Smith County Receives Donation of AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer
AKC Reunite, the largest non-profit pet identification and recovery service provider in the United States, is pleased to announce the donation of its 113th AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer to Tyler, TX for Smith County. This life-saving equipment will be available to dispatch to any local disaster scene that needs assistance sheltering pets. This trailer was delivered on July 26th and will assist Smith County in helping community pets that may become displaced in an emergency
“We are so thankful to the clubs who have helped make this donation to Smith County,” said Tom Sharp, President & CEO of AKC Reunite. “This area of Texas is prone to extreme weather, and just last month had a disaster declaration. This lifesaving equipment will be there to help the people and pets affected by future storms and other emergencies.”
“Rose Country Retriever Cub of East Texas is honored to be a supporter of the Smith County Fire Marshal/Office of Emergency Management, and The AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer Program.”
James Arnold ~ President of the Rose County Retriever Club of East Texas
AKC Pet Disaster Relief is a nationwide program sponsored by AKC Reunite, the country’s largest non-profit microchip identification and recovery service. AKC Reunite partners with AKC® Dog Clubs and pet lovers across the country to make these donations a reality. The Smith Country trailer was made possible by the Rose Country Retriever Club, DFW Dachshund Rescue, English Cocker Spaniel Club of America Health and Rescue Organization, Hunter Hogan Foundation, Smith County Animal Shelter, Rozell Sprayers and MuttNation.
“Rose Country Retriever Cub of East Texas is honored to be a supporter of the Smith County Fire Marshal/Office of Emergency Management, and The AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer Program,” said James Arnold, President of the Rose County Retriever Club of East Texas. “These resources will greatly benefit the local community in case of the event of a natural disaster or emergency.”
The equipment in the AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers helps to create a safe, temporary home-base for at least 65 pets during the first 72 hours after a disaster is declared. The trailers house and deliver essential animal care items including crates and carriers, AKC Reunite microchips and an AKC Reunite universal microchip scanner, bowls, collars and leashes as well as fans, lighting and a generator, cleaning supplies and maintenance items. 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.
“This trailer will allow us to care for and shelter pets during times of disasters, ultimately leading to increased abilities when sheltering operations of persons are conducted. This trailer comes fully stocked and can be immediately deployed thanks to our donors and the American Kennel Club,” said Brandon Moore, Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator. “We are very grateful to our community partners who donated funds to make this happen, and to the American Kennel Club. Smith County is “Striving for Excellence” and one way we are doing that is by taking care of our citizens during disasters, including the ones with four legs. We still have a lot of work to do, but this is a very important step.”
Learn more about how to get involved online with AKC Pet Disaster Relief or contact us at 919-816-3980 and relief@akcreunite.org.
