The American Kennel Club (AKC) and AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC/CAR) are coordinating with the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs to help the animal victims of Hurricane Charley.  Donations of crates, ex-pens, space blankets, food, water, a water purifier, batteries, flash lights, a camera and film have been shipped to the Cattleman's Arena/Civic Center in Wachula, FL, and to the Polk County Agricultural Center in Bartow, FL.

"Similar to the California wildfire disaster last year, hundreds of animals have been displaced in Florida as a result of Hurricane Charley and we are doing everything in our power to provide assistance," said Dennis B. Sprung, AKC's President and CEO.  "The Florida Association of Kennel Clubs has been instrumental in that effort and we greatly appreciate their hard work."

Supplies are being made available through the AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund as well as through the generous support of Hartz Mountain Corp., which sent large donations of flea and tick dog spray, flea and tick shampoo and hundreds of dog collars; Cherrybrook, Inc., which provided crates, space blankets and ex-pens at wholesale prices to the AKC; and, Purina, which continues to make dog and cat food available.

All contributions made to the AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund are used to immediately purchase needed equipment and supplies and deliver them directly to contact centers. Any club, organization or individual wishing to designate their donation specifically to this cause should specify on the check or accompanying correspondence "for Florida hurricane relief."  All contributions made to the AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund are tax deductible.

Contributions can be made at http://www.akc.org/news/wildfires/contribute.cfm, or via checks made payable to "AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund" and mailed to:

AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund
American Kennel Club
260 Madison Avenue
New York, NY  10016-2401

Tax-deductible donations may also be made to:

Florida Association of Kennel Clubs
c/o Diane Albers
401 Cardinal Oaks
Lake Mary, FL 32746