FAQ

Do you shelter animals during a single-family tragedy?

No. We are not an Animal Shelter. At times of large disasters, at the request of Butte County Animal Control, we may assist setting up a Temporary Emergency Animal Shelter in the field to assist evacuated residents with their animals.  We do not have permanent facilities to house animals. Local animal shelters frequently have facilities to assist at these times. Please contact the following shelter in your area:

Chico:
Butte Humane Society: (530) 343-7917

Gridley/Biggs:
Animal Shelter: (530) 846-5678 | (530) 846-4825

Oroville City:
Animal Enforcement-Shelter-Northwest-SPCA: (530) 533-7636

Paradise: Animal Control: (530) 872-6275

Who do I call about lost animals, barking dogs, aggressive animals, unattended animals, abused animals, etc.?

Call the Animal Control Office in your area:
Animal Control – Butte County: (530) 891-2907 | (530) 538-7409
Animal Control – City of Chico: (530) 895-4926
Animal Control – Oroville City: (530) 533-7636
Animal Control – Paradise: (530) 872-6275

Who do I call if an animal is in a life-threatening situation and needs immediate rescuing?

If you have a horse trailer accident, an animal fallen down a cliff, a structural collapse with a trapped animal, or any other serious emergency, please call 911. Please remember, 911 is only to be used in real emergencies. (The Fire Department will NOT rescue cats stuck in trees.) After you call 911, please call your personal Veterinarian to respond to the scene as well to assist emergency personnel.

Are you a registered non-profit organization?

Yes! We have full 501 (c) (3) status and are a registered tax-exempt non-profit organization. Any donations that are made to NVADG are tax deductible.

How do I donate?

Select the donate menu item for information.

What is the commitment for Volunteers?

We will give you a ton of opportunities to train so you can be prepared when disaster strikes. New Volunteer 16-hour Training is done annually during the 3rd weekend of January. A few things you’ll hear over and over: The first priority is human safety, follow the chain of command, safety is #1, don’t try to do anything you aren’t comfortable doing.

How do I join?

New volunteers need to attend the annual training in January to get the full safety and procedure training. To join mid year, see the section on the website for New Volunteers.  Reserve the 3rd weekend in January!

Do you rescue Wildlife?

Wildlife Rescue is restricted by the Department of Fish and Game. We have some training that will allow us to assist wildlife during a large disaster, we prefer to contact Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation – contact them via their website, www.bidwellwildliferehab.org or Fish and Game at (916) 445-0411.

Do you have a Media Representative?

Yes, our Public Information Officer is Mark Thorp.  He can be reached via our Contact page.

Do you offer public education, presentations to service groups, etc.?

Yes! One of our main goals it to prepare people for disasters before they happen so that they will already be safe and not have to depend on us. Call our Hotline today to make arrangements.  530-895-0000.

Can I pre-register with you and will you come get my animals if a fire breaks out? Or, if I put a sign in my window that pets are inside the home, and I’m not home when a fire breaks out, will you or firefighters get my animals?

Those are two great questions! NVADG has a hotline (530-895-0000) for people to call and request animal service during an incident.  We don’t go to random houses to collect animals.  This includes houses with signs in the window, or houses that may already be in our system. However, when we assess, or are advised by first responders, that animals at an address are at immediate risk due to approaching fire, we will do our best to evacuate those animals and clearly document the address and circumstances.

Can I use the emergency shelter and/or evacuation service if my house is in an evacuation Warning area, instead of an evacuation Order area?

Unfortunately, our resources (and Butte County directive) don’t allow us to service addresses in Warning zones. We work addresses in the Evacuation Order zones, where we are among the very limited people allowed in.  We just don’t have the people, space, time or resources to serve warning areas, where friends and family can move freely to help.

Can I help you during an evacuation?

The greatest help people can provide is to donate funds to support our work.  NVADG volunteers are specially trained, background-checked, and have been sworn in as California Disaster Service Workers.  If you think you want to volunteer during a disasters, come to our New Volunteer Training on the 3rd weekend in January of every year.  From that training you are able to help at the small animal shelter with basic animal care.  While there are tons of opportunity after that, the only requirement for continuing as a volunteer is to attend at least 8 hour of training over the next 2 years.