Subject: News release- March 18, 2008- Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Halifax Kennel Club and the HRM Fire Service Join efforts to help save our household pets lives

Halifax - Monday, March 18, 2008 - The Halifax Kennel Club (HKC) donated eight emergency oxygen masks especially designed for household pets to the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Service.

Established in 1944, the HKC's main purpose is to promote and encourage the welfare of the purebred dog: to use its best efforts to guard the interests of the owners and breeders of the purebred dog, insofar as canine matters are concerned; to conduct shows, tests and field trials; to raise money for the purpose of the Club by giving of any entertainment and holding of fairs, exhibitions or shows of any kind.

However, out of concern for all dog breeds, including mixed breeds and other animals who enrich the lives of so many families in the HRM, the HKC decided to focus its attention on the welfare of all our household pets.

"We believe this is a first in Canada" said Linda Wozniak, Past President of the HKC; "we are proud to lead the way in providing these emergency oxygen masks to our municipal fire and emergency service and help save the lives of pets who have been involved in home fires and other traumatic experiences".

Under the auspices of the Canadian Kennel Club, the HKC membership is proud to share its love for dogs and pets of all sorts with the community. It is also pleased to offer its expertise in the fields of canine welfare, behavior and activities to the members of the HRM residents. As an authoritative canine body, it is also well positioned to provide its informed views to the HRM civic representatives in dealing with policies which affect the relationship between communities and their dog population.

Over the coming years, the Halifax Kennel Club will continue its fund raising efforts in order to provide the HRM with additional emergency oxygen mask and we take this opportunity to ask the citizens of the HRM to contribute by addressing their donations to: Mark Grant, 746 Basinview, Bedford Nova Scotia, B4A 3N4

Contact: Mark Grant : 835-9186