New Jersey’s County Animal Response Teams (CARTs) are a group of volunteers that are trained emergency responders for disaster events in a county. Examples of disaster events include natural disasters, such as hurricanes, and man-made disasters, such as gas explosions. These events could require evacuation and sheltering of residents in an affected neighborhood or region.

CARTs provide appropriately trained staff to operate and manage an animal shelter for the pets of evacuated residents. These are temporary pet shelters associated with a disaster event and are not shelters for stray or surrendered animals.

Small animal complaints or related public safety concerns, such as loose animals or animal bites, should be directed to your local animal control office or police department. Livestock welfare complaint concerns should be directed to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture at https://bit.ly/3nLJSCp. CARTs are not responders for local animal or wildlife issues.

Any animal medical emergency needs to be directed to a licensed veterinarian.  CARTs are not responders to medical emergencies of animals.

The mission of the Bergen County Animal Response Team is to provide courteous and professional service in rescuing, sheltering and care of all animals in times of all-hazard disasters.  The men and women of the CART volunteer organization shall train, coordinate, and educate the public to prepare for all animal emergencies.

Sgt. Gidget Petry
Bergen County Sheriff’s Department
Bureau of Police Services
Patrol Operations
327 East Ridgewood Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07652
Cell:  201-546-2046
Fax:  201-646-3344
Email:  gpetry@bcsd.us

Bergen County Office of Emergency Management
Sgt. Matthew Tiedemann
285 Campgaw Road
Mahwah, NJ 07430
Phone: 201-785-5757
Email: Tiedemann@bcoem.org

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BergenCART/
Twitter:  @BergenCART

Email Sgt. Gidget Petry at gpetry@bcsd.us for more information.  All classes offered by the Bergen County Animal Response Team are free of charge.