About Us

The Central MA Disaster Animal Response Team (CMDART) is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization that assists the community with emergency preparedness for pets and animals. We are a volunteer organization that meets the first Tuesday of each month at the First Congregational Church on Boston Rd in Sutton, MA from 7 PM to 9PM . No meetings in July or August and our first meeting in September is the SECOND Tuesday in that month to accommodate for Labor Day weekend.

CMDART was originally started by members of the Central Mass American Red Cross Disaster Action Team who saw a need to help victims of house fires and other disasters, who were distressed by the need to care for their pets and animals after losing their homes. The Red Cross has a policy of not allowing pets in human shelters. RC has however maintained a list of pet-friendly motels for fire and disaster victims, demonstrating a strong desire to address pet owners needs. CMDART enjoys a strong liaison with American Red Cross of Central Mass and will continue to offer support to their efforts. We serve small and large animal owners.

CMDART is an organization that assists the community with emergency preparedness for pets and animals. We believe in family preparedness including animals and help to educate families about such. We seek to help establish local DART teams in each of the Worcester County towns. We connect with local emergency planning committees and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). We encourage all of our members to register with and train for state service as well as local responses. Many of our members are cross-trained with the State Animal Disaster Response Team (SMART) as well as volunteering locally.

When folks complete our applications, those are sent to the State team as well in the event of a large disaster and the need to work on a larger scale.

CMDART,, nearing its fifth year of growth, is seeking Board members and general response volunteers who will continue the forward progress of our organization while keeping our local flavor and mission. We continue to actively promote forums for public education, prevention and the development of local response teams. We actively collaborate with established groups to learn, grow and share expertise to improve animal disaster preparedness in our region.

In addition, team members continue to attend animal disaster training, perform local practice drills, network with other animal organizations and agencies, and are seeking facilities for animal disaster use. We are especially looking for facilities near the location of human shelters which are established in each town in the Commonwealth. Check with your local fire department or emergency manager to find out the location of your towns emergency shelter and then seek appropriate animal facilities near that location. Please notify CMDART if you have ideas for such facilities.

CMDART has also recently established a committee to review animal disaster plans and is working on samples of plans to assist local communities.