- PetSmart Charities awarded the American Red Cross a three-year, $2.8 million grant.
- Funding will support pet-friendly sheltering, emergency supplies, and disaster assistance for pet owners.
- The partnership will expand pet preparedness education and pet-inclusive disaster planning.
- More than 14,000 overnight pet stays have been supported through Red Cross shelters since the organizations began working together.
- The initiative aims to reduce barriers that prevent pet owners from evacuating during emergencies.
PetSmart Charities has renewed its support of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program with a three-year, $2.8 million grant focused on expanding pet-inclusive disaster services across the United States.
The funding will help the Red Cross provide resources for pet owners before, during, and after disasters, including pet-friendly sheltering, emergency pet supplies, financial assistance, and preparedness education.
According to PetSmart Charities, access to pet-friendly disaster services can play a critical role in evacuation decisions, with many pet owners reluctant to leave their homes if they cannot bring their animals with them.
Expanding Support for Pets and Families
The renewed partnership will support several initiatives, including providing pet supplies to disaster shelters, expanding pet-related assistance through Red Cross case management programs, and enhancing pet preparedness resources available to the public.
Funding will also support training and operational planning to help integrate pet needs into disaster response efforts, as well as improvements to Red Cross systems that identify and track pet-friendly shelter locations.
“Over the last three years, we’ve seen what can happen when we work together to keep families together and safe,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities.
The organizations reported that previous funding helped support more than 14,000 overnight pet stays in Red Cross shelters and aided the training of specialized pet liaisons who assist during disaster response operations.
Supporting Pet Welfare During Emergencies
As natural disasters and emergency events continue to affect communities nationwide, animal welfare organizations increasingly emphasize the importance of incorporating pets into preparedness and response planning.
The renewed investment is intended to help ensure that pet owners have access to resources that allow them to remain with their animals while seeking safety and beginning recovery efforts.
Information sourced from a PetSmart Charities press release announcing a three-year, $2.8 million grant to the American Red Cross to support pet-inclusive disaster preparedness and response programs.
