Skip to content

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

Back To Top

December 6th, 2024 in Somerset County: Somerset CART was requested to trap a dog on the PA Turnpike at the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel.December 10th, 2024 in Allegheny County: 1 adult cat & owner displaced by house fire. Pet Care Kit delivered to owner at hotel.December 8th, 2024 in Allegheny County: 1 sm dog & owner displaced by house fire. Pet Care Kit delivered to owner at hotel.December 7th, 2024 in Allegheny County: 4 adult cats & owner displaced by house fire. Pet Care Kit of supplies was delivered to owner.December 6th, 2024 in Allegheny County: 1 adult cat & 4 kittens displaced by house fire. Pet Care Kit delivered to owner with family.December 4th, 2024 in Allegheny County: 2 sm dogs & family displaced due to house fire. Delivered Pet Care Kit to family.December 4th, 2024 in Armstrong County: Request for fostering & supplies for 7 asst. animals due to house fire, then cancelled.December 6th, 2024 in Schuylkill County: 15 dogs trapped in house fire, 9 perished, 2 required oxygen. dogs transported to vet by owner.December 5th, 2024 in Clearfield County: Cambria CART Requested to Assist Clearfield EMA with a Tractor Trailer fire hauling Pigs on I-80. Canceled a...December 3rd, 2024 in Westmoreland County: Assistance request for horse stuck in pond. Self-extricated, therefore cancelled.