Nevada County
Sheriff's Heart

Our mission is to assemble a highly-skilled, well trained, team of volunteers to safely handle animal rescues and large-scale animal evacuations during catastrophic events.

Connecting Hearts and Helping Animals

Building a resilient community

Founded in 2023 in response to Nevada County’s growing wildfire risk, the Nevada County Sheriff’s H.E.A.R.T. brings together trained Disaster Service Worker volunteers and Sheriff’s Office personnel to protect pets and livestock during disasters and animal emergencies. Our volunteers are background checked, sworn in, trained, and equipped to support evacuations, rescues, sheltering, transport, and complex animal emergencies.

With approximately 200 volunteers, more than 3,500 volunteer hours, and access to over 30 rescue vehicles and trailers, H.E.A.R.T. strengthens Nevada County’s emergency animal response capacity while helping animal families prepare before emergencies happen.

Through training, partnerships, preparedness, and community outreach, we are building a stronger, more resilient community for people and animals alike.

Our Story

Our Core Initiatives

Advancing preparedness, and response for all animals.

Animal Response

Supporting the safe evacuation, sheltering, care, tracking, and reunification of animals during disasters and emergencies in coordination with Nevada County agencies and response partners.

Animal Disaster Preparedness

Helping people and animals prepare before disasters or emergencies through education, evacuation planning, microchipping, emergency kits, and community preparedness outreach programs.

Community & Partnerships

Building the teams, equipment, facilities, training, veterinary relationships, and agency partnerships needed to strengthen Nevada County’s ability to protect animals before, during, and after emergencies.

Outreach

Connecting with animal families and communities across Nevada County through education, events, resources, and outreach programs that build awareness, strengthen preparedness, and help keep animals safer before emergencies happen.

Our Partners

Our partnerships are at the heart of what makes HEART possible. By working alongside local agencies, animal organizations, veterinary professionals, emergency responders, and community partners, we strengthen preparedness, expand response capacity, and better support animals and the families who care for them throughout Nevada County.