Emergency Preparedness

When an emergency occurs, equines and equine owners are affected – horse owners and custodians are often left on their own to manage the horses in their care; the first priority of responders is humans. Experience has shown that a lack of equine emergency structure creates human and animal safety issues and has a negative impact on the response of first responders and municipal emergency coordinators to the actual emergency.

All municipalities in Alberta are required to have an Emergency Preparedness Plan in place. In 2017, we created and shared equine emergency guidelines and templates with all municipalities and communities in Alberta, to incorporate into their plans. Your municipality or community will have the resources to assist equine owners; we suggest you contact them for assistance with your plan(s).

Be Prepared - Over the past decade, we have seen an increase in natural disasters and the effect this can have not only on humans but on the herd as well. During the floods of 2013, we stepped up to help equine owners and livestock; during the horrific forest fires in 2016, we initiated fundraising efforts for hay, feed, and transportation of equines to new locations. During the pandemic, we raised funds to ensure equines in the province had the necessary feed and supplies that owners could not afford.

You can help by being prepared for emergencies. Create your plan(s) and review them each and every year!

Emergency preparedness for farm animals and livestock and resources to create your plan.

May 2023 Alberta Wildfires

In response to the threat of multiple wildfires burning throughout the province, Alberta has declared a provincial state of emergency to ensure the safety, health and welfare of Albertans. Emergency responders are working around the clock to keep people safe and reduce the threat to homes and infrastructure.

If you are interested in helping equines in need, please complete this form.

If you are in need of equine assistance, please view this directory.

*We will not be coordinating the transport of feed or horses, so it will be directly between those who need help and those who offered help to coordinate any interaction.

Please consider a donation to our Equine Emergency Disaster Fund.

Submit application for expense relief through the Equine Emergency Disaster Fund. Application period runs from August 15 to September 15, 2023.