Important: The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Emergency Programs Division is offering emergency equine sheltering at the Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center at 2900 NC Hwy 125 South in Williamston (east of I-95, near Greenville) and the Governor James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex in Raleigh (west of I-95).

Stalls at either facility are available for $10 a day, and owners are expected to take care of their animals.

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Emergency Programs Division is working to help counties prepare and respond on behalf of pets before, during and after Hurricane Irene visits the state.

The department has partnered with the American Humane Association to provide assistance to heavily impacted counties in rescuing, sheltering and reuniting pets with their owners. AHA will be stationed in the state before the storm hits and ready to respond where needed. This partnership provides access to the largest national animal response groups through the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition.

In advance of the storm, counties are working together to move Companion Animal Mobile Equipment Trailers into areas where needed. Each trailer has equipment to set up an emergency shelter for up to 50 animals. The state currently has 30 CAMETs.

More than 25 counties are offering co-location shelters where people and pets can both find shelter. Pet owners can check with their county Emergency Management office to find out? about their county’s animal sheltering plan.

If the storm overwhelms local animal response capabilities, two regional shelters can be opened to assist heavily impacted counties with rescue and sheltering. The sites have been chosen.

Also, NCDA&CS is offering emergency equine sheltering at the Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston and the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh. Stalls are available for $10 a day, and owners are expected to take care of their animals.

Here are the requirements and contact details for the two centers:

Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center

Call 252-792-5802 during regular business hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) for assistance in scheduling your arrival at our facility.

If after regular business hours, please contact:
Durward Taylor, Facility Manager – 252-799-7659
Keith Whitaker, Operations Manager – 252-809-9762

Owners at Williamston are responsible for the following:

1. Providing proof of a current negative Coggins test
2. Primary care for his/her animals sheltered at the facility
   (feed, hay, watering of animals and cleaning of stalls)
3. Shavings (SBMEAC requires a minimum of 2 bags per stall.)
   (Shavings must be purchased onsite at a cost of $5.00 per bag.)
   (Please do not bring shavings or bedding from an outside source.)
4. Removal of sheltered animals once the event has subsided.

Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Horse Complex (Raleigh facility at State Fairgrounds):

The Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Horse Complex in Raleigh offers sheltering for horses during emergency situations.? The showgrounds were to have been in use this week for a North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association show, which uses the “E” barn arena, but the show has been cancelled. The temporary stall “F” barn is the primary location for housing evacuated animals with the ability to house up to 100 horses. ?Additional horses can be housed. Please remember that timing becomes critical in a disaster situation.

We encourage you to make your plans to evacuate animals to our facility
as soon as practical in order to ensure the safety of you and your horses.

Call Sheri Bridges at (919) 839-4701 during business hours to assist you with your arrival plans and scheduling.

Stalls are available for emergency situations at a reduced rate of $10 per stall, per day.
Owners at the Raleigh facility are responsible for the following:

• Proof of a current negative Coggins Test
• A Current CVI (health certificate) for out-of-state horses
• Vaccination and veterinary information as requested
• Primary care for his/her animals sheltered at the facility? – feed, hay, water and cleaning
  of stalls; veterinary care if and as needed
• Removal of sheltered animals once the emergency event has subsided
• Cooperating with ongoing shows and events at the Hunt Horse Complex