As the result of Hurricane Irene, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) worked with county governments to make facilities available to those large livestock animal owners who needed to evacuate their farms or found themselves without power or water or access to their farms.

While very few farm owners needed to use these shelters in this most recent storm, the NJDA is seeking to ensure there are enough facilities available to accommodate large animals in the event of future emergencies or disasters.

The Department is asking anyone with a facility that could serve as a large animal shelter to fill out a form to be returned via email or post. When completing the form, please include two contact numbers that would be accessible 24/7 for each facility.

When a facility is made available during evacuations, it is the owner’s responsibility to care for that animal, including bringing the appropriate feed, hay, and other daily supplies needed for its care