AKC Pet Disaster Relief Rolls Out Help for Pets in Ocean County, NJ

AKC Reunite, the largest non-profit pet identification and recovery service provider in the United States, is pleased to announce that Ocean County, NJ is now equipped with an AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer that will be available to dispatch to any disaster scene that needs assistance sheltering pets.

AKC Pet Disaster Relief, a national program that is dedicated to keeping pets and their owners safe in response to natural or civil disasters, joined forces with local American Kennel Club dog clubs and dog lovers to present an emergency trailer to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.

“We are beyond grateful to AKC Reunite and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia for providing us with this life-saving tool for our community,” said Kevin Cooney of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office. “Our department is now better equipped to help pets and pet owners in the case of a disaster”.

The 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 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 is the 76th trailer donated through the AKC Pet Disaster Relief program. The trailer will provide critical resources to help the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office quickly assist its community when responding to natural disasters,” said Tom Sharp, AKC Reunite CEO. “Safe, effective pet sheltering solutions are important following a disaster, and we are pleased that an AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer will be available to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office as a vital tool.”

The purchase of the trailer was made possible by a $100,000 donation from the Kennel Club of Philadelphia earlier this year. The funds from this donation were specifically allocated to provide eight AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailers to counties within New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This trailer is the first of the eight from this group and will provide materials to help the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office be prepared for potential disaster.

“Our association is thrilled to be able to bring such an important resource like the AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office,” said Wayne Ferguson, President of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. “The trailer will help the organization assist their community in times of disaster”.

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