We had a GREAT Maddie's Community Conversation with @Jerrica Owen CAWA, CEO of National Animal Care and Control Association. She gave us invaluable inormation on how to BE PREPARED with her talk on "Disaster Response for Animal Control: Partnerships & Preparedness."
To earn a certificate of attendance for continuing education credit, watch the recording here.
This session is ideal for adoptions and foster staff and volunteers, return to home and intake prevention staff, veterinary professionals (vets, techs, support staff), behavior staff and volunteers, field services/animal control officers.
Partnerships are operational tools, not “nice to have.” Strong relationships with emergency management, shelters, veterinary partners, and other public safety agencies enable smoother coordination for intake, transport, communication, and humane care when systems are overwhelmed.
Prepared processes reduce chaos and protect both animals and staff. Having ready-to-use plans (SOPs, contact lists, resource checklists, and tabletop/drills) helps ACOs respond consistently, manage surge capacity, and maintain humane standards under pressure.
Key takeaways
• Despite existing state and federal laws, many housing providers ignore legal protections for tenants with Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). This results in harassment, resistance, and wrongful denial of accommodations.
• Examples of the immediate impact of hiring from within your community will be provided.
• The link between access to pet care and access to careers in animal health.
Your jurisdiction still matters during disasters. Even when conditions change fast, ACO authority and service responsibilities remain the foundation for safe, lawful response—so know your boundaries and escalation path ahead of time.
Don't forget! Maddie's Fund will be awarding up to $10,000 in grants each month! You can enter to be in the running each time you attend a call or watch it on demand during the month by completing the monthly grant awards entry form.
About our speaker
Accomplished animal welfare professional Jerrica Owen joined the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) in April 2021 as Director of Partnerships and Programs. She was named Executive Director in December 2021 and Chief Executive Officer in September 2025.
With nearly 20 years of experience in emergent animal welfare, Jerrica has led and supported diverse staff and shelter operations, driving successful initiatives in cross-cultural environments. Previously, she served as Director of Strategic Initiatives for San Diego Humane Society, helping advance the organization’s core strategies. She also brings extensive emergency response experience as a Senior Animal Response Team Leader with the Emergency Response Team, supporting tactical and shelter operations for domestic, wildlife, and equine animals during major disasters.
Jerrica’s leadership combines dynamic organizational management with an energetic, lifesaving passion. She is committed to inclusive engagement and resource accessibility as NACA continues its work as a national leader in professionalism and standards for the animal control and service profession.
Jerrica earned her B.S. from California State University–Chico and holds certifications in Animal Welfare Administration (CAWA), Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt), Organizational Leadership, and Modern Humane Resource Management. She lives in California with her family and her pets—including tortoises!
To access a certificate of attendance for CAWA and NACA CE credit, please watch this recording on Maddie's University:
https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/disaster-response-for-animal-control-partnerships-preparedness-maddies-community-conversations-on-demand
Please note: All views expressed on these calls are not necessarily endorsed by Maddie’s Fund.
#DisasterRelief
#EducationandTraining
#FieldServicesandPublicSafety*
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Alison Gibson
Media Projects Manager
Maddie’s Fund
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