The American Kennel Club (AKC), through its affiliate organization AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC-CAR) which provides 24-hour recovery services for microchipped and tattooed pets, is making supplies and other assistance available to the California authorities in counties affected by the wildfires.
The AKC is working to identify local animal shelters and animal control agencies involved with rescue of animals that have been displaced by the disaster. To help assist them with the thousands of animals that have been affected, AKC is leading efforts to secure crates, containment pens, food and other supplies for organizations in Riverside, San Bernadino, San Diego and Ventura counties.
The donations are made possible by the AKC-CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund, a permanent charitable fund which provides resources, support and other assistance to not-for-profit animal shelters and similar not-for-profit organizations providing care for domestic animals orphaned or displaced as a result of natural or civil disasters.
In addition, AKC-CAR is donating microchips and lending scanners, and the Iams Company has pledged to provide as much food as needed for however long is necessary for the dogs and cats housed in makeshift shelters, via the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
“As we have continued to hear about the increasing numbers of animals affected by these fires, we realized that this disaster is exactly what we established the fund for. We contacted our friends at Iams, who immediately agreed to help, and are identifying agencies in California that need our assistance,” said Ron Menaker, AKC’s Chairman. “We also know that many of the local California dog clubs that are members of, or affiliated with the AKC, will want to contribute and our fund will now give them a direct way to do so.”
The public may contribute to the AKC-CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund and all such contributions are tax deductible. Donations can also be made at by clicking here, or via checks made payable to “AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund” and mailed to:
AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund
American Kennel Club
260 Madison Avenue- 4th floor
New York, NY 10016-2401
Inquiries regarding the fund should be directed to:
Fund Administrator
AKC-CAR
(919) 816-3564
e-mail: ker@akc.org
Any club, organization or individual wishing to designate their donation specifically to this cause should specify on the check or accompanying correspondence “for California wildfires.”