North Carolina Veterinary Response Corps
The North Carolina Veterinary Response Corps (NCVRC) is a Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services initiative in partnership with the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association and the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. It is a volunteer group of professionals from the animal care community who are trained to help improve preparedness and response to disaster events that affect livestock and companion animals in NC.
The mission of the North Carolina Veterinary Response Corps is to train and coordinate volunteer veterinary professionals to assist local officials during emergencies in order to preserve animal well-being and protect public health and welfare.
The response of these specially trained volunteers will provide much needed help to people and animals in the impacted areas and mitigate the negative impacts at the local, state, and national levels.
NCVRC members will be contacted by an NCVRC representative if there is a request for assistance that is aligned with their skill set. Members are not required to respond during disasters; response is entirely voluntary.
Who Can Participate?
North Carolina veterinarians, veterinary technicians and assistants, and veterinary medical and veterinary technician students have unique knowledge and skills to contribute during disaster events. At this time, participation in NCVRC is limited to these groups.
If you are a member of one of these groups, we welcome you to contact our coordinator: Daniel Kish.
How to Sign Up
If you are interested in joining the North Carolina Veterinary Response Corps, please use the link below to fill out the VRC Registration Form:
Please provide as much information as possible when you register. Your information is secure and your privacy will be honored.
Training
The training requirements for the North Carolina Veterinary Response Corps (NCVRC) are designed to ensure volunteers are prepared to support animal and public health during incidents. While there are no prerequisites to register as a member, individuals must complete required response training before participating in an incident. These requirements include completion of core FEMA Incident Command System courses (IS-100.C, IS-200.C, and IS-700.B), signed NCVRC Code of Conduct, and completion of three training modules covering emergency response in NC, animal sheltering, and safety and biosecurity. Additional optional disaster-response courses are encouraged to strengthen preparedness and emergency response capabilities.
VRC Training Information
FEMA Courses
- IS-100.C: Introduction to Incident Command System
- IS-200.C: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
- IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
Please email completed FEMA ICS certificates to daniel.kish@ncagr.gov for record of qualification.
NC Training Modules
- Training Module 1: North Carolina Veterinary Response Corps
- Training Module 2: Animal Sheltering
- Training Module 3: Safety & Biosecurity
Code of Conduct
- NC VRC Code of Conduct (email signed copy to daniel.kish@ncagr.gov)
*NCVMB has approved Continuing Education Credits for these courses. CE credit may be obtained for other courses by contacting NCVMB prior to taking the course.
- June 19-21, 2026
- Large Animal Technical Rescue Training
- 24 hours CE credit from NCVMB
- Fairview, NC
- Registration: LAR Course Flyer - Fairview NC June 2026.jpg (1188×912)
- June 25, 2026: 9-12pm
- Introduction to Biosecurity Involving Animals (NC-PEART-22)
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Registration: NC TERMS Registration
- June 25, 2026: 1-5pm
- Co-Location Shelter Fundamentals (NC-PEART-0229)
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Registration: NC TERMS Registration
- September 12, 2026: 8-4 pm
- Scenario Saturday: Applying your LAR (Large Animal Rescue) Skills (NC-PEART-21)
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Registration: NC TERMS Registration
- October 23-25, 2026
- Large Animal Technical Rescue Training
- 24 hours CE credit from NCVMB
- Columbus, NC
- Registration: LAR Course Flyer - Columbus NC 102026.jpg (2200×1700)
Other websites to check for animal response related trainings:
• NCAERWG Training Link
• 4 Hooves Schedule
• NC TERMS Course Search
- Disaster preparedness | American Veterinary Medical Association
- CFSPH - The Center for Food Security and Public Health
- Emergency Preparedness and Response | Emergency Preparedness and Response | CDC
- Emergency Management
- NVAP Training Modules for Accreditation Renewal | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- BEST PRACTICES | Nasaaep
- Plan. Prepare. Stay Informed. | Ready NC
- Knowledge of NC Emergency Management
- Knowledge of NC Emergency Operations Plan
- Knowledge of Emergency Support Functions
- Emergency Support Function #11