ATTENTION : Large Animal Rescue Response Equipment fundraising drive update.
The Delaware Equine Council (DEC) is spearheading this effort. At the 5/15/2023 DEC monthly meeting, the DEC voted to match all donations received, up to a total of $10,000. Our goal is to raise $20,000 to cover the cost of rescue equipment and a trailer to carry the rescue equipment to incidents as required.
As of 8/4/2023, we have received a total of $9,387 (see below), so with the DEC match our total to date is $ 18,774 ! To those of you that have donated thus far, we can’t thank you enough ! Again, all donations large and small are greatly appreciated!
What Happened?
Sussex County lost its quick access to the large animal equipment used to assist in rescuing downed large animals of all types. New Castle and Kent counties currently continue to have large animal rescue equipment just a phone call away. Under the current situation, the wait time to get rescue equipment to a downed animal in Sussex County could take 3-4 hours or more due to the rerouting of calls between Sussex and Kent 911 Centers and pulling equipment and service providers from other counties. This is precious time wasted and may often lead to disastrous results.
What We Are Doing About It?
The Delaware Equine Council is fundraising to purchase large animal rescue equipment and a trailer which will be housed at a fire department in Sussex County. Our fundraising efforts include soliciting donations as well as hosting events to raise the necessary funds. We need a total of $20,000.
Who Benefits?
Any Sussex County owner of a large animal will benefit from the purchase of this equipment. Response time will be significantly decreased and survivability of the downed animal will be greatly increased. Additionally, rescue personnel from New Castle or Kent will no longer need to be pulled from their communities to assist those in Sussex County.
We have reached our goal!
We would also like to thank everyone who contributed to our Fund Raiser for the Large Animal Rescue Equipment. We have been given a trailer to use with the equipment, which is due to arrive some time in December 2023. The delivery date has been changed to sometime in early March 2024 due to supply chain delays. There will be an official announcement when the equipment arrives and is turned over to the Sussex County Technical Response Unit to be used in large animal rescue missions.
The Equipment has arrived!
Training and Public Relations session has been set up. See the flyer below for details.
View the photos from the equipment training session on 4/20/2024
View the Post Time video interview with Heather Vitale and DEC President Ken Horeis
