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.

In April of 2018, and with the approval of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [MCOEM/MCSPCA]. The Office of Emergency Management has partnered with the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA), which will now operate both the logistical and hands-on responsibilities of our "Pet Friendly Emergency Sheltering Operations". The Pet Sheltering Operations will work alongside and in concert with our general population and AFN shelters locations. We are confident that this collaboration will prove to be a beneficial partnership, which will provide Monmouth County's residents and their respective pets, with valuable and enhanced services during a disaster and/or incident.

Ross Licitra
M.C.S.P.C.A. Chief & Executive Director
1-(908) 770-6081 (Cell)
chief@monmouthcountyspca.org

OEM Coordinator
Mike Oppegaard
2000 Kozloski Rd.
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-431-7400 Ext. 1801
moppegaard@mcsonj.org

OEM Deputy Coordinator
Eugene (Gene) P. Hannafey
732-431-7400 Ext. 1804
ehannafey@mcsonj.org