DOGNY: America's Tribute to Search and Rescue Dogs

Special tribute dog toy by Hartz created in memory of September 11 to recognize search and rescue dogs:

Hartz Mountain is teaming up with the American Kennel Club Kennel Club

the principal body for maintaining stud books and registering purebred dogs in Great Britain. (AKC AKC - Ascending Kleene Chain ) to do its part to help America recover from the Sept 11 disaster.

The Secaucus, NJ.-based pet supply manufacturer has announced that it will be a sponsor of the DOGNY program, a tribute to search and rescue dogs sponsored by the AKC. The program is designed to honor the canine heroes of Sept 11 and to support their counterparts, who are involved in search and rescue operations every day.

As part of the program, Hartz and other companies, including lams, have donated funds for the purchase of life-size fiberglass sculptures of German sheperds that will be placed around New York City New York City: see New York, city.
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New York City

City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. beginning in August. At the condusion of the event, the sculptures will be auctioned off with all revenues going to the fund.

"This is something we think we need to do as part of this industry," says Juliann Krauss, corporate vice president of marketing for Hartz. "We feel this will celebrate the human/animal bond. We see this as a great way to give back to the pet industry and to honor the pets that serve us everyday."

In addition, Hartz has designed a limited edition toy that is for both pets and children. For every toy sold, the company will donate $1 back to The American Kennel Club's Companion Animal Recovery Corporation Canine Support and Relief Fund, an established 501 (3) charity. The toys are available in three styles to commemorate the breeds most often used in search and rescue activities: German shepherd, Labrador retriever Labrador retriever, breed of large sporting dog whose origins are obscure but whose immediate ancestors were developed in Newfoundland and brought to England in the early 1800s. It stands about 23 in. (58.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs between 60 and 75 lb (27. and bloodhounds. Each toy comes with a removable red, white and blue bandanna and an embroidered DOGNY logo. Dennis Sprung, the vice president of corporate relations for New York-based AKC, says the funds will be used for the additional training of search and rescue dogs.