ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Lehigh Valley's County Animal Response Team, or LVCART, has additional life-saving equipment to help area pets in an emergency.
AKC Reunite, the largest nonprofit pet identification and recovery service provider, announced Monday it donated its 119th American Kennel Club Pet Disaster Relief trailer to Lehigh County.
"This area, which is prone to flooding and winter storms, will now have the equipment they need to help their neighbors and their pets during an emergency."AKC Reunite Chief Executive Officer Tom Sharp
The release said the trailer, which "will assist the Lehigh County Emergency Management Agency in helping community pets that may become displaced in an emergency," was delivered Sept. 10.
"This area, which is prone to flooding and winter storms, will now have the equipment they need to help their neighbors and their pets during an emergency," AKC Reunite Chief Executive Officer Tom Sharp said in the release.
AKC Pet Disaster Relief is a program sponsored by AKC Reunite, which partners with AKC Dog Clubs and donors.
'Safe, temporary home base'
The trailers are stocked with "essential animal care items" such as crates, microchips and scanners, bowls, collars, leashes, fans and other cleaning and maintenance items.
They help create "a safe, temporary home-base for at least 65 pets" within the first 72 hours after a disaster is declared, the release says.
"These trailers do so much to assist in the aftermath of a disaster and we are thrilled to be able to help communities and their pets feel a little safer during their time of need."Kennel Club of Philadelphia President Wayne Ferguson
"Lehigh County Emergency Services is extremely appreciative to AKC Reunite and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia for graciously donating the disaster pet relief trailer to the county," Lehigh County Office of Emergency Management Director Tanya Hook said.
It's not the first trailer to come to the area. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia donated a trailer to Northampton County in 2019.
"Our club has sponsored over a dozen trailers through AKC Reunite," Kennel Club of Philadelphia President Wayne Ferguson said.
"These trailers do so much to assist in the aftermath of a disaster and we are thrilled to be able to help communities and their pets feel a little safer during their time of need."
