Wildfires have ravaged North Jersey for much of November, burning thousands of acres.
First responders have been in the thick of the battle to put out the flames as locals have rallied to help. That includes Megan O’Neill, a member of the North Jersey Equestrian Center.
When O’Neill took to Facebook and posted the photo of a horse and the fires behind it, she never expected the outpouring of support she received.
“If you are faced with the evacuation of your animals due to ongoing wildfires, the North Jersey Equestrian Center in Pompton Plains, New Jersey offers transportation, dedicated stables and specialized staff to accommodate any animal in need of safety and shelter,” wrote O’Neill. .
Her post was shared more than 2,700 times. Many people from North Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania volunteered their skills to see where they could help.
The center itself offers complete care for every kind of animal, not just horses. With an entire crew specialized in animal care, they are ready for any problem that may arise. Many locals have already reached out and braced for the possibility of an evacuation.
With more than 103 12-by-12 stalls ready and waiting, the center is committed to helping every animal in need. Transport for the animals is also possible 24 hours a day. The center is a gigantic farmland owned by Karl and Deana Bauer and is 22 years old. The Bauer family has always helped and cared for animals in times of need, but on a smaller and quieter scale.
The shed itself is “bomb-proof,” according to O’Neill. The stables are equipped for any type of flood or weather condition and are the safest place to be, especially during wildfire season. There is an extra stable available in case there is an overflow of animals, which so far does not seem to be the case.
O’Neill’s post spreads awareness that there is a service out there to help animals and their owners in need. O’Neill is calling on anyone who can help to come forward, even if it is a small act of kindness. The center itself remains accessible 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency or evacuation order. Their number is 973-839-0077.
“If someone sees an animal with burned feet, I hope he or she will stop and do the right thing and set a good example for the animal community,” she said.
In lighter news, the facility plans to open its doors to first responders who have been helping throughout the area by offering them horsemanship offerings. The program, aimed at January, is called Carousel Horsemanship.
“Those who help us have nothing to gain other than a good deed,” says O’Neill. “We have the resources and want to do more for them.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey Equestrian Center to Help Animals Against Wildfires
