Field & SMART Team
Our LA Animal Services Field Team are sworn animal control officers who keep communities in Los Angeles safe and provide assistance to animals in need. The Field Team is responsible for helping and rescuing sick or injured animals, reuniting lost pets with owners, providing pet food assistance and resources to homeless individuals with animal companions, as well as responding to, and investigating incidents pertaining to animal cruelty and neglect, and ensuring local and state animal laws and ordinances are followed.
In February 2012, the Department consolidated its Small Animal Rescue Team (SmART), Department Air Rescue Team (DART), Wildlife Program and Permit Section into one operations unit. The Department further unified the SmART and DART into one joint venture called the Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team (SMART). This reorganization resulted in leveraging staff to do more than one function, as staff was cross trained to support each other. The end result is more staff are available for emergency call outs and Departmental field support. Most importantly, the Department is able to provide increased quality and improved services to the public while maximizing safety and support to our personnel.
See our SMART team members in action in some of our most popular videos.
Three orphaned kittens trapped underground are rescued by three of LA Animal Services SMART team's finest.
SMART responded to a call regarding a mountain lion in the crawlspace under a house.
The bird is carefully removed from the glue traps and cared for by our medical staff.
Just a few of the dogs and puppies rescued by SMART over the years.
SMART was created because there was a demand for a team dedicated to rescuing animals stuck in extreme situations on a regular basis.
SMART will respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When an animal is in distress, call your local Animal Shelter at 1-888-452-7381.
Since there has never been a small animal rescue team like SMART, the team modified concepts and equipment designed for human urban search and rescue so that they could be applied towards animals.
SMART rescues all small animals whether it is stray, wild, or owned. Examples of recent SMART rescues include:
- a stray cat stuck in a tree for 5 days
- a fox in a tree at a school under lock-down
- a cat stuck in a storm drain
- a dog that fell over a fifty-foot cliff
- and a cat stuck in the LA River.
The team members had extensive experience with rock climbing and rappelling and felt that these skills could be used to rescue animals, with this the team created RAK, which is the essence of all their training exercises.
SMART coined these phrases so their specialized training and techniques can be used as models for future small animal rescue teams. SMART created the acronyms MARTE (Mock Animal for Rescue Training Exercises), MARS (Mock Animal Rescue Scenario), RAK (Ropes, Anchors, and Knots), and POLR (Pools, Oceans, Lakes, and Rivers)
SMART is NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) Certified to perform swift-water rescue operations across the country. In July and November of 2009, SMART went through swift-water rescue training and has since made modifications for the rescue training geared towards rescuing humans so that it can be applied to saving animals’ lives.
A Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is and essential part of the SMART team. SMART recognized the need to have a medic available at rescues to provide emergency medical care and ensure the animal is stable prior to the rescue. The RVT undergoes the same specialized training, making him capable of treating an animal stuck in any type of extreme situation.
All 7 SMART Members are NFPA certified in Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations (L.A.R.R.O.) In addition to the training curriculum that SMART created they saw the need to be able to understand and be efficient with the training that Fire Departments and Mountain Search and Rescue Teams adhere to across the Nation.
Ways To Help
Support Our Team With Donations From Our Wishlists
CMC Rescue has been providing the world’s most trusted life safety equipment to the rescue and rope access communities for 40 years with the purpose to help save lives. Visit www.cmcpro.com
Response Harness Large, Item# 2028156, $50 ea., QTY 6
Uniform Rappel Belt Medium, Item# 202423, $60 ea., QTY 6
Uniform Rappel Belt Large, Item# 202424, $60 ea., QTY 6
Uniform Rappel Belt X-Large, Item# 202425, $60 ea., QTY 2
Palisades Pack Uni, Item# 440633, $191 ea., QTY 6
Rope bag model 2 blue, Item# 430202, $82 ea., QTY 6
Rope Bag model 2 red, Item# 430203, $82 ea., QTY 6
Rope Bag model 3 black, Item# 430305, $98 ea., QTY 6
Rope Bag model 3 yellow, Item# 430307, $98 ea., QTY6
Mesh bag uni, Item# 440742, $70 ea., QTY 20
Water Rescue Bag uni, Item# 440752, $156 ea., QTY 20
Shasta Bag Red, Item# 440423, $185 ea., QTY 12
Pro Pocket Black, Item# 434105, $68 ea., QTY 24
Heavy Rescue Organizer Red, Item# 770403, $141 ea., QTY 4
Heavy Rescue Organizer Black, Item# 770405, $141 ea., QTY 4
Heavy Rescue Organizer Orange, Item# 770401, $141 ea., QTY 4
System pac Orange, Item# 440511, $246 ea., QTY 4
Survivor 8 alum, Item# 300875, $29 ea., QTY 20
Traverse litter orante, Item# 726125, $935 ea., QTY 2
Mule II litter wheel uni, Item# 331602 $1585 ea., QTY 1
Rescue litter harness, red/blue, Item# 724131, $161 ea., QTY 2
Helitack stork red, Item# 724309, $1800 ea., QTY 1
Carlson Rescue Board Green, Item# 479000, $485 ea., QTY 2
Harken riggers winch uni, Item# 733510, $1725 ea., QTY 3
NFPA throw bags 50 ft, Item# 291750, $96 ea., QTY 12
NFPA throw bags 75 ft, Item# 291775, $130 ea., QTY 12
Arizona Vortex kit uni, Item# 727300, $4975 ea., QTY 1
Load Release Strap blue, Item# 201108, $69 ea., QTY 6
Edge Guards medium, Item# 294030, $38 ea., QTY 12
Edge Guards large, Item# 294029, $42 ea., QTY 12
Command 20 tasker s 72 lumens, Item# 133429, $107 ea., QTY 20
Rope Web Cutter Uni, Item# 268010, $82 ea., QTY 2
US divers fins yellow, Item# 474150, $81 pr., QTY 6
8 link black, Item# 201202, $25 ea., QTY 20
Etrier blue, Item# 201122, $57 ea., QTY 4
Etrier red, Item# 201132, $57 ea., QTY 4
Rope Rescue Field Guide uni, Item# 993232, $30 ea., QTY 20
Tech Rescue Field Operations uni, Item#993601, $25ea, QTY 20
Swiftwater Rescue Guide Uni, Item# 993110, $21 ea., QTY 20
Rope Rescue Manual Uni, Item# 993221, $65 ea., QTY 12
Swiftwater Rescue Book Uni, Item #993101, $31 ea., QTY 12
Pro Series Radio Harness Black, Item# 240029, $91 ea., QTY 12
Radio Holster, Item# 240027, $41 ea., QTY 12
Sunbrero Black, Item# 492155, $37 ea., QTY 12
Doo Rag Black, Item# 492005, $10 ea., QTY 20
MPD 11mm, Item# 33010, $789 ea., QTY 4
MPD 13mm, Item# 33000, $789 ea., QTY 4
Kootenay Pulley Orange, Item# 33000, $282 ea., QTY 2
Pro tech pulleys, general, Item# 300501, $69 ea., QTY 12
Pro tech pulleys, general, Item# 300502, $106 ea., QTY 12
HD pulleys, general, Item# 300441, $130 ea., QTY 12
HD pulleys, general, Item# 300442, $180 ea., QTY 12
HD pulleys, general, Item# 300461, $175 ea., QTY 12
Pro tech pulleys, tech use, Item# 300161, $20 ea., QTY 24
Pro tech pulleys, tech use, Item# 300169, $20 ea., QTY 24
Pro tech pulleys, manual, Item# 300182, $25 ea., QTY 40
Pro tech pulleys, auto lock, Item# 300193, $25 ea., QTY 40
CMC ascender, red, Item# 341103, $85 ea., QTY 20
Ascender, right, Item# 343039, $69 ea., QTY 6
Ascender, left , Item# 343035, $69 ea., QTY 6
Rock n lock, 8-13mm, Item# 343053, $75 ea., QTY 6
3D Descender, general, Item# 300880, $249 ea., QTY 12
Rescue rack, general, Item# 300890, $189 ea., QTY 6
Anchor plate,red, Item# 300610, $67 ea., QTY 12
Anchor plate micro, red, Item# 300610, $37 ea., QTY 12
Azorp Kit, org/blue, Item# 3727400, $512 ea., QTY 2
Water rescue tether, yellow, Item# 201707, $79 ea., QTY 12
Kongo carabiner, red, Item# 368100, $30 ea., QTY 12
Kongo carabiner, black, Item# 368105, $42 ea., QTY 12
Prusik cord, 6mm, Item# 293012, .68ft, 400ft
Prusik cord, 8mm grn, Item#293018, .72ft, 600ft
Prusik cord, 8mm red, Item#293038, .72ft, 600ft
Flat web, orange, Item#200111berry, .58ft, 200ft
Flat web, yellow, Item#200117berry, .58ft, 200ft
New England Rope, 13mm white, Item# k00160, $1.40ft, 600 ft
New England Rope, 13mm red, Item# k01160, $1.61ft, 600 ft
New England Rope, 13mm green, Item# k02160, $1.61ft, 600 ft
New England Rope, 13mm blue, Item# k03160, $1.61ft, 600 ft
New England Rope, 13mm black, Item# k04160, $1.61ft, 600 ft
New England Rope, 13mm orange, Item# k05160, $1.61ft, 600 ft
Mustang sentinel drysuit, medium, item# msd674, $1800e, QTY 4
Mustang sentinel drysuit, large, item# msd674, $1800e, QTY 4
Mustang sentinel drysuit, x-large, item# msd674, $1800e, QTY 2
Their products provide humane handling and capture equipment to those who work with animals both domestic and wild. Visit www.animal-care.com.
Super Talon Animal Catcher kit, Item#STAC, $1686 ea., QTY 2
Super Talon Animal Catcher CO2, STAC-CO2, $5 ea., QTY 48
Magnum net, net, Item#3641-k, $150 ea., QTY 4
Bird mammal net, net, Item#3543, $665 ea., QTY 6
Humaniac net, net, Item#fn-lxk, $108 ea., QTY 6
Little dandy, net, Item#fd-ld, $50 ea., QTY 6
Classic hammock, net, Item#fp-ch, $124 ea., QTY 6
Talon gloves, small, Item#tg-s, $62 pr., QTY 4
Talon gloves, medium, Item#tg-m, $62 pr., QTY 4
Talon gloves, large, Item#tg-l, $62 pr., QTY 4
Talon gloves, xlarge, Item#tg-xl, $62 pr., QTY 2
Muzzles, set, Item#mbuset6, $98 ea., QTY 4
GALLS services the needs of public safety professionals with their essential gear and supplies. Visit galls.com.
5:11 parka 3 in 1 Red, Item# ja331, $250 ea., QTY 12
Visit Bishop Co. at bishco.com.
Dynaglide green, Item# 15270200600, $90 ea., 600 ft
Slick Line yellow, Item slick150, $13 ea., 150 ft
Big Shot Kit with poles, Item# 4175300, $112 ea., QTY 2
Throw weight 7 oz, Item# acroflex8, $12 ea., QTY 6
Throw weight 10 oz, Item# acroflex10, $12 ea., QTY 6
Throw weight 12 oz, Item# acroflex12, $12 ea., QTY 6
Throw weight 14 oz, Item# acroflex14, $12 ea., QTY 6
Throw weight 16 oz, Item# acroflex16, $12 ea., QTY 6
Ascentree double, Item# b19aaa, $220 ea., QTY 4
Rockgrab 90 deg, Item# rg290, $90 ea., QTY 12
Pantin right, Item# b02cra, $80 ea., QTY 6
Pantin left, Item# b02cla6, $80 ea., QTY 6
Bee line eye to eye, 8mm, 34”, Item# 40730, $42 ea., QTY 12
Bee line eye to eye, 8mm, 24”, Item# 40710, $42 ea., QTY 12
Ocean Poly, 10mm, 33”, Item# 27330, $19 ea., QTY 12
Ocean Poly, 10mm, 25.5”, Item# 27310, $17 ea., QTY 12
Snap aluminum blue, Item# fp8002, $22 ea., QTY 12
Snap aluminum red, Item# sl9660, $17 ea., QTY 12
Limelite reel, 11/7mm, 600’, Item# 117x600ll, $476 ea., QTY 1
Blue moon, 11/7mm, 600’, Item# 117x600dm, $465 ea., QTY 1
Transporter tool, Item# c5m, $65 ea., QTY 20
DMM Revolver auto, Item# a277, $50 ea., QTY 20
CMI micro pulley, Item# rp110, $30 ea., QTY 20
Biso
Jet Grip, JPW-JG-300A, Item# 286530, $550 ea., Qty 4
