June 6th, 2026 in Westmoreland County: 2 dogs & 1 cat received Pet Care Kits due to multi-family house fire.June 3rd, 2026 in Westmoreland County: Team was on standby to assist with scene management & transport for 60+ pigs but never officially activated on scene.May 27th, 2026 in Westmoreland County: 1 dog & 3 cats total received Pet Care Kits when displaced by multi-family apartment fire.May 26th, 2026 in Indiana County: 4 dogs & 17 cats received Pet Care Kit when displaced by house fire.May 23rd, 2026 in Allegheny County: 1 dog & 1 turtle received a Pet Care Kit when displaced by a house fire.May 31st, 2026 in Cambria County: CART was requested to assist with a dozen cows wondering on the roadway.May 29th, 2026 in Somerset County: CART was requested by ACO to transport two Great Pyrenees found abandoned on Route 56.May 26th, 2026 in Somerset County: CART was activated for two horses walking down roadMay 27th, 2026 in Westmoreland County: 3 cats & 1 dog received Pet Care Kits when displaced by multi-family fire.May 24th, 2026 in Westmoreland County: 1 dog retrieved from car & fostered for client with medical emergency.

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


Mina Kalley, DVM, MPH-VPH, Dipl. ACVMP
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