Atwood Ranch eyes emergency preparedness

Veterinary experts from UC Davis will be among those on hand Sunday, May 4, for a Sonoma Valley event to help rural residents and animal owners create their own emergency preparedness plans.

The Sonoma City Council is expected to issue a proclamation at its April 21 meeting declaring May 4 to be Emergency Preparedness Day in Sonoma, and on that day Atwood Ranch will be hosting an emergency preparedness event, with presentations given by numerous educators and professionals.

According to host Julie Atwood, “Sonoma Valley is particularly vulnerable to many types of emergencies, and citizens must be aware, prepared, educated and involved to survive and to protect our safety, environment and economy.”

Among those providing information will be experts from the UC Davis Western Institute for Food Safety & Security and the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Representatives from the Sonoma County Office of Emergency Services, the American Red Cross and other emergency-preparedness groups also will be there to lend their expertise.

Topics to be covered include animal first aid, the relocation and safe handling of large animals, and developing community disaster plans. Farmers, ranchers, service animal groups, animal rescue agencies, municipalities, community planners, veterinarians and any other interested parties are invited to attend.

The event is Sunday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Atwood Ranch in Glen Ellen. There is no on-site parking, but shuttles are available from Dunbar School, 11700 Dunbar Road, Glen Ellen.

To register, visit julieatwoodevents.com/animals.html.

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