Kent County is now equipped with a state-of-the-art AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer that will be available to dispatch to any disaster scenes that need assistance sheltering pets.

AKC Pet Disaster Relief, a national program that is dedicated to keeping pets and their owners safe in the aftermath of natural or civil disasters, joined forces with local American Kennel Club dog clubs and dog lovers to present an emergency trailer to officials from the Kent County Office of Emergency Services in a ceremony held yesterday. This is the 8th AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer to roll out in the state of Maryland, with trailers also located in Baltimore, Caroline, Calvert, Cecil, Harford and Queen Anne’s counties, as well as Easton, Maryland.

AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers help to create a safe, temporary home-base for at least 65 pets immediately after a disaster is declared. 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.

“Thank you to these AKC dog clubs and AKC Reunite for helping us to obtain such a valuable tool that will allow our agency to ensure the safety of our pets during any future disasters.”

Ginger Gregg ~ Emergency Planner for Kent County

“This trailer will provide animal care sheltering supplies during the first critical hours after a disaster hits Kent County or the surrounding areas,” said Tom Sharp, AKC Reunite CEO. “Safe, effective pet sheltering solutions in times of disaster are incredibly important, and AKC Reunite is pleased to help communities across the nation prepare by mobilizing AKC Pet Disaster Relief.”

The purchase of the trailer was made possible by more than $22,000 in donations and grants from the Maryland Kennel Club, the Annapolis Kennel Club, the Mispillion Kennel Club, the Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club, Kent County Commissioners, Daniel Gueriero & Michelle Leone, Fred and Duffy Askins, the Cairn Terrier Club of America, citizens of Kent County and AKC Reunite, the nation’s largest non-profit pet identification and recovery service.

“Thank you to these AKC dog clubs and AKC Reunite for helping us to obtain such a valuable tool that will allow our agency to ensure the safety of our pets during any future disasters,” said Ginger Gregg, Emergency Planner for Kent County.

“The Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club, Maryland Kennel Club and all the other supporting clubs and dog lovers are dedicated to giving back and helping the pets loved by those in the community. We’re very proud to help bring an AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer to Kent County,” said Mary Lou Olszewski and Fred Askins, two club members that helped make the trailer a reality. “It is our hope it will provide meaningful support during difficult times of disaster.”

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.