Edison Honors First Responders After More Than 100 Animals Rescued From Home
Officer’s quick action triggers multi-agency rescue; council also passes e-bike rules and advances film-ready ordinance.
The Edison Council stands with first responders and shelter workers recognized for the rescue. (Edison Municipal Animal Shelter via Facebook)
November 13, 2025
Edison officials gave a standing ovation Wednesday night to the first responders and animal shelter staff who rescued more than 100 animals from a home last week.
The council unanimously approved a formal resolution honoring the township’s animal shelter staff, police officers, firefighters, Office of Emergency Management personnel, and the Middlesex County Animal Response Team for successfully carrying out the massive operation at a Stony Road home on November 9.
Officials said the operation began when Officer Vargas responded to a 911 call for a medical emergency inside the home. Once he entered the residence, he immediately realized something else was wrong.
Council President Margot Harris said Vargas “immediately picked up on the animals in the home being in danger,” and escalated the situation to the Health Department, Animal Control, and the Office of Emergency Management. His quick response triggered a full, multi-agency rescue effort.
Fire Chief Andrew Toth explained how quickly the scene expanded. After OEM notified Middlesex County, Director Jack Kramer and Eric Martin arrived with the county’s CART unit.
“If it wasn’t for them,” Toth said, “we wouldn’t be able to rescue these animals.”
The fire chief stressed that the county’s support and the shelter’s rapid response made the entire operation possible.
Clerk Cheryl Russomanno read the resolution, which detailed the scope of the rescue: over 60 chickens, 14 dogs, 34 rabbits, three parakeets, and nine pigeons, all removed safely.
Images shared by the Edison Municipal Animal Shelter paint a vivid picture of the scene. One photo shows rows of pet crates stretching across a rain-soaked front yard, fallen leaves plastered to the ground as first responders cluster near emergency vehicles.
Middlesex County CART, OEM, and Edison first responders coordinate animal intake on the property. (Edison Municipal Animal Shelter via Facebook)
Another image shows a plastic bin containing live birds, feathers pressed against the cloudy walls of the container. Inside a county trailer, staff in hazmat suits are seen cleaning cages, feeding rabbits, and organizing supplies. Other photos show volunteers carrying crates into vehicles and shelter workers standing beside trunks loaded with rescued animals.
Councilmember Ajay Patil said this is the first time the shelter has been thrust into the spotlight for an operation of this scale. “Kudos to the entire team who stepped up to the level, working shoulder to shoulder with police, fire, and OEM,” he said.
Councilmember John Poyner pointed to the facility’s transformation over the past two years. “All I’ve heard are compliments,” he said. “We got recognized as a no-kill shelter. These are all fantastic things we should be proud of.”
Councilmember Nishith Patel added that the rescue was “amazing” and underscored how much teamwork is needed to handle a case of this size. Councilmember Richard Brescher, who once scrutinized shelter operations, said the rescue proved the department’s “remarkable turnaround.”
Council President Harris listed where the animals have since been placed:
- Pigeons and diamond doves went to The Raptor Trust
- Parakeets went to Amwell Animal Rescue
- Rabbits went to Willie’s Wabbits and Kind Heart Rescue
- Chickens went to a private farm, where they will “roam outside for the first time in their lives”
- The 14 dogs are being groomed at New Jersey Dog Barbers, which is providing services at no cost. Five dogs at a time are being taken for grooming to give them “a clean and fresh start”
Harris noted that applications are currently being accepted for adopting the animals.
“This has been the very epitome of teamwork,” Harris said, prompting a standing ovation from everyone in the room.
Fire Chief Toth concluded by thanking everyone involved. “There was a great job by all. It was a really good event. Made a lot of news and a lot of people happy,” he said.