APPMA Hurricane Relief Efforts

APPMA Members Donate Much Needed Products to Pet Shelters & the National Search Dog Foundation Canines Called to Action in Aftermath of Hurricanes

As the devastation began to unfold in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) was immediately overwhelmed with calls from members, companies, and the general public wanting to help those in need in the Gulf Coast. APPMA board members and staff knew they must act fast to do their part in organizing a relief effort. It was decided that APPMA could be most effective in serving as a central clearing house of information from animal shelters and people in need of pet assistance and those in a position to help.

APPMA staff took to the phones and the internet to do our best to reach shelters in the Gulf States – we were especially interested in contacting a group with whom we had worked closely with in 2004, the Louisiana SPCA. This group was our trade show’s official charity when it was held in New Orleans. Truckloads had been donated to the organization and many members had a very rewarding experience with them. So when Hurricane Katrina hit, members were more than willing to continue efforts to help out the Louisiana SPCA and any other shelter that needed assistance.

APPMA immediately posted a list of pet shelters, clinics and organizations in need of assistance on its website and began broadcasting information to hundreds of companies and organizations that could provide assistance, and asked these companies and media outlets to post links to the Association’s website.

Additionally, APPMA set up a link for shelters to list needed items and to provide updates as their needs change. Within minutes of the first communications out to APPMA’s membership, massive pet product donations got underway. APPMA will continue to update the information posted at www.appma.org to keep everyone posted.

APPMA would like to thank the following members (list compiled as of press time) who let us know that they donated products – together we have helped make a difference, but the need for our support will be there for many, many months to come as the Gulf States prepare to rebuild:

Atomic Pet
Azmira Holistic Animal Care
Bramton Company
BZ Pet
Doggie de Lites
Doggles
Eagle Pack
Earth’s Balance
Fat Cat Inc.
The Garmon Corporation
Golddiggers
GreenTree
Kennel-Aire
Lixit Corporation
Miracle Corp.
NaturVet
Nestle Purina
Petkin Inc.
Planet Wise Products
PolyBrite International
Sea Yu Enterprises
Sergeant’s
Style Living Corp.
Veterinary Ventures

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

NATIONAL DISASTER SEARCH DOG FOUNDATION CANINES CALLED TO SERVICE IN THE NATION’S TWO DISASTERS: Response to Hurricane Rita Marks Third Time Organization Plays Integral Role

No sooner had many canine search and rescued dogs trained by National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (NDSDF), returned home with their handlers from the Hurricane Katrina deployment, than they were once again called out by their task forces in response to the nationally significant Hurricane Rita.

Of the 26 NDSDF-trained canines deployed during Hurricane Katrina, 17 canines with their human partners headed to Texas’s Gulf Coast to assist with rescue efforts in the hurricane’s aftermath. NDSDF continues to provide more canine search teams than any other organization in nation to respond to any man-made or natural disaster whether of national, regional or local significance. To date, NDSDF is responsible for training 25% of the nationally advanced certified canines in the United States.

While advanced evacuation efforts seem successful in lessening the chances of loss of life, these canine search teams remain a key component of the team’s rescue response – as these highly trained dogs are able to “clear” each area to make sure no one has been left alive in the debris.

Their remarkable sense of smell and unparalleled ability to navigate dangerous terrain faster and more safely than any other "tool" in the first responder’s toolbox, make search dogs an invaluable asset to the rescue efforts.

ABOUT NATIONAL DISASTER SEARCH DOG FOUNDATION
National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission to produce the most highly trained canine disaster search teams in the nation. The Foundation is responsible for training over 25% of all of the Advanced FEMA canine search teams in the United States and provided 33% of the teams deployed on September 11, 2001 to the World Trade Center. Website: www.SearchDogFoundation.org or call 1-888-4K9-HERO