September 7th, 2025 in Somerset County: CART was requested to contain an aggressive cat that had attacked two medical personnel.September 3rd, 2025 in Somerset County: Requested by PSP to transport 3 dogs abandoned in a trailerSeptember 3rd, 2025 in Somerset County: Requested by PSP to transport 3 dogs abandoned in a trailerAugust 23rd, 2025 in Somerset County: CART was requested for a young horse loose on 160August 16th, 2025 in Somerset County: CART was activated for pot belly pigs on 219September 2nd, 2025 in Allegheny County: Assistance requested for house fire clients with 2 dogs and 2 cats in need of Pet Care Kit.August 16th, 2025 in Somerset County: PSP requested CART assistance with dog left in house because owner was hospitalizedAugust 16th, 2025 in Somerset County: CART was requested by Somerset Borough Police for assistance on a humane case involving 5 dogs and 5 catsAugust 18th, 2025 in Juniata County: Requested to help find temporary care for 1 dog and 2 cats displaced in a fireAugust 18th, 2025 in Juniata County: Requested to help find temporary care for 1 dog and 2 cats displaced in a fire

Board of Directors | Pennsylvania Animal Response Team

Board of Directors

Mission Statement

Pennsylvania Animal Response Team (PART) was created in 2005 to address the needs of domestic animals in large scale disasters.  PART provides animal handling, emergency sheltering, and temporary foster care, all available to assist law enforcement and emergency responders with a simple call to 911.  We also provide guidance and training to local County Animal Response Teams faced with responding to any emergency related to domestic animals in the state of Pennsylvania.

PART is a nonprofit and is an organization ensuring the safety of animals in the face of an emergency. It is important to note that PART is not an animal shelter nor an adoption agency for animals.

We provide hands on response as well as training and guidance to emergency responders saving the lives of domestic animals including pets, equestrian, and agricultural animals.

These efforts benefit and represent the lives of millions of our innocent animals that are residents of Pennsylvania that do not have a voice, while also protecting human lives.

Pennsylvania’s animals are worth over 2 billion dollars and are ensuring their safety is vital to our state’s economy.

All Directors Serve Without Compensation

Effective 01-01-24

Joel Hersh-Board Chair
Mechanicsburg, PA
Term Expires December 31, 2026


Karel Minor-Vice-Chair and Treasurer
Federation of Humane Societies of Pennsylvania
Reading, PA
Permanent Seat


Molly Dougherty
PA Emergency Management Agency
Harrisburg, PA
Permanent Seat


Nan Hanshaw, DVM, DACVPM
PA Department of Agriculture
Harrisburg, PA
Permanent Seat


Norris Benns, Jr, Esq.
Philadelphia, PA
Term Expires December 31,2026


Erica Tramuta-Drobnis VMD, MPH, CPH
PA Veterinary Medical Association
Zionsville, PA
Permanent Seat


Douglas Dinwoodie
Ambler, PA
Term Expires December 31, 2026