AKC CAR Donates Over $5,000 to Support People and Paws Search and Rescue Group (WI)
Raleigh, NC (May 6, 2009) – AKC Companion Animal Recovery recently awarded an AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund grant to the People and Paws Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. People and Paws SAR serves the Midwest region of the US and is dedicated to assisting public safety agencies in locating lost or missing persons. The team provides qualified, trained canine resources free of charge when requested by emergency services. Primarily, the team uses three types of K9 teams: Air Scent/Disaster, Tracking/Trailing and Human Detection. As a supplementary function, the team educates children about what to do if lost, how search dogs can find them and how to approach unfamiliar dogs. The team also educates law enforcement on how to utilize the various types of search dogs and how they can be used in current and past missing person cases.
The $5,410 grant will allow the People and Paws Search and Rescue team to purchase equipment items and fund canine re-certification and deployment expenses. Two GPS handheld devices and related software and equipment will be purchased in order to have a digital means of mapping and navigating terrain during searches.
“This team averages fifteen search missions a year. By providing the means to purchase much needed equipment and recertify their dogs, they will be better prepared to be able to continue offering this great service to the Midwest region of the country,” said Tom Sharp, Vice President and CEO of AKC Companion Animal Recovery.
About the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund
The AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund was established as a permanent charitable fund with the goals of providing resources, support, funds, and other assistance to not-for-profit canine search and rescue organizations and K-9 units; not-for-profit veterinary units providing support to the canine rescue teams; and not-for-profit animal shelters and similar not-for-profit organizations providing care for domestic animals orphaned or displaced as a result of natural or civil disasters.
For more information on the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund, visit www.akccar.org or call 1-800-252-7894.