{"id":57378,"date":"2017-12-18T23:21:53","date_gmt":"2017-12-19T04:21:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=57378"},"modified":"2017-12-18T23:21:53","modified_gmt":"2017-12-19T04:21:53","slug":"lehigh-valley-county-animal-response-team-lvcart-receives-donation-purina-boost-animal-emergency-life-saving-efforts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=57378","title":{"rendered":"Lehigh Valley County Animal Response Team (LVCART) Receives Donation from Purina to Boost Animal Emergency Life-Saving Efforts"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Allentown, Pennsylvania, 12.18.17<\/strong> \u2013 Natural disasters and severe storms have impacted countless people and pets in 2017. Animals are especially vulnerable when the unthinkable happens, and thanks to Pennsylvania State Animal Response Teams in place across the state, volunteers are available 24\/7 to facilitate a rapid, coordinated and effective response for any emergency affecting animals. The Lehigh Valley County Animal Response Team (LVCART) recently received monetary support for its life-saving efforts from Purina, which has been making high-quality dog and cat food at its Allentown manufacturing facility for 81 years.<\/p>\n

LVCART handles any 911 call involving animals, including technical rescue or for temporary emergency sheltering. Each county-based team keeps a variety of equipment on hand to aid in their response, such as large crates, leashes, cleaning supplies, pet oxygen masks, trailers and pet emergency kits, but LVCART has never had a permanent, efficient place to store them \u2013 until now. Purina recently donated $7,000 to LVCART to fund the purchase of a permanent storage unit.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince CART is 100 percent volunteer-run, we do not have our own facility, and as you can imagine, we need a lot of equipment to do what we do,\u201d said Chuck Thomas, LVCART Safety Office and Training Coordinator, who has been a volunteer since 2010. \u201cWe\u2019re grateful to have had the support of Purina for several years and are especially thankful for this most recent contribution. We\u2019re happy to have a permanent home for the equipment that is critical in our response to save the lives of animals in need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPets enrich our lives in so many ways, and Purina and LVCART have a shared commitment to help keep people and pets together, especially in times of crisis,\u201d said Winston Silva, Plant Manager at Purina\u2019s Allentown facility. \u201cWith pets contributing to our families in so many ways, we\u2019re thankful for the LVCART volunteers and all they do to help pets in emergencies.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new 280-square foot storage unit is located on the property of the Tri-Clover Fire Department. LVCART maintains close relationships with area fire departments, providing training on animal emergencies and equipment such as pet emergency kits and pet oxygen masks, which Purina has also supported through monetary and in-kind donations.<\/p>\n

\u201cLVCART has filled a very necessary niche assisting with emergency responses involving animals,\u201d said the Tri-Clover Fire Department. \u201cThe team\u2019s volunteers, trained in animal handling, rescue and sheltering, provide a service to our community, which local fire, police and EMS responders were unable to render. The Tri-Clover Fire Department is more than pleased to offer a site for the LVCART equipment storage shed.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you have a domestic animal emergency, please call 911 to ask for the CART to be deployed.<\/p>\n

LVCART is always looking to welcome new members who are interested in helping animals in emergencies. Please visit www.lvcart.com<\/a> for information on how to join the team.<\/p>\n

Prepare Your Pet for Winter Emergencies<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

With the arrival of winter weather, LVCART and Purina remind pet owners of the following tips to keep dogs and cats safe this winter.<\/p>\n