at LASER’s recent open house. The presentation closed with staff noting the organization’s partnerships (county Emergency Management Office, Horses with Heart) and that LASER’s mission extends to community preparedness outreach, including neighborhood presentations and animal‑focused “go kits.”
The council did not take action at the study session; the presentation served to inform council about LASER’s capabilities and potential collaboration in future emergency planning.
