Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Boulder Non-Profits Each Received $2,000
AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR), working in conjunction with the American Kennel Club and its affiliated clubs in Colorado, has donated $6,000 from its Canine Support and Relief Fund to three non-profits caring for pets displaced as a result of the tragic wildfires in the state.
Each organization received a $2,000 donation to help them in their efforts to care for the hundreds of animals that had to be evacuated due to the High Park Fire in Fort Collins, the Flagstaff Fire near Boulder and the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs. With hundreds of homes destroyed and tens of thousands of people evacuated across the state, thousands of pets have been forced to evacuate with their owners, many times not being able to stay with them at temporary housing and in need of their own shelters.
“AKC CAR always stands ready to help displaced pets in times of natural disaster. We are grateful for the dedication of the staff and volunteers at the local humane societies that have contributed to help care for the pets that have been recently evacuated,” said Tom Sharp, AKC Companion Animal Recovery CEO. “We are also grateful to the members of the Greeley Kennel Club and the Colorado Springs Kennel Club for their assistance in AKC CAR’s disaster relief outreach.”
Disaster Relief Donations Awarded To:
- The Larimer Humane Society received $2,000 donation to help house and care for more than 600 animals since the wildfires began.
- The Humane Society of Boulder Valley received a $2,000 donation to help defray costs of caring for evacuated animals and transporting staff to other regions to assist with caring for displaced animals.
- The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region received a $2,000 donation to help care for more than 450 animals at two shelter locations.
In addition to disaster relief, AKC CAR’s Canine Support and Relief Fund awards annual grants in disaster preparedness and to volunteer K-9 Search and Rescue (SAR) teams. Just last month, grants worth a total of $258,000 were awarded nationwide, including several to groups in Colorado:
- The Human Society of Boulder Valley, Boulder, CO received a disaster preparedness grant of $5,000 to purchase items to supply their Emergency Cache trailers including crates, bowls, gloves, collars, large water and food storage containers, fan, power cords, zip ties, chairs, trash bags, cleaning supplies, various tools for set up, and a canopy for shade.
- The Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation received a disaster preparedness grant of $3,000, which will be presented locally by the Colorado Kennel Club.
- The SAR Dogs of the US, Otis, CO received a $2,000 SAR grant.
- The La Plata County SAR, Inc. K9 Team, Durango, CO received a $2,000 SAR grant.
Since 2002, AKC CAR has proudly supported the crucial role these volunteers play during natural disasters and other emergencies when the unique talents of a highly trained canine and his handler can often mean the difference between life and death for a missing individual.
Created in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks to honor the work of the search and rescue K-9s who bravely served, the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund is a permanent charitable fund that has donated more than $4 million to SAR teams and to organizations supporting companion animal relief during natural disasters. For more information, visit www.akccar.org.
— Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Boulder Non-Profits Each Received $2,000 —
AKC Companion…