Since 1994, the California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (CAVMRC) has provided critical emergency veterinary care to animals impacted by disasters across the state. What began as a small group of dedicated volunteer veterinary professionals has grown into the largest medical reserve corps in the nation, now boasting over 3,000 volunteer members.

In 2021, with efforts by the CVMA, legislation was passed establishing the state-funded California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET) at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Working closely with the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), CVET leads coordinated veterinary responses during disaster operations.

CVET’s full-time staff is focused on standardizing disaster response efforts across California’s 58 counties. They are working closely with county representatives to assess geographic veterinary needs and identify gaps in preparedness and have developed a structure of response leadership to address planning, logistics, and operations in emergencies.

To strengthen and unify statewide disaster response even further, the CAVMRC is partnering with CVET, combining its experienced leadership and powerful volunteer network with CVET’s operational resources and disaster response expertise.

On April 25-26, 2025, leadership from both the CAVMRC and CVET met at UC Davis to solidify this new partnership, discussing how best to integrate volunteers and equipment into joint deployment efforts. A highlight of the meeting was the showcase of each organization’s extensive disaster response equipment. 

The CAVMRC presented its 40-foot mobile command unit and newly acquired truck to pull its supply trailer. CVET provided a tour of its fleet of vehicles and trailers, fully outfitted with exam rooms, equipment and supplies, and large climate-controlled tent structures.

CAVMRC attendees included co-chairs and field coordinators, Drs. Jay Kerr and Diane McClure, along with additional field coordinators Drs. Noel Dybdal, Max Hibi, Kevin Lazarcheff, Shari O’Neill, and CAVMRC state coordinator, Dr. Grant Miller.

Representatives from CVET included Director Dr. Mike Ziccardi, Dr. Ashley Patterson, William Burke, Scott Buhl, and other CVET team members.

All veterinary professionals are encouraged to join the CAVMRC/CVET disaster response team! Membership is free and deployments are always voluntary. For more information and to sign up, visit cavmrc.net.

You can also meet representatives from CAVMRC and CVET in person at the Pacific Veterinary Conference (PacVet) in Long Beach during the Vet Expo on June 28-29, 2025.