Government Agencies / Representatives

ZDR3 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that responds to zoological facilities during disasters. In addition, ZDR3 provides guidance on facility and industry disaster planning and preparedness. 

Beginning in 2024, ZDR3 entered into a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This collaboration established ZDR3 as a key resource for USDA-licensed zoological businesses for their disaster planning, preparedness and response.

ZDR3 is not a government entity. We do, however, mobilize assistance in response to requests from various local, state, and federal agencies, and work in collaboration with agencies in facility and industry planning/preparedness activities. At times, this includes participation in joint or regional exercises. When we coordinate a response, we collaborate with appropriate agencies to ensure permissions and appropriate alignment with overall response efforts.

We encourage you to contact ZDR3 below if you work with a government agency and would like to 

  • Understand more about how you can integrate ZDR3 into your planning, and how to request support if needed.

  • Provide ZDR3 with information about your agency, including points of contact for coordination.

  • Consult with ZDR3 staff about how we can provide support to zoological facilities under your purview.

If you represent a public entity that has oversight of a zoological collection:

  • ZDR3 has agreements with many municipalities to provide mutual aid in the event of the need for support at their institutions. 

  • Some zoological facilities that are owned or managed by a public entity who wants to join the ZDR3 Network cannot sign a standard mutual aid agreement. We can work with you to adapt our mutual aid agreement to meet your municipality’s specific needs or potentially offer other options for assistance. Contact us to request a consultation.