UKC Wishes to Thank First Responders in Aftermath of Southwest Michigan Tornadoes

May 8, 2024

On Tuesday night, May 7, multiple confirmed tornadoes touched down throughout southwest Michigan, and caused significant damage, in some cases within three miles of the United Kennel Club office.

Despite the damage to houses, trees, and businesses in the Kalamazoo and Portage area, along with extensive power outages, we are happy to report that multiple local news outlets have indicated only a handful of non-life threatening injuries, and no fatalities.

First responders, state troopers, and work crews have been hard at work since Tuesday night in an effort to clear debris and conduct welfare checks on those most affected by the storms, to offer any assistance needed.

Kalamazoo has been home to UKC since its founding in 1898, and we remain a proud part of the community. In that spirit, we wish to take time to thank those first responders who are doing so much in the aftermath of these storms.

UKC wishes to show our thanks to those first responders by offering up what we have to them. The office is operating as normal, with power, internet access, and so on. As such, any uniformed first responder working in the area is welcome to come to the front lobby of the UKC office during business hours for water, coffee, power, internet, and bathrooms.

We are proud to be part of this community, and extend our thoughts and prayers to those affected.

Guided by the belief that dogs make a difference by being the best partner a human can have in the field, on the job, or in a competition event, UKC is a community for people and dogs to pursue excellence together. Founded in 1898, UKC has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of Dogs That Do More, and their owners, by providing essential resources to help owners and breeders make informed decisions. The dog-human bond is celebrated through family-friendly programs highlighting the instincts and heritage of purebred and mixed-breed dogs alike at over 18,000 licensed events annually.