BROWNS VALLEY, CA (MPG) – In their largest single donation to date, the Yuba River Endowment donated $44,443.40 to fund an Animal Evacuation Center at the Yuba County Sheriff’s Posse Arena in Browns Valley. The funds will be used to purchase 300 horse panels, 60 hog panels, stall identification tags, water tubs, build a concrete stem wall and build a hay storage area.

 “During the North Complex Fire we sheltered over 120 horses and farm animals at the Posse Arena, all with volunteer time and supplies,” said Yuba County Search & Rescue Captain, Terri Ayers. “As wildfires and mass evacuations become more frequent, we need the infrastructure and supplies to maintain a true animal evacuation center.”

When disaster strikes, calls for help evacuating animals start streaming in to the Yuba County Sheriff’s Animal Care Services, who then partners with the Yuba County Search & Rescue Posse members to get the animals. During the North Complex Fire, the all-volunteer Yuba County Sheriff’s Men’s & Women’s Posse members (who have recently joined to form a single Posse) physically removed the animals from many residences, gathered donated supplies to set-up the evacuation area, and coordinated services to shelter the animals at the Posse Arena.

“Many residents had no way to move their animals, but they would not evacuate until they knew their animals were safe,” said Yuba County Animal Control Manager, Heather Nall. “We had horses, pigs, goats, sheep, even chickens, and many animals stayed at the Posse Arena for almost three weeks during the last incident.”

“Whether it’s evacuating animals from fires in the foothills, or from floods in the valley, the Posse Arena’s location is ideal to be Yuba County’s central evacuation center,” said Yuba River Endowment Board Member, Mike Filice. “The Posse volunteers are truly the unsung heroes of Yuba County and the Endowment Board sincerely thanks them for their dedication and their vision to make this Animal Evacuation Center a reality.”

The Yuba River Endowment is a non-profit organization created by Yuba County farmers. Since formation in late 2019, the Endowment has donated over $200,000 to support Yuba County ag organizations, provide food resources, veteran’s support, and much more.

The Yuba River Endowment was established by a select group of Yuba County farmers who have a right to water that flows on the Yuba River. In a truly win-win situation, the farmers’ water is used to provide the required flow levels to protect endangered fishes on the Yuba River, then once past this critical point, the water can be sold to drought-stricken areas of the state. Proceeds from these transfers provide the funding for the Yuba River Endowment.

To donate, or learn more about volunteering for the Yuba County Search & Rescue, visit www.yubacountysar.com