The Reunite Trailer

AKC Pet Disaster Relief Unit

Living on the coast, in an active hurricane and tornado zone, means residents need to prepare for an emergency that could happen at any moment. Families include their pets in their disaster plans but even the best plans can go awry, or a disaster happens so quickly that beloved pets become separated from their people. Unfortunately, this is a common scenario after a disaster.

The Savannah Kennel Club (SKC) to the rescue! They are working hard toward purchasing an American Kennel Club (AKC) Pet Disaster Relief Unit trailer for Effingham County Animal Shelter that will provide pets with much needed assistance immediately following a disaster, before FEMA support and services are deployed.

The AKC/SKC Reunite trailer provides co-location for the pets and service animals of people evaluating emergency situations. Each trailer contains many of the materials necessary to set up an emergency shelter for fifty or more pets and service animals.

It can be used as a pop-up emergency sheltering facility for pets that are displaced from their families in a disaster’s aftermath. Instead of pet parents putting themselves in harm’s way in an attempt to find their pet in a disaster area, authorities can use the AKC Pet Disaster Relief supplies to quickly and efficiently create a temporary, safe haven to care for lost pets. Approved volunteers and shelter staff will provide animal care. The pop-up shelter also serves as a reunion center as people and animals are reunited in the days after a disaster.

Fully Stocked

The AKC/SKC Reunite trailer will be fully stocked with nonperishable necessities while it is used as a safe, temporary homebase for displaced animals.

Typical trailer contents include: • Administrative Supplies: Log books, volunteer registration forms, wrist/collar bands, check-in materials • Maintenance Equipment: Batteries, gas can, duct tape • Animal Care Items: Crates packed on rolling dollies for easy set-up, cat carriers, litter, microchips and scanner, bowls, collars, and leashes • Equipment: Fans, generator, lighting, hose • Cleaning Supplies: Mop, trash can, tarps, litter boxes, disinfectants • Access to Training Materials: Turnkey implementation of co-located shelters and pop-up reunion centers, volunteer mobilization, decontamination, and replenishment

Ready to Roll

The AKC/SKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer is a 16 foot x 7 foot, two-axle trailer and is able to house at least 65 pets during the first few critical days after a disaster is declared. The trailer has interior lighting and is wired for electricity to run off either its own generator or a 110v power supply. The Reunite Trailers cost about $30,000. It allows emergency personnel to put together lost-and-found pet shelters in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.

WagFest

WagFest is annual two-day, all-about-dogs festival featuring dock diving, Fast Cat, and other canine sports. There is something for everyone--activities, contents and games, food, raffles and contest, presentations by pet experts and more. Sponsored by the SKC it is a very popular annual event.

All the proceeds raised at this year’s WagFest, held Sept. 1718, will be going to the purchase of the AKC Reunite trailer for Effingham County Animal Shelter. The proceeds from last year’s WagFest went towards the purchase of one for Chatham County Animal Services, which was dedicated at this year’s event.

With generous community support and the leadership of the Savannah Kennel Club, next year the Effingham County Animal Shelter will be receiving their rescue trailer at WagFest.