Northampton County’s furry friends have a new place to go in the event of a disaster
By Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com | Click here for original article.
When disaster strikes, pet owners can find themselves faced with the heart wrenching decision to stay in harm’s way with Fido or flee and leave the family pet behind.
Northampton County residents no longer have to make that choice because the county is equipped with a disaster relief pet trailer that creates a safe, temporary home-base for at least 65 pets during the first 72 hours after a disaster is declared, according to a news release from AKC Reunite, the largest nonprofit pet identification and recovery service provider in the U.S.
“Our organization is extremely thankful to AKC Reunite and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia for providing us with such a substantial tool for our community.”
Thomas E. Guth Jr. ~ Northampton County Emergency Management Office
The trailer will be available to respond to any disaster scene that needs help sheltering pets. The mobile shelter is generator powered and outfitted with crates and carriers, microchips and microchip scanners, bowls, collars and leashes. It can be used at shelters where people can evacuate with their pets as well as emergency animal shelters for displaced animals.
“Our organization is extremely thankful to AKC Reunite and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia for providing us with such a substantial tool for our community,” said Thomas E. Guth Jr., of the Northampton County Emergency Management Office. “The Northampton County Emergency Services team is now better equipped to help pets and pet owners if disaster strikes”.
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia donated $100,000 for eight of the trailers to be donated to counties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Northampton County trailer is the second to be awarded.
“This is the 77th trailer donated through the AKC Pet Disaster Relief program. The trailer will provide resources to assist the Northampton County when responding to natural disasters in their community,” said Tom Sharp, AKC Reunite CEO. “Safe, efficient pet sheltering solutions are crucial following a disaster, and we are pleased that an AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer will be available as a vital tool.”
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 online with AKC Pet Disaster Relief or contact us at 919-816-3980 and relief@akcreunite.org.
