What’s DART and why is the Fletcher family involved in it?

About six months ago I heard Laura Fletcher talking about darts and I asked if we were going to put up a dart board. Well, I didn’t hear her right--she said DART, not darts; note the capitol letters. So what is DART and how did Fletcher’s become associated with it?

It all began with a little red Dachshund with scarred lungs. While volunteering at SPCA, Laura spotted this refugee from a puppy mill sitting in a cage. In spite of the dog’s many health problems, or perhaps because of them, it was love at first sight and little red Dachshund, soon to be named Lily, went home to live with Laura, JT and the family menagerie.

It took months of medical care to treat all of Lily’s ailments. The scarred lungs were caused by chronic pneumonia. Antibiotics cleared up the pneumonia as well as skin infections. She also had a broken and infected jaw and 39 rotten teeth to be dealt with. Today her health issues are under control.

The condition that Lily was found in was due to the total lack of care at the puppy mill from which she was rescued. Laura and JT decided that something must be done to save other animals that are suffering under the same conditions.

Enter DART, Disaster Animal Response Team. DART is a national organization with many branches across the country. The local chapter, Bay Area DART, was formed in 1996. Bay Area DART’s mission is to promote the safety and well-being of all animals adversely affected during a disaster and to respond to the needs of those who provide emergency and supportive care to animals during all phases of a disaster.

Since its formation, Bay Area DART has assisted in many rescue operations. In 2003 they were deployed to North Carolina and North Florida. In 2004 the team worked with Pinellas County Animal Services and Humane Society of the US (HSUS) to coordinate response for the hurricane season. In 2005 Bay Area DART was called upon by HSUS to set up receiving animals from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina at Hattiesburg, MS. Laura and JT took part in that operation and found their calling.

The Fletcher family and Fletcher’s Harley-Davidson has through the years supported many animal organizations, including SPCA Tampa Bay, Peace River Animal Refuge, Humane Society, Suncoast Primate Sanctuary and many more that I have forgotten to mention. Now Fletcher’s adds Bay Area DART to that list. Laura and JT’s commitment to DART is total--witness the rescue RIG at www.bayareadart.org.

So why are we telling you all this? There will be an announcement soon regarding a new event for Fletcher’s H-D. This event will benefit Bay Area DART. Watch for it!

Dick Pritchard