AKC Reunite continuously monitors national weather conditions and is in touch with our 67 AKC Pet Disaster Relief recipients when weather threatens their immediate areas. Currently, Mount Kilauea is spewing lava, gas and ash upon the Big Island of Hawaii, and a tropical disturbance over the Yucatan Peninsula has a high chance of developing into a tropical storm threatening heavy rains and flooding in the Gulf over the Memorial Day Weekend. There is also an approaching weather system with increased winds that will lead to critical fire weather conditions along the Colorado River Valley and Mohave County, Arizona. Through all of the uncertainties of what Mother Nature will bring next, the American Kennel Club and AKC Reunite hope that you and your families, friends and pets are safe.
As we monitor these situations, it is important to know all disaster relief/response to any emergency or disaster begins at the local level. If you find that you are in need of storm assistance, including evacuation or sheltering information, contact your local Sheriff’s Office, Animal Control, or local Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Pets are often NOT allowed in Red Cross shelters, so individuals and families should look for specially designated shelters that allow pets or plan to board pets with veterinarians, kennels, or other facilities in non-vulnerable areas. Identification and rabies tags should be attached to the pets’ collars at all times. You can also potentially rely on sheltering provided by the AKC Pet Disaster Relief network. You can find the closest trailer to you by going to https://www.akcreunite.org/map//.
We also wanted to remind you the AKC Reunite Canine Support and Relief Fund provides resources, support and other assistance to not-for-profit animal shelters and similar not-for-profit organizations providing care for pets displaced from disastrous flooding, storms, volcanoes and wildfires. In fact, AKC Humane Fund and AKC Reunite are providing financial assistance and supplies to Hawaii to aid pets displaced by the volcano eruption. If you are aware of specific needs for relief for companion animals in your immediate area, please call 212-696-8220 or email bth@akc.org.
We wish you and yours a very safe Memorial Day weekend.
Truly,
Tom Sharp, President and CEO, AKC Reunite
&
Dennis Sprung, President and CEO, The American Kennel Club
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