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SPCA Monterey County disaster response team heads to Los Angeles for rescue efforts

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- SPCA Monterey County is aiding in rescue efforts for animals affected by the Palisades fire in Los Angeles County. The non-profit had been standing by in case calls from shelters in the areas affected called.

The disaster response team is in Los Angeles County with two animal control trucks loaded with leashes, treats, catch poles, nets and more to help animals out. SPCA also has horse halters for horses as they work with animals big and small.

"We've been waiting for this call since day one because we're always willing to help out," SPCA Humane Investigation Supervisor Jacob Duarte said.

Duarte has been with SPCA for 14 years and has undergone several trainings to help rescue animals during fires or other natural disasters. The team had responded to the Pajaro flood in 2023 rescuing animals in danger.

"We do have expertise with a lot of different types of species, which helps during a disaster because obviously an animal is scared, doesn't know what's going on and we're strangers approaching them," Duarte said. "We do have to have some expertise in these situations to be calm and work with the animal to show them that we're not a threat and we're here to help."

The disaster response team does not tend to find out what aid is needed until arrival.

Article Topic Follows: Top Stories
california fires
disaster response team
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Palisades fire
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Sergio Berrueta

Sergio Berrueta has been in the news for quite awhile going from studying print media to entering the realm of broadcast.

Originally from Bell Gardens, California, in Southeast Los Angeles. Berrueta started his professional news career in Eureka as a newscast producer for North Coast News (now The Northstate’s News) at KAEF ABC 23 in 2022. He pivoted a year later in 2022 going from behind-the-scenes to in front of the camera as a multimedia journalist for Redwood News Channel 3 (KIEM/KVIQ) also in Eureka.

Berrueta studied journalism at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) earning his Bachelor’s Degree. Berrueta was a staff writer, page editor, social media manager and editor-in-chief of the university’s El Lenador, the only bilingual publication in all of Humboldt County.

Before moving to the North Coast, Berrueta had earned his Associate’s Degree at East Los Angeles College in 2019 after beginning his educational journey in 2012. He also was on staff for the ELAC’s publication, ELAC Campus News, having been a staff writer, page editor, and online editor.

Outside of news experience, Berrueta has also been in education as an AmeriCorps tutor in East Hollywood from 2017 to 2019 and served in a government role as a National Hometown Fellow for Lead for America with the City of Arcata in 2021.

When not focusing on news, Berrueta is an avid amateur cinephile having written about films in free time. He also writes poetry, attempting to get through a backlog of video games, enjoys visiting new places along the California Coast, and trying to keep up with the latest music and podcasts.

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