Firefighters have a lot of responsibilities when responding to an emergency.

The Carbon Animal Rescue Team strives to take one of those responsibilities — helping pets that may be injured — so the first responders can focus on the rest. On Saturday, bikers turned out to support the organization as they held their sixth annual Hogs & Horses scavenger ride. Their support encouraged volunteers.

“We value everybody who comes out every year. They’ve been doing it six years with us, to help us get large animal rescue equipment,” said Michele Beckett, CART’s safety officer and a member of the organization’s fundraising committee.

Riders enjoyed a 70-plus mile ride on back roads connecting Jim Thorpe, New Tripoli and Weissport, completing a scavenger hunt along the way.

Carbon County provides plenty of roads through mountains and valleys with minimal interruption. Beckett said she tried to choose a route with the best of both, as well as some brief excursions out of the county to take in the view.

“I try to find the most beautiful parts, which isn’t hard in carbon county, along our mountain,” she said.

Hogs & Horses is now in its sixth year. Each year the proceeds are put toward Carbon CART’s goal of purchasing large-animal rescue equipment. The event came about after CART rescued a horse in East Penn Township with help from animal response teams from different counties. From that experience, they learned they need a lot more experience to effectively respond to those emergencies. When time is of the essence, having their equipment arrive piece by piece could ruin a rescue operation.

“If we get there without having to wait for other equipment, we’re going to be able to get people to safety with their animals,” Beckett said.

CART doesn’t just respond to emergencies involving large animals. They help cats and dogs too. Each presents their own challenges. It can be very difficult to get a small animal out of a building because when they’re scared, they typically hide, or become fearful of humans.

CART provides oxygen masks and training to local fire companies to increase the odds of saving pets during a fire.

“All the animals have their own problems when they’re fearful. If the people around them are scared or tense and stressed out, the animals feel it,” Beckett said.

And the bikers say they’re happy to support the organization while doing what they love.

“Anything for animals is good. Especially with horses,” said a biker named Bobby K.