Morris County pets will be a little safer now that the Morris County Office of Emergency Management and Community Animal Response Team (CART) have obtained an AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer, an emergency trailer that helps create a safe, temporary home-base for at least 65 pets immediately after a disaster is declared.
AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers help to create a safe, temporary home-base for at least 65 pets immediately after a disaster is declared. The trailers house and deliver essential supplies such as fans, lighting and generators; cleaning supplies; maintenance items; and animal care items including crates and carries, AKC Reunite microchips and an AKC Reunite universal microchip scanner as well as bowls, collars and leashes. These supplies can be used as co-location shelters, where people can evacuate with their pets, as well as emergency animal shelters for displaced animals.
“Having this new trailer allows us to fully set up a shelter in an emergency and support our towns and even contiguous counties that don’t have adequate resources.”
Karl Klingener ~ Morris County OEM Deputy Coordinator and CART Coordinator
Combined with two existing animal transport trailers – purchased through federal and state emergency preparedness programs – Morris County now has the capability of securing some 200 animals in the event of an emergency or disaster situation.
“Pets are part valuable and loved members of our families, who can inadvertently get separated from us during emergency situations,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Doug Cabana, the county governing board’s liaison on public safety issues. “We are glad to be able to add to our resources to help shelter our pets in difficult times.’’
“Morris County now has one of the most prepared Animal Response Team (CART) programs in the region,’’ added Morris County OEM Director Jeff Paul. “The team consists of Animal Control Officers, their support staff from a number of municipalities throughout Morris County, as well as select volunteers who now have even more tools to help in their task and allow us to take care of the animals during times of need. We look at our animal population as an extension of the family and we need to provide for them as well’’
The purchase of the trailer was made possible by $22,000 in donations and grants from the Sussex Hills Kennel Club, New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs, The Kennel Club of Northern New Jersey, Schooley’s Mountain Kennel Club, Twin Brooks Kennel Club, the Bichon Frise Club of Northern New Jersey, the Non-Sporting Group Club of the Garden State, the Keystone English Springer Spaniel Club, the Vizsla Club of Greater New York, the Garden State All Terrier Club, Kitty Steidel, the Scottish Terrier Club of Greater New York, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, and AKC Reunite, the nation’s largest non-profit pet identification and recovery service.
“Safe, effective pet sheltering solutions in times of disaster are incredibly important, and AKC Reunite is helping communities across the nation prepare by mobilizing AKC Pet Disaster Relief,” said Tom Sharp, AKC Reunite CEO. “This trailer will provide animal care services during the first critical hours if a disaster ever hits Morris County or surrounding areas.”
“Sussex Hills Kennel Club is proud to present this AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer to the Morris County Office of Emergency Management. It is our hope that all of beloved pets are taken care of safely in the event of a disaster in our area,” said Florence Duggan, AKC Delegate from the Sussex Hills Kennel Club. “Residents will never have to leave their pets behind and can take solace in the fact that their pets won’t be abandoned if a disaster occurs. We thank the many contributing clubs and individuals who have helped us in this endeavor.”
“The New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs and all the other supporting clubs are dedicated to giving back to our community and helping our fellow citizens and their pets. We’re very proud to help bring this AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer, which can provide meaningful support during the difficult times before and after a disaster, to Morris County,” said Jeffrey Ball, NJFDC President.
“Keystone English Springer Spaniel Club is very pleased to have been able to assist Morris County in obtaining the AKC Pet Disaster Trailer to help in keepings our pets safe in time of need or disasters,” said Tom Faust, Keystone English Springer Spaniel Club President.
“Having this new trailer allows us to fully set up a shelter in an emergency and support our towns and even contiguous counties that don’t have adequate resources,’’ said Morris County OEM Deputy Coordinator and CART Coordinator Karl Klingener.
Individuals, corporations and other interested parties can donate to trailer projects in local areas or across the country. Donations are tax deductible and accepted online. Approved organizations that raise a minimum of $1,000 will have their logo featured on the AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer.
Learn more about how to get involved online with AKC Pet Disaster Relief or contact us at 919-816-3980 and relief@akcreunite.org.
