(a)
The University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine shall develop a program called the California Veterinary Emergency Team. The program shall assist in the support and training of a network of government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals to assist in the evacuation and care of household and domestic animals and livestock in emergencies statewide, including disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. The program shall also conduct or support research on best practices for the evacuation and care of the animals in disasters.
(b)
The program shall ensure that the training and the care provided by or coordinated by the program are at levels that are consistent with those standards
generally accepted within the veterinary profession. The program shall deploy responders to oversee the network volunteers and ensure accepted practices are implemented in the field during emergencies.
(c)
The University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, the secretary, and the Director of Emergency Services shall develop a memorandum of understanding for the university to consult with the secretary and the director regarding the coordination of the program’s activities with the state government’s disaster response practices and the deployment of the program’s participants during disasters. The memorandum of understanding shall outline program metrics.
(d)
The program shall provide a progress report every three years on the activities outlined in the memorandum of understanding to the secretary and the Director of Emergency Services.
(e)
For purposes of this part, “program” means the California Veterinary Emergency Team.
