AKC Pet Disaster Relief Rolls Out Help for Pets in Washington State and Bucks County, Pennsylvania

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Washington State and Pennsylvania’s Bucks County are both now equipped with a new state-of-the-art AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer that will be available to dispatch to any disaster scenes that need assistance sheltering pets. This is Washington’s third and Bucks County’s first trailer.

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 Washington State Animal Response Team and the Bucks County Animal Response Team & Bucks County Emergency Services in two recent ceremonies. There are now 55 AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer rolled out nationwide.

AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers help 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, generators, 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.

“The first hours following a disaster are critical, and this trailer will provide the shelter and supplies needed to care for animals and keep them safe,” said Tom Sharp, AKC Reunite CEO. “AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers provide impacted areas safe and effective pet sheltering solutions, and AKC Reunite is pleased to provide communities across the nation a valuable tool during such disasters.”

The purchase of the Washington state trailer was made possible by more than $22,000 in donations and grants from Invisible Fence^® Brand, the Washington Brittany Club, Cascade Havanese Club, Sammamish Kennel Club, Mount Rainier Working Dog Club, Washington State Obedience Training Club, Puget Sound Doberman Pinscher Club, Adele Keyfel, Evergreen Basenji Club, Whidbey Island Kennel Club, Pacific Crest Keeshond Club, Dog Judges Association of America, Basenji Club of America and AKC Reunite, the nation’s largest non-profit pet identification and recovery service.

“We are incredibly grateful to these AKC dog clubs and AKC Reunite for giving us such an important tool. With the addition of a second AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer to WASART it allows us to extend the reach of our care needed for pets in times of disaster, giving Washington State pet owners a sense of calm,” said Gretchen McCallum, co-founder and treasurer of the Washington State Animal Response Team.

“Our club is proud to be part of providing a safe haven for pets affected by disasters in Washington State,” said Sheri-Berndt Smith, president of the Whidbey Island Kennel Club. “We’re dedicated to the safety of all animals, and we’re very pleased to help bring another AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer to the State. It is hoped this trailer, and others, will provide much needed support to pets and pet owners both before and after a disaster.”

“Pet safety and well-being is of the utmost importance to us, and our company,” said Georgia Welch of Invisible Fence Brand. “We’re glad to help provide communities invaluable tools like the AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer.”

The purchase of the Bucks County trailer was made possible by more than $22,000 in donations and grants from the Hatboro Dog Club, Kennel Club of Philadelphia, Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Dog Judges Association of America and AKC Reunite.

“Bucks County has had an active Animal Response Team for many years and this new trailer greatly enhances their capability to serve the community,” said Scott Forster, director of Emergency Services for Bucks County. “We are extremely grateful to these AKC dog clubs and AKC Reunite for giving us such an important tool. The AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer will allow us to give our pets the care they need in times of disaster, giving Bucks County pet owners peace of mind.”

“We’re glad to help provide a safe haven for pets affected by disasters in Bucks County and surrounding areas,” said Wayne Ferguson, president of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. “We’re dedicated to the safety of all pets and committed to providing support in times of crisis.”

“Our club is proud to be a part of providing safety to Bucks County pets,” said Milan D. Lint, president of Hatboro Dog Club. “Giving back to the community is an important part of what we Pennsylvania dog clubs do and we’re glad to help bring this AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer, which can provide meaningful support during the difficult times before and after a disaster.”

Learn more about how to get involved in AKC Pet Disaster Relief at www.akcreunite.org/relief.