Aurora, Ohio, February 21, 2003…The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) have agreed to relocate the seven-year-old AKC Canine Health Foundation to Raleigh, North Carolina with the Foundation offices to be located in the American Kennel Club building.

"This is a major step forward and the American Kennel Club is pleased to provide significant savings on expenses, which will result in more AKC/CHF funds available for research," said Ron Menaker, AKC Board Chairman.

Howard Falberg, AKC/CHF President, commented, "The board of directors has been reviewing this opportunity for quite some time, and we have determined that AKC/CHF will benefit greatly from this change. The savings in overhead expenses and the support of services from the AKC will enable us to more fully concentrate on what we do best - funding and managing top quality canine health research."

The AKC/CHF toll-free number (888-682-9696) and email (akcchf@aol.com) will remain the same. Office phone and fax numbers will be changed for the Raleigh area code, with calls and mail forwarded for a period of time after the move. Donors will be notified of new contact information via mail, and visitors may check with the website, www.akcchf.org, for new information.

The AKC/CHF board of directors and staff are currently working to ensure a seamless move. Office operations will be continuous throughout, including support for research grants, donations and acknowledgements, special event planning, and other programs and daily activities.

Since being founded by the AKC in 1995, the AKC/CHF has raised over $8.7 million for over 180 canine health research projects. This research has led to several breakthroughs in such conditions as cystinuria (a common kidney disease in dogs), von Willebrand's disease (a blood disorder affecting many breeds), and progressive retinal atrophy (an eye disease).

Collaborative projects have led to the development of the canine genome map, successful gene therapy, and several genetic tests for dogs. None of this could have happened without the continued support of the AKC.