PetSmart Charities Expands Disaster Response Partnership With American Red Cross to Benefit Families and Pets
In an effort to bolster support for families and their pets facing emergencies, PetSmart Charities has renewed its vital partnership with the American Red Cross. This extension will see a significant $2.8 million grant distributed over three years, aimed at enhancing resources dedicated to pet-inclusive disaster services.
As National Pet Preparedness Month kicks off, this renewed support is crucial. Studies indicate that approximately 90% of pet owners would hesitate to evacuate their homes during a disaster if they couldn't bring their furry companions along. Recognizing this, PetSmart Charities’ renewed commitment seeks to ensure that disaster planning includes provisions for pets, allowing families to stay together during times of crisis.
The initiative builds upon a prior collaborative commitment that successfully integrated pets into emergency response strategies. This includes the addition of pet-friendly shelter designations within the Red Cross Emergency App.
PetSmart Charities’ president, Aimee Gilbreath, expressed the importance of this initiative, stating, “For millions of families, leaving their pets behind isn’t an option. No one should have to choose between their safety and their beloved pets in an emergency.” Over the past three years, their joint efforts have resulted in more than 14,000 overnight pet stays in shelters organized by the Red Cross, and the training of 14 pet liaisons who assist in disaster response efforts.
The partnership will strategically focus on five key areas to ensure that disaster response accommodates family pets:
1. Disaster Sheltering and Pet Supplies - Funds will be allocated to provide essential pet supplies quickly when disasters strike, ensuring that pets and their owners have access to comfort kits and basic necessities such as food bowls, leads, and toys.
2. Disaster Financial Services - Through the Red Cross's RC Care case management system, assistance will be extended to families for pet-related expenses incurred during shelter stays or transitions to more permanent housing solutions following a disaster.
3. Pet Preparedness Education - The initiative includes a push to educate pet owners about preparing for disasters and how to utilize the Red Cross Emergency App to find pet-friendly shelters.
4. Staffing and Disaster Training - This funding will enhance Red Cross operations by embedding pet-inclusive planning into their disaster response training and operations, ensuring every aspect of disaster management is mindful of pets’ needs.
5. Updating Disaster Platforms - The grant supports upgrading Red Cross data systems to better collect pet-related information and integrating it into their overall disaster response strategy.
Brad Kiserman, the Vice President of Disaster Operations and Logistics at the American Red Cross, highlighted the organization's crucial role, noting that they respond to disasters every ten minutes on average. He emphasized how this partnership allows families, including those with pets, to be better prepared and supported during emergencies.
For pet owners, being prepared means knowing what resources are available and having a plan. PetSmart Charities encourages pet families to utilize the pet preparedness checklist available on their website and to download the Red Cross Emergency App for real-time emergency alerts and access to pet-friendly shelters. To access these resources, interested individuals can text "GETEMERGENCY" to 90999.
By pouring resources into improving disaster preparedness for pets, PetSmart Charities is on the frontline of ensuring that families can stay together, reduce stress, and navigate through recovery during emergencies. The organization’s deep-seated mission is to create a better world for pets and their humans, and initiatives like these reinforce their commitment to making that a reality.
To learn more about keeping your pets safe during a crisis and to download the essential pet preparedness checklist, visit PetSmart Charities at their official website.
As National Pet Preparedness Month kicks off, this renewed support is crucial. Studies indicate that approximately 90% of pet owners would hesitate to evacuate their homes during a disaster if they couldn't bring their furry companions along. Recognizing this, PetSmart Charities’ renewed commitment seeks to ensure that disaster planning includes provisions for pets, allowing families to stay together during times of crisis.
The initiative builds upon a prior collaborative commitment that successfully integrated pets into emergency response strategies. This includes the addition of pet-friendly shelter designations within the Red Cross Emergency App.
PetSmart Charities’ president, Aimee Gilbreath, expressed the importance of this initiative, stating, “For millions of families, leaving their pets behind isn’t an option. No one should have to choose between their safety and their beloved pets in an emergency.” Over the past three years, their joint efforts have resulted in more than 14,000 overnight pet stays in shelters organized by the Red Cross, and the training of 14 pet liaisons who assist in disaster response efforts.
The partnership will strategically focus on five key areas to ensure that disaster response accommodates family pets:
1. Disaster Sheltering and Pet Supplies - Funds will be allocated to provide essential pet supplies quickly when disasters strike, ensuring that pets and their owners have access to comfort kits and basic necessities such as food bowls, leads, and toys.
2. Disaster Financial Services - Through the Red Cross's RC Care case management system, assistance will be extended to families for pet-related expenses incurred during shelter stays or transitions to more permanent housing solutions following a disaster.
3. Pet Preparedness Education - The initiative includes a push to educate pet owners about preparing for disasters and how to utilize the Red Cross Emergency App to find pet-friendly shelters.
4. Staffing and Disaster Training - This funding will enhance Red Cross operations by embedding pet-inclusive planning into their disaster response training and operations, ensuring every aspect of disaster management is mindful of pets’ needs.
5. Updating Disaster Platforms - The grant supports upgrading Red Cross data systems to better collect pet-related information and integrating it into their overall disaster response strategy.
Brad Kiserman, the Vice President of Disaster Operations and Logistics at the American Red Cross, highlighted the organization's crucial role, noting that they respond to disasters every ten minutes on average. He emphasized how this partnership allows families, including those with pets, to be better prepared and supported during emergencies.
For pet owners, being prepared means knowing what resources are available and having a plan. PetSmart Charities encourages pet families to utilize the pet preparedness checklist available on their website and to download the Red Cross Emergency App for real-time emergency alerts and access to pet-friendly shelters. To access these resources, interested individuals can text "GETEMERGENCY" to 90999.
By pouring resources into improving disaster preparedness for pets, PetSmart Charities is on the frontline of ensuring that families can stay together, reduce stress, and navigate through recovery during emergencies. The organization’s deep-seated mission is to create a better world for pets and their humans, and initiatives like these reinforce their commitment to making that a reality.
To learn more about keeping your pets safe during a crisis and to download the essential pet preparedness checklist, visit PetSmart Charities at their official website.
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