Morris County emergency responders now have more tools to help save the sometimes forgotten victims of major storms, floods, hurricanes and other major disasters. The 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 OEM Director Jeff Paul added, “Morris County now has one of the most prepared Animal Response Team (CART) programs in the region. 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.”

AKC Reunite, an affiliate of the American Kennel Club, is the nation’s largest non-profit pet identification and recovery service. Learn more about how to get involved in AKC Pet Disaster Relief at www.akcreunite.org/relief.

AKC Pet Disaster Relief, a national program that is dedicated to

keeping pets and their owners safe in the aftermath of natural or

civil disasters, joined forces with local, state and national AKC

breed clubs to present the emergency trailer to officials of Morris

County Animal Response Team and the Morris County Office of

Emergency Management in a recent ceremony held in Morris Township.

“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.”

The purchase of the new trailer was made possible by $22,000 in donations and grants.

“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.

He explained that even during non-emergency times, the county has participated and supported local shelters and animal control with animal hoarding situations. The county has provided transport and equipment to temporarily house animals until foster homes or permanent homes are found.