Equine Evac Secured New Earl Warren Rental Deal

The local nonprofit reached an agreement for emergency storage at the Santa Barbara showgrounds through early 2027.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Large Animals

Equine Evac Secured New Earl Warren Rental Deal

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Should non-profits pay rent to store emergency equipment at local public showgrounds?

Equine Evac has signed a formal rental agreement with the Earl Warren Showgrounds, ending a dispute over storage costs for its emergency equipment. The deal allows the organization to keep its trailer on-site at the South County evacuation center until January 2027.

Why it matters

The agreement follows a month of public tension after the showgrounds attempted to standardize contracts to comply with state constitutional requirements. It secures critical, on-site storage for animal evacuation gear ahead of future emergency needs in the region.

The agreement concludes a 35-year period of free storage for the organization. The contract covers the placement of a 30-foot emergency trailer, replacing a proposed $600 monthly fee with a lower negotiated rate.

The players

Equine Evac

This local nonprofit organization provides critical resources and logistical support for large animal evacuations in the Santa Barbara area.

Earl Warren Showgrounds

This facility serves as the primary designated large animal evacuation center for South County and operates under an agricultural district designation.

Ronda Hathaway

She serves as the Director of Equine Evac and led the negotiations with showground directors to secure the new storage contract.

The details

Equine Evac Director Ronda Hathaway met with showground leadership to finalize the terms after public backlash intensified during an August board meeting. The emergency trailer was successfully returned to the property on September 28.

July 2026: Earl Warren officials proposed a $600 monthly storage fee.
August 2026: Forty residents attended a board meeting to criticize the fee.
September 2026: Ronda Hathaway negotiated with the board to reach a contract.
September 28, 2026: The emergency trailer was returned to the showgrounds.
January 2027: The current rental contract is set to expire.

Culture Shift

The transition away from decades of informal, free-use arrangements reflects a broader movement toward stricter fiscal compliance for public venues. This shift forces long-standing local community partnerships to formalize their operational costs to meet modern governance standards.

Residents can rely on the continued presence of emergency evacuation equipment at the centrally located Earl Warren Showgrounds. This ensures that the facility remains fully equipped to respond to large animal rescue needs during regional emergencies.

The takeaway

Maintaining clear, written agreements between community organizations and public facilities is essential for preserving long-term emergency services. Local advocacy remains a powerful tool for residents looking to ensure that critical public resources remain accessible.