Wyoming pets will be a little safer now that Natrona County Emergency Management has obtained its own AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer, an emergency trailer that helps create a safe, temporary home-base for at least 65 pets immediately after a disaster is declared.
The trailer’s purchase was made possible by more than $22,000 in donations and grants from local Wyoming and national dog organizations, including the Central Wyoming Kennel Club, Rocky Mountain Tibetan Terrier Club, the Altitude Vet Clinic, the Tibetan Terrier Club of America, the Puli Club of America, and AKC Reunite, the nation’s largest non-profit pet identification and recovery service.
“It’s so rewarding to finally be able to present the Natrona County Emergency Management with a resource that has been several years in the coming.”
Brenda Peters of the Central Wyoming Kennel Club
“This trailer will provide animal care services during the first critical hours if a major disaster ever strikes Natrona county or the state of Wyoming,” 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 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.
“It is so rewarding to finally be able to present the Natrona County Emergency Management with a resource that has been several years in the coming,” said Brenda Peters of the Central Wyoming Kennel Club. “Ironically, the Wyoming trailer arrived in Natrona county shortly before the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, an event that helped give spark the eventual creation of AKC Pet Disaster Relief. Thanks to the generosity of several national and local organizations, as well as local businesses and community pet owners and animal lovers, we now have an AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer based here in Casper. May we never have to use it, but in case we do, Casper can at least say we are prepared.”
Lt. Stewart Anderson of Natrona County Emergency Management said, “This trailer will allow us to set up an extensive emergency shelter to assist pet owners if we are hit by any disasters in the future. 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.
