Animal Recapture and Containment

Escaped, displaced, or uncontrolled animals can create urgent risks for the animals, facility staff, responders, and the surrounding community. Animal Recapture and Containment teams support the safe location, containment, capture, immobilization, and return of animals to secure housing.

Every incident will require a species-specific plan, qualified personnel, and clear coordination with facility leadership.

Animal Recapture and Containment at a Glance

Capability type: Incident response
Possible team size: 3 or more responders
Primary focus: Location, containment, capture, immobilization, transport, and secure housing

The appropriate team will depend on the species involved, animal condition, surrounding environment, containment status, transport needs, and level of public risk.

• Core Capabilities

  Animal Recapture and Restraint
  Supports the safe location, capture, restraint, and recovery of animals requiring controlled handling.

  Animal Immobilization
  Provides expertise and authorized equipment for chemical or physical immobilization when required for safe handling, transport, or treatment.

  Animal Husbandry
  Brings species-specific knowledge of behavior, care, handling, welfare, and facility procedures.

  Safety and Security
  Establishes access control, protects the public and response personnel, and supports a secure operational perimeter.

• Supporting Capabilities

  Depending on the incident, the team may also require:

  • Animal Transport

  • Veterinarian

  • Veterinary Technician

  • Life Support Specialist

  • Drone Operator

• Frequently Used Equipment

  Animal Recapture and Containment teams may require:

  • Capture equipment

  • Restraint devices

  • Transport crates

  • Radios

  • Appropriate personal protective equipment

  • Darting or immobilization equipment when authorized

  • Animal-handling supplies

  • Temporary containment materials

• Building the Team

  Questions to consider include:

  • What species and individual animals are involved?

  • Is the animal’s location known?

  • What behavioral, medical, or welfare concerns are present?

  • Is chemical immobilization likely to be required?

  • Who has the authority and qualifications to approve immobilization?

  • Is a secure transport or holding destination available?

  • Is specialized aquatic life-support equipment needed?

  • How will public access and responder safety be controlled?

  • Can aerial reconnaissance assist with locating the animal?

• Related Responder Capabilities

  • Animal Recapture and Restraint

  • Animal Immobilization

  • Animal Husbandry, Aquatic

  • Animal Husbandry, Terrestrial

  • Safety and Security

  • Animal Transport

  • Veterinarian

  • Veterinary Technician

  • Life Support Specialist

  • Drone Operator

Important Note

Animal recapture and immobilization should only be performed under the direction of qualified personnel using species-appropriate procedures, equipment, authorization, and safety controls.