Hurricane Relief
2005 will be long remembered as the year of the Gulf Coast hurricanes. The storms leveled vast expanses
and caused billions of dollars in property damage. Untold thousands of residents found themselves suddenly homeless, in
a desperate struggle for survival. The area teemed with lost or abandoned companion animals, and the enormous population
of displaced pets quickly overwhelmed local animal-welfare agencies.
The AKC president immediately appointed a team, headed by Director of Public Relations Lainie Cantrell, to address the dire situation.
AKC and AKC/CAR staff visited shelters and staging areas temporarily housing animals in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas to meet with relief workers and determine where assistance was most needed. These efforts were conducted in cooperation with the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Houston Kennel Club, the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs (FAKC), and Delegates and officers of AKC clubs.
The AKC sent shipments of food, water, crates, dog bowls, and exercise pens to shelters in the disaster areas. Donations from the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund helped to reimburse the expenses of veterinary schools that served as temporary shelters and were heavily involved in the relief efforts.
In collaboration with the FAKC, the American Kennel Club coordinated eight airlifts of displaced dogs to shelters around the country, including St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center's newly established Katrina K-9 Care Center in Mendham, New Jersey. Several dogs were reunited with their owners, and new homes were found for many others.
With 545 AKC-affiliated clubs and other organizations donating funds, along with thousands of animal lovers moved by media reports of displaced pets, the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund received over $1.1 million in donations. For those wishing to volunteer equipment, housing, and services, a donation exchange was posted at akc.org.
In a remarkable gesture of international goodwill among dog fanciers, The Kennel Club (England) and The Kennel Club Charitable Trust contributed a combined £10,000 to the relief effort.
The AKC's dollar-for-dollar match of contributions made by employees, Board Members, and Delegates raised $36,000 for the Support and Relief Fund and the American Red Cross.
The AKC president immediately appointed a team, headed by Director of Public Relations Lainie Cantrell, to address the dire situation.
AKC and AKC/CAR staff visited shelters and staging areas temporarily housing animals in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas to meet with relief workers and determine where assistance was most needed. These efforts were conducted in cooperation with the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Houston Kennel Club, the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs (FAKC), and Delegates and officers of AKC clubs.
The AKC sent shipments of food, water, crates, dog bowls, and exercise pens to shelters in the disaster areas. Donations from the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund helped to reimburse the expenses of veterinary schools that served as temporary shelters and were heavily involved in the relief efforts.
In collaboration with the FAKC, the American Kennel Club coordinated eight airlifts of displaced dogs to shelters around the country, including St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center's newly established Katrina K-9 Care Center in Mendham, New Jersey. Several dogs were reunited with their owners, and new homes were found for many others.
With 545 AKC-affiliated clubs and other organizations donating funds, along with thousands of animal lovers moved by media reports of displaced pets, the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund received over $1.1 million in donations. For those wishing to volunteer equipment, housing, and services, a donation exchange was posted at akc.org.
In a remarkable gesture of international goodwill among dog fanciers, The Kennel Club (England) and The Kennel Club Charitable Trust contributed a combined £10,000 to the relief effort.
The AKC's dollar-for-dollar match of contributions made by employees, Board Members, and Delegates raised $36,000 for the Support and Relief Fund and the American Red Cross.
National Championship