FieldHaven Animal Support Team (FHAST)

  1. Home /
    2. Programs /
  2. FieldHaven Animal Support Team (FHAST)

FieldHaven Animal Support Team (FHAST)

Caring for Pets and Their People During Disasters

Our disaster response team has responded to disaster incidents for over a decade. Whether the incident is relatively small (a hoarding situation) or gargantuan, FHAST is ready to deploy our experienced team on short notice.

We are typically able to set up a shelter for cats and pocket pets within a matter of hours of the initial call for help. Our priorities are the safety and comfort of the animals we are caring for and offering compassion to their owners. As cat experts, we know how to make even the most fearful cats feel relatively comfortable in a shelter setting.

We have veterinary staff onsite as needed. When extended care is necessary, we utilize full-service veterinary clinics in the area.

Watch the video above to learn how to securely transport your cat(s) during evacuation to prevent tragic situations like this sad true story:

When we were evacuating, my cat had gotten out of the carrier I had her in. She was freaking out and somehow hit the backseat window button and jumped out of the window. I watched through my side mirror in horror as she hit the ground and rolled. Cars were coming from the opposite side of the street and what she rolled into. She managed to get out of the street. I turned around and went back and could not find her. We looked for her for 40 minutes.

Be sure to see the award-winning documentary, The Fire Cats: Save Something Small.

Join FHAST

Please join our volunteer team for FHAST! We welcome people with a variety of skills. Here are some of the skills we need for any disaster shelter:

  • Customer service
  • Transportation
  • Veterinarians and veterinary technicians/assistants
  • Cat care and cleaning
  • IT support
  • Communications and social media
  • Fundraising and donation procurement

Requirements for FHAST Volunteers

Apply to Volunteer

Resources

Please join review our FHAST downloadable resources:

About FHAST

FieldHaven Feline Center | PDF

FieldHaven’s disaster response team has been responding to disaster incidents for over a decade. Whether the incident is relatively small (e.g. a hoarding situation) or large, FHAST is ready to deploy our experienced team on short notice. Learn more about FHAST. Download >>

FHAST Volunteering

FieldHaven Feline Center | PDF

Learn more about the requirements and skills necessary to become a FHAST volunteer through FieldHaven Feline Center. Download >>

Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Cats

FieldHaven Feline Center | PDF

When it comes to evacuating during a fire or other disaster, the first thing to keep in mind is to crate your cat(s) sooner than later. As soon as you have an inkling you may have to evacuate, gather up your pet(s) and secure them. Cats are masters at sensing danger. Unlike dogs who glue themselves to humans in uncertain times, cats will scatter and hide. Do not wait until the last minute to secure them in a carrier. You may end up being forced to make a desperate decision if you can not find one last cat who has crawled up under the bed and is inaccessible. Download >>

Fire Cat Recovery Tips

FieldHaven Feline Center | PDF

Experienced fire cat trapper Marji Beach provides detailed advice for those of you starting to return to your properties and have missing cats. This guide provides the best information for locating your missing cat. Download >>

How to Evacuate Your Cat

FieldHaven Feline Center | Video

Wildfires have become part of our lives in the west and in many other areas of the country. This video will provide tips for being prepared to evacuate your cats in case a wildfire threatens your home. Watch video >>

Our Wonderful Partners