El Dorado County Search and Rescue Animal Technical Rescue

Through the gracious donations and grants, EDSAR developed a new Animal Technical Rescue Team (EDSAR ATR) in 2022.  The Halter Project and The Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation have funded hundreds of hours of training and equipment to make the EDSAR ATR Team a leader in animal rescue. Large Animal Technical Rescue Training, Fireline Safety Training, and All Hazards training to allow the team to work in situations beyond the normal scope of Search and Rescue, including the evacuation and care of animals during the Caldor and Mosquito Fires. 

Since the team’s inception, they have worked with several local agencies dedicated to animals in natural disasters, including UC Davis Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT), California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET), El Dorado County Fire, Rescue Fire Department, El Dorado County Animal Services, Sacramento Metro Fire, Butte County Search and Rescue, Marin County Search and Rescue, Nevada County HEART, ResQFast, Butte County Sheriff Helicopter Unit, North Valley Animal Disaster Group (NVADG), California Fish and Wildlife Services, and many other leading animal rescue specialists in northern California.

EDSAR ATR participated in Cal OES’s “Sentinel Response 2022,” in a first-ever integration of Animal Responders in a large scale disaster training event. Advanced training in air operations, flood environments, and transportation accidents have allowed the team to assist in several local community events, including support during the 2023 Tevis 100 Mile Endurance Ride. 

Info about the Donors for this project 

Halter Project:  www.halterproject.org

The HALTER Project is a grass-roots program with a vision: To help animals in emergencies and disasters by supporting efforts of communities and agencies to train and prepare for a ready response to, and the care of, animals in everyday emergencies and large-scale disasters.

What we do:

Inspire animal owners and their communities to be prepared for emergencies and natural disasters.

• Support training and development for Animal Technical Rescue and Disaster Response teams.

• Provide education& information resources for the whole community, including senior and disabled residents, non-English speakers, and tourists.

• Connect donors with nonprofit organizations who provide aid to animals is disasters in their communities.

About the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation

The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation is a private charitable foundation based in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The Duffields are long-time benefactors of companion animal causes, education initiatives and veteran services, and are the founders of Maddie's Fund®, a leading animal welfare foundation dedicated to revolutionizing the status and well-being of companion animals. They honor the spirit of their dog Maddie in their philanthropy pursuits to thank her for her love and companionship.