PetSmart Charities® Provides Emergency Relief to Pets Affected by Hurricane Sandy
PHOENIX (October 30, 2012) — PetSmart Charities has dispatched six Emergency Relief Waggin’® vehicles, each stocked with $80,000 worth of crucial supplies, to a temporary distribution center in Syracuse, New York. The distribution center will be set up on Wednesday, Oct. 31, and will provide necessary supplies to animal welfare organizations and the pets impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Teams of volunteers from PetSmart Charities and the ASPCA will be on-site to provide assistance.
Supplies will be distributed to animal welfare organizations across the entire northeastern U.S. through the temporary distribution center. PetSmart Charities expects to provide relief to 3,000-6,000 pets in need.*
PetSmart Charities has a strong commitment to assisting pets affected by large-scale natural disasters and man-made emergencies. Since 2004, PetSmart Charities has funded nearly $8 million in emergency relief grants.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people and pets affected by this devastating storm,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. “These supplies will enable local animal welfare groups to help those who were hurt most by the damaging winds and water of Hurricane Sandy.”
How To Help
The PetSmart Charities Emergency Relief program is funded by donations. Members of the public can support the program by making a donation online, by emailing at gifts@petsmartcharities.org or via phone at 1-800-423-PETS. Visit www.petsmartcharities.org/emergency-relief for the more information about emergency relief efforts.
*Please note the general public cannot pick up food and supplies at the distribution center. Donations of food and/or supplies from the public will not be accepted.
About PetSmart Charities®
Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided more than $165 million in grants and programs benefiting animal-welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of more than 5 million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).
