Petco Love Makes a Difference for Animals Affected by SoCal Wildfires

Petco Love in Action: Supporting Pets Affected by Wildfires

In January 2025, Southern California faced tragic wildfires, devastating communities and displacing countless pets. In this challenging time, Petco Love, a prominent national nonprofit, has stepped up to provide essential support to both pets and their owners in the Los Angeles area, showcasing what it truly means to unify for a cause.

On-the-Ground Efforts

Understanding the urgent needs of displaced animals, Petco Love is actively engaging at various shelters, including LA Animal Services and Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control. Their dedicated team members are working to support an emergency foster care program, helping facilitate the adoption and fostering of pets who are in dire need of homes. During the month of January, Petco Love is sponsoring free adoptions to encourage community members to help these animals find loving homes.

Beyond simply offering foster care, Petco Love is providing critical customer service support. This enables community members interested in assisting to receive guidance on the adoption and fostering process. By doing so, Petco Love is making a direct impact, creating space for the influx of displaced pets desperately needing shelter as the wildfires wreak havoc in their lives.

Reuniting Families with Their Pets

One of the standout features of Petco Love's response is the use of their online tool, Petco Love Lost, a free national database designed to help reunite lost pets with their families. This platform works around the clock, offering resources to families who have been separated due to the chaos of the wildfires.

Using advanced photo-matching technology, Petco Love Lost enables families to find their lost pets efficiently, integrating with local shelters and popular community platforms like Nextdoor. This comprehensive approach aims to simplify the often heartbreaking journey of finding lost pets.

Financial Support for Local Shelters

Petco Love has also committed significant financial resources to ensure local animal welfare organizations can continue their vital work amidst this crisis. An initial grant of $250,000 has been allocated to support organizations such as Pasadena Humane and LA Animal Care & Control. Petco Love's contributions are aimed at boosting disaster relief efforts and funding lifesaving initiatives, with plans for additional funding as needs arise.

Statements of Commitment

During these trying times, Susanne Kogut, President of Petco Love, expressed the organization's unwavering commitment to animal welfare in affected communities. She stated, "Petco Love is strongly committed to our shelter and rescue partners in the Los Angeles area in their time of need. We’re supporting on-the-ground efforts and our partners to be the most effective in their relentless efforts to save pet lives."

The organization encourages all members of the community to partake in these heroic efforts, whether by adopting or fostering pets in need or even aiding lost pet reunions. They invite individuals to visit their donation page to support these initiatives, fostering a sense of collective responsibility towards the well-being of pets during adverse times.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Petco Love and local shelters reflects a profound commitment to animal welfare, ensuring that every pet affected by the wildfires receives the care and support it deserves. As the community rallies together, Petco Love stands as a beacon of hope, encouraging pet adoption, fostering, and reunion, reminding us all of the power of love and community in the face of disaster.