Raleigh, NC — AKC Pet Disaster Relief, a program dedicated to keeping pets and their owners safe during storms, fires and other natural or civil disasters, presented its first-ever trailer to emergency officials from North Carolina’s Pamlico County. The trailer was presented to Chris Murray of Pamlico County Emergency Management during a ceremony held at the Agriculture Building Plaza in downtown Raleigh attended by representatives from the Department of Agriculture, including Director, Emergency Programs Sharron Stewart, and the Department of Public Safety, including Deputy Secretary Ellis Boyle, as well as State Representative Michael Speciale.
AKC Pet Disaster Relief supplies create a safe, temporary home-base for at least 50 pets immediately after a disaster is declared, whether it is a for a co-location shelter where people can evacuate with their pets or as an emergency animal shelter for displaced animals. The trailers house and deliver essential supplies such as fans, lighting and generators; cleaning supplies; maintenance items; and animal care items including crates and carries, microchips and a scanner as well as bowls, collars and leashes.
“We’re proud to kick off this program in North Carolina, the home state of AKC Reunite, and look forward to expanding the program across the US to help as many pets and owners as possible,” said AKC Reunite CEO Tom Sharp. “The beauty of successful public/private partnerships like AKC Pet Disaster Relief is that it can help states and counties prepare for disaster without taxpayer dollars.”
Representative Speciale said, “It is an honor to attend the Pamlico County trailer presentation. The efforts of folks like Patrick and Almira Dallas (members of the Forsyth Kennel Club) are appreciated by those of us who love animals.”
The purchase of Pamlico County’s first-ever emergency trailer was made possible by $22,000 in donations and grants from North Carolina’s Forsyth Kennel Club, the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America, the English Springer Spaniel Foundation, the American Chinese Crested Club and AKC Reunite.
In addition to the Pamlico County trailer, members of AKC Kennel Clubs in other cities across the country have dedicated themselves to raising money to supply AKC Pet Disaster Relief to their local Emergency Management. Federal law requires municipalities to prepare and care for citizens and their pets in the event of disasters like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and wildfires.
Over 30 dog clubs, including national parent club organizations with members in every state and local groups in Northern New Jersey, Arizona, Ohio, New York, Tennessee, North Carolina and Connecticut, have donated money toward AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers. The national Orthopedic Foundation for Animals has donated a trailer to Missouri, the state where it is located. AKC Reunite has also pledged $250,000 over the next two years to assist with funding.
Individuals, corporations and other interested parties can donate to trailer projects in local areas or across the country. Donations are tax deductible and accepted online. Approved organizations that raise a minimum of $1,000 will have their logo featured on the AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer.
Learn more about how to get involved in AKC Pet Disaster Relief at www.akcreunite.org/relief or contact us at 919-816-3980 and relief@akcreunite.org.
CLICK HERE to download hi-res images from the press conference (Credit: Robert Young © American Kennel Club)
Raleigh, NC AKC Pet Disaster Relief, a program dedicated to keeping pets and their owners safe…