Volunteers Are Sought For Somerset County Animal Response Team

Submitted by Somerset CART.

During natural disasters, pets and animals sometimes get separated from their homes and need to be placed in temporary shelters.  The Somerset County Animal Response Team (CART) is seeking volunteers to help set up shelters and take care of animals in emergency situations.

“Natural disasters are already stressful situations for people. But they can be even more so if a family pet gets lost or needs to be placed in a separate shelter area,” said Freeholder Patricia L. Walsh, public health and safety liaison. “We rely on the assistance of CART volunteers to take good care of these animals until they can be returned home.”

Applications and eligibility requirements for CART membership can be found on the Somerset County website at www.co.somerset.nj.us/cart <http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/cart> .  Volunteers meet monthly, participate in training modules and run through practice drills so they know what to do when their services are needed.  Meetings are usually held on the last Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy, located at 402 Roycefield Road.

Training modules include the following:
January 31                  Regular Meeting and Personal Safety Training
February 28                 Aggressive Canine Behavior and Safe Handling Training
March 28                     Regular Meeting and Animal Triage
April 25                        Feline Behavior and Handling training
May 30                        Regular Meeting and Zoonotic Diseases
June 27                       Temporary Animal Shelter Set Up
July 25                         Regular Meeting and Shelter Forms
August 29                    Canine First Aid and CPR
September 26             Regular Meeting and after drill hot wash
October 24                  Sanitation and Cage cleaning
November 28              Regular Meeting and CART Electronic Equipment
December                   No Meeting
*Training dates are subject to change in the event of inclement weather.*

Informational brochures, including “Pet Disaster Guide: Be Prepared to Take Your Pet with You,” and other resources can be found on the CART website at: www.co.somerset.nj.us/cart.

For more information, contact the Somerset County Animal Response Team at animalresponseteam@co.somerset.nj.us or (908) 725-5070.

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