Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc. Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc.
On Monday afternoon, August 16, a water main behind our building burst. This dumped 8 inches of water and sewage into our first floor, our dog kennel area. We needed to move fast to get our dogs out of the building. Because all electricity to the building was cut off, we also had to evacuate all of the cats and kittens in our second floor cattery. Then on Tuesday, after our cleanup was underway, the main broke again. Here's how one of our Staff members described it --
For years the Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge has been our workplace, our life, our heart and our home away from home, but more importantly it has been the temporary home and sanctuary to hundreds of starved, abandoned, abused, neglected and simply just forgotten animals. Today as we walked through the empty kennel and water drenched halls, it broke our hearts to see our shelter, our refuge and sanctuary to so many animals that so desperately need us, in a shambles, devoid of any life.
On Monday aftenoon, a water main break forced the immediate evacuation of R.B.A.R.I. and our more than 50+ cats and 30+ dogs, including 2 sets of nursing Moms with a total of 14 nursing pups.
A United Water main located near the railroad tracks backing the shelter ruptured sending gallons upon gallons of water flooding into our building, overwhelming our septic system and causing the sewege to cover the first floor in approximateky 8-10 inches of water. The break lasted for hours, and as the water rushed in, staff and volunteers rushed the animals out. Animals were dispersed to our local veternarian’s offices (Ramapo Valley, Franklin Lakes, and Pompton Lakes) as well as to the homes of several staff members and shelter friends.
On Tuesday, when we thought we were finally getting a grip on this catastrophe, the flood waters began to rise again as the water main broke for a second time, sending our cleaning crews back to square one. 
We are now doing everything in our power to get RBARI back to the amazing place it is, and to do it as quickly as possible so that we can get back to saving the animals that need us.
The outpouring of offerings to help has been amazing. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Your help is greatly appreciated as the job of getting our shelter back up and running begins.
As you can imagine, most of our supplies in the dog kennel on the main floor were destroyed by the sewege. These are the items which we most desparately need:
DRY DOG FOOD:
Adult: Nutro, Science Diet, Purina One/Pro Plan
Puppy: Nutro, Science Diet, Pedigree
Bedding, Sheets, Towels
Dog Beds: New or Used Kuranda beds (Kuranda.com)
Dog Toys: Squeakies, Kongs, Nyla Bones
Paper Towels
Bleach
Gift Cards: Petco, Petsmart, Shop Rite, StaplesDonations can be dropped off in front of the shelter or mailed to RBARI,.2 Shelter Lane, Oakland, NJ 07436.
If you can donate any of the following, please contact admin@rbari.org: industrial washing machine, desktop computers (need 2), dishwasher, treadmill, filing cabinets, desk, clothes dryer, refrigerator.
We, of course, would also appreciate cash donations. Click to donate via PayPal.
YOUR GENEROSITY AND CONCERN IS SO VERY MUCH APPRECIATED BY ALL OF THE STAFF , ANIMALS, VOLUNTEERS, AND MEMBERS OF RBARI.
THANK YOU!!