Posted on FlashAlert: June 20th, 2023 8:30 AM
Lane County Animal Services is hosting a training for people interested in volunteering to support livestock transportation, feeding, and sheltering operations during emergencies.
“We rely on volunteers to help care for horses, goats, chickens and other livestock during emergency evacuations and this training will help increase the number of people ready to help,” said Lane County Animal Welfare Officer Isabel Merritt. “It’s incredible to have so many caring community members help us take care of these animals while their owners are evacuated from their homes.”
The training is Saturday, June 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Lane County Public Works’ Goodson Room (3040 North Delta Highway, Eugene). Map here. If you plan to attend, please send an email to Lane County Animal Services at [email protected] so staff can plan accordingly.
Volunteers help transport animals out of evacuation zones; support animals sheltering in place in evacuation zones with food, water and welfare checks; and feed, groom and clean up after animals being sheltered with Lane County Animal Services. They may also assist with organizing donations of food, tack or other items.
Volunteers do not need previous large animal experience, but they should be comfortable learning and being around large animals. People between the ages of 15 and 18 will need to have a guardian’s signed release before they can volunteer during an active emergency; they do not need a release to attend the training. Children under 15 cannot volunteer at this time.
Learn more about large animal evacuation at https://bit.ly/LCLargeAnimalEvacuation.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
