The California Community Animal Response Teams (Cal CARTs) has ushered in a new era of leadership with the unanimous election of Nevada County Sheriff's Office's own Stefanie Geckler as president, as was recently announced on their social media. Geckler, who ascended to the position somewhat unexpectedly, has spent over a decade and a half with the Sheriff's Animal Control team and has been an unwavering advocate for animal care and rescue, bringing forward her extensive experience to the broader stage of California's animal response teams.
According to the information shared by the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, Geckler's election was a natural progression from the impactful narrative of Nevada County's own operations, where she's managed the Sheriff's Humane Emergency Animal Rescue Team (HEART)—a model that has now become the beacon for statewide emergency animal care and rescue services. Taking the helm in January 2023, HEART, under Geckler's oversight, has grown into a non-profit powerhouse with a large volunteer force; they have racked up over 2,700 hours of training in 2024, and have participated in emergency evacuations and the TEVIS CUP endurance ride, proving their mettle in high-stakes situations involving large animals.
Geckler has acknowledged the disparity in training among the CARTS throughout the state, and as she told the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, "We are fortunate that there are many people willing to join CARTS throughout California to help with animal rescues, but not all have had the opportunity for the level of training our team has received, which can be a detriment in emergencies." This highlights a critical need for standardized training that can level the playing field and ensure animals across California receive consistent and professional care in emergencies.
Through her presidency, Geckler is poised to fortify the foundation laid by Sheriff's HEART, as she aims to implement a standardized Animal Emergency Resource (AER) guide in collaboration with the California Veterinary Emergency Team, the California Office of Emergency Services, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to improve training requirements and certifications for all CARTS statewide.
