PetSmart Charities Launches In-Store Fundraising Initiative for Hurricane Disaster Relief
Animal Search And Rescue (ASAR)’s pet rescue efforts are supported by a $30,000 Disaster Response grant from PetSmart Charities, part of the charity’s initial $500,000 commitment to help pets and their families impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
PHOENIX, Oct. 9, 2024 – In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, PetSmart Charities has launched a nationwide in-store fundraising campaign to support affected pets and their families. The initiative, which runs from October 9 to October 13, 2024, aims to provide essential aid to communities grappling with the aftermath of these natural disasters.
Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic destruction across a broad swath of Florida, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia only to be followed within two weeks by Milton slamming Florida once again. The back-to-back powerful storms spell disaster for communities in Florida that only barely started to recover from Helene’s damage.
Immediate Response and Ongoing Support
PetSmart Charities, recognized as North America’s leading animal welfare funder, has already committed an initial $500,000 in disaster response grants. These funds are being directed towards organizations engaged in search and rescue operations and other critical relief efforts for pets and their owners in the affected regions.
This current initiative builds on PetSmart Charities’ ongoing commitment to respond to natural disasters that spans its three-decade history. In 2005, the organization responded to back-to-back hurricanes Katrina and Rita with grants totaling $3.5 million to 151 animal welfare organizations affected by those storms.
One example of current response efforts enabled by PetSmart Charities is a $30,000 Disaster Response grant to Animal Search And Rescue (ASAR)’s pet rescue efforts. Headquartered in Paola, Kansas, ASAR trains animal responders and offers response teams to requesting agencies during disasters. The funding has assisted ASAR as they deploy their trained responders in the wake of Helene and Milton.
An ASAR team is seen at work in Western North Carolina following hurricane Helene in this TikTok video:
@asar_trainingandresponse On 10/4/24 our animal search and rescue teams responded to a call to remove 5 dogs and 5 puppies from a property in Edneyville NC. The owner could not get back to them after evacuation. Our teams reunited the dogs with their grateful owner. #northcarolina #asartraining #animalrescue #hurricanehelene #asheville #technicalrescue
Aimee Gilbreath, President of PetSmart Charities, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “We’re only beginning to grasp the full impact of Hurricane Helene on pets and their families. With Hurricane Milton looming, the need for support will be even greater. Disasters can strike at any moment. That’s why PetSmart Charities is in constant contact with our national and local disaster response partners, including the American Red Cross, to ensure they have the necessary resources to support pets and their families in emergencies.”
How to Contribute
Customers visiting PetSmart stores across the United States can now contribute directly to the charity’s Disaster Response fund. Donation options of $2, $5, $10, and $20 will be available at checkout registers, allowing pet owners to easily support the relief efforts. Pet parents and donors can also donate online at secure.petsmartcharities.org/disasterfund.
Partnerships and Grant Applications
PetSmart Charities is working closely with national and local disaster response partners, including the American Red Cross. Organizations in areas impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton can apply for grant funds through the PetSmart Charities Disaster Response Portal.
The charity’s support extends beyond immediate relief. A recent survey conducted by PetSmart Charities revealed that 90% of pet parents would refuse to evacuate their homes during a disaster if they couldn’t bring their pets. In response, PetSmart Charities has a three-year, $2 million commitment to the American Red Cross to ensure pets are included in family emergency plans and accommodated in shelters. The funding also supports pet-friendly sheltering and pet-specific resources and services in emergencies, which the American Red Cross has been utilizing during the brutal 2024 hurricane season.
Ongoing Updates and Resources
For those seeking information on pet-friendly shelters, the American Red Cross Sheltering Services website provides up-to-date listings. PetSmart Charities also offers resources on keeping pets safe during crises, including a downloadable pet preparedness checklist available on their website.
As the 2024 hurricane season continues, PetSmart Charities remains vigilant, ready to deploy additional resources as needed. The organization encourages ongoing support and directs those interested in contributing or staying informed to follow their social media channels on Instagram and Facebook for real-time updates on disaster response efforts.
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