TAKE THE LEAD ESTABLISHES KATRINA RELIEF FUND
 TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO DOG SHOW PEOPLE

Take The Lead has announced the formation of The Katrina Relief Fund  to help people in the dog show world who have suffered losses in the  devastation of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi.

The American Kennel Club ($25,000), The Westminster Kennel Club  ($10,000) and the Dog Judges Association of America ($5,000) have  stepped up to make the initial donations to help provide immediate  assistance.

“We have many friends who are in need and we want to help in whatever  way we can,” said Take The Lead President Edd E. Bivin. “This fund  will help provide some immediate relief for those touched by this
disaster. We thank the AKC, Westminster and the DJAA for their  generous response and leadership in this effort.”

The Katrina Relief Fund has been created to assist people who have  been involved in the sport of purebred dogs for five years. Immediate  financial relief is available to those who live in the federally designated disaster area and have suffered loss as a direct result of  the storm.

For further information or to apply for assistance, contact Take The  Lead via its web site www.takethelead.org  or by calling 1-800-814-1123. Checks  should be made out to Take The Lead Katrina Relief Fund and mailed to  Take The Lead, P.O. Box 6353, Watertown, NY 13601. For donations by  credit card, please call the office. All inquiries, applications and  awards are held in strictest confidence.

Take The Lead was established in 1993 to provide financial support to   individuals and families in the purebred dog community who are facing  the realities of life-threatening and often financially devastating
illness. Take The Lead is a not-for-profit foundation as designated   under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.