As an all-volunteer group...

We depend on our dedicated, cohesive group of volunteers, who are trained to work under the direction of County Office of Emergency Services (OES) and other authorities to save animals in the event of a disaster.

Join us in our efforts to continue increasing coverage in our county. Let's work together to evacuate our animals, when, not if, disaster strikes.


Our 2008 Board:

Margaret W. has been a volunteer and board member with nonprofits since her undergraduate days at Berkley.  As a horse owner and lover whose animals barely escaped the bay area's Oakland Hills fire in 1989, she hopes to bring her experience with people, animals and organizational management to Sclar's Large Animal  Emergency Evacuation endeavor.  Margaret lives in Shingle Springs with her Morgan and Hanoverian horses ranging from 2 years to 18 years of age.  A dressage rider who is struggling up the levels, she also enjoys occasional slow trail rides with lots of time to smell (and maybe even taste) the flowers.

Frann K.  has loved horses since she was a little girl.  Today she's all grown up and she still loves horses.  She now raises, shows and boards them.  Currently, Frann has four horses of her own and is looking forward to another breeding and show season.  "Sclar is an outstanding organization and I'm very proud to be an active member, and hope you will too." 

Eve S. began her involvement with Sclar after attending the 2nd meeting of the new group, in the  Spring of 2004.  She has a life-long love of horses, but only realized her dream of horse ownership 5 years ago when she acquired 3 paint geldings.   A retired banker, Eve lives in Somerset with her husband,  AJ, their horses, dogs, cats, goats, llamas and emus. 

We are so happy to welcome to the 2008 board:

• Loring H. as our Training Officer.  Soon to be married, Loring brings a wonderful enthusiasm and business background.  A long time horse enthusiast, Loring's experience with horses, her background in business and dynamic thinking is definitely our gain. 
  
   

About our founders

Ryn Woll was raised in Massachusetts, and has owned and cared for horses since childhood. She worked with them professionally for many years. Ryn and her husband, Andy Woll, a local attorney, moved to El Dorado County in 1981. Ryn and Andy live on five acres in Somerset with a warmblood mare and her goat, three dogs, several overweight cats and a very confused “wild” turkey.

Aimee (Vukovich) Burkhart grew up Shingle Springs area and has owned horses since childhood. Aimee's love of horses has been lifelong. Aimee and her husband Tim live in Somerset with four horses, three dogs, a cat and a great many frogs on acreage, which keeps Tim very busy.  

Sclar Beginnings

• April 2004: David Turoff, DVM, while on a call at Ryn's ranch, mentioned the county’s need for localized groups that could evacuate animals in case of disasters, and his desire to start a group like this. Ryn offered to give it a go.
• Late April 2004: Ryn and the Turoffs attended an Equine Emergency Response Clinic at the University of California at Davis. The Clinic was to have far-reaching effects, not only for Sclar, but also for many other groups that were form using the information provided in the Clinic.
• Ryn met Aimee, and on May 22, they had their first meting at Pioneer Park in Fair Play. They started a campaign to get official County recognition.
• June and July 2004: Meetings were held and community action was begun.
• August 1, 2004: First Practice Run; a front page story on it appeared in the Mt. Democrat.
• Meetings with Animal Control and CDF in Mt. Aukum brought approval for the program.
• September-November, 2004. Meetings were held; group structure and curriculum were developed.
• November, 2004: First training session held on Fire Safety and Protocol.
• Dark December 2004 through March 2005.
• March 2005: Non-profit status achieved and classes began in earnest.
• May 2005: The author of California Animal Rescue Emergency Services (CARES) manual helped us schedule a meeting with OES.
• June 18, 2005: OES training class and Security Training class were both held and the head of El Dorado County OES swore in 44 people as Registered Disaster Service Workers. The first and largest hurdle had been passed.
• July 9, 2006: Practice Run, which fell for the second year on a time of unseasonably cool weather. This Practice was termed a Dry Run, with its purpose being to have all our vehicle and trailer resources on site in a mock Call Out. The turnout was impressive. As she watched rig after rig pull in, Katie, a board member, exclaimed, "Awesome!" And it was!
• As late summer/early fall begins, the group has finally reached a point where they can expect to be as prepared as possible for an emergency call out. Classes have been well attended. Teams have their trailer kits, personal kits and first aid lists. They have worked hard and hung in when the going was not easy. It's a fine group of people who have dedicated time, money and effort in support of their goal: to be ready to help their El Dorado County evacuate their animals in time of disaster. El Dorado County can be proud of them.

Please see the FAQ section for more about the group.