Who We Are
Sonoma Community Animal Response Team is a non-profit organization, dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for animals affected by disasters or emergencies.
Our Story
October 9, 2017
In the early morning hours of October 9, 2017, Sonoma and Napa Counties were impacted by the Central LNU Complex wildfires that swept through our communities.
Our lives would never be the same.
We found hope in our resilience and within each other as a community.
​
Dr. Amber Bowen, our executive director, supported the response effort at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds led by Brian Whipple from Sonoma County Animal Services, along with hundreds of incredible volunteers, helping thousands of large and small animals.
Together, Brian and Amber set Sonoma CART in motion, along with the support of Dr. Claudia Sonder from Napa CART.
Since Sonoma CART's first activation in 2019, we've helped over 25,000 animals and their families during emergencies, disasters and also through large and small animal disaster preparedness education.
Our Team
Leadership
Dr. Amber Bowen
DVM, MS, CVA, CVMMP
Founder, Executive Director
​
Dr. Bowen has responded to multiple large scale disasters, including the 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires, 2019 Russian River flood and Kincade Fire, 2021 Walbrigde and LNU Lightning Complex Fires, and 2022 Sonoma County Flooding. Since the formation of Sonoma CART, Dr. Bowen works tirelessly to integrate local volunteers with county emergency response by providing training to local animal disaster volunteers and organize the sheltering, veterinary care, and evacuation of all species of animals during each disaster. Dr. Amber continues to be immensely proud of the organization and its volunteers for coming together to aid animals during disaster. Dr. Bowen is owner of an integrative equine veterinary practice located in Santa Rosa, CA, and sits on several boards serving animal welfare. Email: amber@sonomacart.org
Angelina Martin
​
Public Information Officer
Community Outreach Manager
Over the past 11 years, Angelina Martin has worked as CEO of Online Media Solutions, a media agency providing strategic social media solutions through consultation, education, and webinars. She specializes in strategic communications and social media management, AI education and training, and online marketing. Her mission is to help people, help more people and animals in times of need. She lives in Sonoma County and enjoys hiking adventures with rescue dog, Levi. Email: PIO@sonomacart.org
Amber Bowen, DVM, MS, CVA, CVMMP
Founder, Executive Director
Dr. Bowen has responded to multiple large scale disasters, including the 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires, 2019 Russian River flood and Kincade Fire, 2021 Walbrigde and LNU Lightning Complex Fires, and 2022 Sonoma County Flooding. Since the formation of Sonoma CART, Dr. Bowen works tirelessly to integrate local volunteers with county emergency response by providing training to local animal disaster volunteers and organize the sheltering, veterinary care, and evacuation of all species of animals during each disaster. Dr. Amber continues to be immensely proud of the organization and its volunteers for coming together to aid animals during disaster. Dr. Bowen is owner of an integrative equine veterinary practice located in Santa Rosa, CA, and sits on several boards serving animal welfare. Email: amber@sonomacart.org
Angelina Martin
Public Information Officer
Community Outreach Manager
Over the past 11 years, Angelina Martin has worked as CEO of Online Media Solutions, a media agency providing strategic social media solutions through consultation, education, and webinars. She specializes in strategic communications and social media management, AI education and training, and online marketing. Her mission is to help people, help more people and animals in times of need. She lives in Sonoma County and enjoys hiking adventures with rescue dog, Levi. Email: PIO@sonomacart.org
Our Team
Board of Directors - More info coming soon
Amber Bowen, DVM, MS, CVA, CVMMP
Founder, Executive Director
Dr. Bowen has responded to multiple large scale disasters, including the 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires, 2019 Russian River flood and Kincade Fire, 2021 Walbrigde and LNU Lightning Complex Fires, and 2022 Sonoma County Flooding. Since the formation of Sonoma CART, Dr. Bowen works tirelessly to integrate local volunteers with county emergency response by providing training to local animal disaster volunteers and organize the sheltering, veterinary care, and evacuation of all species of animals during each disaster. Dr. Amber continues to be immensely proud of the organization and its volunteers for coming together to aid animals during disaster. Dr. Bowen is owner of an integrative equine veterinary practice located in Santa Rosa, CA, and sits on several boards serving animal welfare. Email: amber@sonomacart.org
Angelina Martin
Public Information Officer
Community Outreach Manager
Over the past 11 years, Angelina Martin has worked as CEO of Online Media Solutions, a media agency providing strategic social media solutions through consultation, education, and webinars. She specializes in strategic communications and social media management, AI education and training, and online marketing. Her mission is to help people, help more people and animals in times of need. She lives in Sonoma County and enjoys hiking adventures with rescue dog, Levi. Email: PIO@sonomacart.org
Our Team
Resource Partners - More info coming soon
Amber Bowen, DVM, MS, CVA, CVMMP
Founder, Executive Director
Dr. Bowen has responded to multiple large scale disasters, including the 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires, 2019 Russian River flood and Kincade Fire, 2021 Walbrigde and LNU Lightning Complex Fires, and 2022 Sonoma County Flooding. Since the formation of Sonoma CART, Dr. Bowen works tirelessly to integrate local volunteers with county emergency response by providing training to local animal disaster volunteers and organize the sheltering, veterinary care, and evacuation of all species of animals during each disaster. Dr. Amber continues to be immensely proud of the organization and its volunteers for coming together to aid animals during disaster. Dr. Bowen is owner of an integrative equine veterinary practice located in Santa Rosa, CA, and sits on several boards serving animal welfare. Email: amber@sonomacart.org
Angelina Martin
Public Information Officer
Community Outreach Manager
Over the past 11 years, Angelina Martin has worked as CEO of Online Media Solutions, a media agency providing strategic social media solutions through consultation, education, and webinars. She specializes in strategic communications and social media management, AI education and training, and online marketing. Her mission is to help people, help more people and animals in times of need. She lives in Sonoma County and enjoys hiking adventures with rescue dog, Levi. Email: PIO@sonomacart.org
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
Sonoma Community Animal Response Team
​
A CALIFORNIA PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION
​
ONE: The name of this corporation is the Sonoma Community Animal Response Team.
​
TWO: This corporation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for charitable purposes. The specific purposes for which this corporation is organized are to educate public agencies and the general public about disaster preparedness for animals and to provide trained volunteers to evacuate and shelter animals during disasters.
​
THREE: The name and address in the State of California of this corporation's initial agent for service of process is Amber Bowen, XXXXXX, Santa Rosa CA 95403.
​
FOUR:
(a) This corporation is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (1) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or (2) by a corporation contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(c) No substantial part of the activities of this corporation shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign (including the publishing or distribution of statements) on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.
FIVE: The names and addresses of the persons appointed to act as the initial Directors of this corporation are:
Name and Address
Marjorie McCoy, XXXXXX, Novato, CA 94945
Amber Bowen, XXXXXX, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Kay Wood, XXXXXX, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
SIX: The property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to charitable purposes and no part of the net income or assets of the organization shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer or member thereof or to the benefit of any private person.
On the dissolution or winding up of the corporation, its assets remaining after payment of, or provision for payment of, all debts and liabilities of this corporation, shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation, or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes and which has established its tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Date: _______________
Marjorie McCoy, XXXXXX, Novato, CA 94945
Amber Bowen, XXXXXX, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Kay Wood, XXXXXX, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
We, the above-mentioned initial directors of this corporation, hereby declare that we are the persons who executed the foregoing Articles of Incorporation, which execution is our act and deed.
Marjorie McCoy, Novato, CA 94945
Amber Bowen, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Kay Wood, Santa Rosa, CA 95404