Mars Petcare Nonprofit Organizations are Funding the Preventive Care and Transport of Pets Out of Overcrowded Shelters in Texas and Oklahoma to Help Find Them Forever Homes
VANCOUVER, WASH. —OCT. 21, 2020—Banfield Foundation, PEDIGREE Foundation and VCA Charities, all nonprofit organizations connected to Mars Petcare and Mars Veterinary Health, are coming together to fund the transport and preventive care for 800 pets at risk of being euthanized from at-capacity shelters in the United States. In coordination with the Humane Society of Tulsa, a leader in animal transport, each organization is assisting municipal shelters that are at —or beyond— capacity to help find loving homes for pets in need. In addition to funding transport costs, the nonprofits will enable access to comprehensive veterinary care, including vaccinations, testing, behavior assessments and more to the hundreds of prospective adoptive pets.
Although some shelters are reporting low inventory due to increased pet adoptions during COVID-19,1 there are a significant number of healthy, adoptable pets being euthanized in the United States, especially in Oklahoma and Texas. Shelters and rescues in California, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Washington and more will receive these pets now through the end of 2020 in order to provide deserving cats and dogs a chance at a better future.
“Due to the impact of COVID-19, the animal welfare community has been greatly affected. One of the biggest issues is the devastating backlog of critical preventive care, including spay and neuter, resulting in a growing population of vulnerable pets,” said Kim Van Syoc, Executive Director, Banfield Foundation. “Not only are we thrilled to help find homes for 800 deserving pets, we are excited to partner with the PEDIGREE Foundation and VCA Charities to deliver on our shared purpose of A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS—a world where pets are wanted, cared for and welcomed. This collaboration is another one way we can help deliver meaningful progress against Mars Petcare’s ambition to end pet homelessness.”
“Many shelter partners are still in desperate need of help—while some have seen a rise in pet adoptions as a result of the pandemic, other shelters are flooded with surrenders due to the hardships COVID-19 has brought on families,” said Debra Fair, Executive Director, PEDIGREE Foundation. “We are proud to be part of this collaboration to help facilitate the transfer and care of these pets, and ultimately help them find the loving forever homes they all deserve.”
Beginning in 2017, the Humane Society of Tulsa created an emergency Pet Transport Hub that helped rescue and rehome 350 animals in one week. Following the initial program’s success, the hub was launched in April 2018 and has safely moved thousands of dogs and cats across the country. Unfortunately, the pandemic halted transports in March, but the Humane Society of Tulsa has been able to safely begin moving pets again with the help of its partners. In addition to transport, the hub provides each pet with veterinary care, and testing for diseases and behavioral issues, as well as the proper certificates and medical documentation for new owners.
“We are excited to work with Banfield Foundation, PEDIGREE Foundation and VCA Charities to provide a lifesaving opportunity for vulnerable pets during this time,” said Gina Gardner, President, Humane Society of Tulsa. “We receive daily calls from shelters looking to save highly-adoptable pets, but are low on funds and people looking to adopt or foster. Being able to say yes to helping those shelters is hugely important and rewarding—thousands of pets are saved each year through transport programs. This year has been difficult for everyone, but being able to finish 2020 on a strong, positive note by saving the lives of 800 pets is a blessing.”
For more information on the Pet Transport Hub or to donate to support efforts like this, visit BanfieldFoundation.org; PedigreeFoundation.org or VCACharites.org.
About the Banfield Foundation®
At the core of the Banfield Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the belief that all pets deserve access to veterinary care. In support of this belief, the foundation funds programs that enable veterinary care, elevate the power of the human-animal bond, provide disaster relief for pets, and advance the science of veterinary medicine through fostering innovation and education. It also leverages the expertise and passion of Banfield Pet Hospital associates to care for pets in need. At the Banfield Foundation, we are committed to making a better world for pets because they make a better world for us. For more information, visit BanfieldFoundation.org.
About PEDIGREE Foundation
We believe every dog deserves a loving, forever home. PEDIGREE Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to help end pet homelessness. Nearly 3.5 million dogs end up in shelters and rescues every year, and nearly half never find a home. The foundation was established in 2008 by Mars Petcare, maker of PEDIGREE® food for dogs, to help increase dog adoption rates. We’ve awarded more than 5,500 grants and $8 million to U.S. shelters and rescues that help dogs in need. At PEDIGREE Foundation, we’re working toward a day when all dogs are safe, secure, cared for, fed well and loved. See how you can help: PEDIGREEFoundation.org.
1 Washington Post. Dog adoptions and sales soar during the pandemic. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/08/12/adoptions-dogs-coronavirus/. Accessed October 2020.
