Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
Washes scheduled for Andover, Rose Hill, and El Dorado
Summertime is back, which brings warmer temperatures, sunshine, isolated rain and… potentially dirty dogs. Whether you’re too busy to wash your own pup, microchip your pet, or just wanting to support a worthy cause, the Butler County Animal Response Team is ready to wash your dog with smiling faces and cool water.
The Butler County Animal Response Team, (BUCART), a subdivision of the Butler County Emergency Management Agency, is a volunteer-ran group who continuously train to help animals when disasters strike. Following the Joplin tornado and the destruction and animal life loss, the group was founded in 2012, welcoming animal lovers of all kinds who work hard to provide disaster relief to Butler County and the surrounding areas.
BUCART is a unique team in the fact that they are the only animal response team in the state that can handle and is trained for large animal rescue. Since their inception, they’ve rescue two very large draft horses.
Being a volunteer-ran organization, the group has had to find supplies and funding through grants and community fundraisers, such as their annual dog washes. The washes over the years have helped purchase a new box trailer for the team to transport supplies in.
“The dog washes are more than a fundraiser,” said original founding member and Co-Coordinator Janell Jessup. “They function as animal handling for volunteers and helps us develop relationships with local fire districts as well as Alex’s House Dog Rescue who’s partnered with us since 2014.”
Throughout the 11 years they have held the washes, Jessup and Co-Coordinator Chris Barth have found fun and most importantly, community within the group. They enjoy seeing dogs and their owners return each year for a special wash with the BUCART team while educating new owners on animal-disaster preparedness and safety.
“We’ve had many repeat customers come out each year,” said Barth. “It’s so fun to see the dogs year to year.”
Barth joined the team shortly after Jessup did, sparking a friendship between the two that would last their lifetime.
“After helping run a local campaign, I asked Kelly Herzet, ‘What more can I do for my county?’”, said Barth. “I wanted to serve in more ways. Even though he wasn’t sure we’d get along, he introduced me to Janell and the rest is history. I’ve volunteered ever since.”
The money from the washes contributes to continual training for the team, such as bringing in professional in the veterinary and animal emergency management industries as well as purchasing a $4,000 load out trailer.
The washes are hosted at local fire district houses with dog washes in one area and a discounted microchip offering through Alex’s House Dog Rescue in another area. The washes are done for a suggested donation of $10 and the microchip service for $20.
The dog wash schedule is:
July 12 from 10am-1pm
Andover Fire Station 1, 911 North Andover Rd, Andover
August 9 from 10am-1pm
Butler County Fire District #3, 911 N Rose Hill Rd, Rose Hill
September (Exact date to be determined – postponed due to ongoing flood response)
El Dorado Fire Station Station #2, 2600 W. Sixth Ave, El Dorado
“There are many people that help people during disasters,” said Barth. “But we are the people who help the animals. We do this out of love.”
To learn more information about the Butler County Emergency Management Agency, BUCART, or how to volunteer further, visit https://www.bucoks.com/651/Animal-Response-Team or email the team at ema_volunteers@butlerema.org.
