Across the country, American Humane Society’s network of National Operating Bases (NOBs) forms a powerful system of care, preparedness and compassion. These locations allow our rescue teams to respond rapidly and deliver lifesaving aid in disaster-prone areas.
Today, we are proud to announce the establishment of our newest NOB in Los Angeles, California. This strategically located facility will allow us to reach communities across the West, from the Pacific coast to the Rocky Mountains. Now when wildfires, earthquakes, or other devastating natural disasters strike in this region, our team can swiftly mobilize to rescue, care for and protect animal lives.
This new facility houses our rescue trucks and trailers, boats for water rescue, equipment for both local and air transport operations, and a comprehensive cache of deployment supplies, including rescue safety gear, veterinary equipment and emergency response resources.
With California ranking among the highest-risk states in the nation for natural disasters, it is vital that American Humane Society is fully equipped to respond and protect the animals affected from these devastating events.
This location is an essential addition to our list of active NOBs across the nation:
- Headquarters, Washington, DC
- Our national headquarters and central coordination base for rescue operations.
- Western Division, Los Angeles, California
- Our newest National Operating Base, strategically positioned to support disaster response throughout the western United States.
- Southeastern Division, Stuart, Florida
- South Central Division, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
- Serves as a vital base for coordination and deployment across the heartland. This strategic location enables us to reach animals and disaster-impacted communities swiftly and effectively.
- Southern Sub-Division Outpost, East Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Partnered with the East Baton Rouge Animal Control Shelter, this location allows us to extend our reach, share expertise and deliver compassion to animals who need it most.
Together, these NOBs form the heart of American Humane Society’s national operations. They ensure we can be wherever animals and people need us, quickly, compassionately and effectively.
Q&A with our Associate Vice President of Rescue, Cesar Perea
Q: What role do these National Operating Bases play in rescuing animals during natural disasters?
American Humane Society’s National Operating Bases improve our Rescue Team’s readiness to deploy with the urgency that natural disasters demand. Having strategically located operating bases allows us to respond more efficiently and mobilize more quickly when disaster strikes.
Because we now have permanent, centralized locations to store everything we need for deployment, our equipment stays organized, protected and ready for immediate use. These facilities also provide space to receive and store donated supplies from supporters, ensuring we are better prepared for every rescue mission.
Q: How does American Humane Society prepare for wildfires and other disasters before they happen?
Preparedness is key. Our Certified Animal Rescue Responders are trained in a variety of disaster-specific response protocols, including fire- and water-based rescues.
Our National Operating Bases also play a critical role in preparedness. By maintaining caches of equipment and emergency supplies, we can quickly establish temporary sheltering sites for displaced animals. This allows us to partner more effectively with local agencies, provide emergency shelter and help reunite animals with their families as quickly as possible.
Q: What challenges do animals in this region face during natural disasters, and how will this new base help address them?
One of the biggest challenges we see during disasters in this region is the limited availability of evacuation and sheltering resources for displaced animals.
This new National Operating Base strengthens our ability to support local agencies by rapidly establishing temporary remote sheltering sites. These additional resources help reduce overcrowding at existing shelters, allowing communities to care for more displaced animals while ensuring we can respond quickly and effectively during times of crisis.
Learn more about our rescue operations and how you can help support the animals that have been impacted by natural disasters: https://www.americanhumane.org/article/donate-to-rescue-animals-after-natural-disasters/
