ASPCA Reveals New Large-Scale Rescue Trailer
Last Friday the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) unveiled its first-ever Animal Transport Trailer in Times Square, New York. The custom-built, 60-foot-long trailer has been designed to save the lives of animals after natural disasters or after large-scale rescues. The trailer was made possible with funds donated by the Silberstein Foundation of New York and the Grousbeck Family Foundation of California.
The ASPCA designed the new trailer to increase the capability of its Field Investigation and Response team to deploy to emergency situations across the country. In addition to animal transport, the new vehicle will enable technical animal rescue, crime scene investigation, forensic analysis, and disaster response functions. The two-piece climate-controlled vehicle consists of a 40-foot custom-built trailer has the capacity to accommodate up to 60 animals, towed by a flatbed pick-up truck.
"In the past four months alone, the ASPCA has rescued animals from puppy mills, hoarding situations and Tennessee flood zones," said Tim Rickey, Senior Director of ASPCA Field Investigation and Response. "In every situation, time was of the essence. Our new vehicle is a vital resource in expanding and accelerating our response time to disaster and animal cruelty relief, and saving animals that are stranded or need temporary shelter. In any of these cases, the ASPCA is ready to respond."
The new vehicle will be stationed in Missouri, a central location within the United States. that positions it to respond quickly. It is equipped with facilities such as airline kennels, wire crates, and animal handling and medical supplies. The trailer also holds technical rescue and disaster response equipment such as boats, motors, water rescue and rope equipment. It also offers temporary shelter for staging in remote areas affected by disasters.
