Mission & History
Our Mission
Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3) manages and coordinates an emergency response network that fills a unique need in the exotic animal industry by facilitating the provision of experienced personnel to exotic animal facilities (eg, zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries) in times of natural disasters or catastrophic events.
Brief History
ZDR3 grew from a recognized need for a more coordinated approach to disaster response for the non-domestic animal community. What began as an industry-led concept following Hurricane Harvey was formally established in 2019 as the only organization focused on zoological disaster response coordination. Since then, ZDR3 has grown into a dynamic and diverse nationwide Network supporting non-domestic animal facilities before, during, and after disasters.
ZDR3 has provided on-scene support to facilities impacted by wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, and river flooding events, while also providing remote support to numerous other disaster types. Each response, partnership, and lesson learned along the way has shaped ZDR3 into the Network it is today.
2005Hurricane Katrina
Foundational Event
Hurricane Katrina marked a turning point in how animals were considered in disaster response in the United States. In the aftermath of the storm, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act) was passed, signaling a growing recognition at the federal level that animal welfare must be considered in emergency planning. While much of this focused on companion animals, it spurred a broader conversation that would eventually extend to the unique and complex needs of zoological facilities.
2017Hurricane Harvey
Foundational Event
Hurricane Harvey exposed critical gaps in coordination and communication during complex, large-scale zoological disaster response efforts. The challenges of relying on informal networks during the widespread response became the turning point that sparked early discussions to formalize a dedicated response organization, ultimately resulting in the creation of ZDR3.
2018ZDR3 Conceptualized
Foundational Event
Following the challenges identified after Hurricane Harvey, conversations continued around the need for a more organized approach to zoological disaster response. The concept for ZDR3 began to take shape, focusing on creating a dedicated response organization for non-domestic animal facilities. ZDR3 was formed by the industry, for the industry.
2019ZDR3 Formalized (Texas Coalition)
Foundational Event
ZDR3 was incorporated in Texas as a statewide, industry-led coalition to support zoological facilities impacted by natural disasters. The structure was designed to strengthen peer-to-peer coordination and create a more organized framework for response across the state and immediate region.
2020First MOU’s Signed
Growth Milestone
In March 2020 the first facilities signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with ZDR3, formally establishing the ZDR3 Network. This milestone came just as the COVID-19 pandemic began, but laid the foundation for the growing Network of facilities that would support ZDR3’s future response efforts.
2020Hurricane Laura & Hurricane Sally
Notable Response Activity
This marked ZDR3’s first year of active response, with deployments extending beyond Texas into Louisiana. Teams from Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Florida, and Indiana supported operations during Hurricanes Laura and Hurricane Sally. These operations took place amid the constraints of the global COVID-19 pandemic, further testing communication, logistics, and coordination systems. The success of these early deployments demonstrated that ZDR3 had already evolved beyond a Texas coalition into a national, industry-wide response network.
2020Executive Director Hired
Growth Milestone
As ZDR3 moved from concept to a formal organization, a co-founder was named Executive Director of the fledgling coalition. She provided dedicated leadership while building the structure and nurturing the relationships needed to support non-domestic animal facilities through disaster.
2021Network Expansion
Growth Milestone
The ZDR3 Network grew significantly to 25 states and more than 90 MOU holders. This growth reflected increasing national engagement and strengthened capacity for coordinated response, all while the ZDR3 Director deployed twice to support a flood-prone facility.
2021Logistics Manager & Communications Director
Growth Milestone
As ZDR3’s Network and response activity grew, the organization expanded its staff with the addition of an Logistics Manager and Communications Director.
2022Hurricane Ian
Notable Response Activity
Hurricane Ian became a defining complex incident for ZDR3, requiring multi-facility support and sustained coordinated response efforts across a highly impacted, industry-dense region. In total, 12 facilities required assistance over the course of the extended operation. Teams from multiple states supported efforts, and dozens more offered support, marking the largest standby of ZDR3 Network resources to that point. The scale and duration of the response marked a significant operational milestone for the organization.
2022Operations Manager
Growth Milestone
Continued growth and increased response activity led to another staff addition in 2023 with the hiring of an Operations Manager.
2023Typhoon Mawar
Notable Response Activity
Typhoon Mawar marked a major milestone for ZDR3, extending operations to U.S. territories and representing the furthest deployment in the organization’s history. ZDR3’s Executive Director deployed to Guam to assist an impacted facility and support recovery efforts following the powerful typhoon.
2023Record On-Scene Response Activity
Notable Response Activity
In addition to Typhoon Mawar, ZDR3 supported four other on-scene responses across three states, assisting facilities impacted by atmospheric rivers, winter storms, and straightline winds. Together, these efforts marked the first time ZDR3 conducted on-scene responses associated with five separate disaster complexes in a single year.
2023Federal Support
Growth Milestone
The USDA recognized ZDR3’s success and future potential in supporting non-domestic animal facilities during disasters, and chose to support those efforts. Through an existing agreement with AAZV* supporting ZAHP*, funding was directed to ZDR3 to further strengthen collaborative disaster response efforts.
2024California Wildfires
Notable Response Activity
Wildfires in Southern California marked ZDR3’s first significant wildfire response, and required the evacuation of an entire facility as fire conditions threatened the area. ZDR3 coordinated the evacuation and temporary relocation of the facility’s animal collection, including large carnivores. The response expanded ZDR3’s operational experience beyond the hurricanes, flooding, and severe weather events that shaped previous deployments.
2024Network Reaches Nearly 200
Growth Milestone
By the end of 2024, the ZDR3 Network grew to over 190 members, more than doubling since 2021. The continued growth expanded the geographic footprint of the Network, expertise, and resources available to support facilities in need.
2024Standalone Cooperative Agreement
Growth Milestone
ZDR3 entered a Cooperative Agreement with USDA APHIS*, supported by Congressionally appropriated funds, to expand the ZDR3 Network and enhance contingency planning and resource capacity across the non-domestic animal community.
2025Response Readiness Investments
Growth Milestone
Building on lessons learned through previous deployments, ZDR3 continued strengthening response readiness in 2025 through targeted investments in gear, supplies, and technology. This included equipping a response trailer in Texas and outfitting the North Carolina-based pickup truck utilized by ZDR3 while expanding monitoring capabilities through new software and tools.
2025Expanding Remote Response Capability
Notable Response Activity
Remote responses played an increasingly important role in ZDR3 operations throughout 2025, allowing us to support impacted facilities without requiring an on-scene deployment. These responses also created opportunities to expand coordination with industry partners and various agencies, strengthening relationships that would support future response efforts.
2025Education & Training Coordinator
Growth Milestone
ZDR3 added an Education & Training Coordinator to the team in late 2025, expanding our organizational capacity beyond response and recovery to supporting the early development of planning, preparedness, and resilience programs and materials. This addition marked an important step toward providing facilities with greater support before disaster occurs.
*ZAHP - Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership
*AAZV - American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
*USDA - United States Department of Agriculture
*APHIS - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service