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County Considering Animal Rescue Team

Liberty, NY – The Sullivan County Division of Public Safety and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Sullivan County invite the public to an informational meeting about starting a County Animal Rescue Team (CART). The gathering will be held on April 23 from 6-8 p.m. at the Extension Education Center, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty. Representatives from the County, CCE and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets will be on hand to gauge local interest.

A CART is an organized group of volunteers who are trained in the federal Incident Command System (ICS) and HAZMAT Awareness. They assist animals impacted by emergencies, disasters and other crises, though they do not replace local Animal Control Officers. They may bring with them certain skills related to disaster response and the handling of animals, specifically animals involved in agricultural operations.

“The activation and management of a CART would be under my office,” Public Safety Commissioner Rick Sauer explained. “Members would be a vital part of our response system and would be trained appropriately. I am particularly interested in gaining the input, support and involvement of first responders, police officers, farmers and veterinarians, who already possess much of the requisite knowledge.”

Interested attendees should RSVP to CCE at sullivan@cornell.edu or 845-292-6180.