AVALON – The Borough of Avalon will receive the 2013 Innovation in Governance Award from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey League of Municipalities. Avalon is receiving the award for the design and implementation of the Borough’s pet evacuation trailer which helps residents evacuate the community with their pets during a severe storm or other emergency. Avalon was informed of the award in a letter written by Richard E. Constable, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and Janice S. Mironov, President of the New Jersey League of Municipalities.
“Avalon deeply appreciates this recognition of the importance of our pet evacuation trailer”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “We recognized the fact that some people will not evacuate during a major storm because they had no place to take their domestic pets. Instead of ignoring this problem, Avalon embraced it and built a custom pet evacuation trailer that is truly serving as a model for other communities in New Jersey and other states”.
Avalon will be presented with the award during a mayor’s luncheon on Nov. 20 at the Sheraton, Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel. The City of Camden will also be honored for the Camden County Regional Police Department along with the Borough of Madison for its Chief Executive Council.
Avalon obtained a pre-owned truck trailer in 2012 and met with local veterinarians and other experts to help design the pet evacuation trailer. The trailer is equipped with dozens of pet cages, a ventilation system, a veterinary work station, running water, and storage for essential needs. The pet evacuation trailer is taken to Avalon’s designated evacuation shelter in Cumberland County where pet owners can care for their pets during an evacuation.
The trailer was completely funded through donations courtesy of sponsors and Avalon residents and was constructed at no cost to Avalon taxpayers. The Avalon Pet Evacuation Trailer is now listed in the inventory of assets by the New Jersey State Police. It was successfully used in Borough-wide evacuation necessitated by Hurricane Sandy in October, 2012.
For more information on the Avalon Pet Evacuation Trailer, please visit the Borough’s emergency management website www.avalonemergency.org.
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