AKC Working With Local Constituents To Provide Help 

New York, NY – The American Kennel Club® and AKC Companion Animal Recovery continue to reach out to all those affected by the California wildfires.  AKC Executive Field Agent Elizabeth White, a Mission Viejo, California resident who has been monitoring the situation throughout the wildfire crisis, has updated the AKC that the fire danger in her locale seems to be dissipating and that the situation in general seems well in hand.  The AKC will continue to provide updates on our website at www.akc.org.

Additionally, AKC Delegate Susan Hamil has been in communication with the former President of the California Veterinary Medical Association, and reported to the AKC that some veterinary hospitals are offering free board and concurred that generally conditions seem to be improving from earlier in the week.

AKC is keeping in touch with the officers of AKC affiliated clubs in the affected areas in order to offer assistance and stay apprised of the situation regarding dogs and their owners.

AKC staff continues to be in communication with the Director of Animal Control for the County of San Diego and the President of the California Federation of Dog Clubs. AKC has filled requests for dozens of bowls, collars, leads and crates as well as hundreds of pounds of dog food.  This includes 100 crates sent to the San Diego Humane Society. 

AKC Chairman Ron Menaker stated, “In the first days of the disaster, AKC sent hundreds of crates, bowls, leashes and collars to various parties in affected areas. We are committed to providing needed resources and to working closely with our 466 clubs in the state and our tens of thousands of constituents throughout California.”

AKC also continues to work with Take the Lead – an organization which provides for direct services, support and care for people in the sport of purebred dogs who are affected by tragedies — in order to ensure that offers of support are extended to both the human and canine victims of these fires.

Dog clubs, shelters or individuals in need of assistance are asked to contact Corporate Project Manager Marcy Zingler at mlz@akc.org or 212-696-8346, AVP/Assistant Executive Secretary Gina Lash at 203-887-5944 or gml@akc.org.

DONATIONS
In anticipation of the needs of the canine victims, we are accepting monetary donations. If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.akc.org/donations or mail it to:

AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund
American Kennel Club
260 Madison Avenue – 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016-2401

AKC/CAR is 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. More info at https://www.akc.org/affiliates/car/CSRfund.cfm

To donate to Take the Lead to help individuals in the dog fancy, visit http://www.takethelead.org