San Juan Capistrano is well known as an equestrian destination, due to the large concentration of horses, stables and riding facilities in the City. During an emergency or disaster, taking care of large animals requires advance planning and skills on how to handle and move animals to safety. Animal owners are responsible for the basic care and sheltering of their pets and animals during a major disaster or emergency. When warned of an upcoming emergency or pending evacuation, it is assumed that owners of pets, service animals and livestock will take precautions to protect and care for their animals. Be prepared
when emergencies arise with the proper supplies, veterinary information, animal identification and an evacuation plan that has been practiced. Make sure animals are familiar with being loaded onto a trailer and prearrange an evacuation site for animals outside the immediate area.
San Juan Capistrano Large Animal Response Team (LART) provides training to safety evacuate large animals during emergency situations. The program offers training in safe and humane animal handling, trailer loading and transportation, assisting in emergency animal shelters, and fire behavior and safety.
The LART mission is to provide large animal evacuation resources to jurisdictions in need. This trained group of volunteers is requested as a mutual aid resource by the County of Orange, under Orange County Animal Care and can be sent to an emergency incident to assist in animal evacuations and care.
Upon successfully completing the LART training, individuals must successfully pass a Live Scan background check before being utilized in an LART evacuation activation. Live Scan is a form of background check required by the City for volunteers to complete. The government will check submitted fingerprints against its database to retrieve an individual's criminal record.
LART classes have been postponed, but interested individuals can Apply below to receive notification of future LART class dates.
View and submit your LART Application online.