CARRET Animal Rescue Rangers Evac Team

Evacuation Help You Can Count On!

When wildfire strikes Southern California, every second counts. CARRET, 501(c)(3) public charity, is on a critical mission: To ensure no animal is left behind during emergencies. We believe that animal safety is paramount during disasters. 

Our team of experienced volunteers use trailers to remove horses, livestock, and exotic animals from the path of danger. By working closely with county officials, police, and fire marshals, CARRET executes time-sensitive evacuations, bringing frightened animals to safety.


ANIMAL EMERGENCY
EVACUATION HOTLINE
760-233-2135

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CARRET's History

California Animal Rescue Rangers Evacuation Team (CARRET) Hotline 760-233-2135

For more than 20 years, CARRET volunteers have been on the front lines, evacuating horses and livestock during wildfires and disasters across Southern California. Their efforts span major incidents such as the Cedar Fire (2003), Witch Fire (2007), and Apple Fire (2020), serving communities throughout Riverside, Temecula, and San Diego County. Early CARRET members operated under the group name ELERT. When that group disbanded, the volunteers reorganized in 2020 to form CARRET, which later became an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. According to President Jacqui Grande, the transition to a charitable organization was driven by a desire to support field volunteers—particularly by helping offset the high fuel costs required to operate large rescue vehicles. Today, CARRET relies on community donations to keep its rigs fueled and equipped for emergency response. 

CARRET has successfully responded to and evacuated animals from numerous fires each year, with some of the most notable efforts highlighted below. 

During the Valley Fire in 2020, as conditions intensified and fire spread rapidly, CARRET successfully evacuated more than 300 animals, including alpacas, emus, donkeys, horses, pigs, and various types of fowl. In September 2022, CARRET responded to the Fairview Fire near Hemet—a 28,000-acre blaze—evacuating over 500 animals. The team is especially grateful to Bob Brown of California Ranch Company (CRC) for generously providing temporary shelter for displaced animals. In 2024, CARRET mobilized on both the Orange County and Riverside County fronts during the Bridge and Airport Fires, continuing its commitment to rapid and coordinated response. By 2025, CARRET expanded its reach north into Los Angeles County, deploying volunteers to assist during the devastating Palisades/Eaton Fire. In recognition of their lifesaving efforts, CARRET was honored with a donation at the Young Entertainer’s Awards in Hollywood that same year.

Over the years, CARRET has grown into a network of more than 150 active members. These dedicated individuals contribute both in the field—serving as “Boots on the Ground” (BOGs)—and behind the scenes, supporting dispatch, mapping, road closures, fundraising, event planning, and administration. CARRET believes that, together, we can save animal lives during wildfires. Donations directly support the supplies, training, and fuel needed to keep volunteers moving when it matters most. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all contributions are tax-deductible—please consider supporting our mission.


Keep our engines running... Wildfires move fast - CARRET must also!
We Did It! Together, We Met Our Goal
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to each incredible donor and Fleet of Angels for the generous matching funds that pushed us past our fundraising target and made this campaign a wonderful success.
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