Community Animal Response Team

CART LogoWhat is Community Animal Response Team (CART)?

CART is a volunteer organization dedicated to emergency preparedness, response and sheltering specifically focused on pets and their owners. The program teaches pet owners how to better prepare themselves and their pets for evacuation during an emergency, and the need for human evacuation shelters to provide accommodations to pets of evacuees.

Who Is Involved?

CART and companion pet shelters are coordinated by James City County Emergency Management, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Animal Control, in cooperation with Heritage Humane Society, Social Services, Health Department, WJCC Public Schools and County Police. We are seeking volunteers to staff the shelters if an evacuation is necessary.

What Training Will I Need?

Volunteers receive focused training will keep you, the animals, and the rest of the team safe and better able to deal with whatever disaster may affect the community. Training will consist of a combination of classroom and hands-on training including:

  • Pet First Aid/CPR for Companion Animals
  • Human First Aid/CPR/AED
  • CERT Animals in Disaster Response
  • Pet Shelter Training
  • Plus workshops and ongoing refresher training!

What About My Pets If I Volunteer?

If you volunteer to assist at the Companion Pet Shelter, you may bring your own pets with you. Your pets will be placed in separate quarters so they will know you are coming to take care of them when they see you.

To Sign up for training or to receive more information, contact:

Michael Powers
CERT Program Manager
Emergency Management
Phone: 757-564-4793
Michael.powers@jamescitycountyva.gov