Local AKC dog clubs and AKC Pet Disaster Relief, a national program spearheaded by AKC Reunite that is dedicated to keeping pets and their owners safe in the aftermath of tornadoes, floods, wildfires and other natural or civil disasters, donated a life-saving pet disaster relief trailer, the first of its kind in the state of Delaware, to officials from the First State Animal Center and SPCA at a presentation held Saturday.
With AKC Pet Disaster Relief, pets will no longer be forced to wander the streets for days, displaced from their families, as they did during disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the Moore, Oklahoma tornadoes. AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers help to create a safe, temporary home-base for at least 65 pets immediately after a disaster is declared, before help from FEMA arrives. Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado or the unthinkable, the state of Delaware will be prepared to roll out help to pets and their owners in need.
The purchase of the trailer for the First State Animal Center and SPCA was made possible by $22,000 in donations and grants from the members of the Wilmington Kennel Club, Del Bay Retriever Club and AKC Reunite, the nation’s largest non-profit pet identification and recovery service.
“The AKC dog clubs in Delaware want to help our local community and its pets be prepared for any disaster and its aftermath.”
Lyn Yelton of the Del Bay Retriever Club
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, AKC Reunite microchips and an AKC Reunite universal microchip scanner as well as bowls, collars and leashes. These supplies can be used as co-location shelters, where people can evacuate with their pets, as well as emergency animal shelters for displaced animals.
“The Wilmington Kennel Club wanted to make it easier for our local community to help pet owners in times of disaster and our club members are very proud to donate this AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer to assist in Delaware’s future response efforts,” said WKC’s Doug Holloway.
“Safe, effective pet sheltering solutions in times of disaster are incredibly important, and AKC Reunite is helping communities across the nation prepare by “rolling out help” via AKC Pet Disaster Relief,” said Tom Sharp, AKC Reunite CEO. “The trailer will be critical to saving local pets if disaster ever strikes the state of Delaware.”
“The AKC dog clubs in Delaware want to help our local community and its pets be prepared for any disaster and its aftermath,” said Lyn Yelton of the Del Bay Retriever Club. “We are all very proud to donate this trailer to the First State Animal Center and SPCA.”
Sherri Warburton of the First State Animal Center and SPCA said, “This trailer will allow us to set up an extensive emergency shelter to assist pet owners during future natural disasters. We’re excited about our improved ability to care for our community’s pets and thank the members of our local dog clubs for their efforts in helping us acquire an AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer.”
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.
